Evolutionary physiology is the study of how physiological traits have evolved over time through natural selection. There are several synonyms for this term that can be used interchangeably in scientific literature. These include evolutionary biology, evolutionary ecology, evolutionary genetics, and evolutionary medicine. Each of these fields explores different aspects of evolution and how they relate to physiology. Evolutionary biology focuses on the evolution of different species, while evolutionary ecology examines how species interact with their environment. Evolutionary genetics studies the genetic basis of evolution, and evolutionary medicine explores how an understanding of evolution can be used to enhance medical treatments. Regardless of the synonym used, the fundamental goal is to understand how organisms have evolved to survive and thrive in their respective environments.