Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of
chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to,
living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living
processes. By controlling information flow through biochemical
signalling and the flow of chemical energy through metabolism,
biochemical processes give rise to the incredible complexity of life.
Much of biochemistry deals with the structures and functions of cellular
components such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and
other biomolecules although increasingly processes rather than
individual molecules are the main focus. Over the last 40 years
biochemistry has become so successful at explaining living processes
that now almost all areas of the life sciences from botany to medicine
are engaged in biochemical research. Today the main focus of pure
biochemistry is in understanding how biological molecules give rise to
the processes that occur within living cells which in turn relates
greatly to the study and understanding of whole organisms.