Biosystems

Biosystems is a broad term describing the integrated networks of biological components and processes that sustain life. In biology, a biosystem can refer to any level from molecular pathways and cells to tissues, organs and whole organisms, as well as to ecological networks. The common principle is that function emerges from interactions among parts within a system, not from single components alone.

Key elements include cellular pathways, tissues, organ systems, and the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate activity. Communication occurs through signaling pathways, neural and hormonal signaling, and the transport of energy and matter. Homeostasis is a typical objective of biosystems, maintained by feedback control and adaptive responses. Metabolism provides energy and building blocks; information flows through genetic circuits and regulatory networks that orchestrate activity across scales.

Systems biology is the field that studies biosystems by integrating experimental data with computational models to understand how interactions generate behavior, predict responses, and identify intervention points. This approach relies on high-throughput data, network analysis, and multi-scale modeling to connect molecular details with cellular, organismal, and ecosystem outcomes.

Applications include medicine (disease mechanisms, drug targets, personalized therapy), biotechnology (metabolic engineering, synthetic biology), environmental science (ecosystem dynamics, biogeochemical cycles), and biosystems engineering (bioreactors, biosensors, production processes).

Historically, the concept has roots in general systems theory and matured into systems biology and related disciplines, emphasizing interconnected networks as the basis of life rather than isolated parts. The term may also refer to engineered or artificial biological systems designed to perform specific tasks.