Biological matter or biological material refers to the unique, highly organized substances of which cellular life is composed of, for instance membranes, proteins, and nucleic acids. They may also be called cellular components. A biological membrane or biomembrane is a membrane which acts as a barrier within or around a cell. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Schematic diagram of a double-stranded nucleic acid. ...

Most biological matter has the characteristics of soft matter, being governed by relatively small energies. Soft matter comprises a variety of states that are perhaps best distinguished by being dominated by energies of order thermal energies at room temperature, more or less. ...

All known life is made of biological matter. To be differentiated from other theoretical or fictional life forms, these may be called carbon-based, cellular, organic, biological, or even simply living—as some definitions of life exclude alternative biochemistry. Alternative biochemistry collectively refers to an assortment of astrobiology theories and hypotheses in which life can be based on biochemical systems other than systems based upon organic chemistry, which is used by currently known forms of life. ... Carbon forms the backbone of biology for all life on Earth. ... Alternative biochemistry collectively refers to an assortment of astrobiology theories and hypotheses in which life can be based on biochemical systems other than systems based upon organic chemistry, which is used by currently known forms of life. ...

Science fiction and fantasy

In science fiction and cyberpunk genres, biological matter or tissue makes up part or components of bioengineered and composite organisms such as cybernetic organisms (cyborgs, biomechanoids) and bioships. It may also be considered a material for creating constructed beings and androids. Examples of cyborgs include RoboCop (cyborg with human parts) and T-800 (cyborg with biological skin). Advanced machines may also take on a biological appearance, or act organically, without being made of biological matter. Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... This articles section called Criticism does not cite its references or sources. ... Biological tissue is any substance made up of cells that perform a similar function within an organism. ... Biological engineering (also biosystems engineering and bioengineering) is a broad-based engineering discipline that deals with bio-molecular and molecular processes, product design, sustainability and analysis of biological systems. ... The term cyborg, a portmanteau of cybernetic organism, is used to designate a creature which is a mixture of organic and mechanical parts. ... A BioMechanoid is a fictional entity that features in many science-fiction films, books and television programs. ... A Shadow battlecrab from Babylon 5 A bioship is a type of spacecraft described in science fiction. ... The android Data, portrayed by Brent Spiner, from the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation An android is a robot made to resemble a human, usually both in appearance and behaviour. ... RoboCop is a 1987 science fiction action movie, directed by Paul Verhoeven. ... The T-800 (full designation: Cyberdyne Systems Series 800-850 Model 101) is a cyborg, programmed to kill, in the fictional universe of the Terminator movies. ...

Especially in fiction, other names for carbon-based life come into play, such as "meatbags" (HK-47 of Star Wars games), which presumably only refers to animals and not plants. HK-47 is a Hunter-Killer assassin droid from the 2003 video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, its sequel, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, and the Trials of Obi-Wan expansion pack to the popular massively multiplayer online game Star Wars...

Also in fiction, biological matter with technology embedded within cells themselves may be called techno-organic material.

See also

• Tissue