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biomagnetism

biomagnetism

8.6
The magnetic fields that living animals and people make and the study of those fields
  • noun
  • /ˌbaɪoʊˈmæɡnɪtɪzəm/
  • Specialized
: biomagnetismo
  • The study of biomagnetism examines how certain organisms create magnetic fields.

Examples

  • Research in biomagnetism has shown that some animals can navigate using Earth's magnetic field.

  • GMAG/DMP: Biomagnetism and Exchange-Biased Thin Films. Hoffmann.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Scientists are investigating biomagnetism to understand its potential impacts on human health.

Surface Forms

biomagnetism singular
biomagnetisms plural

Morphology

biomagnetism = magnetism (semi-transparent) = bio + magnet + ism

The meaning is largely compositional as 'bio-' plus 'magnetism', but the term is a specialized scientific label rather than a fully everyday expression.

Etymology

The word biomagnetism comes from the parts bio- meaning 'life' and magnetism meaning 'magnetic force', as in magnet. So, biomagnetism is an easy way to remember the magnetic properties of living things, like small magnetic fields from the brain or how some animals use the Earth's magnetic field to find their way.