Tasks and perspectives of development of evolutionary physiology

Abstract

The paper considers the main tasks facing evolutionary physiology as well as the methods that allow these tasks to be solved. It is shown that alongside with traditional, classical methods (phylogenetic, ontogenetic, experimental, clinical), there developed and got recognition in the present-day evolutionary physiology principally new methodological approaches important for solution of actual problems of this discipline. It is the method of mathematical modeling of functions, which makes it possible not only to study on the model, in temporary scales convenient for analysis, evolution of the given functions under the given actions, but also to model the evolutionary process itself in its different manifestations. It is the method of gene engineering that allows studying processes of formation of specific functional systems, their interaction and “mutual adjustment” at the organism level. It is lastly the method of tissue cultures allowing reconstruction under artificial conditions various systems of organism and study of regularities and mechanisms of morphogenesis and formation of functions. The paper discusses trends of development of evolutionary physiology for the last few years, considers perspective directions of studies, using specific examples, and shows possible ways for practical applications of fundamental investigations in the field of evolutionary physiology.