2 ms·
I watched the version with narration (https://vimeo.com/260291607/5bcaf19961 https://vimeo.com/260291607/5bcaf19961), and was impressed by how many distinct mec
by sundarurfriend 6y ago
I watched the version with narration (https://vimeo.com/260291607/5bcaf19961 https://vimeo.com/260291607/5bcaf19961), and was impressed by how many distinct mechanisms are at work here, different molecules specialized for taking advantage of and working with different parts of the (host) human cell. All of this in a structure measured in nanometers, that evolved via randomness and selection for survival.
- jcims 6y agoCouple other things that are crazy to me: - ATP molecules are floating around the cell like little rechargeable batteries. Any portions of these operations that require chemical energy to be input not only need to have the structural features required to support the reaction, they also need to have the structures required to allow ATP to power that reaction. - How sensitive the body is to various compounds. For example, vitamin D is all the rage these days. In a typical adult, there are clinically relevant distinctions between a dose of 10 micrograms and 50 micrograms. For a 100kg person that's one part in a billion. - I just learned today that the polar nature of water causes it to differentially conform to various charge domains in the surface topology of proteins and that this provides essential functions for their operation - https://www.pnas.org/content/116/39/19274 https://www.pnas.org/content/116/39/19274