#science nerds

[bluecatears]

These two need to talk

[foxglovecove]

Tendo got a Polaroid for Christmas and made it everyone’s (see: Newt and Hermann’s) problem. He of course gave them all to the boys to decorate their new apartment.

[science-lover33]

🔬🌀Demystifying the Krebs Cycle: A Deep Dive into Cellular Respiration! 🌀🔬

Prepare for a thrilling journey into the heart of cellular metabolism! 🌟✨ Today, we unravel the intricacies of the Krebs Cycle, also known as the Citric Acid Cycle or Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle, a cornerstone of energy production in our cells. 💡🤯

The Krebs Cycle: Named after its discoverer, Sir Hans Krebs, this metabolic pathway occurs within the mitochondria and is a central hub in cellular respiration.

🔍Step 1: Acetyl-CoA Entry

Acetyl-CoA, derived from the breakdown of glucose or fatty acids, enters the cycle.

It combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate, a six-carbon compound.

🔍Step 2: Isocitrate Formation

A rearrangement converts citrate into isocitrate.

The enzyme aconitase facilitates this transformation.

🔍Step 3: Alpha-Ketoglutarate Production

Isocitrate undergoes oxidative decarboxylation, shedding a CO2 molecule and yielding alpha-ketoglutarate.

NAD+ is reduced to NADH in this step.

🔍Step 4: Succinyl-CoA Synthesis

Alpha-ketoglutarate loses CO2 and acquires a CoA group to form succinyl-CoA.

Another NAD+ is reduced to NADH.

This step is catalyzed by alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase.

🔍Step 5: Succinate Formation

Succinyl-CoA releases CoA, becoming succinate.

A molecule of GTP (guanosine triphosphate) is generated as a high-energy phosphate bond.

Succinate dehydrogenase is pivotal, transferring electrons to the electron transport chain (ETC).

🔍Step 6: Fumarate Generation

Succinate is oxidized to fumarate with the help of the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase.

FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide) is formed and transfers electrons to the ETC.

🔍Step 7: Malate Formation

Fumarate undergoes hydration to form malate, catalyzed by fumarase.

🔍Step 8: Regeneration of Oxaloacetate

Malate is oxidized back to oxaloacetate.

NAD+ is reduced to NADH.

Oxaloacetate is ready to initiate another round of the Krebs Cycle.

The Krebs Cycle - an intricate dance of chemical transformations fueling the cellular machinery of life. 🕺💃 Dive deeper into cellular respiration, where molecules tango to generate ATP, our cellular energy currency!

📚References for In-Depth Exploration📚

Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. (2002). Biochemistry (5th ed.). W. H. Freeman. Chapter 17.

Voet, D., Voet, J. G., & Pratt, C. W. (2008). Fundamentals of Biochemistry (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 17.

Lehninger, A. L., Nelson, D. L., & Cox, M. M. (2008). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry (5th ed.). W. H. Freeman. Chapter 17.

[peaches-an-tea]

So if mycelium is like the Wi-Fi and plants talk to each other, does that mean my house plants are lonely

[hollygl125]

Drawing, Butterfly; brush and watercolor on paper; 15.7 × 17.5 cm (6 3/16 × 6 7/8 in.); Gift of Hamill and Barker; 1961-105-120-a (Cooper Hewitt)

Drawing, Butterfly; brush and watercolor on paper; 17.7 × 22.5 cm (6 15/16 × 8 7/8 in.); Gift of Hamill and Barker; 1961-105-120-b (Cooper Hewitt)

[selenophhile]

If there are any space geeks or any fellow STEM geeks/nerds in general please reach out i wanna make at least a single friend lol

[theeviltriplet-fromao3]

For any nerds out there who might not know (I’m looking at you Donnie kinnies)

The international championship for high school robotics started today!!! If you wanna watch some robots competing in a silly little game you can tune in to one of FRC’s livestreams on twitch today, tomorrow &/or Saturday!!! (April 18th-20th) (Saturday’s the elimination rounds & finals so you’ll really want that one if you can)

[womanofwords]

STEM Kids Shenanigans (Chapter 28)

Chapter 28: Feral Newspaper Hound

Dante was avoiding Stephan. That guy had the nickname 'snake' for a reason. First he tries to spy on them with a bear, and now it seemed that he was blackmailing Melanie. Admittedly, Dante didn't like Melanie at all, but blackmail was still wrong.

The real question was what Melanie could possibly have that Stephan could use to blackmail her with.

