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Molecular biology

DOI
10.4324/9780415249126-Q073-1
DOI: 10.4324/9780415249126-Q073-1
Version: v1,  Published online: 1998
Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/molecular-biology/v-1

Article Summary

Molecular biology is the study of the structure, function and kinetics of biologically important molecules. Historically, molecular biology has often been identified with molecular genetics. Similarly, the chief philosophical concern with molecular biology has been the possibility of the reduction of classical genetics to molecular genetics. The nature and boundaries of molecular biology, however, are themselves disputed. To some, molecular biology seems to be a morass of molecular details without any overarching theory. To others molecular biology is an integrated interlevel theory. How philosophical issues, such as reduction, are addressed can depend importantly on how molecular biology is initially characterized.

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Citing this article:
Dietrich, Michael R.. Molecular biology, 1998, doi:10.4324/9780415249126-Q073-1. Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Taylor and Francis, https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/molecular-biology/v-1.
Copyright © 1998-2024 Routledge.

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