bioassay

[ noun bahy-oh-uh-sey, -as-ey; verb bahy-oh-uh-sey ]
/ noun ˌbaɪ oʊ əˈseɪ, -ˈæs eɪ; verb ˌbaɪ oʊ əˈseɪ /

noun

determination of the biological activity or potency of a substance, as a vitamin or hormone, by testing its effect on the growth of an organism.

verb (used with object), bi·o·as·sayed, bi·o·as·say·ing.

to subject to a bioassay.

Origin of bioassay

First recorded in 1910–15; bio(logical) + assay

British Dictionary definitions for bioassay

bioassay

noun (ˌbaɪəʊəˈseɪ, -ˈæseɪ)

a method of determining the concentration, activity, or effect of a change to substance by testing its effect on a living organism and comparing this with the activity of an agreed standard

verb (ˌbaɪəʊəˈseɪ)

(tr) to subject to a bioassay

Medical definitions for bioassay

bioassay
[ bī′ō-ăsā′, -ă-sā ]

n.

Determination of the strength or biological activity of a substance, such as a drug or hormone, by comparing its effects with those of a standard preparation on a test organism.
A test used to determine such strength or activity.

v.

To cause to undergo a bioassay. biologic assay

Scientific definitions for bioassay

bioassay
[ bī′ō-ăsā′, -ă-sā ]

Determination of the relative purity of a substance, such as a drug or hormone, by comparing its effects with those of a standard preparation on a culture of living cells or a test organism.
A test used to determine such purity.