biosynthesis

American  

[bahy-oh-sin-thuh-sis] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈsɪn θə sɪs /

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.

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biosynthesis British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈsɪnθɪsɪs, ˌbaɪəʊsɪnˈθɛtɪk /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• biosynthetic
  adjective
• biosynthetically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of biosynthesis

First recorded in 1925–30; bio- + synthesis

Example Sentences

However, laboratory biosynthesis of vanillin from plant-derived VpVAN yields only very small quantities of vanillin, and is, therefore, commercially impractical.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2024

The newly discovered mechanism of oil biosynthesis shows a way to bump that production back up.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2024

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of oil biosynthesis and found a way to genetically engineer a type of test plant to more efficiently produce different kinds of seed oil that it otherwise wouldn't make.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2024

Terpene synthases are responsible for the biosynthesis of many chemicals used by plants and microorganisms for defense and communication.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

Something you should understand: I’m not androgynous in the least. 5-alpha-reductase deficiency syndrome allows for normal biosynthesis and peripheral action of testosterone, in utero, neona- tally, and at puberty.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides