What type of study specifically examines the characteristics of living organisms at the molecular level?

The study that specifically examines the characteristics of living organisms at the molecular level is biochemistry. Biochemistry focuses on the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms. This includes the study of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates and how these molecules interact to support life.

Understanding biochemistry is essential for grasping how cellular processes function, how enzymes catalyze reactions, and how genetic information is stored and expressed. It provides insights into how organisms grow, reproduce, and respond to their environment at the most fundamental level.

Genetics, while closely related, primarily deals with heredity and variation in organisms, focusing on genes and the transmission of traits rather than the molecular interactions of biomolecules. Therefore, while genetics does touch on molecular aspects, it is not as encompassing of all molecular characteristics as biochemistry is.