ABSTRACT
A degree of understanding of cell biology and tissue structure is also an essential prerequisite for the study of physiology. Nowadays, 'physiology' combines the more traditional approach to body systems with cellular biochemistry, and this is essential if one hopes to have a solid understanding of the subject. Where appropriate, one must try to gain knowledge of the structure and function of cells and tissues in order to understand why cells designed to do roughly the same things (e.g. contract) can have very different characteristics (e.g. skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle). Thus a modicum of cell biological, histological and anatomical knowledge is also required before one can fully comprehend the physiology of some cells/tissues. Where appropriate, we have cited useful texts in these areas that should help support these aims.
