JJP, CDJW and I are about to poach some eggs. A momentous occasion but a necessary part of tonight’s culinary experience (JJP has been watching too much Gordon Ramsay I think!). This got me thinking about what wonderful food eggs are. Eggs are about 12.5% protein, just over half found in the white part (albumen) …
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Category:Biology
Feel The Burn…
I skied yesterday for the first time in five years. It was lovely but I must admit to a certain amount of discomfort. By lunchtime yesterday some of the muscles in my legs were burning, and this morning there is a dull ache in my calves. Skiing is an exercise in co-ordination and balance. The …
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Man v Food…
My satellite dish was fixed on Wednesday. There were men on my roof and everything! So I have Sky working again after an extended drought of about 5 months. I needed something intellectually stimulating so put on Dave in the hope of an old episode of QI. Instead, I saw something completely new to me …
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Giant Squid…
A giant squid has been filmed swimming in a Japanese harbour.
Leaping On The Limpet Bandwagon…
Know Your Muscles…
The human body has three types of muscle. Cardiac muscle is found in the heart. It is able to beat constantly without getting tired. Smooth muscle is found in hollow organs like the stomach and intestines. Skeletal muscle attaches to your bones and helps you to move. Skeletal muscles connect to bones by tendons and …
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Prey vs Predator…
One of the driving forces behind natural selection (evolution) is the competition between predators (hunters) and prey (their food). This applies to plants and animals as well as between carnivores and herbivores. Plants have developed some ingenious ways to protect themselves. Acacia trees limit grazing from giraffes in three ways… Chilli peppers have their heat …
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Scatological Diversity…
Here is a delightful take on the importance of diversity for the survival of an ecosystem. It is somewhat scatological but I have never avoided discussion of bodily functions when they are necessary. . There is not really much to add to that other than to recommend further videos from MinuteEarth. Is it minute as in tiny …
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The Nodes Of Ranvier…
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 …
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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 …
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