physiology (fiz-e-ol'o-je)

The science of life; the study of the functions of living organisms, animal p. The p. of animals, cellular p. The p. of the individual cells as separate units, comparative p. The comparative study of vital phenomena in animals and plants, general p. The science of life in the abstract, or of vital functions in animals generally, pathogenetic p., pathological p. See pathology, special p. The p. of a special organ or set of organs, or in a particular species or group of aniing.] mals, vegetable p. The p. of plants. [Gr., physis, nature, + logos, understand physio lysis (fiz-e-ol'is-is). composition of dead matter. The [Gr., natural dephysis, nature, -+- lysis, di olution.]