Physiology Physiology was the branch of biology that focused on the functions and activities , including all physical and chemical processes , of living organism s and their parts . The Doctor once told B ' Elanna Torres that " " the physiology of pain is simple . Too much and the organism loses consciousness – a protective mechanism . If that mechanism were chemical ly suppressed , one would experience agony beyond imagining . " " ( ) Education . When Doctor Phlox began to practice medicine , he stated that he " " had no idea it would take me on journeys to other worlds . Every species I encounter allows me to explore a new physiology . " " ( ) While in Starfleet Academy , Kathryn Janeway took a course on Klingon Physiology , which was taught by guest professor , a Klingon named H ' ohk . ( ) Shortly after Kes joined in 2371 , she wished to work with The Doctor in sickbay . After he gave her texts on how to treat burn s , she told him that she would like to " " do more than study first aid . I ' d be interested in knowing more about anatomy and physiology . " " The Doctor was pleased to hear that that was " " intellectually curious , " " and offered her texts on Human anatomy and physiology , but warned her that " " they weren ' t written for the layman . They ' re quite technical . " " ( ) Notable physiologies . Takaran s had the ability to control their physiology at a ular level , allowing them to create the appearance of death . To Federation science , the internal physiology of Takarans was " baffling , " according to Doctor Beverly Crusher . An autopsy of Dr . Jo ' Bril in 2369 revealed that they did not seem to have " " any discrete organ s , not in the traditional sense , " " and that " " practically every system is equally distributed throughout the body . " " This led her to conclude that " " that should make him incredibly resistant to any injury . " " ( ) The Borg considered Human physiology to be " inefficient , " citing that the species hasd a " " below - average cranial capacity ; minimal redundant systems ; and , limited regenerative abilities . " " ( ) Nevertheless , thanks to Seven of Nine ' s Borg - enhanced physiology , she had superior strength , agility , stamina , and visual acuity , than was typical of an average Human . ( ) Comparative physiologies . Vulcan and Human physiology were not all that dissimilar . ( ) Vulcans and Romulan s shared a common physiology . ( ) As well , Rigelian physiology was also very similar to Vulcan . ( ) In 2151 , during a visit to Valakis , Phlox found himself " " in the enviable position of studying two humanoid s from the same planet , " " which he described as " " a rare and exciting opportunity . " " ( ) During his career , Dr . Leonard McCoy was noted for his medical text entitled " Comparative Alien Physiology " . ( ) Bio - dampener units , which were used as a form of camouflage aboard Borg vessels , had to be tailor ed to their users ' physiology . ( ) When Seven of Nine took on the role as guardian for the Borg children that USS " Voyager " had adopted , in 2375 , she had scheduled for them , among other things , to meet in the holodeck where they were to study comparative alien physiology . ( )