Organic chemistry is essential in biological and medical fields. All living organisms are composed of abundances of organic substances. Evolution of life has been postulated to have been developed from one single organic compound called a nucleotide. Nucleotides polymerize, or join together to form the building blocks of all life, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
Organic compounds constitute various substances in the body which are vital for life to be sustained. Proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are organic compounds that contribute to the structure of the human body. Organic compounds also make up enzymes and catalysts that are mandatory for essential biological processes to occur. Also, organic compounds are responsible for governing ion transport channels in the cell which function in carrying information from one cell to another and mediating cell to cell communication. Failure of ion transport may result in failure of important biological processes in the body.
Pharmaceuticals are also comprised mainly of organic compounds. What doctor would be efficient if he or she was not familiar with the structure and function of the drugs they were administering? Organic chemistry of pharmaceuticals must be understood to properly prescribe a drug to a patient.