Molecular Formula GaAs Molecular Weight 144.64 g/mol Crystal Structure Cubic Color Metallic dark gray Odor Garlicky when moist Melting Point 1238 °C Solubility <1 mg/mL at 20 °C Density 5.3176 at 25 °C Table 1. Properties of Gallium arsenide. Structure Gallium arsenide (GaAs) consists of larger arsenic atoms (violet) connected to somewhat smaller gallium atomsContinue reading “Gallium arsenide”
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Can we simulate cells down to the molecular level on a computer?
Since cells are built of almost too many molecules, it will indeed be hard to simulate an entire organism down to the molecular level… But there are ways.
A forest isn’t just a group of trees.
In the early 1990s, the Philippines – a country known to be one of the greatest victims of deforestation – experienced a sudden slight increase in forest cover. While indeed there have been massive efforts of reforestation in the archipelago, that increase is mainly due to a change in definition of what a forest is.Continue reading “A forest isn’t just a group of trees.”
How many numbers are there? (Part 2)
If you haven’t read Part 1, please read it here. Planes and Spaces Anyone who has taken a class from the levels of algebra to vector calculus would be familiar with the concept of the 2D xy-plane or the 3D xyz-space. A point on the xy-plane would be represented as (x,y) where x,y ∈ R.Continue reading “How many numbers are there? (Part 2)”
How many numbers are there? (Part 1)
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The Magic Liquid Called Water
Water is ubiquitous – and while many of those with proper access to clean water take it for granted, its presence has driven the development of both life and society.
Helium hydride
Chemical Formula HeH+ Molar Mass 5.01054 g/mol Table 1. Properties of Helium Hydride Synthesis In the laboratory, helium hydride is produced by bombarding a low pressure hydrogen-helium mixture with electrons. Although helium hydride has been detected in space, not much is known about its natural formation. Structure The structure is quite simple, since it isContinue reading “Helium hydride”
The Physics of Life: A Tour of Biophysics
What is Biophysics? Life has underlying physics behind it — and that’s a well known fact. After all, everything is physics. But most of the time, physics is concerned with objects almost totally unrelated to biology — things smaller than cells such as atoms and photons, or things bigger than biospheres such as galaxies andContinue reading “The Physics of Life: A Tour of Biophysics”
Bacteriochlorophyll a
Molecular Formula C55H74MgN4O6 Molecular Weight 911.5 g/mol Color Light green Table 1. Properties Structure The “head” portion (encircled in red) of the bacteriochlorophyll consists of a partially hydrogenated porphyrin ring known as chlorin. It contains a central magnesium atom. Meanwhile, the “tail” portion (encircled in blue) is a hydrocarbon chain, connecting to the head byContinue reading “Bacteriochlorophyll a”
Protoporphyrin IX
Molecular Formula C34H34N4O4 Molecular Weight 310.4 g/mol Solubility 169 mg/L Table 1. Properties Structure Protoporphyrin IX falls under a special type of cyclic compounds: they are macrocycles, or molecules that have a ring of twelve or more atoms. The main bulk of the molecule is called a porphine core, encircled in red in Fig. 1. Continue reading “Protoporphyrin IX”
Figure 73 