1 more

Can't recall when I last wrote that fast.
5 essay in 2 hours.. talk about time constraint.

Can't believe I actually pulled it off. 4 hours of cramming yesterday all seem worthwhile.

Somehow I got the feeling that this SSA was predictable... every year they ask the same old questions over and over again..

But still, I couldn't remember all the facts..

Ha.. 2 more paper to go..

Accident

Had a test.. 60 MCQ, no time to finish, so just shaded any answer.

Had an accident today.. while on the way home, a minibus banged the boot of the car. Thank God no one was hurt. Yat was like cursing and swearing, his sis and mum was out trying to get the driver's particulars. But he refuses.. what an a** right? Ha.. well, like what Yat said, 'Bad things happen in threes'.

Another exam coming up tomorrow.. SSA2215 with still alot to cover.. I definitely need a miracle for this one..

Indeed Nisa is right, the book may be thin but like chili padi.. hot as hell.

Guess I'll just burn the midnight oil today..

And I'm getting incoherent.. anybody got a smart pill?

BioD

3 KINGDOMS

BACTERIA, PLANTS, ANIMALS

PHYLUM, CLASS, ORDER, SPECIES

GRAM POSITIVE, PTERIDOPHYTES, POLYCOPHORA, MYRIAPODA, AMNIOTES...

E COLI, WHISK FERN, EARTHWORM, MANTIS SHRIMP, NEWT, CROCODILE, FLYING SQUIRREL, PLATYPUS...

2 days left... I hope I can cover everything. Wish me luck!

Equation

Life's many equations... never unidirectional, never in equilibrium

The reply is in..

Had the reply from Prof today. Just when I'm about to re-revise the topic again..

Somehow it's frightening to study in the library. There's this gloomy, stressful, heavy aura that surrounds everyone. Bottles of water, cookies, sweets, files, books, laptops, jackets.. it seems that they're planning to camp for days. Ha.. well, I happen to be one of them..


Dear Prof,

I would appreciate it if you could look over my understanding about neurones and membrane resting potential.

Resting potential:
At resting, the membrane potential is at -71mV, which is near E(K) which is -75mV. (this is correct.) This anomaly is caused by two reasons:
1. all background (leak) K+ channels open, allowing an efflux of K+ down its concentration gradient. By itself, this causes the membrane potential to be at -75mV. However,
2. some Na+ background channels are open, allowing Na+ to move down it's concentration gradient. This cancels some of the potential generated by the movement of K+ out of the cell. (Yes, it is correct.)

At the same time, the membrane is not permeable to anions such as proteins and this causes a separation of charge across the membrane. Their interaction causes the generation of an electrical voltage . (Yes, that is correct.)

Also, the Na+/K+ pump actively pumps K+ into the cell and Na+ out to mantain the Na and K gradient directly, and thus maintaining indirectly the the resting membrane potential.

So, this takes place in all animal cells? (Yes.) And the voltage-gated Na+ channels are not involve in the maintenance of resting potential? (No, they do not. And, not all cell types has Na+ channels. Different types of Na channels can exist in different regions of the neuron.)

Generation of an action potential:

When a stimulus reaches the receptor membrane of a recepter neuron, the Na+ channels open proportionately to the log of the intensity of the stimulus which makes it graded. It is then transmitted electrotonically to the spike-generating zone of the axon of the neuron.

At the spike-generating zone, if the volatge reaches the threshold level, the voltage-gated Na+ channels undergo a comformational change, causing the gate to be open. This causes an influx of Na+ down its electrochemical (NOT concentration) gradient. The increase in permeability to Na+ causes more Na+ channels to open by positive feedback mechanism (No. that is not correct. Once the Na channels in a region experience a threshold voltage they will all open.) As a result, the membrane potential is depolarised and reaches close to +55mV.

However, in the axon, the inactivation gates of Na+ channels close after 0.5 msec (responds to the positive membrane potential and starts to close ) . Repolarisation then begins as the membrane becomes less impermeable to Na+. (No, this is incorrect.) repolarization occurrs because of the opening of the voltage dependent (or delayed) K channel which facilitates the efflux of K.)

