Biochemistry explores the chemical processes of life

Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes of living organisms. The subject brings together biology and chemistry, but it is more than a simple meeting of these two sciences and it has been a science discipline in its own right for over 100 years.

Biochemistry focuses on processes that occur at a molecular level and, as an active and contemporary subject, it covers diverse fields of scientific research that provide foundations for many other scientific disciplines. Biochemistry impacts upon almost every aspect of our lives, and in this step Richard and Jenny highlight a few areas where the subject has most direct relevance, for example in the health and life science. They also go on to identify the varied routes to training in biochemistry, and demonstrate that biochemists make significant contributions to a broad range of jobs and careers.