Biochemistry and biophysics study the structure and biological systems of all living beings. Biochemistry focuses on chemical processes within organisms, while biophysics employs physical science to study interactions in the living world. Various tools are used to conduct research, including fluorescent imaging, electron microscopes, and optical tweezers. These disciplines have increased ramifications on all biological entities due to the fact that all living things are descended from a common ancestor.
Biochemistry and biophysics are disciplines in the field of science that concern the study of organisms. Specifically, biochemistry and biophysics study the structure and biological systems of living beings, both large and small. Each organism is composed of a number of different parts, with their own function and organizational form. Most notable is the fact that biochemistry and biophysics refer to every living thing on the planet.
Biochemistry itself focuses heavily on the chemical processes within organisms. The science deals with cellular components and biomolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. Each of these molecules within the cell is complex and has both large forms, called polymers, and subunits, known as monomers. Science studies the chemical reactions present within the cell and how biomolecules interact. One of the most notable examples is enzyme-catalyzed reactions, the process of increasing activity within the cell.
Biophysics deals with a variety of other interactions in the living world. It employs the different theories of physical science in biological systems from the small molecular scale, up to the whole organism and ecosystem. The main goal of science is to address concerns about biological issues in a quantitative way. Biophysics focuses on the interactions of cellular systems, such as that of DNA and RNA, as well as the significance of regulating these interactions. Examples of fields within biophysics are agrophysics, bioengineering, nanotechnology, and general biology.
Biochemistry and biophysics use a variety of different tools to conduct the necessary research in the fields. Fluorescent imaging techniques allow scientists to illuminate various features in organisms and identify functions more easily. Electron microscopes focus electron particles in an organism to create a magnified image. X-ray crystallography analyzes chemical bonds by focusing X-rays on crystalline structures in molecules. NMR spectroscopy uses magnetic resonance imaging focused on the nucleus of an atom. Atomic force microscopes are also often used. These machines allow a scientist to view some of the smallest objects in the cell.
Beyond simple visualization to study organisms, biochemists and biophysicists also directly manipulate the processes and systems of biological elements. One tool used to conduct these experiments is optical tweezers, which use a laser to exert a force on small parts of an organism. By modifying the natural characteristics of an organism or the environment, they are able to propose theories and show results. This has increased ramifications on all biological entities due to the fact that all living things are descended from a common ancestor. In this way, biochemistry and biophysics can relate research from one organism to another.
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