What is the difference between physical and physiological, specifically when used in terms of adjectives? These words are terms that I always felt like I understood but not fully, and therefore, used them interchangeably and maybe even often in the wrong place and context.
For example, **”____ can have many [physical/physiological] effects on the body.”**
I looked it up on Google and it said that they are both referring to the bodies. However “physical” is referring to the body itself, whereas “physiological” is referring to the body’s functions. I still feel like I don’t get it because it’s not enough clarification.
Could anyone explain this more to me and give concise examples? Thank you very much
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Physiology is the study of the physical characteristics of a living creature. You can think of it as physics + biology. Many things are physical (like a rock) but not biological (because it isn’t living). The study of a rock is not physiology, but the study of a mineral incorporated into a bone and how that contributes to the strength of the bone would be.
Put another way, physiology is the part of biology that focuses on the structures and systems that allow a living organism to function.
Think of physiology as a branch of science.
Long term use of alcohol causes physiological and psychological changes in humans.
Physical has a number of different meanings some of which relate to sciences and not necessarily life sciences. It can be an adjective or a noun.
physical fitness is beneficial to one’s physiological and psychological well-being.
My doctor recommends a physical exam every two years.
When water freezes into a solid or evaporates into a gas we call it a physical change.
The science of physics tells us that It is a physical impossibility for an airplane to take off if one of its wings is missing.
She wanted to get physical on our first date but I wanted to get to know her better.
“Physical effects” are things that show up as symptoms. They could be things that you feel, like pain, exhaustion, or acne. Physical effects could also be things that you can measure, such as high blood pressure.
“Physiological effects” are things that happen underneath the surface to cause those symptoms. Those things can include inflammation, dying cells , or an organ’s changing structure.
All in all, physiological effects (things that happen “behind the scenes”) will lead to physical effects (things that you or the doctor can notice).
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