Last week, in Biology, we started the half of the semester devoted to genetics! We're doing a lab tomorrow on plant cells in different stages of mitosis and meiosis.

The terminology is a bit confusing between chromosome, chromatin, chromatid, hapolid, diploid, etc! I was looking online for some clear definitions, and I like this image.

1-Chromatid, 2-Centromere, 3-short arm, 4-long arm.

In Chem we have a test this week on gas laws, thermochemistry, and the quantum nature of electrons (acting as both particles and waves). It's kind of cool because atoms required a new understanding of physics--neither classic Newtonian physics nor Einstein's relativity could work here: "Quantum physics deals with situations where the usual picture of reality breaks down. Photons (discrete units of light) and other very small things have some behaviors that resemble classical particles like billiard balls and other behaviors that resemble classical waves like water waves." (From Wikipedia)

And in Physics, still struggling but it's getting better. We just finished a chapter on angular momentum and torque. Don't ask!

I volunteer on a mobile health van

I started volunteering a few weeks ago on Harvard Medical School's Family Van. Since 1992, the van has provided health education, screening, and prevention services, as well as referrals to medical and social service agencies to an estimated 50,000 of Boston's most vulnerable and underserved residents.

http://www.familyvan.org/

It's a really amazing experience, and I get to do a lot of real medical stuff--take blood pressure, check blood sugar (with a lancet finger prick), glacuoma screenings, and more. It's a lot of hands on work, and interacting with real live patients.

Yesterday during my 3 hour shift, I discussed with various patients all the different medications they're on. Here's my list of what I managed to write down.

1. Simvastatin: used to treat high cholestorol. Used to be called Zocor.

2. Diovan: used to treat hypertension.

3. Hydrochlorothiazide (hctz): hypertension drug; one of the longest on the market.

4. Atenolol: to treat hypertension, a beta-blocker.

5. Lisinopril: another medication to treat hypertension.

6. Norvasc: another anti-hypertensive.

7. Lipitor: to lower cholesterol.

8. Crestor: to treat high cholesterol.

9. Metformin: to treat diabetes

10. Lavoxyl: treats thyroid problems.

And in other news: Mom is acquitted finally! Read about it in the Maui News.