How Animals Work by Schmidt-Nielsen, Knut published by Cambridge University Press

by Knut Schmidt-Nielsen

This book is a little gem; it treats in an authoritative and charming manner a number of physiological and morphological adaptations which animals evolved in coping with certain environmental exigencies....I recommend (this book) to fellow biologists of all ages as one of the better buys of its kind. Science

Genres: Science, Biology, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published June 30, 1972

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a weird product, but a reasonable primer on a handful of physiology topics. It assumes a very specific level of prior knowledge which may have been reasonable among zoology undergrads 50 years ago, but just seems poorly explained now. As well, Schmidt-Nielsen's writing isn't always as clear as it could be. The figures are a mixed bag; many of the drawings are difficult to interpret, but the graphs at least are straightforward. It's a shame, because it's worth learning about stuff like how birds breathe and the difference between a counter-current exchanger and a counter-current multiplier. You just kind of already have to know a fair bit about these things in the first place to enjoy this book.

[Wilte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book on animal physiology; mainly on ratio’s between volume and surface (eg in the lungs) and also chapters on counter currents (how not to loose too much heat in appendages). Many and great graphs.