Physiology

Physiology (in Greek physis = nature and logos = word) is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms.

Areas of physiology

Human and animal

Human physiology (main article) is the most complex area in physiology. This area has several subdivisions which overlap with each other. Many animals have similar anatomy to humans and so share many of these areas.

Related Topics:
Human physiology - Anatomy

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• myophysiology deals with the operation of muscles;
• neurophysiology concerns the physiology of brains and nerves
• cell physiology addresses the functioning of individual cells.
• membrane physiology focuses on the exchange of molecules across the cell membrane
• Respiratory physiology goes into the mechanics of gaseous exchange at the lung
• Circulation also known as cardiovascular physiology, deals with the heart, blood and blood vessels and issues arising.
• renal physiology focuses on the excretion of ions and other metabolites at the kidney.
• endocrinology covers endocrine hormones which affect every cell in the body
• reproductive physiology concerns the reproductive cycle.

Plant

Plant physiology has differing subdivisions. For example, since plants do not have muscles and nerves, neither myophysiology nor neurophysiology applies.

Related Topics:
Plant physiology - Muscles - Nerves - Myophysiology - Neurophysiology

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• Transpiration is the study of water loss from the plant leaves
• Photosynthesis is the conversion of sunlight energy, water and CO₂ to form sugars (glucose).