General Physiology

General physiology is the science that studies the biological mechanisms (vital processes or functions) of the body via analytical investigations, which brings out the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms at all levels of organization. When it comes to medical science, it can also be defined as the application of physiology to the field of medicine.

Physiological science has many other branches too. Since this field of science has intimate relation with many other branches of science, it has been learnt by human beings right from history. Insect physiology, human physiology, plant physiology, etc have been studied for incorporating developments in the field of agriculture, medicine, etc.

Human physiology studies the physical, mechanical, biochemical, and bioelectrical functions of the human body when in a healthy situation. When we talk about physiology, the main focus is at the level of systems and organs. Human physiology has some homologous features to some animal physiology. Experimentation carried out on animals has provided a great deal of knowledge on the physiology of humans.

Physiology has an intimate relationship with medicine and this is the fact why human physiology has been extensively studied. Another branch of medical science called anatomy which is the study of form is closely related to physiology which is the study of function. So the study of these two branches goes hand in hand in the medical curriculum.

Not just that, as said earlier, now a days, animals that have a physiology similar to that of human beings are also studied. A marvelous development has been witnessed in the field of human or mammalian physiology because of the striking achievements that has been made in this field. Besides various achievements and developments, this field still lacks in depth knowledge; and physiologists are researching their best to discover the nature and mechanisms of the body of human beings.