Final answer:
Bioinformatics is the interdisciplinary field that focuses on the use of computers, mathematics, and statistical methods to manage and analyze biological data, such as genetic sequence data. It has become vital due to the vast amounts of data generated by modern biological research and advancements in computing power.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Bioinformatics
As a very general definition, bioinformatics describes the use of computers, mathematical tools, and statistical techniques to record, store, and analyze biological information. Bioinformatics is a distinct field that merges biology, computer science, and information technology. It is used to manage and analyze the massive amounts of biological data, particularly genetic data, that modern scientific methods have been able to produce.
One major application of bioinformatics is performing sequence comparisons to determine the function of macromolecules by comparing new sequences to known sequences. This helps to deduce the biological function, structure, evolution, and interactions of the genes and proteins. Furthermore, recent advancements such as Next-Generation Sequencing technologies require bioinformatics tools for processing and analyzing vast amounts of sequence data.
The field's growth is driven by the exponential increase in biological data and the simultaneous improvements in computational power and techniques. Such a growth signifies the importance of data research or in silico research in modern biochemistry and life sciences. This outlines a promising career path for specialists interested in both biology and computer science.