Melanie was not well-liked, but she didn't seem to be hiding anything. Even when trying to disband the STEM club, she was weirdly honest about it. Maybe that honesty was carried over to other parts of her life, like when she was with Stephan. In his head, Dante whittled it down to three options.

Option 1: Melanie told Stephan a secret, and Stephan planned to use it against her.

Option 2: Stephan found something out about Melanie and was planning to use it against her if she didn't do as he said and wanted.

Option 3: Melanie and Stephan were involved in something together, and then Stephan decided to turn on her.

Stephan may have been one of Melanie's only friends, but Melanie wasn't Stephan's only friend.

Not by a long shot.

People constantly went in and out of the room and Stephan knew every last one of them. This was freaky.

He had to tell the others.

(PAUSE)

"So let me get this straight," Layla said, "Stephan has got friends basically everywhere and probably knows everyone's secrets. And you want to know what he is blackmailing Melanie about?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Dante said.

"I'm in. What do you need?" Angelo asked.

"You're not even going to question him?" Layla asked.

"I don't like Melanie, but I know she doesn't deserve to be blackmailed by Stephan," Angelo said.

"I also know that she'd never tell us," Layla said. "She calls us delinquents right to our faces and she'd think we're blackmailing her."

"Even though she's already being blackmailed?" Yujin asked. "How ironic."

"We still need to figure it out," Dante said.

"And while we're at it, we'll have to figure out how to do so without getting caught," Angelo said.

"Like what? Giving Stephan one of his own spy bears?" Dante asked.

"You know what, my neurodivergent friend?" Angelo said. "Yes. But not literally, of course. What do we disguise it as?"

"Something that he would accept without question," Yujin said.

"Until then, I'll see if there's anything more I can find out," Dante said.

(PAUSE)

Dante did more spying on Stephan, this time for interesting quirks. Stephan didn't seem to have anything interesting that he did. He was completely normal, except for being a lying snake of a person. Dante heard Melanie's footsteps, and quickly buried his head into his book.

"Delinquent," she hissed in his direction, as she went to Stephan.

This was gold. They were totally going to have an interesting conversation in there, and Dante would get to hear it himself.

"Is there anything else I can give you?" Melanie pleaded. "Please, I just want this to stop. I have money. How much do you want?"

"I don't care about money," Stephan told her. "This is the coolest thing I could ever have stumbled across. Really, Melanie Sainsbury doing-"

"That's enough, Stephan!" Melanie snapped. Stephan sniggered.

"That's only the tip of the iceberg, though. We both know that. Just wait until people see this. It'll be everywhere."

"No, no, no, please! I'll do anything, please!"

Stephan leaned forward and smirked. "Anything?"

"Yes, anything! Just please keep this a secret," Melanie begged. It truly tugged on Dante's heart strings.

"OK. You do what I want. Just don't complain when you don't like it," Stephan said. "Got it?"

"Got it," Melanie said. She scurried out, thankfully not noticing Dante a second time. After a few seconds, Dante left too.

That was wasted time, Dante thought. Now, we'll just have to wait and see like everyone else. How boring.

To read the other parts of this fic, see Masterlist.

[tomsvouge]

What is this man on about 😂😂

[somniphobicfox]

Do science nerds actually talk using scientific terms like they show in movies and TV shows?

[science-lover33]

"Delving Deeper into Glutathione: The Biochemistry Behind its Protective Powers"

Hello, Tumblr community! 🌿 Today, let's embark on an intellectual journey into the intricate world of Glutathione, a molecular marvel with profound implications for your body's defense mechanisms and overall vitality. 🧬

The Biochemical Symphony of Glutathione:

Glutathione, abbreviated as GSH, is a low-molecular-weight tripeptide comprised of three amino acids – cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. Its presence is pervasive, with significant concentrations found within virtually every cell of your body. At its core, GSH serves as a central hub for a variety of biochemical reactions, many of which are critical for maintaining cellular health.

🛡️ Shielding Against Oxidative Stress:

At the heart of Glutathione's prowess lies its ability to act as an antioxidant. To understand this, we must venture into the realms of free radicals highly reactive molecules that can wreak havoc on your cellular structures. GSH swoops in like a molecular guardian, neutralizing these renegade radicals and preventing cellular damage.

🔄 Recycling Antioxidants:

GSH doesn't stop at just neutralizing free radicals. It has a unique capacity to regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which are also instrumental in combating oxidative stress. This recycling process amplifies the body's antioxidant defenses, making it a true linchpin of cellular protection.

