Little Nero is a lost neurotransmitter who just found himself atop a receptor of the receiving dendrite and needs to get his charge to the neighboring neuron…i need detailed instructions to Little Nero so he is able to reach a successful action potential??

Solution:

First some definitions:

A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrochemical signaling. On one end of the neuron are the dendrites (receiving end) and the other end is the transmitting end (axon terminal).

Synapse: One neuron connects to another neuron when the dendrite of one is connected to the axon terminal of the other. This connection is called a synapse.

Dendrites are the branched projections of a neuron that act to conduct the electrochemical stimulation received from other neural cells to the main part of the neuron from which the dendrites project. Dendrites form the main receiving part of neurons. Dendrites collect and funnel these signals to the soma and axon.

A neurotransmitter is a chemical that is released from a neuron.

Synaptic Cleft: The tiny space between two nerve cells across which the neurotransmitter diffuses

Receptor: Neurotransmitters cross the synapse where they may be accepted by the next neuron at a specialized site on a dendrite called a receptor.

Here are the detailed instructions for the “lost” neurotransmitter:

• You are currently on the receptor of a dendrite

• To get to the next neuron in the chain, you must travel the length of the neuron you are current on

• Travel across the dendrite

• Travel across the soma

• Travel down the entire length of the axon

• Travel across the axon terminal

• At the synaptic cleft, bind with receptor sites on the neighboring neuron’s dendrite

Elastic collision of unequal masses

You roll a basketball and a bowling ball directly towards each other at the same speed. Predict what will happen to each after the two collide.

Solution:

Let’s assume that this is an “elastic collision of unequal masses” (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision, which will help you visualize this). Let’s also assume that the weight of the basketball is 1 pound and the weight of the bowling ball is 2 pounds, and that the basket ball is traveling from east to west at a speed (v) of 9 miles per hour, and the bowling ball is traveling west to east at 9 miles per hour.

After the collision the bowling ball reverse direction and travel at 3 miles per hour, and the basketball will reverse direction and travel at 15 miles per hour.

What is inside a flower?

Soluton:

We found the following picture of what’s inside a flower at

http://www.eduplace.com/science/hmxs/ls/pdf/2rs_1_3-3.pdf

What experiment have 3 types of variables?

Solution:

Scientific experiment has three types of variables: independent, dependent and controlled.

Please click on this link to get details:

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/project_variables.shtml

If a good absorber of radiant energy were a poor emitter, how would its temperature compare with its surroundings?

Solution:

A good absorber of radiant energy, like a black surface, sends to get hot. If it is a poor emitter, that means it will remain hot for a long time. Therefore, an object that is both a good absorber of radiant energy and a poor emitter would tend to be hotter than its surroundings.

How to prepare for a Science Exam

Science makes your outlook towards life a little different than other subjects. Studying this subject opens many doors for you to enlighten your future. In case you could not figure out how to prepare for your science exam well, you need to develop the right temperament first. Science is about being practical, so get ready to test your brains through this labyrinth.

First and foremost, start preparing for the Science exam in advance. The sooner you start, the better your chances of performing well in the exam as you feel more confident as the exam day approaches. Complete the theory part thoroughly; attend the classes regularly at school. If you miss some lecture then try asking some of your classmates to cover up or simply ask your teacher to help you out. Studying with someone can be a good option sometimes so you can synchronize your work schedule with your friend.

Science is about being practical and not just being a theoretician. So attend all the lab sessions regularly and try to perform all the experiments by yourself to understand the phenomena better and it will last longer in your memory as well. Do not skip any assignments as there is always a good chance to encounter something similar in the exam. Now prepare for your Science exam with a cool and practical approach and see the magic unveil the sweet fruit of good grades.

Enroll in our Online Science Tutoring program to get help with Science homework, assignments and test preparation.

Why do so many Asian students do well in Math and Science

Excellence in Math and Science has helped many Asian students reach the best of universities in the West. And from there they have moved on to take up top positions in leading global companies. Many theories have been floated about the uncanny strength of the Asian students in the tricky educational streams of Math and Science – ranging from the desire to escape from the cycle of poverty so rampant in many of the Asian economies, to hereditary strengths in numerical ability.

One interesting observation is that learning the basis of Math, which is Math tables, is so much easier in some of the Asian languages than in English. The musical manner in which Math tables are learned by rote in Hindi,  for example, makes recollection easier than in English. For instance, “2 times 2 equals 4” (this involves five words) while in Hindi it is “Do duni chaar” (are just three words) and so much easier to utter phonetically.

According to studies, the names attributed to Math numbers in several Asian languages are easier to remember than those in English.

Another major factor is parental attention. A large number of families in Asia have homemaker mothers, who are educated, in some cases well educated. They spend considerable time with their children for their studies. Fathers too, chip in when needed. 

Interestingly, in Asian countries Math as a subject in school is taught at least in two periods during the day. This increases the amount of time spent on the subject, which naturally helps hone skills.

And of course, there is the perseverance and hard work of individuals, which make the task of learning Math and Science easier.