biochemistry

IPA/ˌbaɪəʊˈkemɪstri/
KK[bˌaɪokˈɛməstri]IPA/ˌbaɪəʊˈkemɪstri/

biochemistry — noun

1. the area of science that studies the chemicals and chemical processes inside liv

1.nounC1
Definition

the area of science that studies the chemicals and chemical processes inside living things, including plants, animals, and people.

Example

Nina chose biochemistry because she wanted to study how cells use energy.

study biochemistry

The university opened a new biochemistry lab beside the medical school.

biochemistry lab collocation

Common collocations
  • study biochemistry
  • biochemistry lab
  • biochemistry class
  • department of biochemistry
  • biochemistry degree
Synonyms
  • molecular biology

    close field, but focuses more on genes, DNA, and molecules in living systems

  • chemical biology

    related field that often uses chemical tools to investigate biological questions

  • life science

    much broader term covering many areas beyond chemistry

Grammar Patterns

study biochemistry

a degree in biochemistry

a professor of biochemistry

Usage Note

Usually names the school subject, research field, or department, often after verbs like 'study' and 'teach'. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes the chemical system inside one organism, organ, or tissue.

Common Mistakes

She studies biochemical at university.
She studies biochemistry at university.
the subject name is the noun 'biochemistry'; 'biochemical' is an adjective.
He is a biochemistry.
He is a biochemist.
'biochemistry' is the field, while 'biochemist' is the person.

2. the chemicals inside a particular living thing or body part, and how they change

2.nounC2
Definition

the chemicals inside a particular living thing or body part, and how they change and work.

Example

Doctors studied the tumor's biochemistry before choosing the next drug.

the biochemistry of / [organism]'s biochemistry

Changes in liver biochemistry appeared in Mei's tests before her skin turned yellow.

changes in + biochemistry

Common collocations
  • the biochemistry of cells
  • liver biochemistry
  • plant biochemistry
  • tumor biochemistry
  • altered biochemistry
Synonyms
  • chemical makeup

    broader and less technical; often used outside scientific writing

  • body chemistry

    more everyday and less precise, especially for people or animals

  • metabolism

    narrower; refers mainly to the chemical processes that keep a living thing alive

Grammar Patterns

the biochemistry of [organism/tissue]

[organism]'s biochemistry

Usage Note

Most often followed by 'of' plus an organism, organ, tissue, or substance. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about the internal chemical makeup itself, not the academic subject.

Common Mistakes

Scientists examined the biochemistry in the liver cells.
Scientists examined the biochemistry of the liver cells.
this sense usually takes 'of' before the organism, organ, or tissue.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all belong to the study of life, but they point at different parts of it. 'Biochemistry' centers on the substances and reactions inside living things, such as proteins, enzymes, and energy use in cells. 'Molecular biology' overlaps with it, but usually pays more attention to genes, DNA, and how information is passed inside cells. 'Chemical biology' often starts from chemistry and uses chemical tools to explore or change biological systems. 'Biology' is the broadest word and covers everything from cells to whole animals and ecosystems. A student might major in biology, take biochemistry in the second year, and later join a molecular biology lab.

biochemistry ↗molecular biology ↗chemical biologybiology ↗

Etymology

GreekArabicFrenchEnglish

The word was formed in the late 1800s by joining 'bio-', meaning 'life', to 'chemistry'. Scientists needed a name for the area that studies the substances and reactions inside living things, so English created 'biochemistry' for that new field. From the name of the subject, the word also came to mean the chemical makeup and reactions inside a particular organism or tissue.