In the first article about the kidneys, we learnt how blood is filtered in the Bowman's capsule and how some substances are reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule. Today we will focus on the loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct, and look at how blood water potential is controlled using negative feedback.... Continue Reading →
Light-Dependent Reaction – Photosynthesis Ep 1
Photosynthesis is the process used by plants and other photosynthetic organisms to produce glucose. The glucose can then go on to be used in respiration, stored as starch, or used for other purposes. Photosynthesis requires light energy, but it is actually only the first stage which is directly light-dependent. We will focus on the light-dependent... Continue Reading →
Water Transport in Plants – Exchange and Transport Ep 15
In the last post we looked at the structure of the xylem vessels, so now we're going to take a look at their function. Water transport in plants happens up the xylem vessels in a transpiration stream from roots to leaves due to the properties of water and transpiration at the leaves. Let's break the... Continue Reading →
Osmosis – Exchange and Transport Ep 3
Osmosis is all about the movement of water. Specifically, it is the movement of free water molecules from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential across a partially permeable membrane. As we saw in diffusion, the water molecules move both ways, but the overall net movement is down the... Continue Reading →
Water – Biological Molecules Ep 6
Water is extremely important to living organisms. Not only is it needed internally, but also externally as part of the environment - some organisms live in it. It is also a reactant in photosynthesis, so contributes to the oxygen in the atmosphere. In short, water is essential for life as we know it. Structure of... Continue Reading →
