It is my turn to learn!

I first read Zach’s blog about stem cell research. Through his post I learned many things. I first learned that there are two different kinds of stem cells; adult and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are the stem cells that can become many different cells, while the adult stem cells can reproduce to repair damaged tissues. I found this interesting because I didn’t know there were two different kind of stem cells. Through Zach’s post, I also learned about ‘cell-based therapy.’ This process is when scientist grow an organ using stem cells. I found this very interesting, because if this process is mastered, it could save many lives. Right now, scientist are studying how undifferentiated cells become differentiated cells. This means how cells with no function become cells that are assigned a function in the body. Knowing this will help scientist make advancements in cell-based therapy. Zach’s post was very interesting, and it taught me things I never knew about stem-cell research.
I next read Rick’s blog about car engines and gasoline. I first learned that cars are powered by internal combustion engines. This means that cars are powered by the combustion of gasoline. There are four steps to this process. Air and gasoline enter engine, then the engine compresses the air and gasoline, a spark ignites the gasoline which causes the reaction, then the energy from the reaction moves a turbine which turns energy into motion. Lastly, the byproducts are released through the exhaust pipe. It was very interesting reading that ethanol increases the efficiency of this process. I also was awestruck that this process is not very efficient, and lots of energy is lost through out the process. I really never knew how car engines worked, so Rick’s post taught me a lot of new things!
Lastly, I read Abry’s post about Allergies. I never knew there was so much Chemistry behind Allergies. I learned that allergies can be systematic or local. What really caught my eye was that systematic allergies can be so bad, that they can cause death. I never knew that! I also found it very interesting that our bodies produce Immunoglobulin E, an antibody produced when an allergen is produced in our bodies. I am happy to see that scientist are working to find a better treatment to cure allergies, because I can say, they are a pain!