Overview of Physiology

Human Physiology
- Examines physiological processes in humans.
- Key topics: muscle contraction, nervous system signaling, and endocrine function.
Animal Physiology
- Studies physiological functions across various animal species.
- Includes adaptations to environmental changes.
Plant Physiology
- Focuses on the functions and behaviors of plants.
- Topics include photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and plant hormones.

Homeostasis
- The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions (e.g., temperature, pH).
- Feedback mechanisms: negative and positive feedback loops.
Metabolism
- The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions.
- Catabolism: breakdown of molecules for energy.
- Anabolism: synthesis of compounds needed for growth and repair.
Cell Physiology
- Study of cell function, including membrane transport, signaling pathways, and cellular metabolism.
- Organelles: mitochondria (energy production), ribosomes (protein synthesis).

Nervous System
- Functions: sensory input, motor output, and integration of information.
- Components: brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Endocrine System
- Hormonal regulation of bodily functions.
- Major glands: pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas.
Cardiovascular System
- Circulation of blood and transportation of nutrients, gases, and wastes.
- Components: heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Respiratory System
- Exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
- Structures: lungs, trachea, and alveoli.
Digestive System
- Breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
- Major organs: stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas.
Musculoskeletal System
- Movement and support of the body.
- Involves bones, muscles, and joints.
Immune System
- Defense against pathogens and disease.
- Components: lymphocytes, macrophages, and antibodies.
Reproductive System
- Production of gametes and hormones for reproduction.
- Includes male (testes, prostate) and female (ovaries, uterus) structures.

Acclimatization
- Short-term physiological adjustment to environmental changes (e.g., altitude adaptation).
Evolutionary Adaptation
- Long-term adjustments in physiology based on environmental pressures (e.g., cold tolerance).

Clinical Trials
- Assess the effects of interventions on physiological processes.
Imaging Techniques
- MRI, CT scans, and PET scans for visualizing physiological functions in real-time.
Biochemical Methods
- Analyzing blood and tissue samples to study metabolic processes.

Understanding normal functioning offers insights into disease mechanisms.
Essential for developing medical treatments and health interventions.
Provides the foundation for fields like pharmacology, exercise science, and nutrition.

Definition: Physiology is the study of how living organisms function.
Focus: Understanding how individual organ systems work and how they interact to maintain homeostasis.

Human physiology: Focuses on the functions of the human body, including muscle contraction, nervous system signaling, and hormone production.
Animal physiology: Studies the physiological functions of different animal species, including adaptations to various environments.
Plant physiology: Focuses on the functions and processes of plants, including photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and plant hormones.

Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions, such as temperature, pH, and blood sugar levels. This is achieved through feedback mechanisms, including negative and positive feedback loops.
- Negative feedback loops: Reverse a change in the body to restore it to its set point (e.g., regulating body temperature).
- Positive feedback loops: Amplify a change in the body (e.g., childbirth).
Metabolism: The total chemical reactions happening in the body.
- Catabolism: The breakdown of molecules for energy.
- Anabolism: The synthesis of new molecules for growth and repair.

Nervous System: Controls sensory input, motor output, and information processing. Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Endocrine System: Regulates bodily functions through hormones. Major glands include the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas.
Cardiovascular System: Responsible for circulating blood throughout the body, delivering nutrients, gases, and removing waste products. Components: heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Respiratory System: Exchanges gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the environment. Includes the lungs, trachea, and alveoli.
Digestive System: Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients. Important organs: stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas.
Musculoskeletal System: Provides movement and support for the body. Involves bones, muscles, and joints.
Immune System: Protects the body against pathogens and diseases. Key components: lymphocytes, macrophages, and antibodies.
Reproductive System: Responsible for producing gametes (eggs and sperm) and hormones involved in reproduction. Includes male (testes, prostate) and female (ovaries, uterus) reproductive structures.

Acclimatization: Short-term adjustments made by the body in response to environmental changes (e.g., altitude adaptation).
Evolutionary Adaptation: Long-term physiological changes that occur over generations due to environmental pressures (e.g., cold tolerance in polar animals).

Clinical Trials: Used to assess the effects of interventions, such as new drugs or therapies, on physiological processes.
Imaging Techniques: Methods like MRI, CT scans, and PET scans provide real-time visualization of physiological functions.
Biochemical Methods: Analyzing blood and tissue samples to study metabolic processes and concentrations of molecules within the body.

Understanding normal functioning: Allows us to identify and diagnose diseases by observing deviations from the norm.
Foundation for medical treatments: Knowledge of physiological processes is crucial for developing effective medical treatments and interventions.
Basis for related fields: Provides the foundation for other important fields like pharmacology, exercise science, and nutrition.