A test that uses living organisms or biological tissues to measure the strength or effect of a substance, especially a drug or chemical.
From bio- (life) + assay (from Old French essayer, meaning 'to try or test'). Developed in the early 20th century as biochemists needed standardized ways to measure biological effects.
Before bioassays, scientists had to guess if something worked by trial and error; now they can test a drug's strength by seeing how it affects cells or animals in controlled ways, making drug development way faster.
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