Category Archives: Reflections

I was very interested to learn about uncoupling proteins in the inner membrane of the mitochondria, particularly thermogenin. Thermogenin is an uncoupling protein that is responsible for producing heat through something called “non-shivering thermogenesis”. I understand that this is especially … Continue reading →

As an athlete, especially during intense practices, I rely on the efficiency of the electron transport chain (ETC) without even consciously thinking about it. The ETC is one of the key final steps of aerobic respiration where NADH and FADH2 … Continue reading →

I’ve never really been a big breakfast person. I also just have a hard time eating before dinnertime because by the time lunch rolls around my ADHD meds are in full affect, suppressing my appetite. Since my courses can get … Continue reading →

Over break, I signed up for a spin class, which I do frequently at home. This Sunday I registered for a 9:30 AM class. I was pretty tired, so I snoozed my alarm and ended up running late with no … Continue reading →

Over the summer, I got to meet my baby cousin for the first time. At the time, he was just under three months old, and, to be honest, I was a little nervous to meet him. He was by far … Continue reading →

I have always been curious about how exactly hibernation works in animals, and learning about uncouplers for heat production finally answered one of the questions I’ve been wondering: how do hibernators actually stay warm enough to survive? I used to … Continue reading →

In elementary school one of my absolute favorite animals was the harp seal. I created many presentations on these seals, but I never really understood the biochemistry behind their ability to survive in the frigid saltwater of the North Atlantic … Continue reading →

I used to swim in high school, and our lactic acid sets were one of the toughest workouts; they were short, all-out sprints followed by a couple minutes sitting on deck to let the lactic acid build up in our … Continue reading →

In Monday’s discussion of the citric acid cycle, I was particularly interested in the role of the lipoamide “swinging arm” in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. I am currently taking a public health course where we recently examined the devastating effects … Continue reading →

I found the lectures about metabolism and blood sugar quite interesting. Both of my parents are diabetic or prediabetic (they are doing all right, so no worries!), so I’ve also been advised to be careful about my diet. I found … Continue reading →