Voltage-gated K+ channels starts to open, causing K+ to leave the cell and restore the resting potential. But this is repolariztion!

At this stage, wouldn't there be an upset over the concentration of of both Na+ and K+? Yes, but only a very tiny amount of change. My answer would be that the Na+/K+ pump has to do it's part in restoring the resting potential. No, to restore the Na and K concentration gradients.

I"m sorry if it's lengthy but it's hard to talk about one thing and not involving the rest. (Its OK.)
Thank you for sparking my interest in the phenomenons of the human body.

Thanks,
Fairoz

Dear Prof,

I would appreciate it if you could look over my understanding about neurones and membrane resting potential.

Resting potential:
At resting, the membrane potential is at -71mV, which is near E(K) which is -75mV. This anomaly is caused by two reasons:
1. all background (leak) K+ channels open, allowing an efflux of K+ down its concentration gradient. By itself, this causes the membrane potential to be at -75mV. However,
2. some Na+ background channels are open, allowing Na+ to move down it's concentration gradient. This cancels some of the potential generated by the movement of K+ out of the cell.

At the same time, the membrane is not permeable to anions such as proteins and this causes a separation of charge across the membrane. Their interaction causes the generation of an electrical voltage.

Also, the Na+/K+ pump actively pumps K+ into the cell and Na+ out to mantain the resting membrane potential.

So, this takes place in all animal cells? And the voltage-gated Na+ channels are not involve in the maintenance of resting potential?

Generation of an action potential:

When a stimulus reaches a neuron, the Na+ channels open proportionately to the intensity of the stimulus which makes it graded. It is then transmitted electrotonically to the spike-generating zone of the neuron.

At the spike-generating zone, when the volatge reaches the threshold level, the voltage-gated Na+ channels undergo a comformational change, causing the gate to be open. This causes an influx of Na+ down its concentration gradient. The increase in permeability to Na+ causes more Na+ channels to open by positive feedback mechanism. As a result, the membrane potential is depolarised and reaches +55mV.

However, the inactivation gates of Na+ channels responds to the positive membrane potential and starts to close. Repolarisation then begins as the membrane becomes less impermeable to Na+.

Voltage-gated K+ channels starts to open, causing K+ to leave the cell and restore the resting potential.

At this stage, wouldn't there be an upset over the concentration of of both Na+ and K+? My answer would be that the Na+/K+ pump has to do it's part in restoring the resting potential.

Thanks,

Fairoz

Wrap up

Biodiversity practical grp during the zoo trip last week. Didn't get a chance to get to know all the names because some of them are super shy. A shy but smart group; recalled Kai Yang (TA) trying to squeeze answers from us. Haha..

And today marks the end of the sem.. no more lessons.. only preparing for examinations. Today's wrap up happens to be in physio lecture, which he was trying so hard to finish but in the end, some of the topics had to be removed.

Yeah!

As usual during physio, we learned about phenomenons that wow and made us go 'so that's why it's like that'. And today was no acception. Edema edema. 'We're scientists, we don't say swelling. We call it edema.' Haha.. that got the class laughing. They are right, you learn more when you're having fun.

1 semester..

5 modules..

3 lab reports..

1 field report..

7 tests..

5 more exams to go..

This is what a Honda feels like

honda civic promo audio


Dang.. the people at Honda are sure creative..

It's kinda hard..

Today's review session was more of an eye-opener for me. Most of us came into the LT expecting exam formats and tips. But rather today we got a taste of what upper studies is all about. Gone were the days of regurgitation, of days where grammar was only confined to English lessons, or even practising over and over again ten-year series questions.

I don't know about other modules, but so far for physio, it was basically thinking questions. Though I cannot deny that questions that focused on recall will be present, it was the application questions that got me.

An interesting question was about a sprinter who had an accident, recovered and wanted to be a marathon runner. The question was what kind of exercises do you recommend the person and to justify the reason. So we learned about sarcomeres and white muscle and red muscle, slow and fast muscle, and isometric exercises. So it was more of applying the knows.

