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.

That Pesky Krebs or Citric Acid Cyle or CAC or Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle or TCA Cycle?

The Krebs or Citric Acid Cycle is common stumbling block for high school biology students across the USA.  Most diagrams are bat-poo crazy for interpretation.  They often look more like schematics for information flow or something like an astrological table reading.  Nonetheless, here is a simplified version made with items that people are more adept to understand.

Basically the dice represent the carbon compound being cut down.  Likewise familiar Nintendo items that relate to power ups have been added where most kids and people under 55 will understand.

In order to "PLAY" the "Cellular Respiration Game" you need to deposit a "25¢ Pyruvate Coin" into the system and you will get a bunch of power ups, which are represented by the 1up green mushrooms, enlarge red mushroom, and fire flower.  Also note that the cycle consumes one drop of water, right after you get the enlarge red mushroom. 

Enjoy!

PS. Oh year there is the Mario Star flag on the right, as this is a flag blog after all.  And if this doesn't help see maybe the awesome Amoeba Sisters can help?

Happy Pi-Day for March 3rd!

A Pi-Flag for March 3, based upon the pentagonal or five numerical system, which is represented by 3.03. The patron saint is Georg Cantor, who was born March 3, 1845.  He coined cardinal or ordinal numbers. 

Women's π-Day, March 2!

Why does March 14th get all the fuss for Pi-Day.  There is an inherent bias with the decimal system, as established by the patriarchy.  There is more than one way to celebrate π-Day.  The current patriarchy wants us to celebrate π-day on March 14th but hey, hey, ho, ho!  Didn't you know? Three, Oh, Two... is a pie day too!

It's women's history month after all.  The matriarchy has decided that real feminists will celebrate π-day on March 2, besides it's ladies first! Instead of the patriarchy's need to focus on another male savior (like does Einstein seriously needs any more glory?) we put our spotlight on Grete Hermann.  She was born March 2, 1901 (03/02/01) on the first Pi Day of the month, according to the base four numerical system.  Instead of using 10 digits to count, four digits are used in the Quaternary numerical system.

So move over and check your privilege Einstein; it is high time we bring some honor to women who have made masterful contributions to mathematics!  Ms. Hermann laid the foundation for computer algebra and gave a thoughtful critique on quantum mathematics.  Additionally, during WWII she was a part of the German Resistance against the Nazis.

The flag for feminist Quaternary π-day is a tri-bar of red, white, and blue.  In the yellow, red, yellow diamond represents zero, and the blue ring around the disc represents two - as taken from the international maritime signal flags. 


Also, the word patriotism is hereby banished from the feminist world.  We must use Matriotic instead when referring to nation pride!  Thus 4th of July is when the USA commemorates it's Matriotic festivals!  September 11th is now Matriot Day!  Go go Girl Power!

Fermentation Guide & and little yellow flag

Fermentation is basically a way to produce NAD+.  Nad-plus is an improtant ingredient/fuel for energy production when a cell can't get access to oxygen.

Some cells can switch to this auxiliary 'fuel system' that produces that valuable NAD+, which helps extract energy from glucose.

Also note, there are tworking kinds of fermentation.  One that makes a burning sensation. In your muscles when they work hard, and the other that results in alcohol formation.

Glycolysis - Explained with Nintendo Icons

Glycolysis is one of those things that flies into the face of biology students.  Way to complex to really grasp at a first take, but here is some help with recognizable icons from video game land.  Hopefully this helps some of y'all.

The net result is that a six carbon molecule called glucose is smashed up to give us cool new power ups!


You can see a green flag to the right, giving this post a token pass to be on this website.