biochemistry
Meaning
The scientific study of the chemical substances and processes that occur in living organisms.
Structure
Usage
She majored in biochemistry before going to medical school.
Advances in biochemistry have led to the development of new pharmaceuticals.
The textbook explains the fundamental principles of biochemistry.
Etymology
The word 'biochemistry' is a modern scientific compound formed in the late 19th century. It directly combines the Greek-derived prefix 'bio-', meaning 'life', with the established English word 'chemistry', the science of the composition and properties of substances. The formation is perfectly logical and transparent: it is the 'chemistry of life'. This term was created to define the then-emerging discipline that bridges biology and chemistry, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes, from metabolism to genetic information flow.
Analysis
- bio: From Greek 'bios', meaning 'life, course of living'. In this word, it functions as a combining form meaning 'of or relating to life or living organisms'. - chemistry: From the modern science of chemistry, itself derived from earlier 'alchemy' and ultimately from Greek 'khemeia'. In this word, it functions as the core noun denoting the scientific discipline.