Biosynthetic

/ˌbaɪoʊsɪnˈθɛtɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or produced through the chemical processes by which living organisms build complex molecules from simpler substances.

Etymology

From 'bio-' (life) + 'synthetic' (made or produced artificially, from 'synthesis'). This adjective describes substances or processes created through biological chemistry.

Kelly Says

Aspirin can be extracted from willow bark (a natural biosynthetic compound) or manufactured in a lab (synthetic)—they're the same molecule, but biosynthetic emphasizes that nature figured out this chemistry first!

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