physiological
Of living systems
Physiological relates to the normal functions and processes of living organisms—how bodies work rather than how they're structured.
A physiological response involves bodily systems reacting: heart rate, hormone release, digestion.
The term distinguishes biological functioning from psychological or anatomical concerns: The symptoms were physiological, not psychosomatic.
Physiology is the underlying science.
Study of organism structure
- organsFunctional body parts
- tissuesSoft disposable paper sheets
- cellsBasic biological units
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
synapses · hormones · muscles · skeletal · cardiovascular · nervous · endocrine · reproductive
Biological internal stability maintenance
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- circulationMovement through a system
- digestionBodily food breakdown
- excretionRemoval of metabolic waste
secretion · absorption · locomotion · reflexes · sensation · thermoregulation · osmoregulation · reproduction
Cellular nutrient conversion
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- caloriesMeasures of food energy
oxidation · glycolysis · mitochondria · insulin · catabolism · anabolism · ketosis · thermogenesis
Adjusting to new conditions
- plasticityAbility to change shape
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- sensitizationIncreased responsiveness to stimuli
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
tolerance · acclimation · resilience · recovery · neuroplasticity · endurance · compensation · desensitization
Relating to life's chemistry
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- synapticOf nerve connections
- mitochondrialOf cell's energy centers
- cytoplasmicWithin cell's gel-like matrix
histological · membrane · receptor · neurotransmitter · osmotic · electrochemical · intracellular · extracellular
anatomy
Study of organism structure
neurons · synapses · hormones · muscles · skeletal · cardiovascular · nervous · endocrine · reproductive · respiratory
homeostasis
Biological internal stability maintenance
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- circulationMovement through a system
- digestionBodily food breakdown
excretion · secretion · absorption · locomotion · reflexes · sensation · thermoregulation · osmoregulation · reproduction · growth
metabolism
Cellular nutrient conversion
calories · oxidation · glycolysis · mitochondria · insulin · catabolism · anabolism · ketosis · thermogenesis · lipids
acclimatization
Adjusting to new conditions
- plasticityAbility to change shape
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- sensitizationIncreased responsiveness to stimuli
conditioning · tolerance · acclimation · resilience · recovery · neuroplasticity · endurance · compensation · desensitization · adaptation
biochemical
Relating to life's chemistry
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- synapticOf nerve connections
- mitochondrialOf cell's energy centers
cytoplasmic · histological · membrane · receptor · neurotransmitter · osmotic · electrochemical · intracellular · extracellular
- biology termscell, DNA, genetics, genetic, evolution
- Maslow's hierarchyself-actualization, esteem, belongingness, safety needs, hierarchy of needs
physiologicalpsychological
Of the mind
mental · cognitive · cerebral · emotional · psychiatric
physiologicalpathological
Relating to disease processes
abnormal · diseased · dysfunctional · morbid · clinical
physiologicalpharmacological
Of drug science
artificial · mechanical · synthetic · iatrogenic · therapeutic
- physiological responseAutomatic physical reaction to stimulus
- physiological effectsBody's measurable biological reactions
- physiological changesBody function modifications
- physiological processesLiving systems' internal workings
- physiological stressBody's reaction to demands