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
bioclean
Free, or almost free, from harmful microorganisms or living organisms in general.
bioclimatic
1. Relating to the relationship between climate and living organisms, or to the study of bioclimatology.
2. Referring to the effects of climate on living organisms.
bioclimatics
The effects of climate on living organisms.
bioclimatological
bioclimatologist
An individual skilled in bioclimatology.
bioclimatology
1. The study of climate in relation to living organisms and especially to human health.
2. The science of the relationship of climatic factors to the distribution, numbers, and types of living organisms (fauna and flora) of conditions of the natural environment (rainfall, daylight, temperature, humidity, air movement) prevailing in specific regions of the earth; an aspect of ecology.
biocoen
The sum total of the living components of an environment.
biocoenology, biocenology
1. The study of the associations of organisms that form biotic communities.
2. The qualitative and quantitative study of communities of organisms.
biocoenosis, biocenosis, biocoenosis, biocenosis, biocoenose, biocenose
1. An assemblage of species living in a particular biotope (biotic community).
2. An ecological unit comprising both plant and animal populations of a habitat or the organisms comprising a biological community.
3. A self-sufficient community of naturally occurring organisms occupying and interacting within a specific biotic community.
biocompatibility
biocompatible
1. The compatibility of a donated organ or artificial limb with the living tissue into which it is implanted or with which it is brought into contact. Incompatibility leads to toxic reactions or immunological rejection.
2. Being harmonious with life; that is, not having toxic or injurious effects on biological functions.
3. The capability of coexistence with living tissues or organisms without causing harm: "Artificial joint adhesives must have biocompatibility with bone and muscle or they will result in sever damage."
biocomputer (s) (noun), biocomputers (pl)
A very fast computer made from biochemical substances instead of conventional materials: The calculations of biocomputers are performed using biological processes instead of semiconductor technology.
bioconcentration (s) (noun), bioconcentrations (pl)
The accumulation of a chemical in or on an organism when the source is water: Bioconcentration is a term that was created for use in the field of aquatic toxicology or the branch of science concerned with the effects and detections of poisons.
biocontainment
The confinement, as by sealed-off chambers, of materials that are harmful or potentially harmful to life.
biocontrol
The deliberate use by humans of one species of organism to eliminate or to control another one, as in the control of undesirable plants or insects by the use of natural parasites, diseases, or predators, rather than by herbicides and pesticides.

A well known example of the use of natural predators, rather than industrial pesticides, may be seen in the case of beetles ("lady bugs") especially selected to control aphids that infest wheat and other grain crops.

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-.