What is

Physiology?
MRS. SMITA PATIL (GAIKWAD)
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
BHATHI VIDYAPEETH DENTAL
COLLEGE SANGLI.

What is physiology? Physiology: The study of
the normal functioning of a living organism
and its component parts.
OR
It is the science that deals with the function of
organs and systems and the way they do this
functions.
What is Physiology?
The study of how living organisms work
eg: feeding
movement
adaptation to changing environmental factors
reproduction
Life processes governed by laws of physics and chemistry
Organisms are machines/factories
Some processes common to all organismal species (eg DNA
replication) but many are highly specific
Need to consider bacterial or plant or animal physiology
Animal physiology human physiology
What is a Physiologist?
Physiologists are interested in function and integration
ie how things work together at various levels of
organisation whole organism
When studying parts of organisms (even single
molecules) a physiologist will seek to establish the
relevance of any information derived to the function of
the whole body
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Male Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Female Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Human Organ Systems
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Renal system
Reproductive system
Musculo-skeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
History
Claude Bernard (1850) - "Father" of modern
physiology. Noted for use of experimental approach.
Studied the Following:
a. Pancreatic digestion
b. Glycogenic function of liver
c. The vasomotor nerves
d. Action of drugs on the body (e.g. curare blocks
neuromyal junction)

Claude Bernard
(1813-1878)
Homeostasis
Walter
Cannon
(1929)
Function and Process:
Teleological vs. Mechanistic
Approach to Science
What is purpose or function?
Why does something exist?
Why does it need to be done?
What are processes involved?
How does something work?



Distinguish between Process & Function
Integrate both for complete picture!
How do we breathe?
How does blood
flow?
How do RBCs
transport O
2
?

Why do we breathe?
Why does blood
flow?
Why do RBC
transport O
2
?