bio assay

Main Entry: bio·as·say
Pronunciation: -'as-"A, -a-'sA
Function: noun
: determination of the relative strength of a substance (as a drug) bycomparing its effect on a test organism with that of a standard preparation —bio·as·say /-a-'sA, -'as-"A/ transitive verb

bioassay bi·o·as·say (bī'ō-ās'ā', -ā-sā')
n.

1. 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.

2. A test used to determine such strength or activity.

v. bi·o·as·sayed, bi·o·as·say·ing, bi·o·as·says
To cause to undergo a bioassay. Also called biologic assay.

bioassay   (bī'ō-ās'ā', -ā-sā')  Pronunciation Key  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.