Organic vs. Biological: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 23, 2024
Organic refers to agricultural products grown without synthetic inputs, while biological pertains to anything related to living organisms or processes.
Key Differences
Organic farming emphasizes the use of natural inputs and sustainable practices. This approach avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Biological, in contrast, is a broad term that encompasses all aspects of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, and evolution.
In organic agriculture, the focus is on maintaining soil health through compost, crop rotation, and natural pest control methods. Biological sciences, however, cover a vast range of studies from microbiology to ecology, exploring how living systems interact and function.
Organic certification involves strict standards and regulations to ensure that farming practices meet certain environmental and health criteria. Biological studies do not typically involve certification but rather scientific research and discovery to understand life processes.
The market for organic products includes food, textiles, and personal care items, all grown and processed without synthetic additives. Biological products or research can range from medical treatments and biotechnology to environmental conservation efforts.
Organic methods are often seen as more environmentally friendly due to their sustainable practices. Biological research can also contribute to environmental sustainability but is broader, encompassing various fields that study and impact life on Earth.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Agricultural products grown without synthetic inputs
Related to living organisms and life processes
Scope
Farming and agricultural practices
Broad, covering all aspects of life sciences
Certification
Requires adherence to specific standards
Generally involves scientific study, not certification
Products
Food, textiles, personal care items
Medical treatments, biotech, environmental conservation
Environmental Impact
Focuses on sustainability and natural inputs
Encompasses sustainability, broader research implications
ADVERTISEMENT
Organic and Biological Definitions
Organic
Relating to or derived from living matter.
Organic vegetables are free from synthetic pesticides.
Biological
Natural processes and phenomena.
Biological evolution explains species diversity.
Organic
Characterized by the use of natural fertilizers and pest controls.
Organic farms often use compost and manure.
Biological
Pertaining to biology or living organisms.
Biological research helps understand ecosystems.
Organic
Pertaining to a class of chemical compounds.
Organic chemistry studies carbon-based compounds.
Biological
Involving the study of life and living organisms.
Biological studies include genetics and microbiology.
Organic
Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms
Organic matter.
Biological
Concerned with the interactions of organisms.
Biological systems are complex and interconnected.
Organic
Of, relating to, or affecting a bodily organ
An organic disease.
Biological
Relating to the processes of living organisms.
The biological clock influences sleep patterns.
Organic
Of, marked by, or involving the use of fertilizers or pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin
Organic vegetables.
An organic farm.
Biological
Of, relating to, caused by, or affecting life or living organisms
Biological processes such as growth and digestion.
Organic
Raised or conducted without the use of drugs, hormones, or synthetic chemicals
Organic chicken.
Organic cattle farming.
Biological
Having to do with biology.
Organic
Serving organic food
An organic restaurant.
Biological
Related by genetic lineage
The child's biological parents.
His biological sister.
Organic
Simple, healthful, and close to nature
An organic lifestyle.
Biological
Being male or female by having the chromosomes for that sex
A biological female.
Organic
Having properties associated with living organisms.
Biological
Of or relating to biological weapons
Biological warfare.
Organic
Resembling a living organism in organization or development; interconnected
Society as an organic whole.
Biological
A biologic.
Organic
Constituting an integral part of a whole; fundamental.
Biological
Of or relating to biology.
Organic
(Law) Denoting or relating to the fundamental or constitutional laws and precepts of a government or an organization.
Biological
Related by consanguinity, especially as to parents and children.
Organic
(Chemistry) Of or designating carbon compounds.
Biological
Organic grown without agrochemicals.
Organic
An organic food or a product made from organic materials.
Biological
(rare) A biological product.
Organic
A substance, especially a fertilizer or pesticide, of animal or vegetable origin.
Biological
Pertaining to biology or to life and living things
Organic
(Chemistry) An organic compound.
Biological
Of parents and children; related by blood;
Biological child
Organic
(biology) Pertaining to or derived from living organisms.
Organic
Pertaining to an organ of the body of a living organism.
Organic
(chemistry) Relating to the compounds of carbon, relating to natural products.
Organic
(agriculture) Of food or food products, grown in an environment free from artificial agrichemicals, and possibly certified by a regulatory body.
