Which area of chemistry addresses living processes in health and disease?

Biochemistry is the area of chemistry that specifically focuses on the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms. It involves the study of vital biological molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, which play crucial roles in maintaining life. Biochemistry bridges the gap between biology and chemistry, emphasizing how these molecules interact and how their dysfunction can lead to health issues and diseases.

In the context of health and disease, biochemistry is fundamental because it helps explain the mechanisms of metabolic processes, enzyme function, hormonal regulation, and the biochemical basis of diseases. By understanding these processes at a molecular level, healthcare professionals can develop treatments and diagnostic tools that target specific biochemical pathways involved in various health conditions.

The other areas of chemistry, while important in their own right, do not specifically cater to the intricate details of living processes. Organic chemistry primarily deals with carbon-containing compounds and their reactions, inorganic chemistry focuses on non-organic materials and their properties, and physical chemistry blends principles of physics with chemical systems but does not specifically address biological processes in depth like biochemistry does.