bioassay
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: //ˌbaɪ.oʊˈæ.seɪ//
KK: /baɪoʊˈæseɪ/
noun
Definition
A method used to measure the strength or activity of a substance, like a drug, by comparing its effects on a living organism to a known standard.
Example
The researchers conducted a bioassay to evaluate the effectiveness of the new medication.
Conversation
Have you ever heard of a bioassay?
Yeah, I think it's a test for measuring the effects of drugs, right?
Exactly! It's used to compare a new drug's strength against a standard one.
That sounds really interesting; I didn't know it was so scientific!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
assay
test
evaluation
Antonyms
inactivity
ineffectiveness
failure
transitive verb
Definition
To test a substance's effects on living organisms by measuring its biological activity.
Example
The researchers decided to bioassay the new drug to determine its effectiveness.
Tense Forms
Past: bioassayed
Past Participle: bioassayed
Conversation
Have you ever had to bioassay any substances for your research?
No, I haven't done that yet, but I've read about it.
It's interesting how they bioassay different compounds to test their effects.
Root Explanation
Bioassay → It is formed from "bio-" (from Greek "bios", meaning life) and "assay" (from Old French "assayer", meaning to test or try). The word "bioassay" refers to a test that measures the effects of a substance on living organisms.
Memory Tip
Think of 'life' ('bio-') being 'tested' ('assay') to remember that a bioassay is a test involving living organisms.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.