biochemistry

noun

bio·​chem·​is·​try ˌbī-ō-ˈke-mə-strē 

1

: chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in organisms

2

: the chemical characteristics and reactions of a particular living organism or biological substance

biochemist

ˌbī-ō-ˈke-mist 

noun

Examples of biochemistry in a Sentence

advances in the field of biochemistry

Recent Examples on the Web

Ashley plans on majoring in biochemistry and eventually wants to work for the FBI as a lab technician. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 25 Nov. 2024

Awe received her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and her MD/PhD in immunology from Indiana University. —Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 20 Nov. 2024

Perry is a molecular biology and biochemistry double major who holds a 3.96 GPA and made first-team All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) in 2023. —Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 7 Aug. 2024

Similarly, in announcing the chemistry prize on Wednesday, committee members talked a lot about amino acid sequences and structural biochemistry. —Allison Morrow, CNN, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

biochemistry

noun

bio·​chem·​is·​try ˌbī-ō-ˈkem-ə-strē 

: chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in living things

biochemical

-ˈkem-i-kəl

adjective

biochemically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

biochemist

-ˈkem-əst 

noun

Medical Definition

biochemistry

noun

bio·​chem·​is·​try -ˈkem-ə-strē 

plural biochemistries

1

: chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in organisms

2

: the chemical characteristics and reactions of a particular living organism or biological substance

a change in the patient's biochemistry accompanied her psychological depression