Biochemical genetics
Biochemical Genetics
Biochemical genetics (pronunciation: bio-chem-i-cal ge-net-ics) is a field of study that combines the sciences of biology, chemistry, and genetics. It focuses on the chemical reactions and substances that occur in living organisms, and how these processes are controlled by genes.
Etymology
The term "biochemical genetics" is derived from three Greek words: "bios" meaning life, "chemia" meaning chemistry, and "genetikos" meaning origin. It was first used in the early 20th century when scientists began to understand the complex chemical reactions that occur in living organisms and how these are controlled by genes.
Related Terms
- Biochemistry: The study of the chemical substances and vital processes occurring in living organisms.
- Genetics: The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
- Molecular Genetics: The field of biology and genetics that studies the structure and function of genes at a molecular level.
- Genetic Disorders: Disorders caused by abnormalities in an individual's genetic material.
- Metabolism: The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
Overview
Biochemical genetics involves the study of the biochemical basis of genetic inheritance. It seeks to understand how genes control the chemical reactions that occur in cells, and how these reactions in turn control the growth, development, and behavior of organisms. This field of study has led to significant advances in our understanding of many aspects of biology, including the nature of genetic diseases, the process of evolution, and the mechanisms of gene expression.
Biochemical genetics is a rapidly evolving field, with new discoveries and techniques constantly expanding our understanding of the genetic control of biochemical processes. It has applications in many areas of biology and medicine, including the diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases, the development of new drugs and therapies, and the improvement of agricultural crops and livestock.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.