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”; physio-, -logy

Compare meaning

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

• physiology vs. biology

Example Sentences

He worked at a gas station his father owned and, after college at UCLA, where he studied physiology, went to George Washington University Law School at night and planned a career as a patent lawyer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nutritionists’ take: “It’s probably a sequel to coconut water,” says Dr. Thomas Sherman, a professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University Medical Center.

From Los Angeles Times

Their work proposes that chronic stress and many widespread health concerns stem from a fundamental mismatch between our nature-shaped physiology and the highly industrialized environments most people live in today.

From Science Daily

Sweat carries a wide range of biological signals, and a growing body of research suggests that pairing it with artificial intelligence and advanced sensor technology could reshape how we track our health and daily physiology.

From Science Daily

"We simply don't know the effects in people using these drugs purely for cosmetic purposes," says Simon Cork, senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University in the UK.

From BBC