Diversity of species

Obviously, living in a farely urban environment reduces significantly the degree of diversity seen in my immediate surroundings. Firstly, the vegetation is controlled and manipulated by "gardeners" and the insect kingdom is kept at bay with various insecticidal methods. This reminds me of the book "the world without us", it shows how the earth, our yard, our house, our cities would revert back to diversity if we were gone.

Impression of cellular structure

I enjoyed looking at the variouse renditions of the cell. They are truly works of art.

Animations

The hypnotic dance of molecular structure is mesmerizing and sleep inducing. But, I enjoyed them non the less.

Definition of biochemistry

I support the first definition of biochemistry being the chemistry of life. It seems the other definitions all have a subjective quality on the nature of life and the understanding of life. For instance, biochemistry being "central" to or "fundamental" to the study of living organisms or of biomedicine assumes that living organisms are ultimately and fundamentally chemical. I do not agree with this perspective and therefore I think it simple and to the point for my stand.

"growing brain cells in the laboratory"

Sounds exciting! We may find solutions for a variety of neurological conditions. I remember seeing the movie "the Man with two brains". One issue is whether the new brain tissue can merge with the original tissue. I also wonder why go to the trouble of growing brain cells in the laboratory when our noggin does the job---if we know how to take care of it.

Inconvenient Truth

These man caused factors on the environment makes our future work as physicians more complicated and challenging. I can't wait to discuss this with my teachers as to how they would account for human acts in our Tian Gan and Di Zhi cycles. I certainly hope that the heavens take pity on "us" and allow a way out of the mess.

Semiconductor of the week

Germanium (Ge) is a elemental semiconductor. Its atomic number is 32 and has an atomic weight of 72.59 and has a melting point of 937.4 degrees celcius. The element is brittle rather than ductile; the atoms in its crystals are arranged as are the carbon atoms in diamond. It is oxidized at 600°–700° C (1,100°–1,300° F) and reacts quickly with the halogens to form tetrahalides. Germanium forms stable oxidation states of +2 and +4, the compounds of the latter being more stable and numerous. The two most important compounds of germanium are the dioxide (GeO₂) and the tetrachloride (GeCl₄). Germanates, formed by heating the dioxide with basic oxides, include zinc germanate (Zn₂GeO₄), used as a phosphor (a substance that emits light when energized by radiation). The tetrachloride, already mentioned as an intermediate in obtaining germanium from its natural sources, is a volatile, colourless liquid that freezes at about -50° C (-58° F) and boils at 84° C (183.2° F).

Welcome to Chembalancer

Ahh.... to relive high school chemistry problems. I remember enjoying these problems more as a 16 year old. Conservation of mass was such an eye opener; now it seems like old hat. Some basic algebraic knowledge helped me navigate these exercises.

Genearl Chemistry: Balancing Equations

I am ready to help my son in a year or two when he takes high school chemistry.