Practical Physiology

by Edward Provan Cathcart

Discover how life’s chemistry powers the body.

This concise guide explains the chemical nature of nutrients and the energy cycle that fuels all living processes, from plants converting sunlight to animals using that energy.

This edition draws on clear, step‑by‑step explanations of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and other proximate principles. It also introduces essential laboratory concepts, including classic tests and how scientists reason about urine and bodily substances to understand physiology. Foundational ideas about how carbohydrates, fats, and proteins form the building blocks of life Introductions to key tests and the logic behind chemical analyses used in physiology Connections between plant and animal metabolism, energy flow, and storage in the body Context for understanding how excretory products reveal body chemistry Ideal for readers seeking a solid grounding in physiological chemistry and the practical methods scientists use to study living systems.

498 pages, Hardcover

First published July 23, 2015