BIOCHEMISTRY Meaning and
Definition
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Biochemistry is a scientific field that encompasses the study of chemical processes and substances occurring within living organisms. It explores the chemical composition, metabolism, structure, and functions of these organisms at a molecular level. The term "biochemistry" is derived from the combination of biology and chemistry, as it focuses on understanding the chemical mechanisms behind biological phenomena.
In biochemistry, researchers investigate the structure and properties of biological macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, which are essential for the proper functioning of cells and organisms. This includes examining the interactions between these molecules and studying how they are synthesized, modified, and degraded within different biological systems.
Furthermore, biochemists delve into the chemical reactions that occur within living organisms, commonly referred to as metabolism. By analyzing metabolic pathways, they can gain insights into how different molecules are transformed to provide energy for cellular processes, synthesize new biomolecules, or remove waste products.
Biochemistry plays a vital role in various scientific disciplines, including medicine, genetics, pharmacology, and environmental sciences. It assists in understanding diseases at a molecular level, developing therapeutic interventions, designing drugs, studying genetic disorders, and investigating the impact of environmental factors on biological systems.
Overall, biochemistry serves as a bridge between biology and chemistry, offering an in-depth analysis of the chemical constituents and reactions that underlie the functioning of living organisms.
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Etymology of BIOCHEMISTRY
The word "biochemistry" is derived from two main components: "bio" and "chemistry".
The prefix "bio" comes from the Greek word "bios", meaning "life" or "way of living". It is used in various scientific terms related to living organisms, such as biology (the study of living organisms) and biography (a written account of someone's life).
The term "chemistry" comes from the Egyptian word "chem" or "keme", which refers to the ancient practice of transforming materials. This evolved into the Greek word "khemeia", meaning "art of transmuting metals". Over time, it became associated with the scientific study of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of substances, leading to modern-day chemistry.
Thus, by combining these components, the term "biochemistry" was formed to describe the scientific field that focuses on the chemical processes and substances occurring within living organisms.
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