biochemical
/ˌbaɪ.əʊˈkem.ɪ.kəl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Biochemical means related to chemistry in living things. It describes processes, substances, or changes in the body, plants, or other living organisms.
- Biochemical changes can affect mood.
- She studied biochemical reactions in cells.
Adinary Nuance
Biochemical is more specific than biological and more science-focused than natural. Use it when you mean chemical processes inside living things, not just anything connected to life. It is common in science and medical writing, especially when describing body processes or lab tests.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sinh hóa
- Spanish
- bioquímico
- Chinese
- 生化的
- Japanese
- 生化の
- Korean
- 생화학적
Etymology
From biochemistry, first used in the early 20th century. It combines bio- from Greek bios, meaning 'life', and chemical.
Common phrases
biochemical reactionbiochemical processbiochemical markerbiochemical analysis
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is biochemical the same as biological?
- No. Biological is broader. Biochemical means related to chemicals and reactions inside living things.
- Is biochemical used in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in science, medicine, and academic English.
- Can I use biochemical for the human body?
- Yes. It often describes body processes, blood tests, and cell activity.