Showing posts with label science is cool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science is cool. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2012
Science is Cool: Neuroscience Edition
This video was recommended to us by one of our neuroscience professors. Its pretty fascinating! So, if you are interested in learning about a very rare case of proprioceptive nerve degeneration, you will enjoy this...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Science is Cool: Reproductive Edition
Yes, Im a big science nerd...and yes, I find science to be the most interesting topic in the entire world. So, if you share this love, Im sure you have been missing my "science is cool" sections of my blog. Lets face it, I have been too lazy and too pressed for time to share all of my fun little tidbits...BUT, today is the day this changes! "Science is cool" is back!
We are currently on the reproductive unit in physiology, so here are just some more reasons that science is cool:
1) There is a hormone that is released during pregnancy that causes collagen breakdown, leading to dilation of the cervix. Whats interesting about this hormone is that it also loosens bones and joints in the body to prepare for delivery. One of the consequences is the loosening of the calcaneonavicular ligament in the foot, which is one reason for larger post-pardem shoe sizes!
2) The inner-most layer of the uterus (the endometrium) has Spiral arteries. Once a month when a women's estrogen levels decrease, these spiral arteries get constricted and become necrotic. This is one of the lovely reasons why women experience menstrual cramps.
3) Sperm best survive at 2-3 degree lower than the rest of the body's temperature. Whats really interesting is that for a few days before a women' ovulates, her basal body temperature actually drops a bit (to help sperm survival) ... Oh evolution!
Finally, I always talk to people in my histology lab about how I LOVEEE histology images. I just think they are so pretty... I really really really want to blow some up and frame them and have them as artwork in my house! Yes, I know that sounds strange, but if you have not seen what Im talking about, go google image search some pictures of histology slides and see for yourself! For now, I found these really awesome photos that I thought I would share:
*These photos are not mine! Property of Yorgos Nigas, found at http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/images-inside-human-body-images/8292?image=13
We are currently on the reproductive unit in physiology, so here are just some more reasons that science is cool:
1) There is a hormone that is released during pregnancy that causes collagen breakdown, leading to dilation of the cervix. Whats interesting about this hormone is that it also loosens bones and joints in the body to prepare for delivery. One of the consequences is the loosening of the calcaneonavicular ligament in the foot, which is one reason for larger post-pardem shoe sizes!
2) The inner-most layer of the uterus (the endometrium) has Spiral arteries. Once a month when a women's estrogen levels decrease, these spiral arteries get constricted and become necrotic. This is one of the lovely reasons why women experience menstrual cramps.
3) Sperm best survive at 2-3 degree lower than the rest of the body's temperature. Whats really interesting is that for a few days before a women' ovulates, her basal body temperature actually drops a bit (to help sperm survival) ... Oh evolution!
Finally, I always talk to people in my histology lab about how I LOVEEE histology images. I just think they are so pretty... I really really really want to blow some up and frame them and have them as artwork in my house! Yes, I know that sounds strange, but if you have not seen what Im talking about, go google image search some pictures of histology slides and see for yourself! For now, I found these really awesome photos that I thought I would share:
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| Egg coated w/ Zona Pellucida! |
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| Sperm trying to fertilize an egg! |
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Adjustment and DSGs
So I am now 8 days into class and I already feel like I'm getting the hang of this whole med-school thing. After the first few days, I was kind of overwhelmed, but I think I have already kind of figured out what works for me as far as studying goes and what types of things are great ways to relax. I have survived my first round of lab quizzes and my first Biochemistry quiz. I have built such an amazing family of friends here. I am feeling great about everything!
Besides my usual long day of classes and studying I have also joined two groups called "DSG"s. DSG stands for Directed Study Groups. We basically get small-group study time with professors or older students who have mastered the material. I signed up for a biochem DSG and the Anatomy DSG. I have only met once for each of these, so far, but they already seem incredibly helpful. We get a ton more work sheets, practice exam questions and time to communicate the material with people who actually know it well. Also, our Anatomy DSG means 3 extra hours in the cadaver lab with a much smaller group to go over everything from the week! I <3 all of the resources CHM give you. I now know why they have a 99% success rate...they make it hard for you not to find resources if you want them!
As far as my new found relaxation methods, 2 words: Hot Tub. My roommates and I have definitely utilized our hot tub quite a bit over the last few weeks. Whats super awesome about my hot tube is that the cement ground around the hot-tub is heated! So, even when its rediculously cold in the winter months, the hot tub will always be a steamy escape! Another thing I have found relaxing is, surprisingly, running. I never EVER was a runner and by no means would I classify myself as a runner now, but I ran a couple times last week and it really does feel great. When your mind is foggy and you are stressed, running and working out in general is a phenomenal way to clear your thoughts.
Lastly, as promised, here is edition #2 of my new blog section--->
Science Is Cool:
DPG & Hemoglobin: Basically the unloading of oxygen into your tissues is dependent on hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. If hemoglobin has a high affinity, the oxygen will not unload; conversely, if the hemoglobin's affinity is low, it will unload the oxygen into tissues. So, when women are pregnant, the body has to come up with a way for the fetus to get oxygen. One of the body's solutions to this is a molecule called DPG, which binds to hemoglobin and lowers the affinity (meaning that it dumps the oxygen that is attached the the hemoglobin). DPG, however, is present much more in adults than in fetuses. So, the hemoglobin in adults favors the dumping of oxygen, while the fetal hemeglobin maintains a high oxygen affinity. As a result, the oxygen is taken from the adult hemoglobin and given to the fetus.
