Biological assay is a scientific method used to determine the concentration, potency, or activity of a substance in a biological system. This technique is widely used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and environmental industries to measure the effects of drugs, chemicals, and pollutants on living organisms.
Definitions
Biological assay is defined as a method used to determine the biological activity of a substance by measuring its effects on living organisms. It is also known as bioassay, biological test, or biological standardization.
Origin
The concept of biological assay dates back to ancient times when herbal medicines were tested on animals to determine their efficacy. The modern approach to biological assay was developed in the early 20th century by pharmacologists and toxicologists who used animals to test the potency of drugs and chemicals.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster, biological assay is “a method of determining the potency of a substance (as a drug) by comparing its effects with those of a standard preparation on a living organism.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines biological assay as “the determination of the potency or concentration of a substance by its effects on living cells or organisms.”
Associations
Biological assay is closely associated with pharmacology, toxicology, and biochemistry. It is used to test the efficacy and safety of drugs, pesticides, and other chemicals on living organisms.
Synonyms
Bioassay, biological test, biological standardization, pharmacological assay, and toxicological assay are some of the synonyms of biological assay.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of biological assay, but some related terms include chemical analysis, physical measurement, and in vitro testing.
The same root words
The root words of biological assay are “bio” meaning life and “assay” meaning to test or analyze. Other words that share the same root words include biochemistry, biotechnology, biosphere, and assay.
Example Sentences
- The biological assay showed that the new drug was highly effective in treating cancer.
- The toxicity of the pesticide was determined by a series of biological assays on different organisms.
- The bioassay results indicated that the herbicide was harmful to aquatic life.
- The pharmacological assay revealed that the new medication had minimal side effects.
- The biological standardization of vaccines ensures their safety and efficacy.