Category: B

An area of scientific study in which physical principles, physical methods, and physical instrumentation are used to study living systems or systems related to life. It overlaps with biophysical chemistry, which is more specialized in scope since it is concerned with the physical study of chemically isolated substances found in living organisms. Science that applies…

An inter-science discipline for constructing artificial systems that resemble or have the characteristics of living systems. The process of applying knowledge of biological systems to mechanical and electronic devices. Study of the applicability of machines and devices to resolving medical problems, as in the replacement of natural parts (e.g., the bionic arm). The utilization of information…

Synthetic (i.e., man-made) molecules or systems that are analogues of natural (i.e., made by living organisms) materials. For instance, molecules have been synthesized by man that act chemically like natural proteins, but are not as easily degraded by the digestive system (as are those natural protein molecules). Other systems such as reverse micelles and/or liposomes…

All organic matter grown by the photosynthetic conversion of solar energy (e.g., plants), and organic matter from animals. The actual amount of existing material within a species or genus. All of the living organisms in a specified area.  

The enzyme-catalyzed production of light by living organisms, typically during mating or hunting. This word literally means “living light.” Bioluminescence was first identified/analyzed in 1947, by William McElroy. Bioluminescence results when the enzyme luciferase comes into contact with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), inside the photophores (organs which emit the light) of the organism. Such production of…

The oxygen used in meeting the metabolic needs of aerobic organisms in water containing organic compounds. Numerically, it is expressed in terms of the oxygen consumed in water at a temperature of 68°F (20°C) during a five-day period. The BOD is used as an indication of the degree of water pollution. The amount of oxygen…

The effect (change in metabolic activity upon living cells) caused by specific compounds or agents. For example, the drug aspirin causes the blood to thin, that is, to clot less easily.  

The word “biolistic” was coined from the words “biological” and “ballistic” (pertaining to a projectile fired from a gun). Used to shoot pellets that are coated with genes (e.g., for desired traits) into plant seeds or plant tissues, in order to get those plants to then express the new genes. The gun uses an actual…

The bio-mediated recovery of precious metals from their ores. In the recovery of gold, for example, the microorganism T.ferroxidans may be used to cause the gold to leach out of the ore so it may then be concentrated and smelted. Aluminum may be similarly bioleached from clay ores, using hetero-tropic bacteria and fungi.  

A branch of geochemistry that is concerned with biological materials and their relation to earth’s chemicals in an area.