MEDICINE

Metabolism 🍔

We're about to embark on a thrilling expedition into the captivating world of metabolism – the intricate web of chemical reactions that keep our bodies humming like well-oiled machines. Picture this as a symphony of molecules dancing, transforming, and powering our every move. Let's unravel the mysteries of metabolism and dive into intriguing questions that will spark your scientific curiosity.

Metabolism is like the conductor of an orchestra, coordinating a complex performance of chemical reactions within our cells. It's the process by which our bodies transform nutrients into energy, building blocks for growth, and even waste products. Here's a glimpse into the metabolic symphony:

1. Energy Currency - The Mighty ATP: Imagine a universal energy currency that fuels every cell's activities – that's adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Metabolism extracts energy from nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, converting them into ATP for the body's tasks, from muscle contraction to maintaining body temperature.

2. Anabolism and Catabolism - Building and Breaking: Envision metabolism as a two-part dance – anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism constructs complex molecules like proteins and DNA from simpler ones, while catabolism breaks down these molecules to release energy and generate building blocks.

💡 Things to consider

• Metabolic Rate - The Personal Burn Rate: Imagine your body as a metabolism factory, burning calories even when you're at rest. How does your metabolic rate vary based on factors like age, genetics, and activity level? What are some strategies to rev up or regulate your metabolic furnace?

• Hormones and Metabolism - Chemical Messengers: Think of hormones as messengers guiding your metabolic symphony. How do hormones like insulin, thyroid hormones, and adrenaline influence metabolism? How can imbalances in these messengers lead to metabolic disorders?

  

• Metabolic Flexibility - Adapting to Change: Envision your body as a metabolic chameleon, adapting to different circumstances. How does your body switch between using carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy? How does this metabolic flexibility play a role in fasting, exercise, and disease?

🔎 Find out more

• Defining Metabolism

• openstax - Metabolism module

🍒 The cherry on top

• 🧠 The Psychology of Procrastination: This TED Talk by Tim Urban explains why we procrastinate and how it affects our productivity. Great for people interested in Psychology or Education!

• ⏱️ The Quantum Mechanics of Time Measurement: Ever wondered how we measure time so precisely? This fascinating article at the University of Queensland are using quantum mechanics to investigate time.explores how scientists Learn about the history of clocks, from pendulum clocks to quantum clocks, and dive into the intriguing questions physicists are still trying to answer about the nature of time. Perfect for students interested in Physics!

• 📜 Exploring Our Ancestors: Dive into the fascinating world of our ancient ancestors with this episode of BBC Radio 4's "In Our Time" where they discuss Homo erectus, one of our early human ancestors who thrived on Earth for around two million years. Learn about their spread from Africa to Asia, their adaptation to different habitats, and the theories surrounding their diet, brain size, and communication abilities. Perfect if you’re interested in History or Archaeology.

👀 Keep your eyes peeled for…

• 16th December

  • Making your UCAS personal statement a success webinar

• 17th December

  • Online Essay Writing Masterclass (Session 1)

• 18th December

  • Oxplore Live: Do we make our own luck?

• 19th December

  • Online Essay Writing Masterclass (Session 2)

🗳️ Poll