313 Virgin Olive Oil Benefits PHOSPHATIDILCHOLINE (See LIPIDS / Concepts /Phospholipids) PHOSPHOLIPIDS (See LIPIDS / Concepts) PHYSIOLOGICAL / PHYSIOLOGIC (See PHYSIOLOGY) PHYSIOLOGY Physiology is the science that studies the normal functions of living organisms. The term comes from the Greek (φύσις) (physis), meaning “nature”, and λογος (logos), meaning “study” or “knowledge”. It includes the study of the normal functioning of cells (cellular physiology) and of body organs and systems: the Blood, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive, Renal, Nervous, and Endocrine systems. It also explores how the body integrates and adapts to changes in the external environment. - physiological Pertaining to physiology. It refers to anything related to the normal functioning of cells, organs, or body systems, as studied in the science of physiology. - homeostasis The process that allows the internal environment of the body to remain stable (selfregulation that ensures the maintenance of internal constants), despite the continuous changes in the external environment. For example, when environmental temperature drops, the body detects this change and initiates vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels in the limbs) to prevent heat loss and maintain core body temperature. A nerve signal is also sent to the muscles, triggering shivering, which generates muscular heat and helps counteract the cold. In contrast, during hot conditions, vasodilation and sweating are homeostatic responses to help keep the body temperature within normal limits. Another example is glucose regulation. During physical activity, hormonal mechanisms are activated to release stored glucose from the liver into the bloodstream, so that energy is available for the organs involved in the increased effort, mainly muscles, heart, brain, and lungs. Conversely, after eating, blood glucose levels rise due to food intake. In response, the pancreas produces insulin, which carries the excess glucose to the tissues where it is stored for future use, for example during exercise. At high altitudes, the body initiates adaptation mechanisms (such as increased breathing rate, heart rate, red blood cell production, etc.) to compensate for the lower oxygen availability. These and many other examples illustrate homeostatic mechanisms. In all cases, once the external change disappears, the physiological systems return to their resting baseline state. - cardiovascular system The cardiovascular system is made up of the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries). Its main function is to transport substances (oxygen, nutrients,
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