Biochemistry

Amino Acids by Side Chains — Amino acids are the building blocks of polypeptides and proteins, which are used as structural components and enzymes. If you’re taking biochemistry, organic chemistry, or genetics, you need to be familiar with the 20 amino acids and also know their side chains. It’s the nature of the side chains that […]

Amino Acid Side Chains Study Sheet

This entry was posted on October 1, 2018 by Todd Helmenstine

Orange juice tastes bad after brushing your teeth because foaming agents affect chemoreceptors in taste buds. — Orange juices tastes terrible if you drink it right after brushing your teeth. It’s a familiar scenario. You wake up in the morning, grab the toothbrush and toothpaste to start the day with that fresh feeling, and head to breakfast. But, you should really re-think the order of things. Save […]

Why Orange Juice Tastes Bad After Brushing

This entry was posted on September 24, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on October 2, 2018)

Genetic Code Study Sheet — The genetic code is the set of instructions cells use to translate information from genetic material (DNA or mRNA) into amino acids. In turn, amino acids are strung together and modified to build proteins. The genetic code is sometimes called the universal code because it is used by nearly all […]

Genetic Code Chart (PDF) Recently updated !

This entry was posted on September 21, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on October 13, 2018)

Real wasabi is green because of chlorophyll. Most "wasabi" is horseradish dyed with food coloring or spinach. (Jay Abrantes) — The spicy-hot green ball served with sushi is called wasabi, but unless you live in Japan, you’re almost certainly eating a substitute. This fake wasabi is made from horseradish, mustard, starch, and either green food coloring or spinach. You have to use the ingredient list rather than the product name […]

Why Is Wasabi Green?

This entry was posted on July 27, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 13, 2018)

Table of Edible pH Indicators (Todd Helmenstine) — Red cabbage juice is the best known edible pH indicator, but there are many safe fruits, vegetables, and flowers that change color in response to acidity or alkalinity. The plant pigments responsible for the color change are anthocyanins. Most of these molecules change from red to purple to blue in […]

Edible pH Indicators From Your Kitchen and Garden

This entry was posted on June 23, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on July 18, 2018)

Cats eat grass because it's a good source of certain nutrients, may help their digestive system, and simply because they enjoy it. (Ethan Weil) — Why do cats eat grass? The answer is that it offers some health benefits. Cats are obligate carnivores, which simply means they need to eat meat to satisfy their nutritional needs, yet wild cats naturally ingest some grass with prey. Both wild cats (e.g., bobcats, lions, and tigers) as well […]

Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

This entry was posted on June 18, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on June 28, 2018)