And it was shocking to know that some people could write 6 pages for an answer and still got zilch in the end. On the other hand, it was suffice to know that 1.5 pages was enough to score 19/20. So quality over quantity.

Who would have thought of giving a summary question for physio with a limit of 150 words? Well, Prof Ip thinks otherwise. Kinda feels like a biology Gp lesson. Haha.. well, first paper is nest Saturday.. so it's full speed ahead for me..

Is it too much to ask for?

I didn't ask..
to be born in this world.
I didn't ask..
to have this life.

To be kicked around when I'm down. I never asked to be drowned in luxuries. I ask to be loved. To be a normal kid.

Is it too much to ask for?

Blow by blow.. I didn't even manage to recover from the past.

To wake up, ready to greet the world..
not waking up wishing yesterday never happened.

Is it too much to ask for?

Will I ever see tomorrow's light ever again?

Revisited 3: A child once more

How long has it been since I last visited the zoo? If I'm not wrong it has been around 5 years. And today's visit proved to be a more educational to me. Not only did the zoo had a major facelift, but more animals were let loose than before.

Presenting the exhibits..

A kangaroo.. as if no one knows that already.
White tigers.. the biggest cats around. (Panthera tigris)
A wallaby.. it's a small kangaroo (like a prawn shrimp thing). (Macropus sp.)
The skull of an elephant.. huge huh..
Penguins.. this enclosure never change at all.
Bats.. fruit bats I suppose.
Mousedeers, an even-toed undulate... (Tragulus javanicus)
A saying.. see how important conservation is?

Besides.. we learnt much more.. by seeing them live..
Did you know?

Butterfles have only 2 pairs of legs though they are insects. The last pair are highly reduced.

The fur of the polar bear is colourless, not white. Polar bears look white because of the way their fur reflects visible light.

Since tapirs are nocturnal animals, the white patch helps to camouflage them when the moonlight shines on the forest undergrowth.

Not all carnivores eat meat.. You ever see a panda eat meat?

There's such a thing as Old World and New World monkey..Old World monkeys are found in Africa and Asia while New World monkeys are from Central and South America.

An alligator gar is not an alligator.

Master Plan

How am I suppose to start studying with all the test popping here and there..

But hey.. I need a clearer view..

ST1232: Statistics for Life Science
Descriptive Statistics
Probability
Discrete Probability Distributions
Continuous Probability Distributions
Estimation
One-sample Hypothesis Testing

CM1121: Basic Organic Chemistry
Stereochemistry
Alkanes/Cycloalkanes
Alkynes
Alkenes
Benzene and Aromatics
Alkyl Halides
Alcohols
Ethers
Epoxides
Phenols
Aldehydes and Ketones
Carboxylic acid and Derivatives
Amines

LSM1103: Biodiversity
Kingdom Monera
- Gram Negative Bacteria
- Gram Positive Bacteria
Kingdom Plantae
- Bryophytes
- Pteridophytes
- Gymnosperms
- Angiosperms
Kingdom Fungi
Kingdom Protista
Kingdom Animalia:
Invertebrates
- Phylum Porifera (sponges)
- Phylum Cnidaria (hydra)
- Phylum Ctenophora (comb jellies)
- Phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms)
- Phylum Nematoda (roundworms)
- Phylum Annelida (segmented worms)
- Phylum Onychophora (velvet worms)
- Phylum Arthropoda (insects, spiders, centipedes, crabs)
- Phylum Mollusca (snails, barnacles, octopuses)
- Phylum Echinodermata (sea stars, sea urchin, sea cucumbers, feather stars)
Vertebrates
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Ascidiacea
- Class Larvacea
- Class Cephalochordata
- Superclass Agnatha
- Class Chondrichthyes
- Class Osteichthyes
- Class Amphibia
- Class Reptilia
- Class Aves
- Class Mammalia

LSM1201: General Physiology
Bioenergetics
Photosynthesis
Water and Solute Transport
Water fluxes in Plant
Cellular Respiration
Muscle Contraction
Neural Signal
Homeostasis

SSA2215: Biophysical Environment of Singapore
Prof Wong:
-Geology and Landforms
-Coasts and Beaches
-Reclaimed Coasts
-Marine Environment
Prof Chou:
-Mangrove and Seagrass habitat
-Coral Reef Habitat
Prof Lu:
-Green Spaces
-Soils and management
-Slope Processes
-Soil Erosion
-Fluvial Processes
-Sedimentation

OMG! Didn't know there was s much to study.. 1 more week to go before study break starts.. 2 more tests to take..

