Which term describes the large-scale study of proteins and their interactions within cells?

The term that appropriately describes the large-scale study of proteins and their interactions within cells is "proteomics." This field focuses on understanding the structure, function, and interactions of proteins, which play crucial roles in biological processes. Proteomics encompasses a vast range of techniques to identify and quantify proteins, analyze their functions, and map out the complex networks they form, which are essential for cellular regulation and activity.

In contrast, genomics pertains to the study of an organism's complete set of DNA, including all its genes, and does not specifically address protein interactions. Metabolomics involves the comprehensive analysis of metabolites in a biological sample, providing insights into metabolic processes rather than direct protein interactions. Transcriptomics is the study of RNA transcripts produced by the genome, focusing on gene expression levels rather than protein-related activities. Therefore, "proteomics" is the most accurate term for the study of proteins and their interactions within cells.