💪 The Multifaceted Benefits of Glutathione:

1. Immune Resilience: By fortifying the immune system, Glutathione empowers your body to defend against pathogens and infections more effectively.

2. Detoxification Dynamo: As a vital component in phase II detoxification, GSH aids in the removal of harmful substances, thereby bolstering liver health and overall detox processes.

3. Anti-Aging Elixir: The anti-aging properties of Glutathione are tied to its ability to quell oxidative stress and cellular damage, potentially slowing down the aging process.

4. Skin Health: Some individuals explore Glutathione for its role in skin lightening and brightening, although its effects can vary among individuals.

📚 Diving into the Research:

1. "The Role of Glutathione in Cellular Response to Chemotherapeutic Agents"

- A scholarly article by Maria Serpina and John D. Hayes, featured in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

2. “Glutathione as a Biomarker in Oxidative Stress: An Overview"

- An in-depth review by Farzaneh Rahmani and Hossein Aslani, published in the Journal of Medical Biochemistry.

3. "Mechanisms of Glutathione-Dependent Protection Against Oxidative Stress and Nitric Oxide-Induced Neurotoxicity in a Neuronal Cell Line"

While Glutathione supplements are gaining popularity, it's imperative to seek counsel from a healthcare professional before incorporating them into your regimen. Your individual health and physiology can influence the efficacy and safety of supplementation.

Stay curious, stay informed! 📖✨

[bluebird-rion]

Solar eclipses look different in the stratosphere, than the troposphere

Someone captured the solar eclipse on an airplane

[hollygl125]

James McNeill Whistler. The Ocean Wave. 1883-1884. National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, DC.

[womanofwords]

STEM Kids Shenanigans (Chapter 40)

Chapter 40: A Proper Conclusion

Angelo came to school wearing a pink shirt and with a pink and green charm bracelet, courtesy of Mirella Riva. His exhausted parents couldn't be bothered to tell him to remove it, and Mirella told him that he was pretty. Angelo liked it because it was a symbol of rebellion against the prefects of the school in general, and against Melanie Sainsbury specifically.

"Still carrying on the tradition, huh?" Dante teased, tying his hair back with a pink scrunchie. "Same here, man! Good to see it!" The boys shared a laugh.

Melanie sat in her accustomed seat, staring at the floor. Just a few more days before she could leave this dump for good. No apology she ever gave would be accepted by anybody. Sonia would be fine, but she was doomed.

"I hope Melanie does a better job at her next school than she did at this one," Dante muttered. "Otherwise she won't last long."

"I hope they're getting rid of Stephan too, while they're at it," Layla said. "Can't stand him."

"So smarmy," Yujin shuddered.

Melanie, overhearing everything they were saying about her, did her best not to look back at them. They were right about Stephan, and they were right about her, too. She should have taken a leaf out of her mother's book instead of her father's about people that weren't like her.

Maybe this mess wouldn't have happened.

(PAUSE)

Melanie had to hide during break. Everybody knew her and none of it was good. She had to apologise to the STEM club eventually, but she would be torn to shreds if seen. Yujin said that admitting what you did wrong was one of the most important parts of an apology, so Melanie made a list of what she'd done.

Repeatedly barged into STEM club meetings

Sent Stephan to spy on them

Accused them of breaking rules and trying to get them expelled

Not listening to their instructions when handling the slime they were making

Being rude while enforcing rules

Name-calling (calling them delinquents)

Repeatedly trying to disband the STEM club

Searching Layla and Yujin when she had no authority to do so

Looking at the list made Melanie nauseous. She'd really done a lot of stuff.

And now she was going to apologise for that stuff.

(PAUSE)

Clutching the list she'd made, she waited for the STEM club to be alone. The cafeteria was a no-go, and so was registration. So she found them in the corridors and approached shyly. "Hello again. It's . . . me," she said.

"We know who you are," Angelo said. Yujin was already behind him. Dante and Layla were more overt with their anger, glaring at her. "Do you have something to say?"

"Yes, I do, actually," Melanie said. "I'm apologising to you."

"Oh, here we go," Dante groaned.

"No! I actually want to apologise!" Melanie insisted. "I'm sorry for calling you delinquents. I'm sorry for barging into your meetings, for trying to get you expelled, for sending Stephan to spy on you-"

"That was you?!" Angelo spluttered.

Melanie's eyes opened wide. "Oh. You didn't know that."

"You sent Stephan to get that photo of me that ended up on the front of the school newspaper?" Angelo asked.