Besides my usual long day of classes and studying I have also joined two groups called "DSG"s. DSG stands for Directed Study Groups. We basically get small-group study time with professors or older students who have mastered the material. I signed up for a biochem DSG and the Anatomy DSG. I have only met once for each of these, so far, but they already seem incredibly helpful. We get a ton more work sheets, practice exam questions and time to communicate the material with people who actually know it well. Also, our Anatomy DSG means 3 extra hours in the cadaver lab with a much smaller group to go over everything from the week! I <3 all of the resources CHM give you. I now know why they have a 99% success rate...they make it hard for you not to find resources if you want them!
As far as my new found relaxation methods, 2 words: Hot Tub. My roommates and I have definitely utilized our hot tub quite a bit over the last few weeks. Whats super awesome about my hot tube is that the cement ground around the hot-tub is heated! So, even when its rediculously cold in the winter months, the hot tub will always be a steamy escape! Another thing I have found relaxing is, surprisingly, running. I never EVER was a runner and by no means would I classify myself as a runner now, but I ran a couple times last week and it really does feel great. When your mind is foggy and you are stressed, running and working out in general is a phenomenal way to clear your thoughts.
Lastly, as promised, here is edition #2 of my new blog section--->
Science Is Cool:
DPG & Hemoglobin: Basically the unloading of oxygen into your tissues is dependent on hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. If hemoglobin has a high affinity, the oxygen will not unload; conversely, if the hemoglobin's affinity is low, it will unload the oxygen into tissues. So, when women are pregnant, the body has to come up with a way for the fetus to get oxygen. One of the body's solutions to this is a molecule called DPG, which binds to hemoglobin and lowers the affinity (meaning that it dumps the oxygen that is attached the the hemoglobin). DPG, however, is present much more in adults than in fetuses. So, the hemoglobin in adults favors the dumping of oxygen, while the fetal hemeglobin maintains a high oxygen affinity. As a result, the oxygen is taken from the adult hemoglobin and given to the fetus.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
First Week of Classes
This last week was my first week of medical school classes. I was expecting to learn a lot quickly, but boy did they hit us hard fast! I don't think I have ever learned so much in a week than I did this first week of medical school and I am sure it is only going to get more intense as we go on! Basically, the structure of every day is lecture in the morning, followed by labs and small groups in the afternoon. Even though I had all of nights free, I was definitely a busy bee studying right away. We have access to our main study building (The Radiology Building) 24/7, so I have stayed there past midnight almost every night. I understand how sleep deprivation is a problem for medical students, but I really don't have any complaints. I am so happy with what I am doing. I love all of my classes and have great professors! :)
My favorite thing so far has been the Anatomy Lab! I was pretty terrified that the cadaver lab would freak me out or would make me sick, but I didn't have a problem at all! When I was in 8th grade, I got really sick and left school early because of a squid-dissection lab, so I'm sure glad that didn't happen again! I have been to the cadaver lab 4 times already because I really think it is the best way to learn. Its difficult to understand all of the anatomy in a textbook or atlas, but when we have the opportunity to work with real human bodies and touch the structures, things definitely sink in a lot better. The human body is so fascinating!
Lastly, I am hoping to institute one new aspect of my blog, as much as I possibly can, called "Science is Cool!" I learn so many awesome things about the human body each day, so I thought I would pick a few things I think are cool to share! I hope those science nerds out there who read my blog appreciate this new addition. So, here we go....
Science is Cool:
1) Langer's Lines: Collagen and Elastin fibers in the dermis (second layer of skin) orient themselves in parallel lines based off of tension and mechanical stress. This creates natural lines of cleavage. So, if surgeons follow these lines, rather than cutting in places that orient themselves more perpendicularly, this will reduce scarring and will allow for quicker healing! -- I thought that was pretty awesome.
2) The Intervertebral Disc Joint is composed of two types of material: Annulus fibrosus (a dense, fibrous part) and Nucleus Pulosus (A jelly-like cartilage suspended in water). Since the Nuclus Pulosus is 70% water, compressive forces like gravity squeeze water out of the IVDs and reduce your overall body height at the end of the day. So, this is why commuters have to adjust their rear-view mirron in the morning and then again in the evening, because we have actually shrunk. We gain our normal height throughout the night while we sleep.
My favorite thing so far has been the Anatomy Lab! I was pretty terrified that the cadaver lab would freak me out or would make me sick, but I didn't have a problem at all! When I was in 8th grade, I got really sick and left school early because of a squid-dissection lab, so I'm sure glad that didn't happen again! I have been to the cadaver lab 4 times already because I really think it is the best way to learn. Its difficult to understand all of the anatomy in a textbook or atlas, but when we have the opportunity to work with real human bodies and touch the structures, things definitely sink in a lot better. The human body is so fascinating!
Lastly, I am hoping to institute one new aspect of my blog, as much as I possibly can, called "Science is Cool!" I learn so many awesome things about the human body each day, so I thought I would pick a few things I think are cool to share! I hope those science nerds out there who read my blog appreciate this new addition. So, here we go....
Science is Cool:
1) Langer's Lines: Collagen and Elastin fibers in the dermis (second layer of skin) orient themselves in parallel lines based off of tension and mechanical stress. This creates natural lines of cleavage. So, if surgeons follow these lines, rather than cutting in places that orient themselves more perpendicularly, this will reduce scarring and will allow for quicker healing! -- I thought that was pretty awesome.
2) The Intervertebral Disc Joint is composed of two types of material: Annulus fibrosus (a dense, fibrous part) and Nucleus Pulosus (A jelly-like cartilage suspended in water). Since the Nuclus Pulosus is 70% water, compressive forces like gravity squeeze water out of the IVDs and reduce your overall body height at the end of the day. So, this is why commuters have to adjust their rear-view mirron in the morning and then again in the evening, because we have actually shrunk. We gain our normal height throughout the night while we sleep.
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