In 1979 Dr Sperelakis published the `Origin of the Cardiac Resting Potential' in the Handbook of Physiology of the Heart. Since that time, many investigators and teachers of membrane biophysics have used this article as a source of reference on the fundamental principles and equations describing the factors that establish the resting potential in excitable and non-excitable cells. Professor Sperelakis has expanded the scope of this article to provide the present book, creating a comprehensive work and an invaluable reference on the electrophysiological concepts underlying cellular excitability. There has long been a need for a text which precisely defines the assumptions underlying the derivations and equations that describe the principles of electrical excitability and maintenance of ion gradients in excitable cells. Here, Professor Sperelakis not only defines the equations and underlying concepts of membrane potentials, but gives working examples of solutions, thus allowing investigators to utilize the fundamental principles in their research, and students of membrane physiology to establish a sound basis of electrophysiological theory. `I have used the `Origin of the Cardiac Resting Potential' in graduate courses on cell physiology and biophysics, and look forward to using this new book. The time and effort required to put this work together reflects the dedication of Dr Sperelakis to the field of membrane biophysics and electrophysiology in his long, productive career.' From the Foreword by Dr David R. Harder.

From the Proceedings of the Meeting of the American Section of the International Society for Heart Research (ISHR) at Hilton Head, South Carolina, September 21-24, 1983

From the Proceedings of the Meeting of the American Section of the International Society for Heart Research (ISHR) at Hilton Head, South Carolina, September 21-24, 1983

This authoritative book gathers together a broad range of ideas and topics that define the field. It provides clear, concise, and comprehensive coverage of all aspects of cellular physiology from fundamental concepts to more advanced topics. The 4e contains substantial new material. Most chapters have been thoroughly reworked. The book includes chapters on important topics such as sensory transduction, the physiology of protozoa and bacteria, and synaptic transmission.
Authored by leading researchers in the field Clear, concise, and comprehensive coverage of all aspects of cellular physiology, from fundamental concepts to more advanced topics Full color illustrations

In 1979 Dr Sperelakis published the `Origin of the Cardiac Resting Potential' in the Handbook of Physiology of the Heart. Since that time, many investigators and teachers of membrane biophysics have used this article as a source of reference on the fundamental principles and equations describing the factors that establish the resting potential in excitable and non-excitable cells. Professor Sperelakis has expanded the scope of this article to provide the present book, creating a comprehensive work and an invaluable reference on the electrophysiological concepts underlying cellular excitability. There has long been a need for a text which precisely defines the assumptions underlying the derivations and equations that describe the principles of electrical excitability and maintenance of ion gradients in excitable cells. Here, Professor Sperelakis not only defines the equations and underlying concepts of membrane potentials, but gives working examples of solutions, thus allowing investigators to utilize the fundamental principles in their research, and students of membrane physiology to establish a sound basis of electrophysiological theory. `I have used the `Origin of the Cardiac Resting Potential' in graduate courses on cell physiology and biophysics, and look forward to using this new book. The time and effort required to put this work together reflects the dedication of Dr Sperelakis to the field of membrane biophysics and electrophysiology in his long, productive career.' From the Foreword by Dr David R. Harder.

The first edition of this book was quite successful. As in the first edition, the book is divided into two major sections: cardiac muscle and coronary circula Several complimentary book reviews appeared soon tion. The book is multidisciplinary and includes after the first edition was published, and written and membrane biophysics, electrophysiology, physiol oral words of praise and appreciation were given both ogy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, to the publisher and to me by quite a few individuals. and ultrastructure. Thus, the book attempts ro It is because of such positive comments and reactions that the publisher and I decided to embark on a integrate all relevant aspects of the factors influenc second edition of Physiology and Pathophysiology of the ing the function of the heart as a vital organ under Heart. The second edition was long in preparation, normal and various abnormal conditions. The book taking over a year to complete. All chapter contri also attempts to set the foundation for an under butors were asked to revise, improve, and update standing of the action and mechanism of action of a their articles, and all have done so with enthusiasm number of classes of cardioactive drugs."

could go on for several pages. Thus the book edited This book emphasizes the fundamental, functional aspects of cardiology. Within the last thirty years, by Sperelakis IS a potent reminder of the almost for the rift between clinical and investigative cardiology gotten fact that cardiology has twO sites, inextrica has widened, because of the overwhelming devel bly related. opment of new clinical procedures, both diagnostic The book deals with subjects in which Dr. Sper and therapeutic. Almost forgotten is the fact that elakis has pioneered: ultrastructure of heart muscle, we owe most of the clinical advances to theoretical electrophysiology, cardiac contractility, and ion ex and experimental observations. I need not remind change. An extension of these subjects is the chapter the reader of the work of Carrel, who performed the dealing with fundamental topics of the coronary cir first experimental coronary bypass in 1902, or the culation. work of the brothers Curie in 1880, both physicists, This book is indeed a timely reminder of the im who discovered piezoelectricity, the keystone in ech portance of the fundamental aspects of cardiology. ogradiography; of the works of Langley, who intro Emphasis on clinical aspects of cardiology alone will duced the receptors concept; of Ahlquist in 1946, result in a sterile and unproductive future for a field who first differentiated between alpha and beta re that has made such stunning advances during the ceptors; of Fleckenstein, a physiologist who pi last thirty years to the benefit of millions of people.