Gallifreyan physiology
The Gallifreyans, despite looking similar to Humans, had a variety of biological differences that set them apart.
- Most of the known information of the Gallifreyans is based on the Time Lords, particularly the Doctor. Consequently, the following articles may have some inaccuracies due to these biases.
External anatomy
Externally, Gallifreyans were identical to Humans. However, whereas the Humans of Earth had a diverse range of ethnicities, Gallifreyans tend to have a mostly Eurasian appearance. Likewise, their hair had the full span of Humans, such as white, black, brown or blond. (TDA: The Last Dodo)
Resilience
Gallifreyans are, on the whole, extremely tough and resilient; generally speaking, they have much greater conscious control over their bodies than humans. This may be due to the third lobe of the Gallifreyan brain (DWA:Spare Parts), which is dedicated exclusively to body functions.
Gallifreyans can survive extreme cold (DW: The Seeds of Doom, 42) and extreme heat (DW: The End of the World). They can even survive the subzero temperatures of vacuum, for around 6 minutes (DW: Four to Doomsday), as well as electric shocks that would be fatal to humans. (DW: World War Three, Evolution of the Daleks). Röntgen (ionizing) radiation affects Gallifreyans so minimally that Gallifreyan children are routinely given radioactive toys in the nursery. They can, at will, absorb very high doses of Röntgen radiation, transform it into a form harmless to humans, and expel it from their bodies. (DW: Smith and Jones) Radiation of other kinds can be fatal, but even then a Gallifreyan can hold out for a while after receiving these lethal doses. (DW: Planet of the Spiders)
Gallifreyans are as susceptible to humans to the devastating effect of spectrox poisoning; spectrox toxaemia proceeds at roughly the same rate in both species, though a Gallifreyan, being tougher, will not succumb as quickly. (DW:The Caves of Androzani) They can counteract cyanide poisoning, however, given a number of ingredients (ginger beer, salt (from anchovies, as pure salt is "too salty"), walnuts) and a physical or mental shock, but only if the process is done very soon after the cyanide is ingested. (DW:The Unicorn and the Wasp)
Aspirin is extremely toxic to Gallifreyans; a single tablet is enough to kill an adult. (DW:The Mind of Evil)
Body temperature
Gallifreyans had a mean body temperature of 60 degrees on the Earth Fahrenheit scale (16 degrees Celsius). (DW: Spearhead from Space, REF: Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary)
- Oddly, no Humans have pointed out the differences in temperatures by touch. This might mean that this is a core temperature, whereas their skin temperature is closer to those of a Human.
Senses
Gallifreyans had better senses then a Human. Using taste, the Doctor was able to identify the blood type of a sample. (DW: The Christmas Invasion, NA: Bad Therapy) Gallifreyan eyes were better at seeing in the dark and could gather and enhance available light. (NA: Lucifer Rising) Their sense of hearing was also better than a Human. (REF: Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary) They also had reflexes, precision timing and potentially had physical abilities far beyond those of almost any Human. (DW: The End of the World, The Doctor's Daughter)
Internal anatomy
The Brain
- For differences between Time Lord and Human brains see Time Lord anatomy. Some of these differences may also apply to the difference between the brains of Humans and ordinary Gallifreyans, as well.
Circulatory system
Gallifreyan blood was different in composition to a Human's, though similar in colour. (DW: Spearhead from Space, The Invisible Enemy) It was highly adaptive with regenerative properties. (TDA: The Art of Destruction) It didn't have the same A and B types and the extra-cellular matrix was incompatible with Earth-based life. (TDA: The Art of Destruction, DW: The Invisible Enemy')
- Whether this regenerative properties means that it can repair from damage or that it regenerates is unknown.
Dual cardiovascular system
Gallifreyans naturally born before the time of Rassilon and Pythia had two hearts (NA: Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible, Lungbarrow).
Oldbood Gallifreyans Loomed after the Pythia's curse of sterility emerge with a single heart and gain their second only after their first regeneration. (MA: The Man in the Velvet Mask) Those of Newblood houses spring from the Looms with two hearts from the outset. (NA: Christmas on a Rational Planet) Time Lords could survive with only one heart, should the other be punctured or destroyed, though they would be weakened greatly. (MA: Managra, EDA: The Adventuress of Henrietta Street) Even if all the blood was removed from one cardiovascular system, the Time Lord could still survive. (DW: Smith and Jones)
Romana could stop her hearts at will and feign death. (DW: Destiny of the Daleks) Time Lords had only a resting heart-beat of 10. (DW: Spearhead from Space)
Respiratory system
In order to use these two hearts, the Gallifryans required advanced respiratory system. Instead of large lungs, they had a series of pulmonary tubes parallel to the lymphatic system. This made them positively buoyant, which allowed them to swim with ease. (PDA: Island of Death) It also meant that they could survive longer without much oxygen, past the point where a Human would be unconscious. (DW: The Ark in Space, Smith and Jones) Despite this, Gallifreyans, especially frailer individuals, can be affected by altitude sickness. (DWN: Marco Polo) This respiratory system also meant that Gallifreyans could place themselves in a trance state which reduced the need for oxygen. (DW: Terror of the Zygons, Four to Doomsday) Gallifreyans were immune to the effect of helium gas, which can make Human voices sound high-pitched and squeaky. (DW: The Robots of Death)
Gallifreyan also had a respiratory bypass system, which allowed them to survive strangulation (DW: Pyramids of Mars).
- The Doctor found himself susceptible to drowning and strangulation on one occasion, but then that took place in the Matrix, which had different physical laws and conditions. (DW: The Deadly Assassin)
Miscellaneous informations
- Gallifreyans were susceptible to the intoxicating effects of alcohol, but they could easily shrug off the effects when they must. (PDA: The Quantum Archangel, DW: The Girl in the Fireplace) Contradicting this, the Doctor had a hangover after some alcoholic over-indulgence. (BBCR: Slipback)
- On one occasion, the Doctor may not have sobered up quickly but have only feigned drunkenness in the first place, in order to trick the Clockwork Droids. (DW: The Girl in the Fireplace)
- The Doctor was susceptible to certain toxic gases and sleep-inducing drugs, though not more so than a Human in the same position. (DW: The Brain of Morbius). The fifth incarnation of the Doctor had an allergy to gases in the praxis range of the spectrum. (DW: The Caves of Androzani)
- We do not know if all incarnations of the Doctor had this problem or just some of them, or what exact effect the allergy had on him.
- Gallifreyans had 26 ribs, as opposed to the 24 in Humans. (NA: Blood Heat)
- Gallifreyans could survive with less sleep than Humans. (DW: The Talons of Weng-Chiang) The Doctor was able to make do with as little as an hour of sleep. (DWN: The Highlanders)
- Since the Doctor was the only individual to show this trait, it may have been more of a habit or a skill than a biological trait.
