Fisioloogia

Fisioloogia is the scientific study of the functions and mechanisms within a living system. It explores how organisms, from single cells to complex multicellular beings, work. This field delves into the chemical and physical processes that take place within cells, tissues, organs, and entire organisms.

Key areas of study in physiology include understanding how organisms maintain a stable internal environment, a process known as homeostasis. This involves regulating factors like body temperature, blood sugar levels, and fluid balance. Physiology also examines how organisms interact with their environment, such as through sensory perception, movement, and communication.

Branches of physiology are diverse, catering to different levels of biological organization or specific organ systems. Examples include cellular physiology, which focuses on the functions of individual cells; organ physiology, which examines the workings of specific organs like the heart or lungs; and systems physiology, which studies how groups of organs cooperate to perform major bodily functions, such as the cardiovascular system or the nervous system. Comparative physiology looks at the physiological differences and similarities across various species, while environmental physiology investigates how organisms adapt to different environmental conditions. The ultimate goal of physiology is to explain the life processes that characterize living things.