Video Transcript
Which branch of chemistry is
primarily interested in the study of chemical processes within, and related to,
living organisms? (A) Electrochemistry, (B) quantum
chemistry, (C) analytical chemistry, (D) biochemistry, or (E) environmental
chemistry.
Chemistry is the study of matter
and what it consists of, its properties, its uses, how it changes and reacts with
other substances, and the conditions under which those changes occur. The field of chemistry can be
broken down into different branches of study or specializations. To answer the question, we need to
identify which branch of chemistry is primarily interested in the study of chemical
processes within, and related to, living organisms. Let’s take a closer look at each of
the five branches of chemistry listed in the question.
Electrochemistry is the study of
chemical processes that cause electrons to move. The movement of electrons is also
known as electricity. Scientists can use this knowledge
of electricity for a variety of applications, such as creating batteries or fuel
cells, electroplating metals on one another, or creating chemicals like
chlorine. As electrochemistry is not a branch
of chemistry primarily interested in living organisms, we can eliminate answer
choice (A).
Quantum chemistry is a branch of
chemistry focused on the application of quantum mechanics to chemical systems. This field relies heavily on
complex calculations and imaging methods to understand the electronic structure and
dynamics of atoms and molecules. Quantum chemistry is not primarily
interested in the study of chemical processes in living organisms. Thus, answer choice (B) is not the
answer to this question.
Analytical chemistry is a branch
that uses experimental techniques to identify, separate, or quantify matter and its
properties. These techniques are often used to
test things like water, food, and pharmaceuticals for safety, research, and other
applications. This field often creates new
experimental analytical techniques that are used in other branches of chemistry. So, while analytical chemistry may
be used to help us understand the chemical processes within living organisms, that
is not the primary focus of this branch of chemistry. Therefore, answer choice (C) is not
the answer to this question.
Biochemistry, as the name implies,
is a subdiscipline of both chemistry and biology. Biochemistry is the study of
chemical reactions that occur within and are related to biological or living
systems. Biochemists study the reactions of
various molecules in the body, like proteins, DNA, carbohydrates, and lipids, to
create new medicines and cures for diseases. They also study the chemistry of
other living organisms like plants to create new biofuels, foods, and biodegradable
plastics. As biochemistry is primarily
interested in the study of the chemical processes within and relating to living
organisms, answer choice (D) is likely the answer to this question. But just to be sure, let’s take a
look at answer choice (E).
Environmental chemistry is the
study of chemical species in the air, soil, and water environments and the effect
human and biological activity has on them. Environmental chemists help to
assess any long-term effects of contaminants in the soil and ground water both to
human health and the health of the ecosystem. Environmental chemistry is closely
related with analytical chemistry and biochemistry. But this branch of chemistry is not
primarily interested in the chemical processes within living organisms. Thus, answer choice (E) is not the
answer to this question.
After evaluating each of the
branches of chemistry, we have determined that the branch that is primarily
interested in the study of chemical processes within and relating to living
organisms is biochemistry, answer choice (D).
