Overview of Physiology

Cell Physiology
- Study of cell functions, including metabolism, signaling, and homeostasis.
- Key components: membranes, organelles, and cytoplasm.
Systemic Physiology
- Examines physiological functions of organ systems (e.g., respiratory, cardiovascular).
- Integrates functions across multiple systems.
Comparative Physiology
- Compares physiological processes across different species.
- Useful for understanding evolution and adaptation.

Homeostasis
- Maintenance of stable internal conditions (e.g., temperature, pH).
- Involves feedback mechanisms (negative and positive feedback loops).
Metabolism
- Set of life-sustaining chemical reactions.
- Includes catabolism (breaking down molecules) and anabolism (building up molecules).
Neurophysiology
- Study of the nervous system and its role in controlling bodily functions.
- Involves action potentials, neurotransmitters, and synaptic transmission.
Endocrinology
- Focuses on hormones and their effects on physiology.
- Examines endocrine glands (e.g., pituitary, thyroid).
Exercise Physiology
- Study of body responses to physical activity.
- Examines muscle metabolism, energy systems, and cardiovascular responses.

Respiration
- Gas exchange between organisms and environment.
- Involves lungs in humans for oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal.
Circulation
- Movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels.
- Supplies oxygen and nutrients, removes waste products.
Digestion
- Breakdown of food into nutrients for absorption.
- Involves mechanical and chemical processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Excretion
- Removal of waste products from metabolism.
- Primarily carried out by kidneys (urine formation) and skin (sweat).

Vital Signs
- Key indicators of physiological status: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature.
Electrophysiology
- Study of electrical properties of biological cells and tissues.
- Important for understanding nerve and muscle function.

Clinical Physiology
- Application of physiology in diagnosing and treating diseases.
- Involves techniques like imaging, monitoring, and lab tests.
Physiological Research
- Investigates mechanisms of diseases and potential treatments.
- Uses animal models and human studies to explore physiological processes.

Physiology is crucial for understanding how living organisms function.
Integrates various biological disciplines to explain processes from cellular to systemic levels.

Physiology is the study of functions and mechanisms in living systems, emphasizing how organs, tissues, and cells interact to sustain life.

Cell Physiology
- Focuses on cellular functions like metabolism, signaling, and homeostasis, analyzing components such as membranes, organelles, and cytoplasm.
Systemic Physiology
- Investigates the physiological roles of organ systems, such as respiratory and cardiovascular, facilitating the integration of multiple systems' functions.
Comparative Physiology
- Studies similarities and differences in physiological processes across species, enhancing understanding of evolution and adaptation.

Homeostasis
- Represents the maintenance of stable internal conditions (e.g., temperature, pH) through feedback mechanisms, including negative and positive loops.
Metabolism
- Encompasses all life-sustaining chemical reactions, featuring catabolism (breaking down molecules) and anabolism (building molecules).
Neurophysiology
- Examines the nervous system's role in regulating bodily functions through processes like action potentials, neurotransmitter release, and synaptic transmission.
Endocrinology
- Studies hormones' effects on physiology and examines the function of endocrine glands such as the pituitary and thyroid.
Exercise Physiology
- Analyzes bodily responses to physical activity, focusing on muscle metabolism, energy systems, and cardiovascular adjustments.

Respiration
- Involves gas exchange between the organism and its environment, particularly in humans where lungs intake oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
Circulation
- Refers to the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels, essential for delivering oxygen/nutrients and removing waste.
Digestion
- The process of breaking down food into absorbable nutrients, involving both mechanical and chemical processes within the gastrointestinal tract.
Excretion
- The elimination of metabolic waste, primarily handled by the kidneys through urine, and the skin via sweat.

Vital Signs
- Key physiological indicators include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and body temperature, crucial for assessing health status.
Electrophysiology
- Investigates the electrical characteristics of biological cells and tissues, vital for understanding the functioning of nerves and muscles.

Clinical Physiology
- Applies physiological principles to diagnose and treat diseases, utilizing techniques like imaging, monitoring, and lab testing.
Physiological Research
- Explores disease mechanisms and potential treatments through studies involving animal models and human subjects to uncover physiological processes.

Physiology is integral to comprehending the functions of living organisms, merging various biological fields to elucidate processes from cellular activities to systemic interactions.