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

The time required for the quantity of a material in a specified tissue, organ, or region of the body; especially, a toxin; to reduce in quantity by half as a result of biological processes.

A total measure of the danger to living organisms presented by a certain quantity of radioactive materials, accounting for the variation in biological effects on different individuals within the given population.

The ability to support and maintain balanced and integrated functionality in the natural habitat of a given region.

The concept is applied primarily in drinking water management.

Able to sustain organic life.

Specifically, a term for areas of land and water capable of supporting photosynthesis at sufficient rates so as to provide economically useful concentrations of biomass.

Marginal and unproductive regions are generally excluded; such as, deserts, tundra, and the deep oceans.

The study of oceanic plant and animal life in relation to the marine environment.

Decomposition of complex organic materials by microorganisms.

It occurs in self-purification of water bodies and in activated sludge wastewater treatment.

A measurement of the amount of oxygen required by aerobic organisms to carry out oxidative metabolism in a given volume of water containing organic material; for example, waste matter in a water supply.

A parent who has conceived (biological mother) or sired (biological father) rather than adopted a child and whose genes are therefore transmitted to the child.

When a causal association (or relationship between two factors) is consistent with existing medical knowledge.

A school of psychiatric thought concerned with the medical treatment of mental disorders; especially, through medication, and emphasizing the relationship between behavior and brain function and the search for physical causes of mental illness.

The study of the effect of time on biological events, especially repetitive or cyclic phenomena in individuals.

Medicinal preparations made from living organisms and their products, including sera (serums), vaccines, antigens, antitoxins, etc.

1. A structure of dense material; such as, concrete or lead, around a nuclear reactor to protect against radiation.
2. a mass of absorbing material; for example, concrete or lead, placed around a reactor or radioactive material to reduce the radiation to a level safe for humans.

Any form of treatment for abnormal behavior that alters the individual's physiological processes, including electric shock treatment, surgery, etc.

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