Final answer:
Pathophysiology is the study of changes in normal physiological processes brought about by disease or injury. It focuses on how diseases disrupt normal functions, such as genes regulating cell growth in cancer, leading to abnormal, uncontrolled cell division.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term pathophysiology refers to the study of the changes in normal physiological processes that are caused by disease or injury. It delves into understanding how various diseases, such as type II diabetes and cancer, disrupt normal physiological functions, such as metabolic pathways. For instance, in cancer, cells may grow uncontrollably due to mutations in genes that regulate cell growth and function, resulting in abnormal cell division and tumor formation which could invade adjacent tissues and spread to other organs, severely impacting health. Pathophysiology is crucial for identifying therapeutic interventions, as the understanding of abnormal physiological processes can guide effective treatment and management of various diseases.