Plain English Meaning
Having to do with how the body works and reacts. A physiological response is something the body does automatically, like a faster heartbeat, quicker breathing, or a sudden tightening of muscles when startled.
Full Definition
Relating to the normal functioning of a living body and its systems — including the brain, heart, lungs, muscles, and senses — and how those systems respond to conditions such as stress, altitude, fatigue, or sudden events.
Context Anchor
In the Airplane Flying Handbook, this word appears when describing how surprise and startle can affect a pilot's body during flight.
Derivation
From the Greek 'physis' meaning 'nature' and 'logos' meaning 'study of'. Originally meant the study of how living things naturally function. In aviation it refers to those natural body reactions — the ones a pilot cannot consciously .