Ink Composition and Chromatography

Molecules of Life and l’École de Manga Japonais de Montreal (The Montreal Manga School) team

An Elementary School Introduction to Carbon (part 2)- The Video

The following video is intended primarily as an aid for elementary school teachers and parents to fa

An Elementary School Introduction to Carbon (part 1)- The Video

The following video is intended primarily as an aid for elementary school teachers and parents to fa

 

Vasopressin

October 10, 2011 in Peptide

Friday, November 24th, 2006, Halifax, NS, 2nd graders grasped their kidneys and learned about vasopressin, thanks to an impressive performance by three MLP students Katie Nizio (BSc SMU), Anna Sprague (MFA Concordia) and Cody Stephenson (MFA NSCAD).  Starting out with basic questions about water its importance in the body, particularly in blood, Katie brought us into the kidney where blood is filtered by the nephrons.  She explained how Vasopressin, the anti-diuretic peptide, is made by the brain and transferred through the blood to the kidney, where it causes retention of water.  Leading a chant on vasopressin and the importance of dinking, retaining and releasing water,  Anna had the students dancing about their seats using their favorite archetypical postures for holding water as choreography.  Instructing the students in the art of conceptualization, Cody showed how to assemble an hour-glass shaped model of the kidney for each student to bring home.  Sequins and water were introduced in a plastic bottle, which was mounted with a filter and second plastic bottle.  When this hour-glass was flipped to filter the water from the sequins, all had their first surprise that the water did not move due to surface tension.  Then as the students pressed the bottle containing the clear water, they had an even bigger surprise seeing a yellow steam flow into their empty bottle, thanks to a little magic and a touch of food coloring

With seven more peptides to go, we thanked team Vasopressin for retaining pools of MLP interest in 2nd grade in Halifax.

Team Vassopressin, Anna Sprague (MFA Concordia),Cody Stephenson [MFA NSCAD, holding Conceptal Kidney Model (CKM)] and Katie Nizio (BSc SMU)

Anna and all chanting the vasopressin chant and dancing the vasopressin dance.

Conceptual Kidney Model Construction Kit (CKMCK a great gift for the holidays)

Fully assembled CKM being squeezed.

 

Vasopressin March

by Anna Sprague

 

When I am driving in the car

(Repeat)

The bathroom seems so very far

(Repeat)

Moma Moma what can I do?

(Repeat)

Vasopressin helping you

(Repeat)

Hold it

1 2

Hold it

3 4

bring it on down

1 2 3 4

3 4

 

 

Sweating in the hot hot sun

(Repeat)

Not a drink for anyone

(Repeat)

I don’t have the urge to go

(Repeat)

‘cause vasopressin stops the flow

(Repeat)

Hold it

1 2

Hold it

3 4

bring it on down

1 2 3 4

3 4

 

 

Sometimes at night or in the cold

(Repeat)

My bladder is so hard to hold

(Repeat)

When I am bigger I won’t fret

(Repeat)

No longer will my bed get wet

(Repeat)

Hold it

1 2

Hold it

3 4

bring it on down

1 2 3 4

3 4

 

So,

If your bladder’s really stressin’

(Repeat)

You’re in the clear with vasopressin.

(Repeat)

Stand on one foot, jump up and down

(Repeat)

jog on the spot, then turn around

(Repeat)

Hold it

1 2

Hold it

3 4

bring it on down

1 2 3 4

3 4

 

Now you know just what to do

(Repeat)

When your body’s telling you

(Repeat)

to try and really hold your pee

(Repeat)

Just sit down and cross your knees.

(Repeat)

Hold it

1 2

Hold it

3 4

Bring it on down

1 2 3 4

3 4

 

Angiotensin

October 10, 2011 in Peptide

The Molecules of Life Project feels its blood pressure rise with Angiotensin

Wednesday the 15th November in Mrs Grant’s second grade class at Oxford Elementary School, Amy Trottier (BSc DAL) was asked to pump up the peptide jam solo.  Providing a solid background on the circulatory system and that most important muscle the heart, Amy described how blood provides oxygen to the body and how blood pressure increases when the need for more oxygen occurs.  The students learned how to measure the pulse of their carotid artery and observed that their heart rate increased after running in place relative to sitting.  Studying balloons after different states of inflation, we discussed elasticity and the importance of maintaining the elasticity of the tubes (the veins and arteries) which carry the blood, by eating healthy food and exercising.   The molecule of life, “Angiotensin” the regulator of blood pressure was mentioned in the process as each student enjoyed coloring pictures of the human heart and circulatory system, and using a stethoscope to listen to the sound of their own heart.  With eight more peptides to go, MLP thanked team Angiotensin for sharing lots of MLP heart at Oxford.

Amy Trottier (BSc DAL) shows off the wonders of the circulatory system.

 

 

Having fun coloring hearts, veins and arteries.

I can hear it beating!


Sticky and Slimy: Nature’s Inspiring creations

October 6, 2011 in Fun Facts

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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