What is the Difference Between Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The main difference between biochemistry and molecular biology is that biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of life whereas molecular biology is the study of the structure and the function of biomolecules. Furthermore, biochemistry deals with known products of unknown genes while molecular biology deals with the known products of known genes. 

Biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics are the three main aspects of biology. They use unique techniques based on their study materials. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Biochemistry
     – Definition, Aspects, Techniques
2. What is Molecular Biology
     – Definition, Aspects, Techniques
3. What are the Similarities Between Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Biochemistry, Biology, Molecular Biology, Nucleic Acids, Proteins 

What is Biochemistry 

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of life on the earth. In simple words, it is the study of the chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. However, biochemistry is a sub-discipline of both biology and chemistry. Therefore, by the use of knowledge and techniques of chemistry, biochemistry solves the problems of biology.  

Figure 1: Biochemical Reactions

The three sub-disciplines of biochemistry are molecular genetics, protein science, and metabolism. Furthermore, biochemistry focuses on the processes at the molecular level. During this, it studies components of a cell including organelles, proteins, lipids, etc. Also, it looks at how cells communicate with each other. Moreover, it studies chemical differences, which occur during the various cellular process like growth, development, and while fighting against illness. Biochemists study the structure and interactions between molecules.  

What is Molecular Biology 

Molecular biology is the study of living things at the molecular level. Generally, it is a specialized branch of biochemistry. The two types of key molecules in molecular biology are nucleic acids and proteins. Here, nucleic acids contain genetic instructions needed to construct proteins. But, molecular biology studies other molecules like carbohydrates and proteins when they interact with nucleic acids and proteins.  

Figure 2: DNA

In molecular biology, one of the most basic techniques is the molecular cloning, which allows the study of proteins. Other main techniques include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, macromolecular blotting and probing, microarrays, and allele-specific oligonucleotides. 

Similarities Between Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 

• Biochemistry and molecular biology are two study areas of biology. 
• Findings of both areas are important in the discovery of functioning of the living organisms on the earth. 

Difference Between Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 

Definition 

Biochemistry is a branch of science concerned with the chemical and physicochemical processes and substances which occur within living organisms. Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the structure and function of the macromolecules (e.g. proteins and nucleic acids) essential to life. Thus, this is the main difference between biochemistry and molecular biology. 

Sub-Disciplines 

Furthermore, the three sub-disciplines of biochemistry are molecular genetics, protein science, and metabolism while molecular biology is a special branch of biochemistry. 

Type of Study 

Also, the type of study they deal with is a major difference between biochemistry and molecular biology. Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of life while molecular biology is the study of macromolecules of the cell in relation to nucleic acids.  

Study Materials 

Another difference between biochemistry and molecular biology is that biochemistry deals with the known products of unknown genes while molecular biology deals with the known products of known genes. 

Biomolecules 

Biochemistry studies about nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids while molecular biology mainly studies nucleic acids and proteins. 

Techniques 

Some techniques of biochemistry include protein purification, perfusion, homogenization, centrifugation, enzyme assays, protein assays, chromatography, protein crystallography, enzyme kinetics, etc. while some techniques of molecular biology include PCR, gel electrophoresis, macromolecular blotting and probing, microarrays, and allele-specific oligonucleotides. Hence, this is another difference between biochemistry and molecular biology.

Conclusion 

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical basis of life. It studies the four main types of macromolecules including nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. On the other hand, molecular biology is a field of biochemistry which studies nucleic acids and proteins. Therefore, the main difference between biochemistry and molecular biology is the type of study.

References:

1. “What Is Biochemistry?” Biochemical Society | Advancing Molecular Bioscience, Available Here
2. “Introduction to Molecular Biology.” THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND|Diamantina Institute, 17 Aug. 2017, Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Glycolysis metabolic pathway 3 annotated” By Thomas Shafee – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia  
2. “0322 DNA Nucleotides” By OpenStax –  (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia