biochemical

adjective bio·chem·i·cal \ ˌbī-ō-ˈke-mi-kəl \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of biochemical

1 : of or relating to biochemistry

2 : characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms

a biochemical defect in the brain

—

biochemical

noun

—

biochemically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of biochemical from the Web

After the World Trade Center attacks in 2001, companies fearing terrorist bombings and biochemical attacks taught employees how to handle suspicious packages.

— tiffany hsu and jack nicas, New York Times, "YouTube Shooting Puts a Focus on Workplace Security," 5 Apr. 2018
Specialized immune system cells swarm to the misguided cells and light them up with tiny biochemical weapons.

— joshua tompkins, Los Angeles Magazine, "Could a Vaccine Be the End of Type 1 Diabetes?," 2 Apr. 2018
Through a few different biochemical processes, our cells convert these nutrients into a usable form of chemical energy called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.

— amy marturana, SELF, "The Myth of the Fat-Burning Zone," 20 Mar. 2018
All of this happens without changes in our DNA sequences; instead, the activity is largely the product of changes in the proteins that stick to DNA and regulate nearby genes, along with the biochemical consequences of those changes.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Scott Kelly’s medical monitoring has spawned some horrific press coverage," 15 Mar. 2018
Osteocyctes, a type of bone cell, are thought to be the cells that recognize when outside forces are affecting the bone and send out biochemical signals prompting the creation of new bone.

— gretchen reynolds, New York Times, "How Our Bones Might Help Keep Our Weight in Check," 17 Jan. 2018
Now human engineers are learning to design and synthesize novel biochemical devices such as nanoscale factories, biological circuits and even molecular computers.

— rachel nuwer, Scientific American, "Programming a DNA Clock," 21 Feb. 2018
Similar to the glow of a firefly, the bright blue flashes lighting up the ocean waves are the biochemical reaction of small, algae-like organisms known as dinoflagellates.

— Sunset, "This Rare Marine Phenomenon Is Making the Pacific Glow," 22 Jan. 2018
The ones from 2015 showed evidence of microbial metabolism, including molecules like adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which is used by all cells to store energy, as well as enzymes, fatty acids and the by-products of biochemical processes.

— The Economist, "Waiting for rainLife clings on in the driest corners of the Earth," 1 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biochemical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of biochemical

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First Known Use: 1836

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Medical Dictionary

biochemical

adjective bio·chem·i·cal \ -ˈkem-i-kəl \

medical Definition of biochemical

1 : of or relating to biochemistry

2 : characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms

biochemical abnormalities

biochemical processes

—

biochemical

noun

—

biochemically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn More about biochemical

See words that rhyme with biochemical Spanish Central: Translation of biochemical Nglish: Translation of biochemical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of biochemical for Arabic speakers

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biochemical

Definition of biochemical

biochemical

biochemically

Recent Examples of biochemical from the Web

Origin and Etymology of biochemical

Medical Dictionary

biochemical

medical Definition of biochemical

biochemical

biochemically

Learn More about biochemical

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biochemical

Definition of biochemical

biochemical

biochemically

Recent Examples of biochemical from the Web

Origin and Etymology of biochemical

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biochemical

medical Definition of biochemical

biochemical

biochemically

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