biosynthesis

[bahy-oh-sin-thuh-sis]

noun

Biochemistry.

1. the formation of chemical compounds by a living organism.

2. the laboratory preparation of biological molecules by the use of reagents or catalysts derived from natural substances and modeled on a series of reactions occurring in a living organism.

biosynthesis

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈsɪnθɪsɪs, ˌbaɪəʊsɪnˈθɛtɪk /

noun

1. the formation of complex compounds from simple substances by living organisms

Other Word Forms

• biosynthetic adjective
• biosynthetically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of biosynthesis¹

First recorded in 1925–30; bio- + synthesis