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
protobiont
1. Initial structures during the origin of life which can show at least one property of life.
2. An aggregate of organic molecules surrounded by a membrane or a membrane-like structure.
Protobionts exhibit some of the properties associated with life, including simple reproduction, metabolism and excitability; as well as, the maintenance of an internal chemical environment different from that of their surroundings.
protobios
Ultramicroscopic life; such as, ultraviuses.
psammobiontic
Living in sand; living interstitially between or attached to sand particles.
psychobiographer
Someone who writes about biographical studies that focus on psychological factors; such as, childhood traumas and unconscious motives.
psychobiography
A biographical study focusing on psychological factors, as childhood traumas and unconscious motives.
psychobiology, psychobiologic, psychobiological
1. The study of psychology from a biological point of view (including the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the mind) emphasizing the adaptive or functional aspects of behavior that enable the organism to meet survival challenges that are posed by the environment; synonym: biopsychology.
2. A method of psychoanalysis employing distributive analysis, that includes a study of all mental and physical factors involved in an individual's growth and development.
3. Objective psychobiology involves a special emphasis on the various relationships of the individual to his or her environment.
4. The branch of biology dealing with the relations or interactions between body and behavior, especially as exhibited in the nervous system, receptors, effectors, or the like.
5. The study of the interrelationships of biology and psychology in cognitive functioning, including intellectual, memory, and related neurocognitive processes.
radiobiology
The study of the biological effects of ionizing radiation upon living tissue.
saprobiologist
A biologist who studies saprobic environments or a reference to organisms that obtain their food directly from decaying organic material.
saprobiology, saprobiological
The study of saprobic environments.
saprobiontic
Relating to the feeding of dead or decaying organic matter.
saproxylobios
Those organisms living in or on rotting wood.
saproxylobiotic
A reference to organisms living in or on rotting wood.
scotobiological
A descriptive reference to the study of the biology of darkness, including research of the effects of darkness on the behavior and metabolism of animals, plants, and microbes; as well as, its influences on human beings.
scotobiology
1. The science of darkness and the positive responses of biological systems to the presence of darkness, and not merely the negative effects caused by the absence of light.
2. The study of light pollution at night as it directly impacts biological existence which is usually specifically affected by darkness.
Plants and animals are programmed to function in a certain pattern of daylight and darkness. Alter those patterns and unhealthy things often happen.
It applies equally to organisms that are active at night and those, including humans, whose bodies require regular periods with the lights out.
Some people believe that as with all types of pollution, light pollution contaminates the natural environment and produces side effects that should be mitigated or avoided, if possible, to create a balance between necessary urban light levels and a healthy environment.
sociobiologist
A specialist in sociobiology or someone who studies the biological and genetic basis of social organization and social behavior and their evolution in animals.

If you would like to take a series of self-scoring quizzes over some of the words in this
bio- unit, then click this
Bio-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-.