Final answer:
Biochemistry is the scientific study of chemical processes within living organisms, derived from 'bio-' meaning life and '-chemistry' which refers to the science of matter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word biochemistry can be broken down into two parts. 'Bio-' refers to life and living organisms, while '-chemistry' pertains to the branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed. Therefore, biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms. Analyzing a word based on its roots, prefixes, and suffixes helps in understanding complex scientific vocabulary.
Several disciplines, including molecular biology, microbiology, and evolution, fall under the umbrella of life sciences like biochemistry. For instance, molecular biology focuses on the molecular level of biological processes, microbiology delves into the study of microorganisms, and evolution explores the gradual changes in species over time. Knowledge of word roots and affixes aids in grasping the specific focus of each field within the biological sciences.