HealthAugust 10, 2026

biosynthetic

BY-oh-sin-THET-ik

Definition

Relating to the biological production of complex chemical compounds from simpler substances within a living organism.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'bios' (life) and 'synthesis' (putting together). It entered scientific English in the late 19th century to describe the complex chemical assembly processes performed by living cells.

In the news

In cancer research, biosynthetic pathways are often modified to support the rapid growth and replication of tumor cells. Understanding these processes helps reveal how metabolism drives cancer progression.

Mapping how metabolism rewires protein function in cancer

Read the full article ↗

EurekAlert!

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