physiology

[ fiz-ee-ol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, including all physical and chemical processes.
2. the organic processes or functions in an organism or in any of its parts.

physiology

/ ˌfɪzɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of science concerned with the functioning of organisms
2. the processes and functions of all or part of an organism

physiology

/ fĭz′ē-ŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of an organism's vital functions, including growth and development, the absorption and processing of nutrients, the synthesis and distribution of proteins and other organic molecules, and the functioning of different tissues, organs, and other anatomic structures. Physiology studies the normal mechanical, physical, and biochemical processes of animals and plants.

physiology

1. The study of the function of living things, including processes such as nutrition, movement, and reproduction. ( Compare anatomy and morphology .)

Derived Forms

• ˌphysiˈologist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of physiology¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin physiologia, from Greek physiología “science of natural causes and phenomena”; physio-, -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of physiology¹

C16: from Latin physiologia, from Greek

Example Sentences

Her father worked as a GP and her mother was a physiology professor.

From BBC

“It is incredibly exciting because it is giving us new insights into physiology, anatomy, a new understanding of humans,” she told BBC news.

From BBC

The medicine and physiology prize winners are selected by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden's Karolinska Institute.

From BBC

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024 has been awarded to US scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their work on microRNA.

From BBC

As Kinglsey added, "This research had identified some of the key players involved in developing legs and taste in sea robins. We still have to find what exactly has happened at the DNA level to redeploy ancient genes into new functions. Amy Herbert and Corey Allard are about to start their own labs at the University of Chicago and at Harvard. They will have a ton of cool problems to work in sea robins and other organisms that can now be studied using these new tools in genetics, genomicsand physiology."

From Salon