Physiology
How organisms work
Physiology is the branch of biology concerned with how living organisms function—the mechanical, physical, and biochemical processes that keep bodies working.
Where anatomy describes structure, physiology explains function: how hearts pump, how nerves transmit signals, how cells convert food to energy.
She studied the physiology of exercise.
The term also refers to an organism's functional processes themselves: the physiology of sleep, plant physiology.
Study of organism structure
- organsFunctional body parts
- tissuesSoft disposable paper sheets
- cellsBasic biological units
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
circulation · respiration · digestion · homeostasis · nervous system · cardiovascular · endocrine · musculoskeletal
Multicellular motile organism
- mammalianOf the nursing class
- avianOf or concerning birds
- reptilianOf snakes and lizards
- aquaticWater-inhabiting
amphibian · invertebrate · evolutionary · echolocation · hibernation · migration · bioluminescence · thermoregulation
Light-to-sugar conversion in plants
- transpirationBotanical water vapor release
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- stomataMicroscopic plant pores
- xylemPlant water conduit
phloem · germination · dormancy · tropism · auxin · nitrogen fixation · osmosis · turgor
Vigorous physical effort
- heart rateCardiac contractions per minute
- VO2 maxPeak oxygen consumption rate
- muscle fatigueLoss of contractile power
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
aerobic · anaerobic · recovery · oxygen debt · cardiac output · hydration · cramping · adaptation
Study of organisms
- scienceSystematic study through observation
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- textbookAcademic subject manual
curriculum · medicine · coursework · dissertation · experiment · hypothesis · methodology · peer review
anatomy
Study of organism structure
metabolism · circulation · respiration · digestion · homeostasis · nervous system · cardiovascular · endocrine · musculoskeletal · lymphatic
animal
Multicellular motile organism
aquatic · amphibian · invertebrate · evolutionary · echolocation · hibernation · migration · bioluminescence · thermoregulation · diving reflex
photosynthesis
Light-to-sugar conversion in plants
- transpirationBotanical water vapor release
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- stomataMicroscopic plant pores
xylem · phloem · germination · dormancy · tropism · auxin · nitrogen fixation · osmosis · turgor · senescence
exertion
Vigorous physical effort
- heart rateCardiac contractions per minute
- VO2 maxPeak oxygen consumption rate
- muscle fatigueLoss of contractile power
endurance · aerobic · anaerobic · recovery · oxygen debt · cardiac output · hydration · cramping · adaptation · performance
biology
Study of organisms
- scienceSystematic study through observation
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
textbook · curriculum · medicine · coursework · dissertation · experiment · hypothesis · methodology · peer review · publication
Physiologyanatomy
Study of organism structure
morphology · histology · structure · gross anatomy · form
Physiologypathophysiology
Science of disease mechanisms
pathology · disease · dysfunction · malfunction · morbidity
Physiologyphysics
Science of matter and energy
chemistry · mechanics · inorganic chemistry · biochemistry · biophysics
- physiological responseAutomatic physical reaction to stimulus
- physiological effectsBody's measurable biological reactions
- human physiologyStudy of body functions
- physiological changesBody function modifications
- physiological processesLiving systems' internal workings
- physiological stressBody's reaction to demands