Physiology is an important science that serves the public

Physiology investigates the principles of all body functions

The intact function and well-being of the human body depends on a perfect interaction of cells and organs at increasingly complex organization levels. A detailed understanding of body functions is a prerequisite of understanding diseases.

Physiology represents an important way of scientific thinking

Molecular approaches have improved our knowledge about single molecules. But the body consists of many cells. Their interaction and their responses to the environment determines organ and body function. Physiology follows a holistic approach which is indispensable for understanding functions.

Physiology is an essential basic (medical) science

Physiology is both a life science in its own right, and a basic medical science.  Physiology today – according to the IUPS – intends to encompass the study of the functions and integrative processes of life at all levels of structural complexity between the molecular level and that of the whole organism. It includes all organisms, and frames function in evolutionary, environmental, ecological and behavioral contexts. Physiology is an exciting and dynamic discipline that has enormous impact on the quality of human life. Physiology exerts a cross-disciplinary approach to modern science, through which physiologists aim to achieve translation of functional understanding into the health of humans, animals and ecosystems. In particular, the ever increasing understanding of body functions enables identification of novel therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment of diseases.

Physiology is worth a Nobel prize

In Alfred Nobel’s time, discoveries made by physiologists with respect to hormones, the cardiovascular, nervous, and renal systems, were so ground breaking that Nobel specifically stated that the Noble prize be awarded for “physiology or medicine” in his will.