What is the focus of biochemistry as a field of study?

Biochemistry is fundamentally concerned with the chemical processes that occur within living organisms and the molecular components involved in these processes. This field of study encompasses various topics such as enzyme function, metabolism, genetic information transfer, and the structure and function of biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. Biochemists explore how these molecules interact in complex pathways and systems that sustain life, giving insight into how biological systems operate at a molecular level.

By understanding biochemistry, researchers can comprehend not only the fundamental constituents of life but also how alterations in these chemical processes can lead to disease, thus contributing to advances in medicine, biotechnology, and therapeutic developments. This focus on living systems sets biochemistry apart from disciplines that might examine the physical properties of compounds, the study of fossils, or environmental health independently.