biological (redirected from biological control)

bi·o·log·i·cal (b-lj-kl)

adj.

1. Of, relating to, caused by, or affecting life or living organisms.

2. Having to do with biology.

3. Related by blood, as in a child's biological parents.

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biological

1. pertaining to biology.

2. a medicinal preparation made from living organisms and their products; these include serums, vaccines, etc.

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biological clock

the physiological mechanisms which govern the rhythmic occurrence of certain biochemical, physiological and behavioral phenomena in living organisms. See also biological rhythm.

biological control

control of a parasite by making use of its natural enemies, especially other pests. The target may also be a vector or a reservoir for infection.

biological data

usually comprise a list of vital statistics about an animal or plant species, recording such things as preferred growth medium, temperature and humidity and details of the internal milieu including blood pH, normal blood electrolytes and the like.

biological environment

includes the influence of all biological factors such as warmth, moisture and humidity, but also the plant ecosystem in which the animal lives and the associated populations of vertebrates and invertebrates that may compete for food and space, and may also act as reservoirs for infectious diseases.

biological filters

are used for the treatment of sewage effluent. They comprise a column of stones or plastic pieces which become covered with bacteria which degrade the organic matter in the effluent.

biological significance

is an estimate of the biological importance of a statistical or apparent causal association between two variables, e.g. feed supply and the occurrence of bovine acetonemia. The estimation takes into account the possible biological relationship between the two; an estimate of statistical significance would take only the mathematical relationship into account.

biological value

relationship between the amount of nutrient absorbed and the amount utilized by the body. Expressed as a percentage. Called also BV.

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biological

adjective Referring to biology noun Therapeutics Biologic Any of a number of FDA-regulated agents–eg antitoxins, antisera, vaccines, and blood plasma products prepared from donor pools or obtained directly from various living organisms–often mammals; they are not amenable to the chemical or physical standardization steps required of pharmaceuticals; they are impure chemically; safety cannot be assumed. See Antisera, Antitoxins, Vaccines.