Our Intelligent Bodies

By Gary F. Merrill | Publisher: Rutgers University Press

About the book

Human intelligence isn’t just located in the brain. Our bodies are marvelously sophisticated and complex, with a variety of autonomic systems that help maintain our health without us ever having to think about them. But how exactly do all these physiological structures actually work?
 
In Our Intelligent Bodies, physiology professor Gary F. Merrill takes you on a guided tour through the human body. You’ll learn how our eyes are designed to detect unimaginably small bursts of light and how our ears contain bundles of tiny hairs, each one attuned to different sound frequencies. You’ll also discover how our hearts are smart enough to compensate for skipped beats and irregular rhythms and how our pulmonary system adjusts for low oxygen levels. You’ll even find out why the gut is sometimes called the “second brain,” its reflexes controlled by millions of neurons.   
 
Written in a fun, easy-to-comprehend style and filled with illuminating analogies, Our Intelligent Bodies also brings readers up to date on cutting-edge research into the wonders of human physiology. It will give you a new appreciation for the smart decisions our bodies are making when our brains aren’t paying attention.

Editions of Our Intelligent Bodies

Hardcover
ISBN 9780813598512
Paperback
ISBN 9780813598529
EBook
ISBN 9780813598543
EBook
ISBN 9780813598536
PDF
ISBN 9780813598550

Read an Excerpt

Human intelligence isn’t just located in the brain. Our bodies are marvelously sophisticated and complex, with a variety of autonomic systems that help maintain our health without us ever having to think about them. But how exactly do all these physiological structures actually work?
 
In Our Intelligent Bodies, physiology professor Gary F. Merrill takes you on a guided tour through the human body. You’ll learn how our eyes are designed to detect unimaginably small bursts of light and how our ears contain bundles of tiny hairs, each one attuned to different sound frequencies. You’ll also discover how our hearts are smart enough to compensate for skipped beats and irregular rhythms and how our pulmonary system adjusts for low oxygen levels. You’ll even find out why the gut is sometimes called the “second brain,” its reflexes controlled by millions of neurons.   
 
Written in a fun, easy-to-comprehend style and filled with illuminating analogies, Our Intelligent Bodies also brings readers up to date on cutting-edge research into the wonders of human physiology. It will give you a new appreciation for the smart decisions our bodies are making when our brains aren’t paying attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Our Intelligent Bodies about?

Human intelligence isn’t just located in the brain. Our bodies are marvelously sophisticated and complex, with a variety of autonomic systems that help maintain our health without us ever having to think about them. But how exactly do all these physiological structures actually work?
 
In Our Intelligent Bodies, physiology professor Gary F. Merrill takes you on a guided tour through the human body. You’ll learn how our eyes are designed to detect unimaginably small bursts of light and how our ears contain bundles of tiny hairs, each one attuned to different sound frequencies. You’ll also discover how our hearts are smart enough to compensate for skipped beats and irregular rhythms and how our pulmonary system adjusts for low oxygen levels. You’ll even find out why the gut is sometimes called the “second brain,” its reflexes controlled by millions of neurons.   
 
Written in a fun, easy-to-comprehend style and filled with illuminating analogies, Our Intelligent Bodies also brings readers up to date on cutting-edge research into the wonders of human physiology. It will give you a new appreciation for the smart decisions our bodies are making when our brains aren’t paying attention.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Our Intelligent Bodies?

Mathematics and Science > Biology, life sciences > Human biology

Where can I read a sample of Our Intelligent Bodies?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780813598512

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Our Intelligent Bodies?

Gary F. Merrill

Who is the Publisher of the book Our Intelligent Bodies?

Rutgers University Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Our Intelligent Bodies is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780813598512) and paperback(ISBN 9780813598529) and ebook(ISBN 9780813598543) and ebook(ISBN 9780813598536) and pdf(ISBN 9780813598550)

Where can I buy Our Intelligent Bodies online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Our Intelligent Bodies?