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
mechanobiology
The study of how mechanical stimuli regulate biological processes. The mechanobiology of bone and cartilage lies at the heart of two of the most common skeletal diseases in the elderly: osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Cells are sensitive to mechanical force, and respond in a variety of ways, many of which are beneficial, but others that contribute to disease.

While biologists have contributed greatly to our understanding of the biochemical signaling pathways that transmit these responses, little progress has been made in identifying the initiating event in which a mechanical force is first transduced into a biochemical signal.

Mechanics regulates biological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organism levels.

Mechanical loading can influence cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism; and as such, plays a crucial role in the growth, adaptation, regeneration and engineering of living tissues.

Several mechanisms have been proposed, and some have been characterized, but there is still much to learn.

In the process of studying the interactions between force and biology, this new field of mechanobiology is now being studied in various universities.

medicobiologic
Pertaining to the biological aspects of medicine.
medicobiological
meronecrobiosis
1. The normal degeneration and death of living cells; a normal mechanism in the constant turnover of many cell populations.
2. Dermatosis characterized by patchy degeneration of the elastic and connective tissue of the skin with degenerated collagen occurring in irregular patches, especially in the dermis.
mesobiota
Soil organisms of intermediate size, from about 40-50 mm in length to a size just visible with the aid of a hand lens (magnifier).
metabiont
A many-celled organism (metaphyte and metazoon).
metabiosis
1. Dependence of one organism on another for its existence.
2. A relationship between two organisms in which only one of the partners benefits.
3. Either a condition of symbiosis in which one symbiont sets the stage for the arrival of the other or a mutual association of two organisms of which one is thought to benefit without detriment to the other.
4. A symbiotic relationship in which one organism modifies the environment before the second one is able to live in it.
microaerobion (s) (noun), mircroaerobions (pl)
A microaerophilic micro-organism: A microaerobion is a form of life, as a bacterium, that necessitates oxygen for thriving, but less than is present in the atmosphere.
microbe
Any micro-organism; especially, a bacterium. Also: a micro-organism.
microbial
Caused by micro-organisms.
microbiologic
microbiologist
Someone who specializes in the science of microbiology or the science concerned with micro-organisms.
microbiology
The science concerned with tiny organisms; including, fungi, protozoa, bacteria, and viruses.
microbion
A microbe.
microbiophagy
Destruction or lysis of micro-organisms by a phage.
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-.