BIOL273 : Unit 1 - Introduction to Physiology.docx
26 May 2013
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Document Summary
Study of normal structure & function of a living organism & its component parts (animals and plants) Structure & function structure has large implications on function. Biological energy from transporting molecules to body movement. Information flow genetics, cell-cell communication: homeostasis. Involves a series of automatic control mechanisms (not the same: keeps conditions more or less stable for all cells of the body, achieved through the effects of different organ systems working together as a unit. Result of homeostatic control of oscillation around a set-point: set-points can change with time or with environmental cues. Acclimatization: environmentally induced change in physiological function with no genetic change: e. g. acclimatization to altitude. Acclimation artificially induced changes (e. g. in a lab) Circadian rhythms: daily biological rhythms (body temperature changes: e. g. sleep-wake cycles, hormonal cycles. Pathophysiology failure to maintain homeostasis will disrupt a function and may result in a disease state.
