Veterinary Physiology: Past, Present, and Future Perspective

Abstract

Physiology is the dynamic study of normal functions in a living system. It answers how the cells, organs, organ systems work and how it is integrated at the organism level. This chapter attempts to provide the readers with updated information on animal physiology evolution from past, present, and future perspectives. Physiology is the unit of biology and zoology, covering a range of subjects, including organs, morphology, cells, and biological compounds. Studying physiology has enormous practical applications ranging from cell generation and regeneration to cell death and apoptosis. This chapter gives a glimpse of the levels of structural organisation in animals. They start with the chemical levels, where atoms combine to form molecules, followed by cell levels, where molecules combine to form organelles. Subsequent integration is seen at the tissue level; similar cells and their surrounding material form tissues. Multiple tissues together include an organ, for instance, kidney, liver, heart, and many more. Furthermore, different organs synergistically work to form an organ system. For example, kidneys and urinary bladder together forms excretory system. To maintain normal body functions, a variety of systems work together to form a structural organisation and coordinate with each other in animals. Therefore, in order to practice veterinary medicine effectively, a basic understanding of animal normal physiology is required. The knowledge of physiology can be considered as the bedrock of the medicine.

Graphical Abstract