The correct spelling of the word "physiology" is /fɪziˈɒlədʒi/. The first syllable "physi" is pronounced with a "z" sound, not "s". The "o" in the second syllable is pronounced as a schwa sound, which is similar to the "u" sound in "fun". The stress falls on the second syllable, making it "ph ysi-OL-o-gy". Understanding the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can help with spelling and pronunciation of words.
Physiology is the scientific study of how living organisms function and survive. It is a branch of biology that focuses on understanding the vital processes that occur within cells, tissues, and organisms in order to maintain homeostasis and sustain life. Physiology explores the workings of various physiological systems, including but not limited to the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, muscular, and endocrine systems.
The discipline of physiology examines the intricate mechanisms behind bodily functions, such as digestion, respiration, blood circulation, neural transmission, and hormone regulation. Through the study of physiology, scientists gain insights into the underlying processes and mechanisms that enable organisms to adapt and respond to their environment.
Physiology encompasses both the macroscopic and microscopic levels of investigation. At the macroscopic level, it focuses on the interaction between organs and organ systems, whereas at the microscopic level, it delves into cellular physiology, studying the processes occurring within individual cells.
This scientific discipline employs a range of techniques and tools, including dissection, microscopy, electrophysiology, molecular biology, imaging techniques, and animal experiments, to uncover the complexities of biological systems. By understanding how the different systems collaborate and integrate to sustain life, researchers can gain valuable insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various diseases and dysfunctions.
Overall, physiology plays a crucial role in understanding the intricate workings of living organisms, shedding light on the fundamental processes that support life and providing a foundation for the advancement of medical knowledge and practices.
The science which deals with living things, with the normal vital processes of animal and vegetable organisms.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The science which treats of the vital actions or functions performed by the organs of plants and animals.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "physiology" can be traced back to Latin and Greek roots. The Latin root of "physiology" is "physiologia", which came from the Greek word "phusiologia" (φυσιολογία).
In Greek, "phusis" (φύσις) means "nature" or "natural order", and "logia" (λογία) refers to "the study of" or "a discourse on". Thus, "phusiologia" can be translated as "the study or discourse on nature".
During the transition from Greek to Latin, the "u" in "phusiologia" transformed into "y", becoming "physiologia". From there, it entered Middle English through Old French, eventually evolving into its modern form, "physiology".