What Are the Main Branches of Physiology?
All organisms are made up of cells. Various chemicals reactions occur in living organisms that keep cells living. So in physiology, we deal with the functions and normal body mechanisms.
What is Physiology?
Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
Physiology is the science of studying the functional activities and mechanisms in the biological body.
Physiology is derived from two Greek words physis means nature
Logos means study.
Fields of Physiology
Physiology can be divided into viral physiology, bacterial physiology, plant physiology, human physiology, and cellular physiology.
Viral physiology - viral physiology deals with the investigation of biological processes and activities of viruses.
Bacterial physiology - Bacterial physiology deals with the life-supporting functions of bacteria, which allow the bacterial cell to grow and reproduce.
Plant physiology - plant physiology concerns the study of plant function and behavior including all the processes of growth, reproduction, metabolism, and defense.
Cellular physiology - deals with the study of physiological processes occurring within and among the cells and intracellular communication and behavior.
Human Physiology
It is the science of how the human body functions in fitness and illness. It describes the chemistry and physics behind the basic body functions. It helps in knowing the basic body functions, and to find the treatment of disease. It helps us comprehend what occurs in a healthy body and normal life and what goes on when someone gets sick.
Types of Humans Physiology
Human physiology can be divided into various types.
Cell physiology - This is the main field of human physiology, in which we study the functions of cells.
Special physiology - in this branch of physiology we study the functions of specific organs
Systemic physiology - deals with the functions of the body system such as cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology
Pathophysiology - deals with the study of the effects of disease on the human body or the organ system.
Biological System
The main systems covered in human physiology are as given below-
Endocrine system - This system includes endocrine glands and hormones which carry messages from one body part to another.
The pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, hypothalamus, parathyroid, and pancreas are the main endocrine glands in the human body.
Circulatory system - This system includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Digestive Systems - Digestive systems start from the mouth and up to the anus. It also includes the liver, pancreas, and spleen.
Integumentary system - This system includes skin, nails, hairs, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.
Musculoskeletal system - This system includes bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Renal/ urinary system - this system includes the kidney, ureters, and bladder.
Respiratory system - This system includes the nose, trachea, nasopharynx, and lungs.
Branches of Physiology
There are various branches of physiology:
Cell physiology
System physiology
Evolutionary physiology
Defense physiology
Exercise physiology
Who are Physiologists?
Physiologists are medical professionals who study the human body and how organs and organ systems work together under abnormal and normal conditions.
Types of Physiologist
There are various types of physiologists depending on the field of specialization.
Clinical physiologist
Animal physiologist
Viral physiologist
Plant physiologist
Exercise physiologist
Interesting Facts about Human Physiology
One of the largest organs in the body is the skin
Skin revives itself after 28 days
The human brain provides to 2%of total weight
Each day the human heart pumps approximately 71 liters of blood
The rhythm of the heart is controlled by electrical impulses.
Important Questions
1. What is an example of physiology?
Ans: Human physiology is the branch of physiology that deals with the study of humans. It deals with the activities and functions of living matter.
2. What are the topics of physiology?
Ans: There are various topics in physiology
Body and fluids
Biochemistry
Endocrine system.
Environment physiology
Clinical physiology
Practice Questions
What are different systems in the body?
What is the physiology of the human body?
Who is the father of physiology?
Why is physiology important?
What is a physiology test?
Key Features
Physiology is the study of normal and abnormal functions and mechanisms of the human body.
There are various types of branches and fields of physiology.
Branches of Physiology are according to the biological system
Physiologists are the persons who deal with physiology.
FAQs on Physiology: Functions, Types & Key Concepts
1. What is physiology and what does it primarily study?
Physiology is the branch of biology that studies the normal functions of living organisms and their parts. It explores the chemical and physical processes that occur within an organism to support life, examining how everything from molecules and cells to tissues and organ systems work together to keep the body functioning.
2. Why is the study of physiology important for students?
Understanding physiology is crucial as it forms the foundation for health and medicine. It helps us comprehend:
How the body maintains a stable internal condition (homeostasis) despite external changes.
The underlying causes of diseases and disorders when normal functions are disrupted.
How the body responds and adapts to stresses like exercise, environmental changes, or illness.
The scientific basis for developing effective treatments and therapies.
3. What is the main difference between anatomy and physiology?
The primary difference lies in their focus: Anatomy is the study of structure, while Physiology is the study of function. Anatomy describes what the parts of the body are and where they are located (e.g., the structure of the heart and its chambers). In contrast, physiology explains how those parts work and what they do (e.g., how the heart pumps blood through the circulatory system).
4. What are some fundamental concepts in the study of physiology?
Five key themes underpin the study of physiology:
Structure and Function: The idea that the form of a body part is directly related to its function.
Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment, which is essential for survival.
Energy: The requirement for energy to drive all life processes, involving its storage, transfer, and use.
Communication: The flow of information between organ systems through electrical and chemical signals to coordinate functions.
Compartmentation: The division of space within the body, allowing different functions to occur simultaneously in specific locations.
5. What are the major systems studied under human physiology in the CBSE curriculum?
As per the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus for senior secondary classes, human physiology covers several critical organ systems, including the:
Digestive System: For the breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
Respiratory System: For gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Circulatory System: For transporting blood, nutrients, and waste.
Excretory System: For removing metabolic wastes from the body.
Nervous System: For control, coordination, and rapid communication.
Endocrine System: For chemical coordination through hormones.
6. Why is homeostasis considered the most important concept in physiology?
Homeostasis is considered the central theme because the survival of an organism depends on its ability to maintain a stable and constant internal environment. Nearly every physiological process, from breathing rate to body temperature and blood sugar levels, is part of a complex feedback system designed to keep internal conditions within a narrow, optimal range. A failure in homeostasis results in illness or disease, highlighting its fundamental importance to health.
7. Does studying physiology mean you become a medical doctor?
No, not necessarily. A physiologist is typically a research scientist (often with a Ph.D.) who studies how life functions, while a medical doctor is a physician who diagnoses and treats patients. While a deep understanding of physiology is absolutely essential for medical training and practice, the careers are distinct. However, some individuals pursue both an M.D. and a Ph.D. in physiology to bridge clinical practice with research.