The former prefect looked at her shoes. "Yes."

"Gotta say, that was a cool photo," Angelo murmured.

"ANGELO!" Layla, Dante, and Yujin yelled.

The little inventor looked at his friends with confusion. "What? It was!"

"It was wrong of her to send that sneaky little snake to follow us around!" Dante smacked Angelo around the head.

"That's why I'm apologising. I targeted you because you got into the STEM club and I was jealous about how you got in and I didn't."

The four looked at Melanie with jaws agape. "Really?" Yujin asked. "But that's so small and petty."

Melanie looked at her shoes. "I know."

Angelo was the first to speak. "I can't speak for anybody other than myself, but I will be able to forgive you. I won't be able to forget what you did, and the whole sending Stephan to spy on us is creepy as hell. All I can hope for is that you never do any of this to another person ever again. You might just make some real friends that way."

"I won't. I promise."

"Good," Angelo said. "And for the record, we would have just let you in if you'd only asked."

The brunette bully's hands went slack. "What?" she spluttered.

"Yes. We all thought that rule was dumb too," Dante said, the remaining three members muttering in the affirmative. "We just wanted to talk about science stuff. No world domination, no bullying, no nothing."

"Oh," Melanie said.

"So, now this is all explained, just know that I forgive you and I hope you live a good life somewhere away from here," Angelo said.

"Me too," Layla said. "Pick your friends wisely."

"I will," Melanie said, smiling a small smile. She scurried away quickly, still rather skittish.

"I hope she actually learns something from the experience," Yujin said.

"I think she will," Angelo said.

(PAUSE)

Next Monday, when registration rolled around and people noticed that Snitch Sainsbury was gone, many celebrated and joked about it. The STEM club, however, did not acknowledge it. They went on with their lives and conducted more experiments.

Yujin finally got to show off her rocket designs.

Dante told people more facts about the brain.

Layla's plant-based hair care business was thriving.

And Angelo had many more tests to conduct on his flying skateboard.

To read the other parts of this fic, see Masterlist.

OK, folks, the buck ends here! This is an awful way to tell you, but this is the final installment of STEM Kids Shenanigans! (Except for maybe a few spinoff oneshots if you ask nicely in the asks section.) If you liked it, reblog and comment because they keep writers like me living! Coming up next will be The Poisoned Prodigy.

[science-lover33]

Exploring the Marvels of Biological Macromolecules: The Molecular Machinery of Life (Part 3)

Nucleotide Structure: The Building Blocks

Nucleotides, the monomers of nucleic acids, consist of three fundamental components:

1. Phosphate Group (PO4): Provides a negatively charged backbone for the nucleic acid strand.

2. Pentose Sugar: In DNA, it's deoxyribose; in RNA, it's ribose. The sugar moiety forms the framework of the nucleotide.

3. Nitrogenous Base: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T) in DNA, and Uracil (U) in RNA. These bases are responsible for the genetic code.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The Repository of Genes

DNA is a double-stranded helical molecule, with each strand composed of a linear sequence of nucleotides. It encodes the genetic information necessary for an organism's development, growth, and functioning. The Watson-Crick base pairing rules—A with T and C with G

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The Repository of Genes

DNA is a double-stranded helical molecule, with each strand composed of a linear sequence of nucleotides. It encodes the genetic information necessary for an organism's development, growth, and functioning. The Watson-Crick base pairing rules—A with T and G with C—ensure DNA's complementary and faithful replication.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): From DNA's Blueprint to Protein Synthesis

RNA plays diverse roles in the cell, including serving as a messenger (mRNA) for protein synthesis, a structural component of ribosomes (rRNA), and an adapter molecule (tRNA) that brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation. Unlike DNA, RNA is often single-stranded and contains uracil (U) instead of thymine (T).

Genome Organization and Chromosomes

Genomic DNA is organized into chromosomes within the cell nucleus. These structures enable efficient storage, replication, and transmission of genetic information during cell division and reproduction.

Replication and Transcription

DNA replication ensures the faithful duplication of genetic material during cell division, while transcription converts DNA into RNA, providing a template for protein synthesis.

Translation

The cellular machinery, composed of ribosomes and tRNA, reads the mRNA code and assembles amino acids into polypeptides during translation, ultimately forming functional proteins.

Genetic Code

The genetic code, a triplet code of nucleotide sequences (codons), dictates a protein's sequence of amino acids. It is nearly universal, with only minor variations across species.

