Why is it important to understand the physiological basis of life.?

Question

I need to know why it is important for us to understand the importance of understanding the physiological basis of life.

Answer 1

Import is a human invention. People value what they deem valuable, and their priorities may be influenced by many social factors. But, from a natural standpoint, outside of what our society tells us is important, survival is of the utmost importance to us as individuals and as a species. Understanding the physiological basis of life helps us to survive illness, weather phenomenon, and besides helping us survive those plights, it helps us save other species which are necessary for our survival. Crops, animals, ecosystems that house those animals or plants that we use for food or medicine.

Without the fundamental understanding of physiology, and without learning it the way in which we do, generations would have to continue to experiment with how their bodies work and how other living things work. People would poison themselves and no one would know the mechanism for a cure. Disease would affect crops, and without knowing the mechanism behind their interaction, we could not remedy the situation in time and so on.

Answer 2

Science != Religion. As such, what one believes has no real bearing on the other. Edit: Tik, you are the one trying to equate the two, not I. Religion and science are two different things. Some people may want to resolve the two, others (mostly) do not. On the one hand, you have Fundamentalists who believe the Bible (or insert religious document here) is literal. On the other, you have Atheists who believe anyone that has any type of faith is a brainwashed zombie. Sorry, but there is no middle ground there. It is like trying to mediate the Jews and Muslims. Sorry Tik. Too much programming. I sometimes forget people don't speak fluent Nerd. ;) What I am saying is that there are two ways to take the Bible, literally and metaphorically. Many Christians (as is obvious) take it literally. That does not mean all do. When the Bible says that "On the first day...", who are we to define what a day is to God? The oral traditions of the Bible go back thousands and thousands of years. There was a limited understanding of things (hell, they didn't know what a million meant, for example) so they put things into terms they could understand. We are rational creatures (as God made us) and we should use our minds to grasp new concepts (such as evolution) and figure out how these things relate to our religion and our existence. But like I said, many people take the Bible literally. And there is a segment of the atheist community that looks at any type of believer as completely mindless dolts. Therefore, Science != Religion and the two will never be resolved to the satisfaction of the masses.

Answer 3

Very nice answer by Stephanie S. To follow up, its important if its useful for some goal like the prevention of disease; or its important if within the study of the physiological basis of life you find beauty or peace.

Answer 4

Better understanding of the mechanics of life gives us better ability to work with it and know what will happen. Basic physiology can apply to a number of areas, including agriculture, ecology, and medicine (human and veterinary).

Answer 5

Because we can use that understanding to help us be happier, which is what everyone wants.

Answer 6

WHo said it is important...a biology teacher?

Answer 7

the more we understand, the more that can be done to help people.

Answer 8

It has been, and will be, useful in the treatment of disease.