Biochemistry
/ˌbaɪ.oʊˈkɛm.ɪ.stri/noun
The study of the chemical substances and processes that occur in living organisms.
Did you know?The word combines Greek bios, “life,” with chemistry, a term historically linked to medieval alchemy and the mysterious art of transforming substances.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷeyh₃-
“To live; the ancient root associated with Greek bios and a family of life-related words”
Ancient Greek
Greek
bios
“Life; the course or duration of life”
Ancient Greek
Greek
khēmeia
“The art or process of working with substances; the source of chemistry, with an uncertain ultimate origin”
19th Century
German
Biochemie
“The scientific study of the chemistry of living organisms”
19th Century
English
biochemistry
“The chemistry of living matter; the English scientific term formed from bio- and chemistry”
Modern English
English
biochemistry
“The study of chemical processes in living organisms”