Biological activity

Biological Activity refers to the specific effects that a substance has on living organisms, cells, or molecules. This term is often used in pharmacology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to describe the effects of drugs, toxins, or other chemicals on biological systems.

Definition

Biological activity is defined as the beneficial or adverse effects of a drug or compound on living matter. Drugs, for instance, are often classified by their biological activity. This is not to be confused with pharmacodynamics, which refers to the effect that a drug has on the body.

Measurement

The measurement of biological activity involves determining the concentration of a substance required to produce a specific biological effect, or the amount of biological effect produced per unit of substance (the dose-response relationship). This is often done using bioassays, which are tests used to determine the relative strength of a substance by comparing its effect on a test organism to a standard preparation.

Factors Influencing Biological Activity

Several factors can influence the biological activity of a substance. These include the chemical structure of the substance, its concentration, the presence of other substances, the physiological state of the organism, and the route of administration.

Biological Activity in Drug Discovery

In drug discovery, biological activity is a critical factor. Compounds with high biological activity are often pursued as potential drug candidates. The process of optimizing a compound's biological activity is a key part of drug development.

See Also

• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry
• Molecular biology
• Drug discovery
• Bioassay