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

“In biomechanics, in human physiology, what kills you is routine,” Bermon says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

The team combined measurements of plant physiology with analyses of gene activity, proteins and metabolic products.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026

Instead, they combined microbial physiology, native enzyme purification, biochemistry and structural biology.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026

“This is a sort of very direct way of getting at their physiology that’s not been possible before.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

The facts cited above are by-products of research in cell physiology or genetics.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

People have different physiologies, exercise regimes and injury histories which might dictate not only level of cushioning, but also support, stability and heel-to-toe drop of the shoe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

He and colleagues have established a lab colony of the Llullaillaco rodents and other high-altitude mice in Chile to study their unique physiologies.

From Science Magazine ● Oct. 23, 2023

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 other words, all athletes possess different physiologies, but when does the disparity become unfair?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2022

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