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Medical/Clinical Physiology
Focuses on disease mechanisms and treatments, often using rodent models.
Comparative Animal Physiology
Investigates how animals adapt to various environments without a human-oriented perspective.
August Krogh Principle
The idea that for every biological question, there is an ideal animal model to study it.
Mechanistic Physiology
Studies organ and cellular mechanisms behind physiological processes.
Environmental Physiology
Examines how animals live in harsh environments.
Acclimatisation
Physiological change due to moderate-to-long-term exposure to environmental conditions.
Adaptation
Genetic changes over generations due to long-term exposure to environmental conditions.
Feedback Control System
A system where the response regulates the stimulus.
E.g. Insulin release due to high blood glucose
Feedforward Control System
Prepares the body for an anticipated stimulus.
E.g. Insulin secretion before blood glucose rises
Conformity
Internal variables fluctuate with external conditions.
E.g. Amphibians
Regulation
Maintaining constant internal conditions despite external changes.
E.g. Humans regulating body temperature
Acute Change
Rapid physiological response within seconds to minutes.
Developmental Change
Changes during an animal’s life cycle.
E.g. Tadpole to frog
Circadian Rhythms
Daily biological changes based on a 24-hour cycle.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Composed of the brain and spinal chord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
All nervous system components outside the CNS.
Afferent Nervous System
Efferent Nervous System
Afferent Nervous System
Sends sensory input to the CNS.
Efferent Nervous System
Carries signals from CNS to the body.
Somatic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System
Regulates skeletal muscle contraction.
Autonomic Nervous System
Controls involuntary functions.
Sympathetic Nervous System (‘fight or flight’)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (‘rest and digest’)
Sensory Receptor
Detects stimuli and initiates nerve signals.
Afferent Neuron
Carries signals to the CNS.
Interneuron
Processes signals within the CNS.
Efferent Neuron
Sends signals to muscles or glands.
Effector Organ
Muscle or gland that performs the response.
Chemoreceptors
Detect chemical stimuli.
E.g. O2 levels, pH
Mechanoreceptors
Detect physical distortions like pressure or muscle movement.
Photoreceptors
Detect light.
E.g. in the eye
