biochemistry
gb/bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi/ us/bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
C1
abstract
1
chemistry of living organisms
the science of the chemicals and reactions in living things
Usage pattern:
study biochemistry; work in biochemistry
Common mistake:
Often misspelled as *bio-chemistry*; it is usually written as one word.
Synonyms
biological chemistry (A close synonym, often used in names of departments or courses.)
|
biochem (Common informal abbreviation, especially among students and scientists.)
Antonyms
inorganic chemistry (A contrasting branch of chemistry focused on non-living systems.)
Collocations
study biochemistry
|biochemistry research
|biochemistry lab
|biochemistry course
|biochemistry degree
|biochemistry textbook
|biochemistry professor
|molecular biochemistry
|biochemistry department
|biochemistry student
Themes
science
|education
|biology
|chemistry
|health
Examples
- She chose biochemistry because she wanted to understand how cells produce energy.
- The biochemistry department is known for its work on enzymes and protein structure.
- Modern biochemistry relies heavily on genetic and molecular techniques.
Learner examples
- I study biochemistry at university.
- Biochemistry helps explain how the body works.
Noun
technical
C1
property
2
chemical makeup of a body
the chemicals and reactions inside a living thing
Usage pattern:
the biochemistry of [something]; [something] affects biochemistry
Common mistake:
Learners may treat it as countable (*a biochemistry*). In this sense it is usually uncountable.
Synonyms
biochemical makeup (More descriptive; emphasizes composition rather than the field of study.)
|
biochemical processes (Emphasizes reactions and activity rather than composition.)
Collocations
brain biochemistry
|cell biochemistry
|plant biochemistry
|human biochemistry
|the biochemistry of aging
|alter biochemistry
|underlying biochemistry
|biochemistry changes
|biochemistry of disease
|hormone biochemistry
Themes
health
|science
|biology
Examples
- Stress can change brain biochemistry over time.
- Researchers are still debating the biochemistry of depression.
- The drug targets the biochemistry of inflammation.
Learner examples
- Exercise can affect your body’s biochemistry.
Noun
B2
role
3
an academic subject or class
a science subject about chemicals in living things
Usage pattern:
take biochemistry; major in biochemistry
Common mistake:
It is typically uncountable when naming the subject (e.g., 'I’m taking biochemistry').
Synonyms
biochem (Informal; common in student talk (e.g., 'I have biochem at 9').)
Collocations
take biochemistry
|biochemistry class
|biochemistry lecture
|introductory biochemistry
|advanced biochemistry
|biochemistry exam
|biochemistry homework
|biochemistry syllabus
|biochemistry module
|pass biochemistry
Themes
education
|science
|university
Examples
- I’m taking biochemistry next semester to meet the pre-med requirements.
- Biochemistry was his toughest class in second year.
- She tutors first-year students in biochemistry.
Learner examples
- Biochemistry is difficult but interesting.
Noun
technical
C2
process
4
lab blood-chemistry tests
medical tests that measure chemicals in the blood
Usage pattern:
check [someone]'s biochemistry; abnormal biochemistry; biochemistry results
Common mistake:
This sense is common in hospitals and clinics; outside medical contexts, 'biochemistry' usually means the science.
Synonyms
blood chemistry (A more general, patient-friendly term for similar tests.)
|
metabolic panel (A common specific set of blood chemistry tests in many healthcare systems.)
Collocations
routine biochemistry
|serum biochemistry
|biochemistry panel
|biochemistry profile
|biochemistry results
|abnormal biochemistry
|biochemistry values
|order biochemistry
|check biochemistry
|biochemistry screen
Themes
medicine
|health
|laboratory
Examples
- The doctor ordered biochemistry to check her kidney and liver function.
- His biochemistry was normal, but the ECG showed an irregular rhythm.
- We’re still waiting for the biochemistry results from the lab.
Learner examples
- They did a blood test and checked my biochemistry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
biochemistry
IPA
GB/bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi/
US/bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi/
Syllables & stress
bio - chem - istry (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (chem)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: biochemistry
- Plural: biochemistries, biochemistry
Word family
Expressions
biochemistry department
1/bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi dɪpˈɑɹtmənt/
fixed phrase
university unit for biochemistry
the part of a university that teaches biochemistry
Examples
- He applied for a PhD in the biochemistry department.
- The biochemistry department hosts a weekly research seminar.
- Our biochemistry department recently upgraded its sequencing equipment.
biochemistry lab
1/bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi lˈæb/
fixed phrase
lab for biochemistry experiments
a lab class for biochemistry
Examples
- We have a biochemistry lab on Fridays where we run enzyme assays.
- Please wear safety glasses in the biochemistry lab.
- She works late in the biochemistry lab to finish her experiment.
biochemistry major
1/bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
student specializing in biochemistry
a student whose main subject is biochemistry
Examples
- As a biochemistry major, she spends a lot of time in the lab.
- He switched from engineering to a biochemistry major in his second year.
- The program attracts many biochemistry majors interested in medicine.
biochemistry panel
1/bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi pˈænəl/
fixed phrase
technical
set of blood chemistry tests
a group of blood tests done together
Examples
- The clinician ordered a biochemistry panel to assess dehydration.
- Her biochemistry panel was normal except for low sodium.
- A basic biochemistry panel is often done before surgery.
blood biochemistry
1/blˈʌd bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi/
fixed phrase
technical
chemical measurements in blood
tests that measure chemicals in the blood
Examples
- Blood biochemistry showed elevated liver enzymes.
- They repeated the blood biochemistry after the patient started treatment.
- The report includes blood biochemistry and a full blood count.
clinical biochemistry
1/klˈɪnɪkəl bˌaɪoʊkˈɛmɪstɹi/
fixed phrase
technical
biochemistry used in medicine
using chemical tests on body fluids to help doctors
Examples
- Clinical biochemistry plays a key role in monitoring diabetes and kidney disease.
- The sample was sent to clinical biochemistry for analysis.
- She trained in clinical biochemistry before moving into research.