Physiology
Physiology is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical
functions of living organisms.
Physiology has traditionally been divided into
plant physiology and
animal physiology but the principles of physiology are universal, no matter what particular
organism is being studied. For example, what is learnt about the physiology of
yeast cell can also apply to
human cells.
The field of animal physiology extends the tools and methods of
human physiology to non-human animal
species. Plant physiology also borrows techniques from both fields.\nIts scope of subjects is at least as diverse as the
tree of life itself. Due to this diversity of subjects, research in animal physiology tends to concentrate on understanding how physiological traits changed throughout the evolutionary history of animals.
Other major branches of scientific study that have grown out of physiology research include
biochemistry,
biophysics,
biomechanics, and
pharmacology.
History
Anatomist William Harvey described blood circulation in the 17th century, providing the beginning of experimental physiology.
Areas of physiology
Physiology has several independent subdivisions. Electrophysiology deals with the operation of nerves and muscles; neurophysiology concerns the physiology of brains and cell physiology addresses the functioning of individual cellss.
Physiology also has many related and allied fields: Ecophysiology tries to understand how physiological traits affect the ecology of a given animal or plant and vice-versa. Genetics is not the only factor that affects the physiology of animals and plants. Environmental strains wreak havoc on eukaryotic organisms as well. For organisms that do not dwell in aquatic habitats, water must be stored within their cellular environments. In organisms such as these, dehydration becomes a major issue.
Dehydration in humans can occur during elevated physical activity. Within the field of exercise physiology, studies have been conducted that show the effects of dehydration on homeostasis.
Topics
\n*Respiration\n*Circulation\n*Diving mammals
See also
\n*Pathophysiology
Category:Physiology
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