Definition of physiology
2
: the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process
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Examples of physiology in a Sentence
She took a course in anatomy and physiology.
the physiology of diseased plants
Recent Examples of physiology from the Web
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The reason for the Soviet choice of dogs over apes is unclear except perhaps that Ivan Pavlov’s pioneering work on dog physiology in the late 19th and early 20th century may have provided a strong background for the use of canines, Lewis says.
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That would preserve the mouse’s genetic background but push its physiology closer to that of its wild cousins.
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Sulston’s Nobel in physiology or medicine came in 2002 for painstaking observation of the development of every one of the thousand-odd cells of a nematode, C. elegans, a worm only a fraction of an inch in length.
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The thing about space exploration is you’re taking physiologically normal people and stressing their physiology in an extreme environment.
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This sort of movement-mitosis appears to be an essential element in the natural physiology of social justice campaigns.
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Studying the lizards’ physiology has also yielded key insights into their diets, and best practices for enticing them into a trap.
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As the ultimate marathon athlete, the Iditarod sled dog has been the subject of a number of research studies during the past two decades, increasing the knowledge of physiology, metabolism, nutrition and medical conditions.
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But taller people run into a core principle of physiology, said Chicago orthopedic surgeon Benjamin Domb.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'physiology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
physiology Has Latin Roots
The Latin root physio- generally means "physical", so human physiology deals with just about everything that keeps us alive and working, and other physiology specialties do the same for other animals and for plants. To do anything serious in the field of health, you've obviously got to know how the body's organs and cells function normally. Physiology used to be considered separately from anatomy, which focuses on the body's structures; however, it's now known that structure and function can't easily be separated in a scientific way, so "anatomy and physiology" are often spoken of in the same breath.
Origin and Etymology of physiology
Latin physiologia natural science, from Greek, from physi- + -logia -logy
Other Physiology Terms
PHYSIOLOGY Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of physiology for English Language Learners
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: a science that deals with the ways that living things function
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: the ways that living things or any of their parts function
PHYSIOLOGY Defined for Kids
Definition of physiology for Students
1
: a branch of biology that deals with the processes and activities that keep living things alive
2
: the processes and activities by which a living thing or any part of it functions
Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of physiology
plural physiologies
1
: a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved — compare anatomy 1, morphology 1
2
: the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process
- the physiology of the thyroid gland
3
: a treatise on physiology
Learn More about physiology
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See words that rhyme with physiology Spanish Central: Translation of physiology Nglish: Translation of physiology for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of physiology for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about physiology
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