Orbeli and evolutionary physiology

A brief history of evolutionary physiology and the role in its foundation of the outstanding physiologist of our country, Leon Abgarovich Orbeli, are reviewed. The main stages of development of evolutionary physiology are described; the difficulties occurring in the path of its establishment are noted. It is shown that the establishment of evolutionary physiology as an independent scientific discipline was far from occurring at once; its foundation required many years of pondering, an intensive organizational work, and the great personal courage of L.A. Orbeli. It is narrated how the main (pivotal) and other important tasks of evolutionary physiology were developed, what methodological principles were used, how Orbeli's school appeared.