What is the field of study focused on chemical reactions in living organisms?

The field of study that focuses on chemical reactions in living organisms is biochemistry. This area of science combines elements of biology and chemistry to explore the biochemical processes that occur within and related to living organisms. Biochemistry examines the structure, function, and interactions of biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, which are fundamental to cellular processes. By understanding these chemical reactions, biochemists can gain insight into metabolic pathways, enzyme functions, and the molecular basis of diseases, leading to advancements in medicine and biotechnology.

Genetics primarily deals with heredity, genetic variation, and the mechanism of genetic material transfer. Molecular Biology focuses on the molecular underpinnings of biological activity, which includes understanding how various cellular systems interact, but it doesn’t emphasize chemical reactions to the extent that biochemistry does. Microbiology studies microorganisms, their behavior, and their impact on humans, animals, plants, and the environment, rather than focusing directly on the chemical processes within living organisms.