An Idea to Explore: From How to Why: Using Evolutionary Biochemistry to Inspire Biochemistry Education.

Abstract

Traditional biochemistry instruction often emphasizes mechanistic detail, that is, how molecules and pathways function, without equally addressing why they have their present forms. This fact-centered approach can leave students overwhelmed and disconnected from the broader scientific narrative. Evolutionary biochemistry, which examines biomolecular properties through the combined lens of their historical origins and physical constraints, offers a framework to enrich biochemistry education at both undergraduate and graduate levels. By integrating concepts from molecular evolution, origins-of-life research, and historical biochemistry, instructors can connect isolated facts into coherent stories of adaptation, innovation, and contingency across deep time. This teaching perspective argues that embedding the why into the how promotes deeper engagement, improves retention, and encourages interdisciplinary thinking. Practical strategies are proposed for incorporating evolutionary framing into existing curricula without sacrificing core content coverage.