Intro to Physiology

• List and describe the “Unifying Themes” of physiology:

  • Physiology is integrative, i.e. systems interact with each other
  • Physiological processes obey the laws of physics and chemistry
  • Physiological phenotypes are influenced by genetics and the environment
  • Physiological processes are (almost) always regulated
• Distinguish conformers and regulators: 

  • Conformers: as the external environment changes, the organism adjusts to meet it
  • Regulator: a zone of stability is maintained in response to, but not the same as, the external environment
• • Acclimatization: adjustment in physiological functions in response to changes in the environment, consisting of multiple factors
  • Acclimation: a laboratory phenomenon involving adjustment in response to only one factor