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

The curriculum includes medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and mock visits.

From Fortune

You don’t need to know much about the world’s tallest mountain or high-altitude physiology to appreciate how difficult—and occasionally deadly—climbing above 8,000 meters can be, even with canned oxygen and lots of help.

From Outside Online

I was excited to dig in and figure out what all the pieces would reveal about my physiology.

From Outside Online

On the home screen, you can swipe through a few slides and read how hormonal fluctuations may affect your physiology, training, and nutrition.

From Outside Online

The largest and most consistent brain sex difference has been found in the hypothalamus, a small structure that regulates reproductive physiology and behavior.

From No Straight News

Experts hailed from disciplines such as agronomy, exercise physiology, endocrinology, metabolomics, and rheology, among others.

From The Daily Beast

For example, did you know that our gut physiology actually mirrors what happens in the soil?

From The Daily Beast

Journal of Physiology, 2011, doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.20992.

From The Daily Beast

But I then had to understand it all and studied the physiology of alcoholism.

From The Daily Beast

A French physiology team found that toddlers prefer smells they were exposed to in the first weeks of life.

From The Daily Beast

Physiology has demonstrated that the impression is transmitted from the finger-tip to the brain by means of the nervous system.

From Project Gutenberg

The animal body is not a test-tube and, in it, the laws of physics are modified by those of physiology.

From Project Gutenberg

They ridicule the Brachmanes as boasters and fools for occupying themselves with physiology and astronomy.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither physiology nor hygiene can be of much value in the schools, as a study, unless there is an application of what is taught.

From Project Gutenberg

The relations, indeed, of that science to the science of physiology must never be overlooked or undervalued.

From Project Gutenberg