Final answer:
Many medications are derived from natural compounds found in plants and animals. Examples include aspirin, codeine, and antibiotics. Loss of biodiversity could impact the availability of pharmaceuticals derived from natural sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many medications are derived from natural compounds found in plants and animals. Examples of significant medicines derived from plant compounds include aspirin, codeine, digoxin, atropine, and vincristine. Antibiotics, which have greatly improved health and lifespans in developed countries, are compounds largely derived from fungi and bacteria.
Animal venoms and toxins have also been studied for their pharmaceutical potential. The FDA has approved drugs based on animal toxins for treating hypertension, chronic pain, and diabetes. Pharmaceutical research and development often focuses on natural compounds, and a significant proportion of new drugs are derived from natural sources.
Loss of biodiversity could impact the availability of pharmaceuticals derived from natural sources, emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity. Additionally, it has been suggested that humans benefit psychologically from living in a biodiverse world.