New video posted: DNA Packaging - how do we package DNA into the nucleus?

In the video, I examine how the long DNA molecule is packaged into the relatively small nucleus of a cell. I examine how DNA is broken up into chromosomes, how the DNA wraps around the histones to form nucleosomes and chromatosomes, and finally, chromatin.

Please use the form below to download a fact sheet for the video. The fact sheet contains twenty-four key facts from the video, a summary of the packing of DNA into the nucleus and the definitions of twenty-five key terms used in the video.

If you would like to support my blogging efforts, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm

Blog Bonus: Free information sheet summarising the video and defining the key terms - download.

New video posted: How long is the DNA in a human cell?

In this video, I calculate the length of the DNA in one human cell, and my answer may surprise you.

How long do you think? 0.2 mm, less? 2 mm, 2 cm, 2 m, 2 km? Watch the video to find out.

The video walks you through the math I used to calculate the length of DNA, and then I will reveal the length it would be if the cell were the size of a football.

If you would like to support my blogging efforts, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm

Blog Bonus: Free information sheet summarising the video and defining the key terms - download.

New video posted: Genetics and Mendel — DNA, genes, dominant and recessive traits

In this video, I examine Genetics and Mendel and discuss DNA, genes, and dominant and recessive traits.

The video introduces Gregor Mendel, an Austrian scientist and Augustinian friar known as the "father of modern genetics". I discuss his classic rounded and wrinkly pea experiments and describe how he came up with the idea of dominant and recessive traits.

If you would like to support my blogging efforts, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm

Blog Bonus: Free information sheet summarising the video and defining the key terms - download.

New video posted: DNA and Genes

How many genes does a human have? Do we have more genes than a plant? Do larger organisms, such as trees, have more genes than humans?

In the video, we will look at the genetic material — DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) — in cells and explore how many genes humans have and whether we, as complex organisms, have more genes than a tree, a potato or a tomato. What do you think?

If you would like to support my blogging efforts, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm

Blog Bonus: Free information sheet summarising the video and defining the key terms - download.

New video posted: What is a cell?

This is an interesting question... what is a cell? What makes a cell a cell? Why do we have cells?

In a recent video post on YouTube, I addressed this question and explored some of the different cell types that can be found in the human body.

To find out more, watch the video and discover the remarkable range of sizes of cells in our bodies.

If you would like to support my blogging efforts, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm

Blog Bonus: Free information sheet summarising the video and defining the key terms - download.

Back to blogging

After a break of nearly 8 years on this blog, I am back to blogging.

Watch this space for new posts

If you would like to support my blogging efforts, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm

What is the molarity of water?

An interesting little question and a fun bit of maths...

The molecular weight of water is: 18.02 g/mol

The density of water is 1 g/ml

Therefore, 1 litre of water (1000 ml) would weigh 1000 g

The molarity of something is the number of moles of that thing per 1000 ml volume.

So we have 1000 g of water in 1 litre, and the molecular weight is 18.02 g/mol

Now, let's calculate the molarity of water. We know that we have 1000 g of water in 1 litre, and the molecular weight of water is 18.02 g/mol. To find the number of moles, we divide the mass by the molecular weight: 1000 / 18.02 = 55.49 moles.

The 1000 g of water is in 1000 ml (1 litre), so the molarity of water is 55.49 M

You can also test your understanding of the above calculations at: Maths4Biosciences.

If you would like to support my blogging efforts, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm