The Sugar Shuffle with Dice and Nintendo

Plants do miracles all the time.  They take air and turn it into a pear!  That banana you are eating is made up of a specially kind of energized air!  Tastes good I hope!  Essentially, carbon dioxide is incorporated into a five carbon molecule, by the almighty RuBisCo Enzyme.

Note that the dice with dots represent the number of carbon atoms in a molecule.  The other elements like oxygen and hydrogen are not included for simplification.  But note, it takes six trips around this cycle to get enough 'carbon playdough' to make glucose, which can later become an apple or orange.

There is a starting point and ending point, which has a blue flag to show the goal of absorbing carbon dioxide. 

Underneath, the caputure of carbon phase, is the Sugar Shuffle, where the molecules that captured that infamous green house gas are replenished.

When you hear about Carbon Dioxide, you might think it's a green house gas, that is true, but it can also be labeled as a food-making-gas.

 Amazing but true, when you break down all the bread or rice that you eat, guess what it is turned into...Carbon Dioxide (most of it).  Think about it, food is actually energized air!  This yummy to be air (CO2) is energized by starlight, aka the Sun.

The process above can be called the Calvin-Benson Cycle or Calvin Cycle.

The one part of the cycle that is hardly ever shown in detail is the regeneration of carbon caputuring molecules in a process called-The Sugar Shuffle.  This is where five 3-carbon molecules become three 5-carbon molecules (which can capture carbon dioxide).

Sugar Shuffle = five 3-Carbon molecules become three 5-Carbons molecules

Domino Sugar & Crisco Logo Modified for the Fun of Science!

The colours of company product are set like the livery of a university.  Sometimes they change, like when a merger happens.

But here we have jaw dropping fun that is a total game changer!  So get ready to be empowered by science and all the samey lamey, blah?

People who do science are such parrots after all.

Have you met a person with an original thought?  Or is everything they say, a routine, that fits into the established discorsial norms of society? 

Nonetheless, all tangents are allowed on this blog!  So we can be thankful for Domino Shuger!

Did you ever notice that sugar is spelled like SUE...GAR?

Also, scientists get the whole thing about sugars all wack!  Usually, most people think that sugar is a sweet tasting white molecule, which can also be brown.  But sugar in science land can mean a whole lot of non-sweetness. Biologists and other scientists forget that what normal society thinks of sugar...which IS sucrose...

...NOT glucose, maltose, galactose, schmactose, furcktose, scmucktose, or stupidose. 

For most of society sugar means sucrose, PERIOD.  But science people like to hi-jack concepts like the original elements that were known as fire, water, air, and earth.  But hey, surely someday another generation down the road will redefine elements and the known scientific elements will be a concept of the past for superstitious folk.

So in honor of random thoughts, and glucose...enjoy this fun post.

Seriously, RuBisCo really is a cool thing, since it takes an inorganic molecule and makes it organic.  The magik is that RuBisCo it turns non-living matter...into living matter. 

BUT...when you think deeply about it, the construct of labeling carbon dioxide as an inorganic substance (not alive) is just an arbitrary hewmaun cerebral construct.  Life is life, with or without the high minded, objective mind to saying so, according to some rational mumbojumbo.


Yet, RuBisCo is a really important enzyme; it can't be overstated how cool it really is.  It is the most abundant part of life that makes all the other forms of life, downstream possible. In the end, be thankful for RuBisCo, and while your at it, Crisco too!

Hexidecimal π Day Flag

Hey it's another π Day flag, but taken from the hexidecimal way of counting.  So the first three digits of π are 3.24 instead of the more familiar 3.14.

Cuban π Day Flag

Puerto Rican π Day Flag

Panama π Day Flag

Portugal π Day Flag

Lower Case π Day Greek Number Flag

Greeks used letters to represent numbers as well.  In this case Gamma represent 3, Alpha represents 1, and Delta represents 4.  Reason being, Γis the 3rd letter, α is the 1st letter, and δ is the fourth letter in the Greek Alphabet.

Japanese Pi Flag

Putting the Pisces in π Day Flag

Turkish π Day Flag

Singapore π Day Flag

Saudi Arabian π Day Flag

Although in the West we call our numbers 'Arabic' the Arabs have their own numbers, which is used in this flag-as real Arabic numbers.  Perhaps the West should call thier numbers 'Euroric Numbers' instead?

South Korean π Day Flag!

Fascist π Day Flag

π π Pisces Like flag

Super π Day Flag!

Empire of π Day Flag

The Ghana π Day Flag

China π Day Flag

Surrounding the Pi symbol going clockwise, it reads 3.14.

North Korean π Day Flag!

Salute this flag or we put in special camp!

The Pisces π Day Flag

This flag literally says Pi-C's or Pisces?

The Nepal π Day Flag

Lebanon π Day Flag

Italian π Day Flag

India π Day Flag

Jewish π Day Flag

A ratio of higher understanding.  So what is the big deal with pi.  A neat number, big deal?  Well think of it this way, there is something mysterious about circles.  Eyes, the sun, the moon...definitely something mesmerizing about circles.   When you compare the radius to the circumference a number appears.  No matter how big or small the circle the same number is created.  The neat thing about this number it that is infinitely unpredictable.  The more precision you seek, it keeps generating numbers if creative ways.  It seems to echo the infinite attribute of creation, associated with divine creativity.

So in a way, understanding the creative nature of pi creates a sort of divine resonance with logical thinkers.  Pi essentially cracks wide open, logical, rational, atheistic minds to a kind of thinking associated with religion and spirituality. 

The Ethiopian π Day Flag

The Brazilian π Day Flag

Canadian π Day Flag

Alternatively, it can be used in Peru too!  For the record Peru's flag came first!

Spanish π Flag

Persian π Flag

Pi is considered a sacred number, what better way to have it stylized like modern Persia's flag.  In this case the number Pi is written in Arabic along the white stripes on the edges of the red and green stripes.  Likewise the central portion has the iconic symbol of Pi. 

National Greek π Flag

The national Greek π flag has 3 white stripes to represent three, 1 blue canton to represent 1/10th, and four blue stripes to represent 4/100ths of the number Pi, which equals 3.14.

Greek Numbers Pi Flag

Since the Greeks originally used letters to represent numbers, we have a flag that reads 3.14.  Gamma is the 3rd letter and is capitalized. Alpha is the middle letter which represents one, but it is lower case because it is a fraction.  Finally delta is the 4th number/letter.  

π Flag for the Tridecimal Base - 13ths

There is more than one way to look at π.  The dominant view is this number is 3.14 but that is an artifact of the decimal system.  Taken from another base, say like the number 13, π becomes the number 3.1AC1049052A2C.  Now how many people can recite that sequence from memory?

Like all the π flags out there, this one is based upon the first three digits of π from the tridecimal, base system of 13 digits, which is 3.1A.  The number 3 is the whole number represented with the international maritime flag for three, which looks like a reverse flag of the French.  Then the number one is the red dot on white in the middle, which looks like the Japanese flag.  Finally the Alpha flag with is white and blue swallowtail design.  Since the international maritime flag for the letter A does has a missing sector this give the central portion a Pac-Man like look.

π Flag in Binary!

Everyone knows about π!  But most people do not know what π is in binary.  Instead of 3.14 it is 11.00100100001111!  So in honor of π day we have another flag that honors this oh so magical number know to all of mankind. 

As with the other π flag of different base numbers it only uses the first three digits.  In this case the flag for the international maritime flag for 11 is used with modified zero colours

American π-Day Flag

This is the USA π Flag.  It echos of Pi in two ways.  The first is the obvious white Greek letter for Pi.  Then the design reflects the first three digits of Pi, which are 3.14.  It has three white stripes, one blue canton, and four red stripes, reflective of 3.14.

A Pi Day for the Base 9 Family!

Happy π-Day 2019!  Today is Pi Day from a certain point of view.  And that view is from the a base 9 numerical system.  Because with nine digits 3.12 is the correct value of π, end of discussion.

Instead of Einstein being the honorary hero of the day, we have a John the Baptist figure: Simon Newcomb, who was born on a March 12 and was an out of the box mathematician.  Mr. Newcomb was born 44 years before Einstein. Like John B, the mother load of scientific glory was to rest upon a later chosen one to represent Pi: Al Einstein.

Newcomb was a Canaydiyank, born in Nova Scotia, yet became an American citizen and subsequently joined the US Navy.  Newcomb was also a self taught mathematician and discovered Benford's Law in 1881 before Benford, who wrote in about in 1938.  Another fun fact on this spin off of Pi Day concerns his daughter, Anita, was the founder of the US Army Nurse Corps.  