Epigenetics

Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, regulate gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence, pivotal in development and cell differentiation.

Macromolecular interactions are the essence of cellular life. Within the complex microcosm of a cell, countless molecules engage in precise and choreographed dances, forming intricate networks that govern every facet of biology. These interactions, governed by the principles of biochemistry, are the foundation upon which life's processes are built.

Amino Acids: The Building Blocks

Proteins are composed of amino acids organic molecules that contain an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain (R group). There are 20 different amino acids, each with a unique side chain that confers specific properties to the amino acid.

Primary Structure: Amino Acid Sequence

The primary structure of a protein refers to the linear sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain. The genetic information in DNA encodes the precise arrangement of amino acids.

Secondary Structure: Folding Patterns

Proteins don't remain linear; they fold into specific three-dimensional shapes. Secondary structures, such as α-helices and β-sheets, result from hydrogen bonding between nearby amino acids along the polypeptide chain.

Tertiary Structure: Spatial Arrangement

The tertiary structure is the overall three-dimensional shape of a protein, determined by interactions between amino acid side chains. These interactions include hydrogen bonds, disulfide bridges, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.

Quaternary Structure: Multiple Polypeptide Chains

Some proteins, known as quaternary structures, comprise multiple polypeptide chains. These subunits come together to form a functional protein complex. Hemoglobin, with its four subunits, is an example.

Protein Functions: Diverse and Essential

Proteins are involved in an astounding array of functions:

1. Enzymes: Proteins catalyze chemical reactions, increasing the speed at which reactions occur.

2. Structural Proteins: Proteins like collagen provide structural support to tissues and cells.

3. Transport Proteins: Hemoglobin transports oxygen in red blood cells, and membrane transport proteins move molecules across cell membranes.

4. Hormones: Hormonal proteins, such as insulin, regulate various physiological processes.

5. Immune Function: Antibodies are proteins that play a crucial role in the immune system's defense against pathogens.

6. Signaling: Proteins are critical in cell signaling pathways, transmitting information within cells.

Protein Denaturation and Folding

Protein Diversity: The vast diversity of proteins arises from the combinatorial possibilities of amino acid sequences, secondary structure arrangements, and three-dimensional conformations.

Nucleic acids, the remarkable macromolecules that govern all living organisms' genetic information, are life's quintessential molecules. These complex polymers of nucleotides play an unparalleled role in the storage, replication, and expression of genetic information, shaping the development, characteristics, and functions of every living entity on Earth. Let's embark on an exploration of the intricate world of nucleic acids.

Nucleotide Structure: The Building Blocks

Nucleotides, the monomers of nucleic acids, consist of three fundamental components:

1. Phosphate Group (PO4): Provides a negatively charged backbone for the nucleic acid strand.

2. Pentose Sugar: In DNA, it's deoxyribose; in RNA, it's ribose. The sugar moiety forms the framework of the nucleotide.

3. Nitrogenous Base: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T) in DNA, and Uracil (U) in RNA. These bases are responsible for the genetic code.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The Repository of Genes

DNA is a double-stranded helical molecule, with each strand composed of a linear sequence of nucleotides. It encodes the genetic information necessary for an organism's development, growth, and functioning. The Watson-Crick base pairing rules—A with T and G with C—ensure DNA's complementary and faithful replication.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): From DNA's Blueprint to Protein Synthesis

RNA plays diverse roles in the cell, including serving as a messenger (mRNA) for protein synthesis, a structural component of ribosomes (rRNA), and an adapter molecule (tRNA) that brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation. Unlike DNA, RNA is often single-stranded and contains uracil (U) instead of thymine (T).

Genome Organization and Chromosomes:

Replication and Transcription: DNA replication ensures the faithful duplication of genetic material during cell division, while transcription converts DNA into RNA, providing a template for protein synthesis.

Translation: The cellular machinery, composed of ribosomes and tRNA, reads the mRNA code and assembles amino acids into polypeptides during translation, ultimately forming functional proteins.

Genetic Code: The genetic code, a triplet code of nucleotide sequences (codons), dictates the sequence of amino acids in a protein. It is nearly universal, with only minor variations across species.

Epigenetics: Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, regulate gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence, pivotal in development and cell differentiation.

Macromolecular interactions are the essence of cellular life. Within the complex microcosm of a cell, countless molecules engage in precise and choreographed dances, forming intricate networks that govern every facet of biology. These interactions, governed by the principles of biochemistry, are the foundation upon which life's processes are built.