biochemistry

[ bahy-oh-kem-uh-stree ]

noun

1. the science dealing with the chemistry of living matter.
2. the chemistry of living matter.

biochemistry

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈkɛmɪstrɪ /

noun

1. the study of the chemical compounds, reactions, etc, occurring in living organisms

biochemistry

/ bī′ō-kĕm′ĭ-strē /

1. The scientific study of the chemical composition of living matter and of the chemical processes that go on in living organisms.

biochemistry

1. The study of the structure and interactions of the complex organic molecules (see also organic molecule ) found in living systems.

Derived Forms

• ˌbioˈchemically, adverb
• ˌbioˈchemist, noun
• ˌbioˈchemical, adjective

Other Words From

• bi·o·chem·i·cal [bahy-oh-, kem, -i-k, uh, l], adjective noun
• bi·o·chem·ic adjective
• bi·o·chem·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of biochemistry¹

First recorded in 1880–85; bio- + chemistry

Example Sentences

Neuroscientists use neuroimaging, genetics, biochemistry, machine learning, behavioral studies, and more to understand the molecular and environmental causes.

From MIT Technology Review

The result bears out a theory that one author, Joseph Nagyvary, an emeritus biochemistry professor at Texas A&M, has been pursuing for decades.

From Popular-Science

Four of the six most abundant elements in the universe—carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen—also happen to be crucial players in biochemistry.

From Singularity Hub 

During the period when biochemistry could have first got underway—some 100 million years after the Big Bang—the heaviest elements were woefully scarce as the first generations of stars forged new atomic nuclei.

From Nautilus

There is also potential for the effect of the tiniest of variations in fundamental constants to be hugely amplified through the extraordinary complexities and dependencies of known biochemistry and evolutionary change.

From Nautilus

On leaving the Navy, Shulgin returned to Berkeley, where he earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry.

From The Daily Beast

We evolved from a common ancestor, and inherited much of the same biochemistry—along with its weaknesses.

From The Daily Beast

They often tell a story about my uncle Isam, a talented biochemistry professor at a prominent Egyptian university.

From The Daily Beast

Several calves were born, and seemed to be doing well; the biochemistry of Tanith and Khepera were safely alike.

From Project Gutenberg

Biochemistry came into being and, with Liebig as foster-parent, grew into modern Physiology.

From Project Gutenberg

Completing work on his Master's in biochemistry at Cambridge when the Spanish show started.

From Project Gutenberg

It didn't bother me, because there wasn't a student in my three classes who knew any more biochemistry than a baboon.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, the appended lab notes will easily convince a few key men in biochemistry; and they'll confirm me.

From Project Gutenberg