BIOPHAGOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Biophagous is an adjective that describes an organism or a species that feeds on living matter or organic material exclusively. Derived from the Greek words "bios," meaning life, and "phagein," meaning to eat, the term is commonly used in the field of biology to indicate the feeding behavior or dietary preferences of certain organisms.
Biophagous organisms can be found in various domains of life, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. For example, certain insects like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks are biophagous as they rely on feeding on the blood of animals or humans to survive and reproduce. Similarly, some plants are biophagous, known as parasitic plants, which derive their nutrients by attaching themselves to and absorbing nutrients from other plants.
The term biophagous can also refer to microorganisms such as bacteria that exclusively feed on living tissues, causing infections or diseases. These microorganisms invade and replicate within the host's cells, using them as a source of nutrition.
Understanding the concept of biophagous organisms is crucial in various scientific disciplines, such as entomology, parasitology, and plant pathology, as it helps in studying their feeding mechanisms, ecological interactions, and impacts on their hosts. By studying biophagous organisms, scientists can gain insights into the complex interactions between species and their ecological roles within ecosystems.
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Feeding on living organisms, noting certain parasites.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BIOPHAGOUS
- biophagmus
- biophagnus
- biophago5s
- biophagoes
- biophagoqs
- biophagows
- biophagots
- biophagou3
- biophagouc
- biophagouq
- biophagour
- b iophagous
- bi ophagous
- bioph agous
- biopha gous
- biophag ous
- biophago us
- biophagou s
Etymology of BIOPHAGOUS
The word "biophagous" is derived from two Greek roots: "bio-" and "-phagous".
The prefix "bio-" comes from the Greek word "bios", meaning "life". It is commonly used in English to refer to living organisms or biological processes.
The suffix "-phagous" comes from the Greek word "phagein", which means "to eat" or "to devour". It is often used in the context of feeding or consuming.
Therefore, "biophagous" essentially means "feeding on or consuming living organisms", particularly in relation to insects or parasites that rely on other organisms for sustenance.
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