The general "underlying" meaning of the circa 1920s introduced term "biophysics", a conjunction of "bio-" + "-physics", short for "physical biology" (1915), i.e. the physical chemistry of zoology and botany, generally meant to mean the study of the physics and chemistry and or physical chemistry of organisms (plants and animals), internally and or evolving systems, but anchored in the term "life" (or living matter) or "bio-" which has its definitional roots in ancient religion (i.e. god created "plant life" on the third day, "animal life" on the fifth day, and "human life", via clay creation myth, on the sixth day) and mythology (Greek mythology, in particular, per "bio-" origin), both preceded by Anunian theology (3100BC), and older folklore before that.

“It will be the function of this new branch of science to investigate biological phenomena as regards their physical aspects, just as ‘physical chemistry’ has treated the physical aspects of chemical phenomena. Because this field has not yet been systematically explored the individual data of ‘physical biology’ appear, as yet, as more or less disconnected facts, or as regularities for which no proper place is found in the existing scheme of present-day science; and the investigations of isolated problems in this field are as yet carried on as something of a scientific hobby by amateurs, with the result that they are guided by chance rather than by plan, and are often totally lacking in any fundamental guiding principles or connecting theory. As results gathered in this disconnected fashion accumulate, the need of their unification into a harmonious whole, into a distinct discipline of science, becomes more and more acutely felt. Such unification necessarily involves the working out of a viewpoint that shall make the several facts and relations fall in line naturally in an orderly system; in other words, what is needed is a labor of organization. In the course of this, new and unforeseen problems will inevitably arise, and a fruitful field of scientific endeavor should thus be opened for the investigator.”

“The time is ripe. I see many signs of the fact. Have you seen a recently published book by Burns and Paton, An Introduction to Biophysics? It also dug a spur into my side—not that there is anything to get excited over, the book would hardly be described as either inspired or inspiring. But it shows the undercurrent, which one of the days must break through to the surface.”

“Physical biology, as here conceived and discussed, is essentially a branch of the greater discipline of the ‘general mechanics of evolution, the mechanics of systems undergoing irreversible changes in the distribution of matter among the several components of such system. In introducing the term ‘physical biology’ the writer would suggest that the term ‘biophysics’ be employed (as hitherto) to denote that branch of science which treats of the physics of individual life processes, as exhibited in the individual organism (e.g., conduction of an impulse along nerve or muscle); and that the term ‘physical biology’ be reserved to denote the broader field of the application of physical principles in the study of life-bearing systems as a whole. Physical biology would, in this terminology, include biophysics as a subordinate province.”

“While there is general agreement that biophysics is a very important and rapidly developing branch of science, it is a little difficult at present to decide precisely what should be its scope, and the editors of this volume, which is the first of a new series, have recognised the difficulty by including biophysical chemistry as well as biophysics in the title. The book itself consists of nine articles by authorities on particular topics, which vary widely in scope from a highly specialised discussion of "Local Refractometry" by Philpot to a four-page summary of "Phase-contrast Microscopy in Biological Research" by Hughes. Readers of a chemical turn of mind will particularly welcome Gutfreund's article on the "Properties of solutions of Large Molecules", Rudall's article on "Fundamental Structures in Biological System" and Crane's on "Bioelectric Potentials, their Maintenance and Function". Those who are more physically inclined will turn to Oster's review of the "Scatterig of Visible Light and X-rays by Solutions of Proteins", and Engstrom's on the "Use of soft X-rays in the Assay of Biological Materials", while physiologists will be particularly attracted by Pryor's discussion of the "Mechanical Properties of Fibres and Muscles" and Loutit's review of "The Tolerance of Man for Radioactive Isotopes". The book forms a useful addition to the now formidable and still rapidly expanding array of reviews and annuals, since it covers that land between the physical and the biological sciences which most reviews have until recently avoided. The editors are to be congratulated on the wide choice of material for this first volume of what should prove to be a very useful series. J. N. Davidson.”