August Krogh Quotes

Powerful August Krogh for Daily Growth

About August Krogh

August Krogh (1874-1949), a Danish physician and physiologist, was a significant figure in the field of respiratory and circulatory physiology. Born on September 11, 1874, in Copenhagen, Denmark, to a family of academics, Krogh's interest in science was fostered from an early age. He studied medicine at the University of Copenhagen, graduating in 1902 and subsequently working as a research assistant under the guidance of his father, Johannes Theodor Krogh, a renowned physiologist. Krogh's pioneering work focused on understanding the mechanisms of gas exchange in animals, particularly invertebrates and fish. His groundbreaking research on the role of diffusion in the circulatory system, published in 1919, earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1920 (shared with Hans Christian Johannes Corneilus van Tubergen for their work on capillary exchange). This work, known as "The Diffusion Theory of Blood Coagulation," significantly advanced our understanding of how gases are exchanged across biological membranes. In 1910, Krogh became a professor at the University of Copenhagen, where he continued his research and mentored numerous students. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Biological Field Station on the island of Møn, Denmark, which became a hub for physiology research. Krogh's influence extended beyond academia. He served as the President of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters from 1935 to 1946. His work has been celebrated with numerous honors, including membership in the Royal Society (1927) and the United States National Academy of Sciences (1932). August Krogh passed away on February 8, 1949. His contributions to physiology continue to influence modern research in respiratory and circulatory systems.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In studying a living organism, we not only wish to understand its mechanism; we also want to know how it adjusts its mechanism to meet the changing demands of life."

This quote by August Krogh emphasizes the dual purpose of biology research: not only do scientists strive to understand the intricate workings (mechanism) of living organisms, but they also aim to uncover how these organisms adapt (adjust) their functions in response to life's changing demands. This perspective highlights the dynamic nature of life and the importance of understanding both the static structure and the responsive behavior of living systems in a constantly evolving environment.

"The purpose of an experiment is to find unexpected things."

August Krogh's quote emphasizes the importance of exploration, discovery, and innovation in scientific research. By conducting experiments with an open mind, scientists are more likely to make unexpected findings that can lead to groundbreaking advancements and a deeper understanding of the world around us. This highlights the beauty and essence of science: the thrill of uncovering unknown truths and pushing boundaries of knowledge.

"The body can stand extreme conditions, but it cannot endure mediocrity."

August Krogh's quote highlights the human body's resilience to survive under harsh conditions, yet emphasizes that it struggles in situations of mediocrity or complacency. This suggests that humans are capable of withstanding challenges, but consistent exposure to ordinary or suboptimal environments may lead to stagnation and ultimately hinder growth and development. It encourages individuals to strive for excellence rather than accept average circumstances, as this is essential for progress and personal fulfillment.

"Life is a great surprise and it always takes us by surprise."

August Krogh's quote emphasizes that life, in its essence, is full of unexpected twists and turns. It suggests that despite our best efforts to anticipate or plan for the future, life often presents us with situations we could not have foreseen. This reminder encourages an open-minded approach to living, as we navigate through the various surprises that life brings our way.

"When we try to learn how the body works under extreme conditions, we are surprised at how wonderfully it has been adapted."

This quote by August Krogh suggests that when we study the human body in extreme conditions, we're often astonished by its remarkable adaptability. It implies that the human body, in its design, is incredibly resilient and capable of adjusting to a wide range of challenging circumstances, demonstrating a fascinating level of evolutionary adaptation. This quote encourages us to explore further, marvel at nature's intricacies, and appreciate the wonders of the human physiology in various environments.

In the numerous observations made in my laboratory upon this object, we have only once seen a combination of vessels in which there might be a direct communication between a small artery and a vein, though the two observers could not come to a final conclusion on the point.

- August Krogh

Small, Numerous, Direct, Observations

For a large number of problems, there will be some animal of choice, or a few such animals, on which it can be most conveniently studied.

- August Krogh

Some, Which, Large, Conveniently

In man, the mechanical breathing is essential to life, and it is one of the old tests for death to see whether these movements have ceased completely.

- August Krogh

Death, Breathing, Old, Essential

The circulatory system of man and the vertebrate animals can be considered as made up of a small number of organs or subordinate systems, which are easy to recognize anatomically, and the functions of which are on the whole quite distinct.

- August Krogh

Small, Which, Organs, Subordinate

The tremendous honour of the Nobel Prize is of the strongest incentive to me in my work, while the amount of the Prize will greatly simplify my task and provide me with much valuable help in my work.

- August Krogh

Will, Honour, Amount, Nobel Prize

The respiratory mechanisms of birds are definitely adapted to the function of flight, as evidenced by the fact that birds which do not fly (Apteryx, Penguins) show these adaptations in a greatly reduced form.

- August Krogh

Flight, Fact, Which, Adapted

I found it possible to observe at least the superficial capillaries of muscles both in the frog and in mammals through a binocular microscope, using strong reflected light as a source of illumination. Resting muscles observed in this way are usually quite pale, and the microscope reveals only a few capillaries at fairly regular intervals.

- August Krogh

Strong, Through, Least, Observed

It is no doubt technically possible to study metabolism and respiration of fishes during swimming at a constant rate, and of certain insects and birds during flight, and to obtain information similar to that obtained on man during work on a bicycle ergometer or a treadmill.

- August Krogh

Flight, Study, Constant, Respiration

In many organisms, including man, the mechanical respiration and the circulation of the blood are 'regulated' so as to correspond to the demand of the moment.

- August Krogh

Mechanical, Including, Many, Respiration

Since muscular contractions are usually more or less regularly alternated with relaxations, the system of valves makes of the veins of every muscle a very effective pump, capable of maintaining a low pressure in the muscle capillaries.

- August Krogh

Capable, Muscular, Very, Maintaining

Muscles do not use oxygen at a constant rate.

- August Krogh

Muscles, Constant, Rate, Oxygen

The affinity of blood or pure haemoglobins for oxygen is a complex phenomenon, depending upon a number of conditions, the most important of which are temperature and hydrogen ion concentration.

- August Krogh

The Most Important, Which, Oxygen

The most direct evidence of the wonderful plasticity and elasticity of red corpuscles is obtained when they are watched in a current, where they can be caught against a projecting edge and bent by the pressure of the current flowing past them.

- August Krogh

Caught, Evidence, Elasticity, Obtained

There can be little doubt that fishes swimming rapidly do not make respiratory movements at all, but obtain the necessary ventilation of the gills simply by opening the mouth.

- August Krogh

Doubt, Necessary, Obtain, Respiratory

In many cases of inflammation, the vascular changes develop slowly and long after the application of the stimulus which is responsible for the inflammatory reaction.

- August Krogh

Reaction, Which, Cases, Slowly

In the giraffe with a total height of 5 m., the heart is at a height of about 2.5 m., and it would be extremely interesting to know just how the giraffe avoids the development of filtration oedema in its long legs.

- August Krogh

Interesting, Development, Height

In the tissues generally, and in such a cavity as the abdomen, the pressure is everywhere and practically always very nearly atmospheric, and must be so, because the integuments give way very easily to any excess of pressure, whether positive or negative.

- August Krogh

Give, Always, Very, Excess

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