What is the study of the chemical processes within and related to living organisms called?

The study of the chemical processes within and related to living organisms is known as biochemistry. This field focuses on the molecular mechanisms that underpin various biological functions and processes, such as metabolism, enzymatic reactions, and the synthesis and degradation of biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. By understanding these chemical processes, biochemists can elucidate how organisms convert food into energy, how genetic information is expressed, and how various substances interact within the body.

Biology, as a broader field, encompasses the study of living organisms and their interactions, but does not specifically focus on the chemical aspects. Ecology, on the other hand, concentrates on the relationships between organisms and their environments, rather than on the chemical processes within organisms. Molecular biology deals primarily with the interactions between various systems of biological molecules, particularly in the realm of genetics, but does not encompass the entire range of chemical processes involved in life. Thus, the specificity of biochemistry makes it the correct answer for the study of the chemical foundations of living organisms.