The sticky and slimy properties of molecules are involved in many natural phenomenons.

Animals and plants, both can secrete viscous substances known as mucus. Mucus may act as a glue and a lubricant at the same time! Human and animal mucus is usually a “glycoprotein,” in other words a protein, such as the ones you eat, which is attached to complex carbohydrates (sugars and starches) often called ‘mucopolysaccharides’. Such mucus coats and protects different body parts such as the lungs and stomach.  Snails, slugs, hagfish and some other creatures also produce external mucus. Such mucus has a protective function against infectious agents, toxins and predators. Mucus can also facilitate movement and communication.

Here are some examples of what we can find in nature!

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The Molecules of Life Project (MLP) teams up university students from the Arts and Sciences to deliver an elementary school curriculum based around specific molecules of life with the intent of encouraging students to think and express their ideas by way of experiments and art projects. Considering that the earlier students are introduced to a particular subject the more likely they will develop a greater knowledge and understanding of the subject, elementary school students represent a uniquely important underrepresented audience to which the physical sciences could be more effectively introduced. Introducing molecules in an enjoyable way, Molecules of Life strives to stimulate a basic interest and love of art and science in elementary school that may be cultivated with age. Selections from the realized projects are then used to produce a fund raising item to support and improve school resources (i.e. library and computer facilities) for teaching in the arts and sciences.