What is Molecular Biology?

Molecular biology is a branch of science concerning biological activity at the molecular level.

The field of molecular biology overlaps with biology and chemistry and in particular, genetics and biochemistry. A key area of molecular biology concerns understanding how various cellular systems interact in terms of the way DNA, RNA and protein synthesis function.

The specific techniques used in molecular biology are native to the field but may also be combined with methods and concepts concerning genetics and biochemistry, so there is no big distinction made between these disciplines.

However, when the fields are considered independently of each other, biochemistry concerns chemical materials and essential processes that take place in living organisms. The role, function and structure of biomolecules are key areas of focus among biochemists, as is the chemistry behind biological functions and the production of biomolecules.

Genetics is concerned with the effects of genes on living organisms, which are often examined through “knock-out” studies, where animal models are designed so that they lack one or more genes compared to a “wild type” or regular phenotype.

Molecular biology looks at the molecular mechanisms behind processes such as replication, transcription, translation and cell function. One way to describe the basis of molecular biology is to say it concerns understanding how genes are transcribed into RNA and how RNA is then translated into protein. However, this simplified picture is currently be reconsidered and revised due to new discoveries concerning the roles of RNA.

Sources

  1. http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/bioinformatiikka/mbi/courses/09-10/itb/Lectures_1509_and_1709.pdf
  2. http://www.esp.org/mol-bio.pdf
  3. http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/i1905e/i1905e00.pdf
  4. http://www.nyu.edu/projects/fitch/courses/moleccell/precellevo.pdf
  5. https://www.pasteur.fr/fr

Further Reading

Last Updated: Jul 20, 2023

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Mandal, Ananya. (2023, July 20). What is Molecular Biology?. News-Medical. Retrieved on November 02, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Molecular-Biology.aspx.

  • MLA

    Mandal, Ananya. "What is Molecular Biology?". News-Medical. 02 November 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Molecular-Biology.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Mandal, Ananya. "What is Molecular Biology?". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Molecular-Biology.aspx. (accessed November 02, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Mandal, Ananya. 2023. What is Molecular Biology?. News-Medical, viewed 02 November 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Molecular-Biology.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Unique protein complex found to influence brain function and anxiety