Physiologic systems

Physiologic systems represent the highest level of functional organization in the human body, consisting of groups of organs that work together to perform complex biological tasks (StatPearls, 2023). These systems, such as the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems, are essential for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring the survival of the organism (NIH, 2024). While drug discovery focuses on specific molecular entities like receptors or enzymes, the clinical effects of these drugs are observed as changes in the function of physiologic systems. For example, a beta-blocker targets the beta-adrenergic receptor to ultimately affect the cardiovascular system by lowering heart rate and blood pressure (PubMed, 2021). Because these systems are highly interconnected, a drug designed to treat a condition in one system may produce side effects in another, necessitating a holistic view of systemic physiology during drug development (Wikipedia, 2024). Consequently, 'Physiologic systems' serves as a framework for understanding drug action rather than being a discrete therapeutic target itself.

Other names

Organ systemsBiological systemsBody systems

Not applicable. Physiologic systems are broad organizational levels of biology rather than specific molecular targets for drug interaction.