Lecture 1: Introduction

to Physiology

Fall 2020

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 Learning Objectives

¢ To summarize the unifying themes in physiology

¢ To explain the relationship between environment,

genotype, and phenotype

¢ To understand the concept of homeostasis

¢ To describe mechanisms used by regulatory systems

including negative feedback, positive feedback, feed-
forward, and acclimatization

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What is Animal Physiology?

¢ from Greek
l Physis- = nature

l -logia = study of
¢ “the study of how animals work”
l What does it do?

l How does it do it?

l How is it controlled?
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 Unifying Themes in Physiology

¢ Physiology is integrative
¢ Physiological processes obey the laws of
physics & chemistry
¢ Physiological phenotypes are influenced by
genetics and the environment
l Evolution changes the genotype of a
population over many generations
¢ Physiological processes are usually regulated
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 Physiology is integrative

Multiple levels of
biological organization
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Laws of physics & chemistry
influence physiological processes

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Physiology is shaped by
genotype and environment

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 Form and function are
products of evolution
¢ Phenotype: observable characteristics
l Morphology, physiology, and behavior

¢ Adaptation: changes in population over

evolutionary time as a result of natural
selection that improve the survivability or
reproductive fitness of the species

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 Structure-function relationships

¢ Structure/
Morphology =
Anatomy

¢ Function =
Physiology

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Phenotypic Plasticity

¢ the ability of a phenotype

to change in response to
environmental conditions

¢ same genotype may

result in multiple
phenotypes

¢ can be reversible or
irreversible 10
 Physiological regulation in the face
of changing external conditions: two
general strategies.
Conformer Regulator
Value of Variable in Internal Environment

Value of Variable in External Environment Value of Variable in External Environment

 Homeostasis

¢ the tendency to regulate and maintain a

relatively stable internal environment

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Room Temperature
Homeostasis Example

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 Physiological processes are
usually regulated
¢ Regulation via endocrine & nervous systems

¢ Regulatory mechanisms:

l Negative Feedback

l Positive Feedback

l Feed-Forward (Anticipatory) Action

l Acclimatization
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Negative feedback in the
control of blood glucose
Positive feedback –
blood clotting
Feed-forward (Anticipatory)
Action/Mechanism
¢ Mechanism to anticipate a change in
a regulated variable and improve the
speed of the homeostatic response

¢ Examples:
l Belly growling at lunch time
l Putting your jacket on before going
out in the cold

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 Acclimatization

¢ Adjustment in physiological function(s) in

response to changes in the environment
(multiple factors)
l Typically reversible
l Example: recovering from jetlag

Acclimation
¢ A laboratory phenomenon--Adjustment in
response to only one factor
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 Learning Objectives

¢ To summarize the unifying themes in physiology

¢ To explain the relationship between environment,

genotype, and phenotype

¢ To understand the concept of homeostasis

¢ To describe mechanisms used by regulatory systems

including negative feedback, positive feedback, feed-
forward, and acclimatization

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