Physiological

Physiological refers to the normal functions of living organisms and their parts. It is a branch of biology that aims to understand the mechanisms of living things, from the basis of cell function to the integrated behavior of the whole body.

Overview

Physiology is a scientific discipline that is part of the biological sciences. It primarily focuses on how organisms, organ systems, individual organs, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemical and physical functions in a living system.

History

The study of human physiology dates back to at least 420 B.C. during the time of Hippocrates, the "father of medicine." The critical thinking of Aristotle and his emphasis on the relationship between structure and function marked the beginning of physiology in Ancient Greece, while Claudius Galenus (c. 126–199 AD), known as Galen, was the first to use experiments to probe the functions of the body.

Branches of Physiology

Physiology is a broad field that encompasses several branches, including:

• Cell Physiology: The study of the function of cells.
• Systems Physiology: The study of the function of systems within organisms.
• Neurophysiology: The study of the function of the nervous system.
• Cardiovascular Physiology: The study of the function of the cardiovascular system.
• Respiratory Physiology: The study of the function of the respiratory system.
• Endocrine Physiology: The study of the function of the endocrine system.

Importance of Physiology

Physiology is essential because it is the foundation of medical practice. A doctor needs to understand the body's normal functioning to identify what is wrong and how to treat it. It also helps in the development of new methods of diagnosis and treatment.

See Also

• Anatomy
• Pathophysiology
• Human Body

References

Physiological Resources
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