Bioactive

Bioactive

Bioactive (pronunciation: /ˌbʌɪəʊˈæktɪv/) refers to a substance that has a biological effect on living organisms, tissues, or cells. The term is often used in the fields of pharmacology, nutrition, and biochemistry.

Etymology

The term "bioactive" is derived from the Greek words "bios" meaning "life" and "aktinos" meaning "ray". It was first used in the mid-20th century to describe substances that have an effect on living organisms.

Related Terms

• Bioactive compound: A type of chemical found in small amounts in plants and certain foods (like fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils, and whole grains) that has been shown to have an impact on health.
• Bioactive peptide: A type of peptide that has a biological effect on the body, such as antimicrobial, antithrombotic, or immunomodulatory effects.
• Bioactive glass: A type of glass that is biocompatible and has the ability to bond with hard and soft tissues. It is often used in medicine and dentistry.
• Bioactivity: The specific effects that a substance has on a living organism, tissue, or cell.

See Also

• Pharmacology
• Nutrition
• Biochemistry

References

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