What Are the Branches of Physiology?

Physiology is itself a branch of the larger discipline of biology. Dedicated to the form and function of organisms, physiology is a diverse and broad field that encompasses several sub-disciplines. The "right" division of these disciplines varies slightly depending on which expert you ask, and each branch can often be divided even further into progressively smaller branches.

Human and Animal Physiology

Human and animal physiology are actually part of the same discipline, and may be covered as one coherent whole. Sometimes the two disciplines are separated, though. Within these sub-disciplines, the field can be further divided into other branches, including pathophysiology, which examines the physiology of disease, and system physiology, which evaluates body systems such as the cardiovascular system.

Microscopic Physiology

Microscopic physiology analyzes small organisms, and is usually subdivided into cellular physiology, bacterial physiology and viral physiology. This field of physiology has significant crossover with human and animal physiology, since bacteria and viruses so frequently affect larger living organisms. Because cells are the building blocks of organs and physiological systems, cellular physiology may be covered as a part of human or animal physiology.

Developmental Physiology

Developmental biology tracks the ways in which physiological systems change across the life span. For example, many animals are born with cartilage that later turns into bone, and human fetuses resemble other animals -- such as fish -- at various phases in their development. Developmental physiology may also examine the effects that both genetic and environmental influences have on an organism's development.

Comparative Physiology

Comparative physiology compares the physiology of multiple organisms, and may incorporate elements of developmental physiology to make the comparisons more complete. Comparative physiology can yield evidence for evolution, aid scientists in determining the taxonomic relationships between organisms, and help researchers uncover how and when body structures such as wings or tails evolved.

Practical Physiology

Practical physiology isn't so much a field of physiology as it is a broad term for fields of study that attempt to find and implement practical uses for physiology. This field includes disciplines such as exercise and high-altitude physiology. Medical and nursing students may take classes in these branches of the discipline, or the information from these branches may be incorporated into other courses.

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