Organic
(sociology) Describing a form of social solidarity theorized by Emile Durkheim that is characterized by voluntary engagements in complex interdependencies for mutual benefit (such as business agreements), rather than mechanical solidarity, which depends on ascribed relations between people (as in a family or tribe).
Organic
(military) Of a military unit or formation, or its elements, belonging to a permanent organization (in contrast to being temporarily attached).
Organic
Instrumental; acting as instruments of nature or of art to a certain destined function or end.
Organic
Generated according to the ranking algorithms of a search engine, as opposed to paid placement by advertisers.
Organic
Developing in a gradual or natural fashion.
The writing of the script was an organic process.
Organic
Harmonious; coherent; structured.
The production came together in an organic whole.
Organic
(chemistry) An organic compound.
Organic
An organic food.
Organic
(science fiction) A living organism, as opposed to a robot or hologram.
Organic
Of or pertaining to an organ or its functions, or to objects composed of organs; consisting of organs, or containing them; as, the organic structure of animals and plants; exhibiting characters peculiar to living organisms; as, organic bodies, organic life, organic remains. Cf. Inorganic.
Organic
Produced by the organs; as, organic pleasure.
Organic
Instrumental; acting as instruments of nature or of art to a certain destined function or end.
Those organic arts which enable men to discourse and write perspicuously.
Organic
Forming a whole composed of organs.
Organic
Of or pertaining to compounds which are derivatives of hydrocarbons; pertaining to, or denoting, any one of a large series of carbon-containing compounds which are related to the carbon compounds produced by biological processes (such as methane, oils, fats, sugars, alcohols, ethers, proteins, etc.) and include many substances of artificial production which may or may not occur in animals or plants; - contrasted with inorganic.
Organic
A fertilizer that is derived from animal or vegetable matter
Organic
Relating or belonging to the class of chemical compounds having a carbon basis;
Hydrocarbons are organic compounds
Organic
Of or relating to or derived from living organisms;
Organic soil
Organic
Being or relating to or derived from or having properties characteristic of living organisms;
Organic life
Organic growth
Organic remains found in rock
Organic
Involving or affecting physiology or bodily organs;
An organic disease
Organic
Of or relating to foodstuff grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides or hormones;
Organic eggs
Organic vegetables
Organic chicken
Organic
Simple and healthful and close to nature;
An organic lifestyle
Organic
Constitutional in the structure of something (especially your physical makeup)
Organic
Produced without synthetic chemicals.
They only buy organic dairy products.
Organic
Developed naturally without force.
The project grew in an organic way.
FAQs
What does biological mean in science?
It refers to the study of living organisms and life processes.
What is organic farming?
Organic farming uses natural methods and avoids synthetic chemicals.
Can biological research impact agriculture?
Yes, it can lead to advancements in crop production and pest control.
How are organic products certified?
They must meet specific standards set by certification bodies like USDA.
How does biological research benefit medicine?
It helps in developing treatments and understanding diseases.
Are all natural products organic?
Not necessarily; they must adhere to organic certification standards.
What areas do biological sciences cover?
Fields like microbiology, genetics, ecology, and biochemistry.
What is composting in organic farming?
A method to recycle organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
Can biological studies help in conservation?
Yes, they provide insights into preserving ecosystems.
What is crop rotation in organic farming?
A practice to maintain soil health by growing different crops sequentially.
How do biological processes affect health?
They influence everything from metabolism to immune response.
What role do natural fertilizers play in organic farming?
They enrich the soil without harmful chemicals.
What are synthetic inputs?
These include chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and GMOs.
Is organic farming environmentally friendly?
Generally, yes, due to sustainable practices.
Is biological the same as biomedical?
No, biological is broader, while biomedical focuses on medical applications.
Do organic products include meat and dairy?
Yes, if animals are raised without synthetic hormones and antibiotics.
What are GMOs in the context of organic farming?
Genetically modified organisms, which organic standards prohibit.
Can biological research address climate change?
Yes, by studying organism responses and developing sustainable solutions.
What is the significance of organic labels?
They assure consumers of natural and sustainable production methods.
What are the benefits of organic food?
It is often fresher, free of synthetic additives, and environmentally sustainable.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
