biochemical

IPA/ˌbaɪəʊˈkemɪkl/
KK[bˌaɪokˈɛməkəl]IPA/ˌbaɪəʊˈkemɪkl/

biochemical — adjective

  • biochemicalpositive
  • more biochemicalcomparative
  • most biochemicalsuperlative

1. having to do with the substances and reactions inside people, animals, plants, a

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

having to do with the substances and reactions inside people, animals, plants, and other forms of life.

Example

Doctors ordered biochemical tests after Zane's liver pain grew worse.

biochemical tests

The report described biochemical changes in the leaves during the dry season.

biochemical changes in plants

Common collocations
  • biochemical test
  • biochemical reaction
  • biochemical change
  • biochemical process
  • biochemical signal
Synonyms
  • chemical

    broader; not limited to living things

  • biological

    about living things in general, not specifically their chemistry

  • physiological

    focuses on how the body works rather than on chemical activity itself

  • molecular

    often narrower, focusing on molecules and structure

Grammar Patterns

biochemical + test

biochemical + reaction

biochemical + change

be biochemical

Usage Note

Usually comes before nouns such as 'test', 'reaction', 'change', and 'process'. Distinguish it from the broader word 'chemical', which can also describe substances and reactions in non-living materials.

Common Mistakes

The paint gave off a biochemical smell.
The paint gave off a chemical smell.
Use 'biochemical' for substances or reactions in living things, not for paint or other non-living materials.
The lab studies the biochemical of plants.
The lab studies the biochemistry of plants.
After 'the', use the noun 'biochemistry' when naming the field itself.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Biochemical' is used when the focus is on substances and reactions inside living things. 'Chemical' is much broader: it can describe cleaning products, factory waste, or any kind of substance or reaction, whether living or not. 'Biological' also relates to living things, but it often covers life, growth, or body systems in a general way, not specifically the chemistry behind them. 'Physiological' is about how the body works, such as breathing or blood pressure, while 'biochemical' points to the chemical activity causing or measuring those processes. 'Molecular' zooms in even further to the level of molecules and structure. Compare 'a biochemical test after surgery' with 'a chemical spill in the lab' and 'physiological changes during exercise'.

biochemical ↗chemical ↗biological ↗physiological ↗molecular ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • biochemical test
  • biochemical reaction
  • biochemical change
  • biochemical process
  • biochemical signal

Phrases

  • biochemical changes in the body
  • biochemical reaction in cells

Etymology

GreekEnglish

Formed in modern English from the prefix 'bio-', from Greek meaning 'life', and 'chemical'. The word is used for chemistry as it happens inside living things rather than in non-living materials.