palaeobiochemistry
/ˌpalɪəʊˌbʌɪə(ʊ)ˈkɛmɪstri/ /ˌpeɪlɪəʊˌbʌɪə(ʊ)ˈkɛmɪstri/noun
The study of the biochemistry of organisms and environments of the past, and of the evolution of biochemical processes, either by the direct investigation of the biochemistry of fossils, or by deduction from the biochemistry of living organisms; the biochemical properties so investigated.
Origin
1950s. From palaeo- + biochemistry. Compare earlier palaeobiochemical and palaeobiology, palaeochemistry.