There are many acceptable explanations as to the difference between anatomy and physiology.
The more commonly used ones are:

• Anatomy involves the study of how the various cells in the body are arranged, while physiology involves the study of how cells and tissues actually function.
• Anatomy deals with structure, and physiology deals with function.
• Anatomy is the study of where things in the body are located, while physiology is the study of how things in the bodywork.
• Anatomy is the study of the parts of the body themselves, while physiology is the study of how they work and interact with each other.
• Anatomy describes and names the parts of the body, while physiology describes how these parts function.

The Structure and Function of an Animal Cell and its Organelles

The discovery of cells

1635 – 1703: Robert Hooke: A scientist from England who studied the cork tree. When he discovered corks had holes, he named the holes “cells”. He then decided all things are made of cells.

1804 – 1881: Matthias Schleiden: A German scientist who was the leader in studying plant cells. He used a microscope to study plants and determined that they are made of cells.

1810 – 1882: Theodor Schwann: Also, from Germany, Schwann was a leader in studying animal cells. He studied many things and concluded that all animals are made up of cells.

1854 – 1902: Rudolph Virchow: A German doctor who discovered that new cells do not form on their own. He decided that new cells form when old cells divide.