The critical thinking of Aristotle and his emphasis on the relationship between structure and function marked the beginning of physiology in Ancient Greece. Hippocrates also noted some emotional connections to the four humors, on which Galen would later expand. Each substance is known for having a corresponding humor: black bile, phlegm, blood, and yellow bile, respectively. Hippocrates incorporated the theory of humorism, which consisted of four basic substances: earth, water, air and fire.
Outside of Western tradition, early forms of physiology or anatomy can be reconstructed as having been present at around the same time in China, India and elsewhere. The study of human physiology as a medical field originates in classical Greece, at the time of Hippocrates (late 5th century BC). Involving evolutionary physiology and environmental physiology, comparative physiology considers the diversity of functional characteristics across organisms. Due to the frequent connection between form and function, physiology and anatomy are intrinsically linked and are studied in tandem as part of a medical curriculum. Much of the foundation of knowledge in human physiology was provided by animal experimentation. Change in behavior as a result of these substances is often used to assess the health of individuals. Examples of this would be the effects of certain medications or toxic levels of substances. Ĭhanges in physiology can impact the mental functions of individuals. It is achieved through communication that occurs in a variety of ways, both electrical and chemical. The biological basis of the study of physiology, integration refers to the overlap of many functions of the systems of the human body, as well as its accompanied form. Homeostasis is a major aspect with regard to such interactions within plants as well as animals. The endocrine and nervous systems play major roles in the reception and transmission of signals that integrate function in animals. The principal level of focus of physiology is at the level of organs and systems within systems. Human physiology seeks to understand the mechanisms that work to keep the human body alive and functioning, through scientific enquiry into the nature of mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of humans, their organs, and the cells of which they are composed. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for exceptional scientific achievements in physiology related to the field of medicine. Physiological state is the condition of normal function, while pathological state refers to abnormal conditions, including human diseases. Ĭentral to physiological functioning are biophysical and biochemical processes, homeostatic control mechanisms, and communication between cells. According to the classes of organisms, the field can be divided into medical physiology, animal physiology, plant physiology, cell physiology, and comparative physiology.
As a sub-discipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ systems, individual organs, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemical and physical functions in a living system. Physiology ( / ˌ f ɪ z i ˈ ɒ l ə dʒ i/ from Ancient Greek φύσις ( phúsis) 'nature, origin', and -λογία ( -logía) 'study of') is the scientific study of functions and mechanisms in a living system.
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