Neurons are the functional cells of the nervous system. The nervous system contains in addition supporting cells that are called neuroglia. Neurons do not divide although they possess nuclei. On the other hand, neuroglia do divide. Because neurons do not divide…
Read more
Protein Synthesis: A brief overview of ribosome function and a new regulatory mechanism Ribosomes are complexes that catalyze the synthesis of all proteins in all organisms. The ribosome is composed of messenger RNA (mRNA) that carries the code for the…
Read more
Plants are eukaryotes, composed of cells that have a nucleus, and membrane-bound organelles. But plants have a few different features than animal cells. Here’s a summary. Unlike animals, plants are photoautotrphs. “Photo” means that they can capture sunlight energy. “Autotroph”…
Read more
Cell junctions in humans, as well as in all multicellular organisms, serve two essential but opposite purposes. First, they allow materials to travel freely from one cell to another, as with gap junctions. In contrast, another set of structures called desmosomes are found in desmosomal…
Read more
Gene Deep Beauty: Breast augmentation, liposuction, face-lifts and nose jobs have become so commonplace that the procedures have long ceased to create any questions or controversy. The old familiar adage claims, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” yet…
Read more
Background of Gel Electrophoresis Gel Electrophoresis is a technique used to separate molecules by their size and electric charge. It can be used to separate different lengths of DNA. The DNA is separated into fragments that can be separated in…
Read more
Cloning of embryos brought us Dolly the Sheep and other animals including cows, pigs and cats have been cloned. That is one side of the story in the development of scientific techniques to advance understanding in embryos and cloning. Legislation…
Read more
Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic, with many similarities, but there are also key differences between the cells of plants and animals. Here is a summary. Living things are made of cells, the most basic unit of life. All…
Read more
Meiosis, also known as reduction division, is the process of cell division by which diploid (2n) organisms create the haploid (n) gametes needed for sexual reproduction. Diploid organisms have two full sets of chromosomes, which exist in pairs known as…
Read more
Photosynthesis: A process essential for life on earth Photosynthesis is the most essential biological process for human and animal life. It is the process by which carbon dioxide and water are converted by plants and sunlight into the oxygen we…
Read more