Human Physiology

Dee Silverthorn has been teaching at the University of Texas since 1986 where she lectures and coordinates student laboratories in physiology, and instructs graduate students in a course on developing teaching skills in the life sciences. Her innovative teaching has been recognized with numerous local and national awards, including the American Physiological Society’s Arthur C. Guyton Physiology Educator of the Year and Claude Bernard Distinguished Lectureship, and the University of Texas Marilla D. Svinicki Burnt Orange Apple Award, Texas Excellence Teaching Award, and College of Natural Sciences Teaching Excellence Award. Her textbook also received the Robert W. Hamilton Author Award for best textbook published by a University of Texas faculty member. “Dr. Dee” studied biology and art as an undergraduate at Newcomb College and went onto earn a Ph.D. in marine science from the University of South Carolina. She began her career in the Physiology Department of the Medical University of South Carolina and spent several years at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston before coming to Austin. Her research interest is epithelial transport, and work in her laboratory currently focuses on transport properties of the chick allantoic membrane. She is past chair of the Teaching Section of the American Physiological Society and just completed six years as editor-in-chief of Advances in Physiology Education. Her physiology education outreach extends to the international level and she has organized workshops and symposia in countries around the world.   About the Illustrators Dr. William C. Ober received his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University and his M.D. from the University of Virginia. While in medical school, he also studied in the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. After graduation, Dr. Ober completed a residency in Family Practice and later was on the faculty at the University of Virginia in the Department of Family Medicine. He is currently an Affiliate Professor of Biology at Washington and Lee University and is part of the Core Faculty at Shoals Marine Laboratory, where he teaches Biological Illustration every summer.   Claire W. Garrison, R.N., B.A., practiced pediatric and obstetric nursing before turning to medical illustration as a full-time career. She returned to school at Mary Baldwin College where she received her degree with distinction in studio art. Following a five-year apprenticeship, she has worked as Dr. Ober’s partner in Medical & Scientific Illustration since 1986. She is on the Core Faculty at Shoals Marine Laboratory and co-teaches the Biological Illustration course.   As Medical and Scientific Illustration, some of this team’s titles include Human Anatomy (Benjamin Cummings), Integrated Principles of Zoology(McGraw-Hill), Biology (Raven/Losos, McGraw-Hill), Marine Biology (McGraw-Hill) and Galapagos Marine Life Series (Sugar Spring Press).  

I. BASIC CELL PROCESSES: INTEGRATION AND COORDINATION

1. Introduction to Physiology

2. Molecular Interactions

3. Compartmentation: Cells and Tissues

4. Energy and Cellular Metabolism

5. Membrane Dynamics

6. Communication, Integration, Homeostasis

II. HOMEOSTASIS AND CONTROL

7. Introduction to the Endocrine System

8. Neurons: Cellular and Network Properties

9. The Central Nervous System

10. Sensory Physiology

11. Efferent Division: Autonomic and Somatic Motor Control

12. Muscles

13. Integrative Physiology I: Control of Body Movement

III. INTEGRATION OF FUNCTION

14. Cardiovascular Physiology

15. Blood Flow and the Control of Blood Pressure

16. Blood

17. Mechanics of Breathing

18. Gas Exchange and Transport

19. The Kidneys

20. Integrative Physiology II: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

IV. METABOLISM, GROWTH, AND AGING

21. Digestion

22. Energy Balance and Metabolism

23. Endocrine Control of Growth and Metabolism

24. The Immune System

25. Integrative Physiology III: Exercise

26. Reproduction and Development