Physiology

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˌfɪzɪˈɒlədʒi/ 🇺🇸 /ˌfɪziːˈɑlədʒiː/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts, including the study of how organs, tissues, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemical and physical functions in a living system.; The functional processes and mechanisms of a particular organism, organ, or system.; A treatise or textbook on the subject of physiology.; The physical and biological characteristics of an organism or its parts, as distinguished from its anatomy or morphology.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

human physiologyplant physiologyexercise physiologycomparative physiologystudy physiologyanimal physiology

Derivatives

physiologicalphysiologicallyphysiologistpathophysiologyneurophysiologyelectrophysiology

Synonyms

biologylife scienceanatomy

Commonly confused

anatomy
EN: 'Anatomy' studies the structure of organisms, while 'physiology' studies how those structures function.
pathology
EN: 'Pathology' studies disease and abnormal conditions, while 'physiology' studies normal biological function.
psychology
EN: 'Psychology' studies the mind and behavior, while 'physiology' studies the mechanical and chemical functions of living organisms.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the 'ph' at the beginning (not 'f') and the double 's' in the middle. Don't confuse with 'psychology'—note the 'y' after 'ps' in psychology vs. 'ph' in physiology.

💬 Examples

  1. She studied physiology at medical school to better understand how the human body responds to disease.

  2. The physiology of the human heart involves a complex interplay of electrical signals and muscular contractions.

  3. He published a comprehensive physiology that became a standard reference for medical students.

  4. The physiology of deep-sea creatures allows them to withstand extreme pressures that would crush surface-dwelling organisms.