Category Archives: Reflections

A case study we talked about in class that I found interesting was the study of the young Inuit child. A more broader aspect of the case study that I was interested in was the glucose challenge test. I’ve never … Continue reading →

In the past year, my father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I vividly remember when he “broke the news” to me; I could tell he was scared, and it was one of the most emotional states I have ever … Continue reading →

I was very intrigued by our conversations surrounding enzyme inhibition, specifically penicillin, and enzyme defects, specifically favism, because they both reminded me of allergens. My whole life I have had to repeat my laundry list of allergens, the most important … Continue reading →

When we learned about the Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP), I found it really interesting how it connects to some genetic disorders, especially favism, which is caused by G6PD deficiency. The PPP doesn’t produce ATP like other pathways we’ve discussed, but … Continue reading →

During my time working in a neuroscience clinic, I met several patients living with diabetic neuropathy. Seeing them struggle with chronic pain, numbness, and balance issues made me wonder how something as small as a glucose molecule could have such … Continue reading →

This unit’s focus on enzyme kinetics and inhibition immediately reminded me of my own work with qPCR and gene-expression assays in the lab. Every time I measure a change in mRNA concentration, I’m indirectly observing changes in enzyme activity somewhere … Continue reading →

I really appreciated revisiting glycolysis. When it was first introduced in intro bio, I truthfully had no idea what was happening. The pathway felt super confusing, and I couldn’t properly understand the sequence of steps, the enzymes involved, or what … Continue reading →

As an EMT, I frequently encounter patients with diabetes experiencing hypoglycemia, and occasionally hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. Admittedly, prior to this course, my knowledge of glucose homeostasis was limited. I reviewed my old EMT textbook for this reflection to see … Continue reading →

I went on a bike ride this morning in 40 degree weather and was thinking about  how temperature may affect metabolism and performance. I noticed that even though my heart rate stayed relatively low, my pace was slower than usual, … Continue reading →

When I was first introduced to biology, I was captivated by it as the science of life. A younger version of myself could imagine nothing more essential to combating death and disease than understanding the central dogma and the complex … Continue reading →