biochemistry

American  

[bahy-oh-kem-uh-stree] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈkɛm ə stri /

noun

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

2. the chemistry of living matter.

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biochemistry British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈkɛmɪstrɪ /

noun

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

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biochemistry Scientific  

/ 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.

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biochemistry Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• biochemic
  adjective
• biochemical
  adjective
• biochemically
  adverb
• biochemist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of biochemistry

First recorded in 1880–85; bio- + chemistry

Explanation

Biochemistry is the field of science that explores the molecules and processes that occur in living things. The term biochemistry comes from adding bio-, or "life," to chemistry, which is the science that deals with the composition, structures, and properties of substances, along with the reactions and transformations they undergo in combination. Looking at the human body through the lens of biochemistry can help us understand processes like digestion and nutrition. Proteins, carbohydrates, and other nutrients are all chemicals — and it's thanks to biochemical reactions that your body's cells are able to absorb glucose and create energy to keep you going.

Example Sentences

Martin Eilers, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at JMU, led the research as part of the Cancer Grand Challenges KOODAC* team.

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2026

"We did not expect the beetles to be able to convert the spruce's defenses into more toxic derivatives in such a targeted way," said lead author Ruo Sun from the Department of Biochemistry.

From Science Daily • Jan. 1, 2026

The research was co-led by Constantinos Chronis from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, who also served as a co-corresponding author.

From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025

His 1967 paper, titled “The Biochemistry of Affective Disorders,” reviewed studies of reserpine, iproniazid, and other recently discovered drugs, and proposed that low levels of a different neurotransmitter, serotonin, could underlie depressive illness.

From Salon • May 23, 2025

Their formulas were written out in J. N. Davidson’s little book The Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids, a copy of which I kept in Clare.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson