| Human Physiology is the science of the | | | | they maintain the milieu interieur. |
| mechanical, physical, and biochemical | | | | The nervous system consists of the |
| functions of normal humans, their | | | | central nervous system (which is the |
| organs, and the cells of which they are | | | | brain and spinal cord) and peripheral |
| composed. The principal level of focus | | | | nervous system. The brain is the organ |
| of physiology is at the level of organs | | | | of thought, emotion, and sensory |
| and systems. Most aspects of human | | | | processing, and serves many aspects of |
| physiology are closely homologous to | | | | communication and control of various |
| corresponding aspects of animal | | | | other systems and functions. The special |
| physiology, and animal experimentation | | | | senses consist of vision, hearing, |
| has provided much of the foundation of | | | | taste, and smell. The eyes, ears, |
| physiological knowledge. Anatomy and | | | | tongue, and nose gather information |
| physiology are closely related fields of | | | | about the body's environment. |
| study: anatomy, the study of form, and | | | | The musculoskeletal system consists of |
| physiology, the study of function, are | | | | the human skeleton (which includes |
| intrinsically tied and are therefore | | | | bones, ligaments, tendons, and |
| often studied in tandem as part of a | | | | cartilage) and attached muscles. It |
| medical curriculum. | | | | gives the body basic structure and the |
| Integration, Communication, and | | | | ability for movement. In addition to |
| Homeostasis | | | | their structural role, the larger bones |
| The biological basis of the study of | | | | in the body contain bone marrow, the |
| physiology(Kevin Alaghemacfrec nd, | | | | site of production of blood cells. Also, |
| integration refers to the overlap of | | | | all bones are major storage sites for |
| many functions of the systems of the | | | | calcium and phosphate |
| human body, as well as its accompanied | | | | The circulatory system consists of the |
| form. Integration is achieved though | | | | heart and blood vessels (arteries, |
| communication which occurs in a variety | | | | veins, capillaries). The heart propels |
| of ways, both electrically as well as | | | | the circulation of the blood, which |
| chemically. In terms of the human body | | | | serves as a "transportation system" to |
| the endocrine and nervous systems play | | | | transfer oxygen, fuel, nutrients, waste |
| major roles in the receipt and | | | | products, immune cells, and signalling |
| transmission of signals which integrate | | | | molecules (i.e., hormones) from one part |
| function. Homeostasis is the process by | | | | of the body to another. The blood |
| which the body maintains a stable | | | | consists of fluid that carries cells in |
| internal environment, or one of | | | | the circulation, including some that |
| “similar condition” as described by | | | | move from tissue to blood vessels and |
| Walter Bradford Cannon, in Cannon’s | | | | back, as well as the spleen and bone |
| Postulate. Cannon’s Postulate | | | | marrow. |
| recognizes the body's ability to | | | | The gastrointestinal system consists of |
| regulate pH, temperature, fluid volume, | | | | the mouth, esophagus, stomach, gut |
| pressure, and osmolarity through highly | | | | (small and large intestines), and |
| evolved feedback systems which act to | | | | rectum, as well as the liver, pancreas, |
| finely tune many different chemical and | | | | gallbladder, and salivary glands. It |
| electrical responses. The concentration | | | | converts food into small, nutritional, |
| of ions in relations to one another | | | | non-toxic molecules for distribution by |
| (e.g. Na+, K+, H+) determine the body's | | | | the circulation to all tissues of the |
| pH, which is closely regulated by the | | | | body, and excretes the unused residue. |
| respiratory and urinary systems; | | | | The immune system consists of the white |
| temperature in the body is determined by | | | | blood cells, the thymus, lymph nodes and |
| both the external environment of the | | | | lymph channels, which are also part of |
| organism as well as the amount of heat | | | | the lymphatic system. The immune system |
| produced by anabolic reactions within | | | | provides a mechanism for the body to |
| the body regulated by respiratory and | | | | distinguish its own cells and tissues |
| cardiovascular systems; fluid volume and | | | | from alien cells and substances and to |
| pressure, and osmolarity are regulated | | | | neutralize or destroy the latter by |
| by the urinary, cardiovascular, and | | | | using specialized proteins such as |
| respiratory systems. Physiology is the | | | | antibodies, cytokines, and toll-like |
| study of these systems' integrated | | | | receptors, among many others. |
| functions and the processes by which | | | | |