Biological process
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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See process (anatomy) for the alternate meaning, "an outgrowth of tissue".
A biological process is a process of a living organism. Biological processes are made up of any number of chemical reactions or other events that results in a transformation.
Regulation of biological processes occurs where any process is modulated in its frequency, rate or extent. Biological processes are regulated by many means; examples include the control of gene expression, protein modification or interaction with a protein or substrate molecule.
Biological processes are often regulated by genetics. Mutant phenotypes may lead to interruptions to a biological process.
Viruses have a set of biological processes by which they reproduce.
Biological processes include:
- Cell adhesion, The attachment of a cell, either to another cell or to an underlying substrate such as the extracellular matrix, via cell adhesion molecules.
- Intercellular communication, Any process that mediates interactions between a cell and its surroundings. Encompasses interactions such as signaling or attachment between one cell and another cell, between a cell and an extracellular matrix, or between a cell and any other aspect of its environment.
- Morphogenesis, cell growth and cellular differentiation
- Cell physiological process, the processes pertinent to the integrated function of a cell.
- Cell recognition, the process by which a cell in a multicellular organism interprets its surroundings.
- Physyological process, those processes specifically pertinent to the functioning of integrated living units: cells, tissues, organs, and organisms.
- Pigmentation
- Biological reproduction
- Response to stimulus, a change in state or activity of a cell or an organism (in terms of movement, secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a result of a stimulus.
- Interaction between organisms. the processes by which an organism has an observable effect on another organism of the same or different species.
- Also: fermentation, fertilization, germination, geotropism, heliotropism, hybridization, metamorphosis, photosynthesis, transpiration.
[edit] See also
- Microbiological process
- Human biological process
- Chemical process
- Organic reaction
- Chemical transformation
