A biological process is a process of a living organism (either plant or animal). 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. In some cases, Mutation 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.
- Cell 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.
- 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, fertilisation, germination, tropism, hybridisation, metamorphosis, photosynthesis, transpiration.