bi·o·tech·nol·o·gy (b   -t k-n l  -j )n. 1. The use of microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeasts, or biological substances, such as enzymes, to perform specific industrial or manufacturing processes. Applications include the production of certain drugs, synthetic hormones, and bulk foodstuffs as well as the bioconversion of organic waste and the use of genetically altered bacteria in the cleanup of oil spills. 2. a. The application of the principles of engineering and technology to the life sciences; bioengineering. b. See ergonomics. bi o·techni·cal (-n -kl) adj.bi o·techno·logi·cal (-n-lj-kl) adj. |
biotechnology [ˌbaɪəʊtɛkˈnɒlədʒɪ]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) (in industry) the technique of using microorganisms, such as bacteria, to perform chemical processing, such as waste recycling, or to produce other materials, such as beer and wine, cheese, antibiotics, and (using genetic engineering) hormones, vaccines, etc
2. (Psychology) another name for ergonomics
biotechnological [ˌbaɪəʊˌtɛknəˈlɒdʒɪkəl] adj
biotechnologically adv
biotechnologist n
| biotechnology (b-tk-nl-j) 1. The use of a living organism to solve an engineering problem or perform an industrial task. Using bacteria that feed on hydrocarbons to clean up an oil spill is one example of biotechnology. 2. The use of biological substances or techniques to engineer or manufacture a product or substance, as when cells that produce antibodies are cloned in order to study their effects on cancer cells. See more at genetic engineering. |
biotechnology
ergonomics. — biotechnologist, n. — biotechnologie, biotechnological, adj.
See also: Mankindergonomics.
See also: Environment
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | biotechnology - the branch of molecular biology that studies the use of microorganisms to perform specific industrial processes; "biotechnology produced genetically altered bacteria that solved the problem" molecular biology - the branch of biology that studies the structure and activity of macromolecules essential to life (and especially with their genetic role) bioremediation - the branch of biotechnology that uses biological process to overcome environmental problems gene-splicing, genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology - the technology of preparing recombinant DNA in vitro by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together fragments from more than one organism |
| 2. | biotechnology - the branch of engineering science in which biological science is used to study the relation between workers and their environments applied science, engineering science, technology, engineering - the discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems; "he had trouble deciding which branch of engineering to study" |
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