Is organic chemistry really necessary for molecular bio research?

College Life
1

<p>So I've always realized that organic chemistry and physical chemistry were huge gaps in my scientific background, and I still can't fill them up for some time, as I have many other subjects to study. But I've read large sections of molecular biology books (like Alberts and Lodish), and I've noticed that my lack of background in chemistry hasn't really affected me at all (I do have chemistry only up to the level of AP Chem and very basic organic chemistry). I've also read some research papers in molecular biology, and I haven't really noticed any impediments from my lack of knowledge yet. It does mean that you have to take on the organic chemistry/physical chemistry on faith, but frankly, much of scientific research <em>must</em> be taken on faith, as science is becoming so specialized anyways. </p>

<p>Even when reading the less technical sections of biochemistry texts (I read lots of psychopharmacology papers as they relate to dopamine research), I can see that I can mostly take things on faith.</p>

<p>Of course, I do intend to fill in the gap sometime.</p>

2

<p>In my college, the prereqs for Molecular and Cell Bio are general chemistry and a year of introductory biology, not organic chem. However, organic chem is a prereq for Biochem I and II - as a biochem major, I think you really can’t understand the subject without a solid understanding of basic orgo. Of course, there’s a huge difference between reading a research paper or section of a textbook and taking a higher level biochem class where you’ll be presented with concepts grounded in organic chem.</p>