physiology
gb/fˌɪziˈɑləd͡ʒi/ us/fˌɪziˈɑləd͡ʒi/
C1
English
~ 6600
élettan, fiziológia
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
1
élettan
C1
fiziológia
C1
Usage pattern:
to study physiology; the physiology of [an organism]
She decided to major in physiology because she was fascinated by how the human body works.
Úgy döntött, hogy élettanra szakosodik, mert lenyűgözte, hogyan működik az emberi test.
Modern physiology has greatly improved our understanding of heart disease.
A modern élettan nagyban hozzájárult ahhoz, hogy jobban megértsük a szívbetegségeket.
The textbook provides a solid introduction to animal physiology.
Advances in cell physiology have led to new medical treatments.
He teaches human anatomy and physiology at the medical school.
Learner examples
I am taking a class in human physiology this semester.
Ebben a félévben emberi élettant tanulok.
Physiology helps doctors understand how the body works.
Az élettan segít az orvosoknak megérteni, hogyan működik a test.
She wants to study physiology and become a medical researcher.
We learned about the physiology of the heart in today’s lesson.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "physiology" with "anatomy" and "psychology." "Physiology" is about how the body works, while "anatomy" is about the structure or parts of the body, and "psychology" is about the mind and behavior. Another mistake is treating it as a plural (*physiologies*) in general use; in this sense it is normally an uncountable field of study.
Meaning
branch of biology about body functions
Collocations
study physiology
|human physiology
|plant physiology
|exercise physiology
|physiology course
|anatomy and physiology
Synonyms
biology (A broader science of living things in general; physiology is one specialized area within biology that focuses on how bodies work.)
|
life science (An umbrella term for sciences that study living organisms; physiology is one specific life science.)
Themes
science
|biology
|medicine
|education
|health
Definition
The science that studies how the body and its parts work in living things.
A branch of biology that studies how living organisms and their organs, tissues, and cells function and carry out life processes.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
élettan
C1
fiziológia
C1
Usage pattern:
the physiology of [an organ / system / process]
Researchers are studying the physiology of sleep to understand why we dream.
A kutatók az alvás élettanát vizsgálják, hogy megértsék, miért álmodunk.
High altitude changes the physiology of the lungs and blood.
A nagy magasság megváltoztatja a tüdő és a vér élettanát.
The book explains the normal physiology of the kidneys before discussing disease.
Training can significantly alter the physiology of skeletal muscle.
Caffeine affects the brain’s physiology by blocking certain receptors.
Learner examples
The physiology of the heart changes during exercise.
A szív élettana megváltozik edzés közben.
We studied the physiology of sleep in science class.
Természetismeret órán az alvás élettanát tanultuk.
Smoking can harm the normal physiology of your lungs.
Good training helps improve the physiology of your muscles.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "physiology" when they mean "physique" (body shape) or "fitness." "Physiology" refers to how the body works inside, not to how it looks from the outside.
Meaning
the functional processes of a body
Collocations
the physiology of sleep
|cardiovascular physiology
|muscle physiology
|cellular physiology
|normal physiology
|abnormal physiology
Synonyms
bodily functions (A more general, everyday phrase; "physiology" is more scientific and can refer to detailed processes in organs or cells.)
|
body processes (Informal, less technical way to talk about the same idea; "physiology" is the precise scientific term.)
Antonyms
pathology (Pathology focuses on disease and abnormal conditions, whereas physiology in this sense focuses on normal functions and processes.)
Themes
science
|biology
|medicine
|health
|body
Definition
The way a living body or one of its parts normally works and carries out its processes.
The characteristic physical and biochemical functions and processes of a living organism, organ, or system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
physiology
IPA
GB/fˌɪziˈɑləd͡ʒi/
US/fˌɪziˈɑləd͡ʒi/
Syllables & stress
physiology (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: physiology
- Plural: physiologies, physiology
Word family
Forms
physiologies
noun
Core family
Advanced or less common
pathophysiology
noun
neurophysiology
noun
Expressions
anatomy and physiology
1/ənˈætəmi ˈænd fˌɪziˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
study of body structure and function
A school or university subject that teaches both the parts of the body (anatomy) and how they work (physiology).
Examples
- All nursing students must pass anatomy and physiology.
- The college offers an online anatomy and physiology course for health professionals.
exercise physiology
1/ˈɛksɚsˌaɪz fˌɪziˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
study of exercise effects on body
The science that looks at what happens inside the body when we exercise and train.
Examples
- She is doing a master’s degree in exercise physiology.
- Exercise physiology explains how regular training improves heart and muscle function.
human physiology
1/hjˈumən fˌɪziˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
study of how the human body works
The science that looks at how the human body and all its parts work.
Examples
- She is specializing in human physiology with a focus on the nervous system.
- The course in human physiology covers the heart, lungs, and other major organs.
plant physiology
1/plˈænt fˌɪziˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
study of how plants function
The science that studies how plants live and how their parts work.
Examples
- He wrote his thesis on plant physiology and drought resistance.
- Plant physiology helps farmers understand how crops respond to stress.