The body needs energy to function. This energy must be obtained from food, processed and metabolised so it is ready for the cells to use. Glucose, a sugar molecule, makes up the most important energy source. The brain alone uses 20% of the glucose produced by the body. Like many other factors, blood glucose must…
Rodents for writers: squirrels. The final part of the series on common rodents, to help writers better understand them. This time we’re covering the other major class of rodents, the squirrel family of rodents. This family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels (chipmunks and prairie dogs) and flying squirrels. The focus of this article is the…
The RAAS system and thyroid hormones play an essential role in managing metabolism, blood pressure and fluid balance. These hormones regulate electrolytes, water retention and metabolic rate. RAAS The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system involves several organs and plays an essential role in maintaining blood pressure. A drop in blood flow to the kidneys activates the RAAS to…
The ‘stress hormone’ cortisol is extremely important for managing and regulating the body’s response to stress. Cortisol regulates metabolism, the response to stress and the immune system. The adrenal glands release cortisol, regulated by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in the brain. Adrenal Glands The paired adrenal glands live just above each kidney and…
Endocrinology for writers is the new Monday blog series for March. Endocrinology is the study of the system of hormones and signals the body uses to manage its functions. It’s a complex subject and many people find it confusing. I’m here to help try to make it easier to understand. Why will this help writers?…
Snake’s Cultural Impact Let’s discuss the cultural impact of snakes. Snakes form an important part of many cultures in the world, both modern and historical. Ophidiophobia (phobia of snakes) is commonplace. Last week, we discussed the potential dangers certain snakes pose. The main risks include venomous bites and the largest constrictors. Non-venomous snakes are not…
Roots of Colour Understanding medical terminology – colour, position and quantity. These word roots are essential for accurate descriptions of medical and anatomical items. Many words used to describe the colour of something in the medical world exist. Both Latin and Greek roots are used for the most part with the exception of yellow which…
Snake Senses and Physiology Snake Eyes No, not when you roll a one on a dice. Actual snake eyes, on actual snakes. We’re talking about snake senses and physiology. Snakes generally have good vision, some of them have slitted pupils like cats. All snakes lack eyelids, instead they have a clear scale covering the eye…
In honour of this being the Year of the Snake, I thought we could talk about snakes. They are a common phobia, and culturally they have had quite an impact on human society. From the Garden of Eden to Cleopatra’s death, snakes are often thought of as evil or dangerous. Yet other people love them…
Survival Strategies Using Colour Animals use colour strategies in all kinds of ways to avoid being detected, eaten or to express themselves in some way. Some creatures can see colours we can’t, like infra-red and ultraviolet, which are not on the ‘visible spectrum’ of light. The visible spectrum is defined as what we can see…
