Physiology: Difference between revisions
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'''Physiology''' is the study of how living things function. All living thing ( by most definitions) are composed of cells, and so functions that are present in every cell, like [[metabolism]] are an important part of physiology. Specialized functions of cells and organs are also included in this branch of [[biology]]. In [[Medicine]], normal healthy functioning of tissues is called ''physiologic'', and [[Pathophysiology|pathophysiology]] describes the specific mechanisms of disease processes. | '''Physiology''' is the study of how living things function. All living thing ( by most definitions) are composed of cells, and so the life functions that are present in ''every'' cell, like [[metabolism]] are an important part of physiology. Specialized functions of cells and organs are also included in this branch of [[biology]]. So, in the [[heart]], for example, the electrical conducting system for the co-ordination of the beat of muscle cells is an important part of [[cardiac physiology]]. | ||
In [[Medicine]], normal healthy functioning of tissues is called ''physiologic'', and [[Pathophysiology|pathophysiology]] describes the specific mechanisms of disease processes. | |||
Revision as of 18:27, 26 January 2007
(Latin or Greek: physiologia; Greek: physis- nature, + logos- study)
Physiology is the study of how living things function. All living thing ( by most definitions) are composed of cells, and so the life functions that are present in every cell, like metabolism are an important part of physiology. Specialized functions of cells and organs are also included in this branch of biology. So, in the heart, for example, the electrical conducting system for the co-ordination of the beat of muscle cells is an important part of cardiac physiology. In Medicine, normal healthy functioning of tissues is called physiologic, and pathophysiology describes the specific mechanisms of disease processes.
Some fields within physiology focus on certain kinds of living things, such as microbial physiology.
Pathophysiology
Also known as physiopathology