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

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.)

Other Word Forms

• physiologist 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

Just as our bodies are different on the outside, she said physiology and conditions such as cancer or hip replacements make us different on the inside, too.

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Using personalized “Explorer Key” cards, visitors can activate digital paleontological tools to probe the morphology and physiology of dinosaurs and other creatures.

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What advancements in medicine or physiology are you following?

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Finally, in 1975, with Howard Temin, a friend and colleague who had discovered reverse transcriptase around the same time, Baltimore was awarded the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine.

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Firefighters, too, will don uniforms with intelligent fabrics that will allow commanders to monitor their heart rates and other physiology metrics to spot a crew member in distress.

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