Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within living organisms. It explores the structure, composition, and function of biomolecules like proteins, DNA, and enzymes. The foundations of biochemistry were laid in the 19th century through experiments on organic compounds and the discovery of key biomolecules. Major advancements occurred in the 20th century, including deciphering the genetic code. Biochemistry has applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology and continues to provide insights into areas like gene editing, epigenetics, and neurological disorders.