bio-, bi-, -bia, -bial, -bian, -bion, -biont, -bius, -biosis, -bium, -biotic, -biotical

(Greek: life; living, live, alive)

Don’t confuse this element with another bi- which means "two".

The most important things in life are not things.

—Anonymous
bioelement
A chemical element that is required by a living organism or which is a component of living tissue.
bioenergetics
1. The study of the transformations of energy in living organisms; such as, photosynthesis.
2. The study of energy changes involved in the chemical reactions within living tissue.
3. The study of energy exchanges between living organisms and their environments.
4. In psychological therapy, a combination of therapies, including breathing and body exercise and the free expression of feelings and impulses, designed to relieve tension and release physical and emotional energy.
bioenergy
1. The total weight of all living things in a given area, biotic community, species population, or habitat; a measure of total biotic productivity."
2. The total weight of the organic substance (as plankton) or organisms in a given area; measured as volume, mass (live, dead, dry or ash-free weight) or energy (calories); standing crop.
3. In ecology, a plant material or vegetation that can be converted to useful fuel and that is considered as a potential bioenergy source.

Bioenergy can be produced from solid wood and straw, liquid (biofuels), or gaseous (biogases)."

"Bioenergy may be developed from the quantitative estimate of the entire assemblage of living organisms, both animal and vegetable, of a given habitat, measured in terms of mass, volume, or energy in calories."

bioenergy
1. Life force; the force exercised in the living organism.
2. Material that is directly or indirectly produced by photosynthesis and which is utilized as a feedstock in the manufacture of fuels and substitutes for petrochemical and other energy intensive products.

Organic waste from forestry and agriculture, and municipal solid waste are also included in the collaborative research; as well as, broader "system studies" on techno-economic aspects and greenhouse gas balances.

bioengineering, biological engineering (s) (noun); bioengineerings, biological engineerings (pl)
1. The application of techniques to biological processes; such as, the creation of drugs utilizing bacteria, molds, yeasts, etc.
2. The design, manufacture, and use of replacements or aids for body parts or organs that have been removed or are defective; that is, artificial limbs, hearing aids, etc.
3. The application of methods for achieving biosynthesis of animal and plant products; such as, fermentation processes.
4. The design, manufacture, and use of equipment for industrial biological processes.
bioenvironment
Environment as it affects and is affected by living organisms.
bioenvironmental
Pertaining to, or relating to, ecological relationships and the environment of living organisms: "Bioenvironmental engineers are striving to reduce air and water pollution."
bioequivalence
bioequivalency
bioequivalent (s) (adjective), more bioequivalent, most bioequivalent
Descriptive of formulations of a drug of different composition which perform the same function when absorbed in a similar way by the body: "Druggists sometimes refer to the bioequivalent status of a medication relating to a drug that has a similar effect as another drug. It is apparently a curative substance which has nearly the same results in its chemical formulation, but possibly requiring a different amount in order to see the same reaction."
bioerosion
Erosion resulting from the direct action of living organisms as with the feeding of epibionts on reefs by urchins and grazing fish which results in scraping off bits of calcium carbonate.

It is believed that the majority of sand-sized particles on reefs probably come from grazing activities.

bioethanol
A liquid fuel consisting of ethanol produced from biomass, capable of being used for the same purposes as light oil.
bioethical
bioethicist
Someone who studies a field concerned with the ethics and philosophical implications of certain biological and medical procedures, technologies, and treatments; such as, organ transplants, genetic engineering, and the care of the terminally ill.
bioethics
1. Study of moral problems connected with such issues as euthanasia, surrogate motherhood, genetic engineering, etc.
2. The study of ethical problems involved in biological research; such as, in genetics, organ transplants, and artificial insemination; especially when the application of advanced technology is involved.
Quiz If you would like to take a series of self-scoring quizzes over some of the words in this bio- unit, then click this Life, Live, Living Quiz link so you can check your knowledge. You may also try several additional quizzes in this listing.

Related life, live-word units: anima-; -cole; vita-; viva-.