chemistry

An interesting example of the constraints placed on inquiry by stories that make some things difficult to conceive came up in Neurobiology and Behavior last week, during a discussion of the ability of the nervous system to generate outputs by itself rather than simply in response to external stimuli.

"Perhaps I've just had the idea that 'cause equals effect' engrained in my mind for so long that it's just difficult to sway me, but I still feel that there must be some input to trigger reactions in our body" 

Scientists, physicians, and patients use metaphors to understand the complex condition called cancer.  These metaphors direct the process of research and treatment.  It is sometimes useful to make explicit existing metaphors and their problems and to suggest new metaphors that might overcome them.  Thinking of cancer in evolutionary rather than military terms offers new possibilities in connection both with research and treatment.

Cancer as a Metaphor:

Beauty and the Botox Beast

Brought to you by The Slippery Brain Sodality 

 

Love: A Narcotic High?

 

I found that Allison's lesson was interesting. I'm not a biology person, so having a lesson that was grounded in my life experiences was a welcolmed change. Since I'm teaching kindergarten this year I will have to mofify the lesson.  In the beginning of the year I will ask them to draw of picture of what they want to do in school. I will then ask them to draw a picture of what scares them about school. I then want them to draw of picture of what they want me to do in school.  I will then ask them to share their pictures in a group and I will walk around discussing their pictures with the kids. Afterwards I will bring them to the floor and with volunteers, create a chart recording children ideas about their pictures. Finally, I will summarize the leasson and chart.

Diabetes has become a very common part of our vocabulary nowadays. We know that it is a disease caused by the malfunctioning of the pancreas and also the malfunctioning of receptors in our cells. We know that there is a high chance of getting hyperglycemia (too much sugar in the blood) or hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar), and that the disease can sometimes lead to mood problems if not taken care of. However, there are many other side effects. One is the numbing of the hands and feet, along with diminished eyesight, or even blindness. Another is the increased risk of dementia. A lot of these side effects are neurological and vascular, and due to there being a lack of something occurring, we can assume nerve death or at least damage.

This paper is an exploration of changing the Haverford chemistry reuqirements for a major form a feminist perspective. It is an experiment!