Like Einstein, Newcomb was interested in the speed of light.  Simon also conducted an experiment to determine its value.  So it is so, very appropriate that the glory of Pi Day be spread out a little more to Canada and the US as well.  Now the US Navy has a Pi Day hero!

Happy Pi Day! At least for the Octal Denomination!

Funny thing is that most people celebrate Pi Day on March 14th.  However, it is mere serendipity that sets it to that date.  But there is more than one π Day depending on the type of number system employed.

Likewise, as with any holiday there should be a counter-point view on the whole take of π, as with politics and religion, the prime example is with Christmas vs Hanukkah.  Now when somebody says happy Pi-Day on the 14th of March, you can retort, "I don't celebrate Pi-Day, rather I celebrate Piannukkah on the 11th of March." 

 In this case Pi Day is celebrated on March 11 as calibrated to the base 8 numeral system, which calibrates Pi as the 3.11 to the third place value.

So in honor of the minorities everywhere, March 11 is a kind of π-annahkah?  This flag commemorates the number as the tri-bar represents the number three in international maritime code, and the red disc with in the disc represent 11ths of the Octal Numerical system.

Instead of celebrating Einstein's birthday, the Octal Faction of Pianukkah honors Urbain Le Verrier.  Verrier used math to pinpoint the discovery of Neptune by using mathematics first, instead of combing the nights sky with a telescope.  With Verrier, we verily discovered the 8th planet of our solar system on the night of September 23/24, 1846 (note: Eighth planet for numerical system based upon 8) Le Verrier was born on March 11, 1811—that's 03/11/1811. 

So there you have it, there is more than one way to celebrate π-day!  We now have 'diversity' with Pi.

Cellular Respiration - Goal Flags of Electrons & Protons for ATP Production

The life force of all multi-cellular organisms is dependent upon an evolutionary symbiosis, I would assume united by the love of life.  Basically this process allows all plants and animals to live.  The net result is the generation of ATP which is represented in this model by Mario's Flower Power.

There are two flags which represent the final destination of the electrons and protons in this process.  The coin flag represents electrons end point, when they unite with oxygen to make water.

The flower power fireball flag represents the final end point for Hydrogen ions, which help make flower power ATP from ADP.   However, those fireballs (H+) that enter the Matrix via ATP Synthase will be sucked back across the membrane by the red, yellow, and purple pipes (proteins) of the Electron Transport Chain!

If you use this to study or understand this process (everyone taking Biology), add in the sound effects with your imagination!

Karate Kid II - Family Clan Flags on Okinawa

Every once and a while a Hollywood produces a gem or two.  In 1986, the awesomeness of the Karate Kid resulted in a sequel, The Karate Kid II.  Our hero "Daniel-san" went to Okinawa to fight not for a pride or ego, but rather for love and honor.

In the background of are the Japanese style family clan flags.  The yellow flag has a stylized turtle imprint.

 You can see other flags behind the antagonist, which are black, white, and blue.

Nintendo Based Modeling - Electron Transport Chain in the Mitochondria "The Electric Slide"

They asked for it!  So here it is!  Notice the blue flag near this finish spot!

If you have ever seen in image about the electron transport chain, they are as dry as looking at tax documents or crazy alien schematics.  Well here we have a Super Mario Bros. themed diagram.  Basically the electrons are represented by coins.  They do an "Electric Slide" across five proteins.  As the 'Coins/Electrons' move towards the right, protons are pumped into the inter-membrane space.  In our fun model here protons are represented by fire balls.

So what happens is that all the bouncy/fire balls get concentrated in 'inter-space'.  You can imagine them moving and feel free to add the Nintendo sound effects in your head.  Just remember with mushrooms are the source of the elections when fall into their similarly coloured pipes.  Eventually in the final purple pipe (Complex IV) the coins/electrons combine with oxygen and create water.

Finally an artistic, fun, and familiar electron transport chain diagram that does not rely on blobular drawings.

Heptadecial Pi Day - March 5th

A π-day flag based upon the seven digit numerical system.  It is dedicated to Geradus Mercator, who was born on March, 7 1512.

The flag combines the maritime flags for 3, 0, and 5.