physiology

American  

[fiz-ee-ol-uh-jee] / ˌfɪz iˈɒl ə dʒi /

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.

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physiology British  

/ 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

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physiology Scientific  

/ 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.

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physiology Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• physiologist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of physiology

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

Compare meaning

How does physiology compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• physiology vs. biology

Explanation

Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the functions and processes of living organisms, both animals and plants. It's biology in motion. Physiology includes everything from how a single cell functions, to what makes your nerve receptors work, how your pancreas releases insulin, and what happens to your muscles when you exercise. Technology has made for great leaps in the science of physiology. The electron microscope, for instance, allows you to see down to even the molecules of the cell, and radioactive isotopes provide the means to track the movement of substances within an organism.

Example Sentences

Dr Geoff Combs, lecturer in sport and exercise science at Bangor University, and a member of the Institute for Applied Human Physiology, said health benefits from sauna use needed to incorporate "other healthy behaviours".

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

A study published in Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology found that prolonged heat waves can disrupt hive temperature control and lead to noticeable declines in colony populations.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2026

The two shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with colleague Maurice Wilkins.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Even by the time he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 80 years ago, he had warned of the dangers of resistance.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2025

I was even unable to understand large sections of their classic paper published just after the start of the war in the Journal of General Physiology.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson