Overview of Physiology

Overview of Physiology

• Study of the functions and mechanisms in living systems.
• Explores how organs, systems, cells, and molecules work together.

Major Branches of Physiology

1. Cell Physiology

   • Focuses on cellular functions and processes.
   • Examines cell communication, metabolism, and homeostasis.

2. Systemic Physiology

   • Studies the functions of organ systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory).
   • Investigates interactions between systems.

3. Comparative Physiology

   • Compares physiological functions across different species.
   • Helps understand evolution and adaptations.

4. Integrative Physiology

   • Examines how different physiological systems interact.
   • Emphasizes the holistic view of homeostasis.

Key Concepts

• Homeostasis

  • Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes.
  • Regulated through feedback mechanisms (positive and negative).

• Metabolism

  • Sum of all chemical reactions in the body.
  • Includes catabolism (breaking down) and anabolism (building up).

• Membrane Transport

  • Mechanisms for moving substances across cell membranes:
    • Passive transport (diffusion, osmosis)
    • Active transport (requires energy)

• Neurophysiology

  • Study of the nervous system's functions.
  • Focuses on neuron activity, synaptic transmission, and reflexes.

• Muscle Physiology

  • Examines muscle contraction and relaxation.
  • Types of muscle tissues: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.

Physiological Systems

1. Nervous System

   • Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).
   • Functions include sensory perception, motor control, and cognition.

2. Endocrine System

   • Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
   • Regulates processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

3. Cardiovascular System

   • Comprises the heart and blood vessels.
   • Responsible for transporting nutrients, gases, and waste.

4. Respiratory System

   • Involved in gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
   • Includes structures like lungs and airways.

5. Digestive System

   • Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.
   • Comprises organs like the stomach, intestines, and liver.

6. Renal System

   • Regulates fluid balance and waste removal.
   • Includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

7. Immune System

   • Defends the body against pathogens.
   • Involves cells like lymphocytes and antibodies.

Physiological Measurements

• Vital Signs

  • Indicators of body function: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature.

• Electrophysiological Techniques

  • Used to measure electrical activity in cells (e.g., ECG, EEG).

• Biochemical Assays

  • Analyze biological materials to assess metabolic processes.

Applications of Physiology

• Clinical practices: diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• Sports science: enhancing athletic performance.
• Pharmacology: understanding drug effects on body functions.

Overview of Physiology

• Focuses on functions and mechanisms in living organisms, revealing how various components integrate and operate.

Major Branches of Physiology

• Cell Physiology
  • Investigates cellular operations, including communication, metabolism, and homeostasis.
• Systemic Physiology
  • Analyzes the functions of organ systems like cardiovascular and respiratory, highlighting their interconnections.
• Comparative Physiology
  • Compares physiological processes across species to understand evolutionary adaptations.
• Integrative Physiology
  • Emphasizes the interconnectedness of physiological systems in maintaining homeostasis.

Key Concepts

• Homeostasis
  • Refers to maintaining stable internal conditions despite external fluctuations, regulated by feedback mechanisms.
• Metabolism
  • Represents all chemical processes in the body, encompassing catabolism (breakdown) and anabolism (building).
• Membrane Transport
  • Involves transporting substances across cell membranes, using:
    • Passive Transport: Includes diffusion and osmosis.
    • Active Transport: Requires energy to move substances against a gradient.
• Neurophysiology
  • Studies the functions of the nervous system, including neuron activity and reflexes.
• Muscle Physiology
  • Examines the mechanisms of muscle contraction and relaxation across three muscle tissue types: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.

Physiological Systems

• Nervous System
  • Composed of the central and peripheral nervous systems, responsible for sensory perception, motor control, and cognitive functions.
• Endocrine System
  • Consists of hormone-secreting glands that regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
• Cardiovascular System
  • Comprises the heart and blood vessels, crucial for transporting nutrients, gases, and waste products.
• Respiratory System
  • Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) through structures like lungs and airways.
• Digestive System
  • Responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients via organs such as the stomach, intestines, and liver.
• Renal System
  • Manages fluid balance and waste elimination, including vital organs like the kidneys and bladder.
• Immune System
  • Protects the body from pathogens using cells such as lymphocytes and antibodies.

Physiological Measurements

• Vital Signs
  • Key indicators of body function: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and body temperature assess overall health.
• Electrophysiological Techniques
  • Techniques such as ECG and EEG measure electrical activity in tissues, particularly in the heart and brain.
• Biochemical Assays
  • Analyze biological fluids and tissues to evaluate metabolic activities and health status.

Applications of Physiology

• Relevant in clinical settings for disease diagnosis and treatment.
• Enhances knowledge in sports science to improve athletic performance.
• Informs pharmacology to understand the impact of drugs on bodily functions.

Explore the fundamental concepts of physiology, including its major branches such as cell physiology, systemic physiology, and comparative physiology. This quiz covers how living systems function and maintain homeostasis through various processes. Test your understanding of metabolism and the interactions between different physiological systems.