Biochemistry
The study of the chemical substances and processes that occur within living organisms.
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Biochemistry applies the principles of organic chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics to the molecules of life. Its central insight is that living systems obey exactly the same chemical laws as the laboratory, but achieve extraordinary rate and selectivity through enzyme catalysis and compartmentalisation.
Examples in the real world
Explaining how glucose is oxidised to release energy, and how DNA stores and transmits genetic information.