Evolutionary physiology

Abstract

The tasks, methods and principles of the evolution of functions are overviewed at various levels of organization of physiological systems with the focus on the central problem of physiological evolution—the origin of life and formation of protocellular functions. This stage of evolution is associated with the emergence of the plasma membrane and ion asymmetry of the cell relative to the extracellular environment. For a long time, evolution proceeded in the sea, where extracellular sodium ions in tandem with the intracellular potassium dominance created conditions for the emergence of electrogenesis, polar cells and epithelia, as well as for the formation of the extracellular body fluid system, making up the internal environment of multicellular organisms. The features of the evolution of organs and functional systems are analyzed. During evolution, hormones, autakoids and incretins began to be involved in the regulation of functions alongside with the nervous system. Sodium-dependent processes in the plasma membrane stimulated the development of absorptive, digestive, excretory, respiratory and homeostatic functions. The substance and patterns of functional evolution are discussed.