Physiology: a world perspective.

Physiology is the study of how living organisms function in, and adapt to, their environment. We as physiologists are interested not only in describing a particular cellular process but also in understanding its relevance to more complex regulatory processes that are vital to the organism. The uniqueness of physiology lies in its systematic approach to exploring the mechanisms of life, asking how and why plants and animals function the way they do. Physiology is grounded on problem-solving and critical analysis, two skills that provide its graduates with a competitive advantage over those in many other fields. The impact of physiology to our societies is significant, ranging from the generation of knowledge and the advancement of science to the solutions of problems that affect our quality of life. Therefore, the value of physiology to our societies extends far beyond its contributions to organismal function or the biomedical sciences. This month, we celebrate the 37th World Congress of the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS), bringing together physiologists from around the world. The following provides a snapshot of physiology in different parts of the world.