Gallifreyan

The Gallifreyans were a near-human species native to the planet Gallifrey, now believed killed in the Time War.

Gallifreyans and Time Lords
The oligarchic rulers of the species are the Time Lords. An elite class, the Time Lords, governed Gallifreyan society, as well as having considerable influence in the outside universe.

The term "Gallifreyan" is often used interchangeably with "Time Lord," despite indications that not all Gallifreyans are members of that august society, and the fact this species existed for eons before the time of Rassilon and Omega, the founders of Time Lord society.


 * Most of our knowledge of this species pertains to the Time Lords, specifically in regards to a single Gallifreyan, the Doctor, a matter confused by the fact that the terms Gallifreyan and Time Lords have sometimes gotten used interchangeably. We have done our best to correct for this bias.

We even know of at least one non-Gallifreyan Time Lord, The renegade Master who in the later stages of his life changed from body to body.


 * Another, possibly apocryphal account, portrays a Human, Ace growing in her knowledge and understanding of the cosmic order and attaining the position of Time Lord.

Appearance and biology
Externally, Gallifreyans are identical to humans. As the first sentient beings in this universe, the morphic field of the Gallifreyan evolutionary pattern was imprinted on the universe's morphic field, making the development of humanoids far more likely. (source?)

Natural born Gallifreyans born before the time of Rassilon and Pythia, who cursed Gallifrey with sterility, had two hearts. (NA: Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible, NA: Lungbarrow) Loom-born Gallifreyans (be they Time Lord or not) are loomed/born with a single heart and gain their second heart after their first regeneration. (MA: [[The Man in the Velvet Mask]?)