What is Biochemistry?

Biochemistry is a study of the structure and function of organic molecules found in living systems and how these molecules react and are regulated within cells to form the mechanisms of all biological processes. While biochemistry spans a range of topics, the main focus is the biological basis of disease in humans, animals and plants. Because biochemistry is a broad based science there are many subspecialties which include, but are not limited to: neurochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, clinical/physical biochemistry, molecular genetics, biochemical pharmacology and immunochemistry. The molecules analyzed in biochemistry include: proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, vitamins and hormones/neurotransmitters. An example of biochemistry being put to work is seen in biopharmaceutical companies where protein drugs are exuded by genetically modified cells and subsequently purified from the resulting solution.


There are some subtle differences between the field of biochemistry and the fields of genetics, biology, chemistry and molecular biology but it is very important to note there are many instances where these sciences cross over. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish where a given topic may be categorized within this list.


What I believe are the main differences between these sciences:

• Biology includes studies of organisms that are not always mediated by organic chemical reactions  
• One of focus of chemistry is chemical reactions between elements not found in organic systems.
• While genetics is a study that is mainly focused on biological inheritance, biochemistry delves into other topics that may or may not include genetic materials.
• Molecular biology is a study that mainly focuses on the interactions within a cell while biochemistry goes beyond the membrane.