Chemistry For Your Life

#209

Melissa and Jam dive into the fascinating chemistry behind how plants transport water from their roots to their leaves, effectively defying gravity. They explore processes such as capillary action and the cohesion tension mechanism, citing a primary source from Nature journal. Melissa and Jam also touch on key chemistry concepts like water polarity, hydrogen bonding, and osmosis, providing examples from everyday life. Jam shares a personal story about germinating an apple seed with his son, while Melissa discusses her adventures in native plant gardening. The episode concludes with a shoutout to their Patreon supporters and details on upcoming Chemistry for Your Life merch.

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00:00 Introduction and Tea Talk

00:17 Plants Defying Gravity

01:05 Welcome to Chemistry for Your Life

01:20 Listener Question: Chemistry of Pregnancy Tests

02:11 Capillary Action in Everyday Life

03:57 Personal Stories and Plant Enthusiasm

05:15 Chemistry Lessons: Water Polarity and Hydrogen Bonds

10:32 Water Transport in Plants: Xylem and Capillary Action

16:00 Transpiration and Water Loss in Plants

23:32 Curiosity About Soil and Water Content

24:23 Water Movement in Trees

26:53 Understanding Osmosis

28:37 Practical Applications of Osmosis

31:12 Capillary Action and Plant Water Transport

33:15 Fun Plant Stories and Experiments

41:11 Supporting the Show and Community

References from this episode:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856711009531


2. https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf


3. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/23026007/


4. https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs


5. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/FDA-bans-red3-food-drugs/103/web/2025/01


6. https://www.acs.org/education/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/october-2015/articial-dyes.html


7. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26


8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/

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#098 Rebroadcast

Original Air Date: June 3, 2021

Could histamine and antihistamines do more than just affect our allergies? Actually yes. Today we discuss new and recent research in the world of histamine, and believe us, there's some really cool stuff.

References from this episode

1. https://cen.acs.org/articles/91/web/2013/06/Tracking-Histamine-Levels-Glowing-Nanosensors.html


2. https://cen.acs.org/articles/92/web/2014/12/Chemical-Cocktail-Lures-Bedbugs-Coaxes.html


3. https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/antibiotics/Common-allergy-drug-makes-resistant/97/i24


4. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05515


5. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/h/histamines.html


6. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.9b03300

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• Suzanne Phillips


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#097 Rebroadcast

Most of us know the feeling. But what are we actually experiencing when we experience allergies? How does being around plants and pollen make us all sniffly? Why does this beautiful season have such a dark side? Let's find out.

References from this episode

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538528/


2. https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/histamine/3005799.article


3. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/h/histamine.html


4. https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i19/Periodic-Graphics-Allergies-Antihistamines.html

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Ciara Linville


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• Suzanne Phillips


• Nelly Silva


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• Lyn Stubblefield


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#208

Melissa and Jam dive deep into the topic of FDA regulations, particularly focusing on food additives like red food dye. They discuss the complexities of the FDA's approval process, the Delaney Clause, and recent changes in the regulation of red dye number 3, which has been banned in response to cancer risks found in rats. They also delve into how other countries like the UK and Canada are ahead of the U.S. in reevaluating approved substances. The episode includes personal anecdotes and a discussion on the role of public awareness in influencing FDA policies. They wrap up with a lighthearted conversation about sprinkles and favorite dyed foods.

00:00 Introduction and FDA Discussion

00:36 Podcast Banter and Hat Story

02:42 FDA's Role and Food Additives

04:48 Red Food Dye Controversy

11:33 FDA Trustworthiness and Public Perception

18:29 Comparing Food Regulations: US vs. Canada

18:50 Trusting the FDA: A Personal Take

20:02 Challenges Faced by the FDA

20:56 Rebranding the FDA: A Fun Idea

22:16 Sprinkles and Donuts: A Sweet Debate

26:51 Favorite Dyed Foods

30:44 Podcast Wrap-Up and Community Shoutouts

References from this episode:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856711009531


2. https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf


3. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/23026007/


4. https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs


5. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/FDA-bans-red3-food-drugs/103/web/2025/01


6. https://www.acs.org/education/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/october-2015/articial-dyes.html


7. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26


8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/

Thanks to our monthly supporters

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• Venus R


• Lyn S


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Question and Response 65

Melissa and Jam delve into a variety of interesting chemistry-related questions sourced from Reddit. They explore why farts stop smelling over time, the non-oily nature of Castile soap, why cookies and candies remain safe to eat at room temperature, and the mechanics behind rice cookers. They also discuss how opening a bottle can freeze its contents and offer reassurance to a chemistry Ph.D. student worried about forgetting basic chemistry knowledge. The episode is filled with insightful explanations, humor, and chemistry support, answering the everyday scientific queries of curious Reddit users.

00:00 Introduction and Reddit Questions Overview

01:44 Where Does a Fart Go?

04:01 Why Cookies and Candy Don't Spoil Quickly

07:31 How Do Rice Cookers Work?

10:52 Why Does Opening a Bottle Freeze the Contents?

15:16 How is Castile Soap Not Oily?

17:18 Forgetting Basic Chemistry as a PhD Student

24:35 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Julie S


• Heather R


• Autoclave


• Chelsea M


• Dorien V


• Scott B


• Jessie R


• Ciara L


• J0HNTR0Y


• Jeannette N


• Cullyn R


• Erica B


• Elizabeth P


• Sarah M


• Rachel R


• Letila


• Katrina B


• Suzanne P


• Venus R


• Lyn S


• Jacob T


• Brian K


• Emerson W


• Kristina G


• Timothy P


• Steven B


• Chris and Claire S


• Chelsea B


• Avishai B


• Hunter R

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife