Amino Acids and...Medicine?

As I am typing now, I am also attempting to study for my molecular biology test tomorrow. I must admit in studying for this test, I asked myself how important this information really is. Yes, I understand that proteins, DNA, and RNA are crucial to life and we could probably not exist without them. Understanding how they work and function in the human body is definitely very important to know. But do I really need to know the structures of the twenty amino acids and DNA and RNA to become a good clinician? I'm not sure.


You know all those prerequisite classes that pre-health students have to take? What's so important about general biology, organic chemistry, microbiology, and all the other prerequisite classes anyway? I think I finally figured it out. Not only will it be beneficial to already understand the physiology of the kidneys, the anatomy of the heart, the laws governing genetics, and the basics of microbiology upon entering PA school, but there is also another reason for requiring these prerequisites before even beginning the application process. They have to make it hard. Why? People's lives will be in our hands! If it was easy, anyone could do it. Instead, they weed out the uncommitted gradually—general biology at 8 am, difficult upper-level courses, the GRE/MCAT, the application process, and finally the interview process—all before even opening a book in PA school!


But of course there are benefits to this difficult journey. I am constantly being pushed to achieve greater knowledge and grow as a person. I honestly do love learning about this stuff. This is the life that I chose! And I wouldn't change it in a minute.


Would I prefer to not have to memorize the twenty amino acids today? Yes.


In the big picture, is it beneficial to me that I am going the extra mile and taking a difficult biology course that requires so much extra studying? Yes.


Will it help me to become a better health care provider and provide better patient care in the future? In a roundabout way, yes!


Mission accomplished!