physiology

American  

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

noun

• physiologies
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• physiologist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• physiologies
  plural

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

See Examples For:

physiology physiologies

Those changing signals also exist within the constraints imposed by physics and physiology.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 18, 2026

Jones specialises in applied physiology, working with middle and long-distance runners to chase faster times.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

University of Sussex physiology professor Harry Witchel, who has a long-running interest in soundscapes, argues that it makes sense in the context of young people's brain development.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

"It is time to view dietary interventions holistically because food components interact and physiology is integrative across systems" said Naomi Fukagawa, M.D.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

“Yes. Gethenian sexual physiology, so far as we yet know, is unique among human beings.”

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

“Along the way, he helps audiences understand their own physiologies and how to improve their overall performance, health and well-being.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2025

For example, humans are mammals, and the specifics of gestation and lactation require bodily differences that shape human physiologies, societies and experiences.

From Scientific American ● May 1, 2023

In another twist that invites multiple interpretations, the fleet-wide infection of Borg-altered DNA into the physiologies of Starfleet personnel only affects younger beings – in human terms, those 25 and under.

From Salon ● Apr. 20, 2023

Stress can affect a wide range of physiologies and behaviors, and researchers are beginning to test whether the additions make the animals better models for depression—and, in the case of these particular fish—retinal regeneration.

From Science Magazine ● Feb. 7, 2018

And we can, on occasion, deliberately alter some of these genes to change their functions, thereby resulting in altered human states, altered physiologies, and changed beings.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee