Dear Readers, For those of you who are hesitating and still planning to take your MCAT, let me say one thing: JUST DO IT! I haven’t been able to add any sciency postings mostly due to the fact that I was slaving and studying for the MCATs early mornings and late at night, then work [...]
What is it? PCR stands for Polymerase chain reaction. It is used for various reasons but it’s main purpose as the name suggests is to amplify DNA. How it can be applied in science is countless. The DNA sample will amplify exponentially based upon the number of thermal cycles (n) you have set, which [...]
Science isn’t for everyone, but curiosity is likely the drive to get you started into thinking about doing research. I think networking is key to get yourself noticed. Your passion and dedication will have you liked. Your resume and credentials determine whether or not you will get paid. For High School Students: I commend you [...]
This topic pops up a lot when talking about the nervous system. It is this action potential that allows us to have any sort of feelings in our senses! No kiddin’. So, I hope this will help it stick in your mind! Our neurons work by an all or nothing method. This means, the action [...]
We have previously discussed the structure of our bone macroscopically, and we have discussed how strong compact bones are compared to cartilage bones. However, we have yet to delve into why our bones are strong. Hence, this post is focused on further explaining the bone matrix, how bones are formed, and the concept of bone [...]
The overall function of the musculoskeletal system is simply to provided us with movements and structure of our form. In this post we will focus on the skeletal system covering the macroscopic and microscopic bone structure, bone formation, and bone remodeling. Related posts soon to come are: Microscopic Structure of the Skeletal System: What makes [...]
The Beginning In search for the right profession for yourself is probably the hardest thing to do (for most people). I have been dilly-dandling for quite some time and finally decided that I’m just going to go through with taking the MCAT before giving up on medical school all together. I wanted this page to [...]
“Nucleic acid” is found within the name of DNA (Deoxyribose nucleic acid) and RNA (Ribose nucleic acid), but aren’t DNA & RNA made up of nucleotides? NUCLEOSIDE : is the ribose or deoxyribose sugar bound with a nitrogenous base (purine or pyrimidine) without the attachment of a phosphate group NUCLEOTIDE is made of: 1. Five [...]
Viruses Viruses, viroids, and prions are all acellular pathogens. They are not within any kingdom and carry their own significant characteristics. obligate intracellular parasite – require a host to cause damage filterable – small enough to be filtrated contains an outer protein coat and inner genome has only 1 kind of nucleic acid (RNA or [...]
Recombinant DNA technology entails modifying the genomes of organisms. Things needed: mutagen – anything physical or chemical that causes mutations in an organism reverse transcriptase – these enzymes were discovered from retrovirses and its effects on DNA. Using reverse transcriptase, scientists are able to make DNA out of RNA. These DNA are called complementary DNA [...]
Quick DNA Overview Deoxyribosenucleic acid, as you know in humans and in other eukaryotic organisms codes our chromosomes and makes us the way we are! Similarly, in prokaryotes, like bacteria, DNA makes up their genetic code or in other words what they are. This includes their function and their appearance. Universally, DNA contains purines (adenosine, [...]
Similar to Gram stain, acid fast stain, and flagellar stain, capsule and spore stain are used to differentiate between microbes. Capsule Purpose: Our immune system contains neutrophils and macrophages that fight against foreign bodies or antigens. Capsules, which contains mucoid polysaccharides or polypeptides, protects bacterial cells against our immune system (macrophage and neutrophils). Capsules are [...]
Eukaryotic microbes consists of: protists, animals, fungi and plants. In this post, we will be looking at fungi (mostly molds and yeast), protozoan, and helminths. Fungi are organized into two categories: Ascomycotina (sac-like fungi such as penicillium, aspergillus, yeast) and zygomycotina (molds such as rhizopus stolonifer) Fungal Anatomy Yeast asexual reproduction- budding Molds asexual reproduction [...]
Currently Updating There are various ways in assessing DNA and its components. One widely used is electrophoresis, which utilizes electricity to measure the length of DNA fragments. This mechanism can be used for identification either for unknown diseases or human DNA, determining an inherited disease or finding cures for such diseases (National Health Museum). What [...]
The differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes are described within the last two former posts. The following table is a reflection and minor edited table found on Pg. 87 of Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy, 2nd edition, by Robert Bauman., in Table 3.4 and 3.5.
Prokaryotes, as mentioned earlier are cells containing NO nucleus. I will write a post on the major differences of prokaryotes and eukaryotes later. In microbiology, there are plenty of research under bacteriology (study of bacteria). In this post, we will focus on bacteria (which is made up of eubacteria & archaebacteria). Relative size of bacteria [...]
