physiology

## What I do - Study body system functions and regulation - Analyze organ system interactions - Investigate homeostasis mechanisms - Research physiological adaptations - Study exercise and environmental physiology - Analyze physiological disorders ## When to use me - When studying organ system function - When analyzing homeostasis - When investigating physiological responses - When studying disease mechanisms - When researching exercise physiology - When learning integrative physiology ## Key Concepts ### Major Organ Systems - **Cardiovascular**: Heart, blood vessels, blood - **Respiratory**: Lungs, airways, gas exchange - **Nervous**: Brain, spinal cord, nerves - **Endocrine**: Glands, hormones - **Digestive**: GI tract, accessory organs - **Renal**: Kidneys, fluid balance - **Musculoskeletal**: Bones, muscles, joints ### Homeostasis ```python # Negative feedback example: Thermoregulation def thermoregulation(body_temp, set_point=37.0): """ Maintain body temperature. """ deviation = body_temp - set_point if deviation > 0.5: # Too hot: vasodilation, sweating return {'response': 'cooling', 'mechanisms': ['sweating', 'vasodilation']} elif deviation < -0.5: # Too cold: vasoconstriction, shivering return {'response': 'warming', 'mechanisms': ['shivering', 'vasoconstriction']} else: return {'response': 'normal'} # Feedback types feedback_types = { 'negative': 'Counteracts change (most common)', 'positive': 'Amplifies change (rare, e.g., childbirth)' } ``` ### Physiological Parameters - Blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg - Heart rate: 60-100 bpm - Body temperature: 36.5-37.5°C - pH: 7.35-7.45 - Blood glucose: 70-100 mg/dL ### Cell Physiology - Membrane potential: -70 mV - Action potential: All-or-none - Diffusion, osmosis, filtration - Active transport - Signal transduction