Presently, many researchers have adopted a reductionistic approach to physiology. Specifically, this involves studies on acutely isolated or cultured cells. While this is essential for our understanding of important cellular and subcellular mechanisms, it should not be forgotten that physiology is about the function of an integrating body. One view point is that definitive interpretations can only be made by crossing boundaries of physiology from the molecular/ cellular to the systems/behavioural level. An aim of this lecture will stress the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to physiology, that is, 'putting the cell back into the system'. The lecture attempts to demonstrate why this is important for enhancing the functional significance and relevance of physiological data as well as for validating predictions.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Rozloznik, J. F. R. Paton, and M. Dutschmann Repetitive paired stimulation of nasotrigeminal and peripheral chemoreceptor afferents cause progressive potentiation of the diving bradycardia Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2009; 296(1): R80 - R87. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. F. R. Paton, C. J. Dickinson, and G. Mitchell Harvey Cushing and the regulation of blood pressure in giraffe, rat and man: introducing 'Cushing's mechanism' Exp Physiol, January 1, 2009; 94(1): 11 - 17. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. W. Bailey, S. M. Appleyard, Y.-H. Jin, and M. C. Andresen Organization and Properties of GABAergic Neurons in Solitary Tract Nucleus (NTS) J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2008; 99(4): 1712 - 1722. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. W. Polson, R. A. L. Dampney, P. Boscan, A. E. Pickering, and J. F. R. Paton Differential baroreflex control of sympathetic drive by angiotensin II in the nucleus tractus solitarii Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, November 1, 2007; 293(5): R1954 - R1960. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Waki, B. Liu, M. Miyake, K. Katahira, D. Murphy, S. Kasparov, and J. F.R. Paton Junctional Adhesion Molecule-1 Is Upregulated in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Evidence for a Prohypertensive Role Within the Brain Stem Hypertension, June 1, 2007; 49(6): 1321 - 1327. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Kubin, G. F. Alheid, E. J. Zuperku, and D. R. McCrimmon Central pathways of pulmonary and lower airway vagal afferents J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2006; 101(2): 618 - 627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. T Potts Inhibitory neurotransmission in the nucleus tractus solitarii: implications for baroreflex resetting during exercise Exp Physiol, January 1, 2006; 91(1): 59 - 72. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Boscan and J. F. R. Paton Excitatory convergence of periaqueductal gray and somatic afferents in the solitary tract nucleus: role for neurokinin 1 receptors Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2005; 288(1): R262 - R269. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. A. Wilson, J. E. Remmers, and J. F. R. Paton Brain stem PO2 and pH of the working heart-brain stem preparation during vascular perfusion with aqueous medium Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2001; 281(2): R528 - R538. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. E. Nattie and A. Li CO2 dialysis in nucleus tractus solitarius region of rat increases ventilation in sleep and wakefulness J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2002; 92(5): 2119 - 2130. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]