The human nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and a network of nerves travelling all over the body. The brain and spinal cord together are known as the central nervous system (CNS). This system controls the voluntary and involuntary actions of the body. By voluntary I mean the sort of actions that you …
Continue reading The Nodes Of Ranvier…
Author:SFScience
Retired Schoolmaster living in Wiltshire and Vendee France
Plant Nutrients Part 2½…
Farmers work hard to ensure that there are sufficient nutrients in their soil for crops and plants to grow successfully. They may do this by adding an NPK fertiliser. This stands for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. The fertiliser is graded according to the proportions of the three elements by mass in the fertiliser. A popular …
Continue reading Plant Nutrients Part 2½…
Surface Area : Volume Ratio…
The cell is the basic unit, or building block, of all known forms of life. It has a membrane containing cytoplasm in which all of the essential reactions for life take place. There are two types of cell, prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells have discrete structures within them that perform different jobs. The …
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Fungus…
A lazy repost from April 2012. I was inspired having caught a little of the new TV adaptation of Fungus the Bogeyman. Good cast, fun story, not suitable whilst I was eating supper – I had to turn it off.
CO2 & Photosynthesis…
This Twig Prep page has a good video describing an experiment to determine if light and carbon dioxide are necessary for photosynthesis. I thought I would describe an experiment with CO2 as the only independent variable, similar to one I saw in an exam paper several years ago. If nothing else it will remind you about a …
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Kudzu…
Kudzu is a climbing, coiling, and trailing vine native to a big portion of Asia, and some Pacific islands, but which has invaded many parts of the world, especially the United States. Written by Pabl0
Fallopia Japonica…
Fallopia japonica is an attractive plant that grows quite plentifully on the grass verges beside many of the local roads. The young shoots are edible, although very sour because they contain oxalic acid – the same acid that gives rhubarb its sharp taste. It is not related to rhubarb; neither is related to bamboo although it was …
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Sulphur In Food…
The yellow non-metal element sulphur has a bad reputation for causing unpleasant smells and acid rain. It is, however, a vital element in the biochemistry of humans and other living things.
Plant Nutrients Part Deux…
Shortages of different minerals produce different symptoms. (The picture above is from the wonderful but sadly now defunct Tomato Headquarters website – one day the tomatoes will overthrow their oppressors!) It illustrates the visible changes that occur in the leaves due to different deficiencies. Unsurprisingly, a shortage of magnesium leads to pale coloured leaves – …
Continue reading Plant Nutrients Part Deux…
