Efficiency and Economy in Animal Physiology

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511565588

There is often confusion over the meaning and usage of terms such as efficiency, economy, effectiveness, optimization and perfection in biology. This book defines and discusses these concepts within a broad evolutionary perspective and considers how evolutionary pressures can affect the economy and efficiency of animals. Chapters consider biomaterials, skeletal systems, muscular function, aquatic and terrestrial locomotion, and cardiovascular systems. The result is a book of interest to all biologists, particularly those working in the field of comparative physiology and evolutionary biology.

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi
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Contents
pp vii-viii
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List of contributors
pp ix-x
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Preface
pp xi-xii
- By Robert W. Blake, Vancouver
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1 - Efficiency, effectiveness, perfection, optimization: their use in understanding vertebrate evolution
pp 1-12
- By C. Gans
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2 - On the efficiency of energy transformations in cells and animals
pp 13-32
- By R.W. Blake
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3 - Adapting skeletal muscle to be efficient
pp 33-42
- By C. J. Pennycuick
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4 - Efficiency and other criteria for evaluating the quality of structural biomaterials
pp 43-64
- By J. M. Gosline
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5 - Efficiency and optimization in the design of skeletal support systems
pp 65-82
- By A. A. Biewener, J. E. A. Bertram
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6 - Efficiency in aquatic locomotion: limitations from single cells to animals
pp 83-96
- By T. L. Daniel
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7 - The concepts of efficiency and economy in land locomotion
pp 97-132
- By R. J. Full
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8 - Respiration in air breathing vertebrates: optimization and efficiency in design and function
pp 133-158
- By W. K. Milsom
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9 - Cardiac energetics and the design of vertebrate arterial systems
pp 159-168
- By D. R. Jones
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10 - An evolutionary perspective on the concept of efficiency: how does function evolve?
pp 169-184
- By G. V. Lauder
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Index
pp 185-187
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Efficiency and Economy in Animal Physiology

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi

Contents
pp vii-viii

List of contributors
pp ix-x

Preface
pp xi-xii

1 - Efficiency, effectiveness, perfection, optimization: their use in understanding vertebrate evolution
pp 1-12

2 - On the efficiency of energy transformations in cells and animals
pp 13-32

3 - Adapting skeletal muscle to be efficient
pp 33-42

4 - Efficiency and other criteria for evaluating the quality of structural biomaterials
pp 43-64

5 - Efficiency and optimization in the design of skeletal support systems
pp 65-82

6 - Efficiency in aquatic locomotion: limitations from single cells to animals
pp 83-96

7 - The concepts of efficiency and economy in land locomotion
pp 97-132

8 - Respiration in air breathing vertebrates: optimization and efficiency in design and function
pp 133-158

9 - Cardiac energetics and the design of vertebrate arterial systems
pp 159-168

10 - An evolutionary perspective on the concept of efficiency: how does function evolve?
pp 169-184

Index
pp 185-187

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Efficiency and Economy in Animal Physiology

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