The term "biopsy" refers to which of the following?

The term "biopsy" specifically refers to the process of excising a small sample of tissue from a living organism for diagnostic examination. This is typically done to determine the presence or nature of a disease, particularly cancer. The biopsy allows pathologists to analyze cellular structures, thereby providing crucial information about abnormalities or disease progression.

The other options present concepts that are related but do not define a biopsy:

• An autopsy involves examining a body post-mortem to determine the cause of death and does not pertain to living tissues.

• Biography and health history pertain to a person's life story and medical background, which are not related to the diagnostic examination of tissues.

• Administering anesthesia is a process used to ensure the patient feels no pain during surgical procedures, but it does not relate to the examination of tissue for diagnostic purposes.

Thus, "excision and diagnostic study of tissue" accurately encompasses the meaning of a biopsy.