I just hope I got enough time to cover all the materials at least once..

Tuesday... my favourite day

My fav day! At least for today.. no prac.. dun feel like attending lecture..

finally submitted the field report and the lab report.

so I'm gonna prop myself in the library like the rest of the zombies in school..

with my mp3,
my bottled water,
a bag of chocolate covered raisins,
my stacks of notes to cover,
and my laptop,

I'm all set to stay till late today...

haha.. nearly forgotten about the test tomorrow and on friday..

1:48
Listening to Go West, gonna read physio notes first, munch on my raisins..
Library so packed today.. thank gdness I managed to secure a powerpoint..

3:23
Lib still packed.. with peeps.. at least got terence for company..
raisins still lasting.. only on muscles.. going through the internet classroom..
can't get distracted.. a quick 3 mins time-out only... Metropolis

5:03
alone now.. better prepare for the test tomorrow..
why aren't these people going home?
Know what? This guy exclaimed 'shit' in the library..
apparently he just woke up from his sleep..
sure late for something..
Bizzaro

6:29
argh! my raisins finishing soon...
reading about fishes..
amphibians soon..
the crowd thinning..
and I'm freezing..
still Bizzaro

8:00
raisin's finish..
bottle's empty..
getting sleepy..
stomach rumbling..
time to head home..

Bunifa..

'Who you calling a BITCH? Do I look like your MAMA?'

Bunifa crack me up..

'I sssaaaiiiddd my name is Bunifa Latifah Halifah Sharifa Jackson'

Just plain funny...

It's midnight..

Should I be sleeping now?
I don't know.
Should I go home now?
I don't know.

Yet here I am, at Mc D.

After the training today, I found out that I needed to train up more.

After shopping today, I found out that I don't know some of my friends anymore.

And now, sitting all alone,
there's people still around.
People who are with other people.
I've never felt more alone.

And yet I tell myself,
tomorrow's gonna be different,
tomorrow's gonna be better,
tomorrow will be another day.
But that day never came.
I'm still stuck in today,
still stuck.. alone.

I guess happiness was never meant for me..

It's midnight, how long will I be here..

No guilt: Raya

First day pic..forgot to upload..me n sis...

Everyone's a poser... especially the Drama Mama

Celebrated Rus belated Birthday with Prima Eclairs..

Me doing the 'Jade'

More drama..

Well, going gym with Eug tomorrow morning, shopping in the evening with Kel and Toms. Tsk tsk.. with work still on hold, I should really lighten my activities. But what the heck, everybody need time out during the weekend so I should feel no guilt.
With my chem report 90% done, and at least the intro for the field report done, at least I'm ahead of schedule. So I should reward myself tomorrow...

Taking Back Sunday: Make Damn Sure

"MakeDamnSure"

You've got this new head filled up with smoke
I've got my veins all tangled close
To the jukebox bars you frequent
The safest place to hide
A long night spent with your most obvious weakness
You start shaking at the thought you are everything I want
'Cause you are everything I'm not

And we lay, we lay together just not
Too close, too close (How close is close enough?)
We lay, we lay together just not
Too close, too close

I just wanna break you down so badly
Well I trip over everything you say
I just wanna break you down so badly
In the worst way

My inarticulate store bought hangover hobby kit
It talks, it says, "You, oh, you are so cool."
"Scissor shaped across the bed, you are red, violent red."
You hollow out my hungry eyes
You hollow out my hungry eyes

And we lay, we lay together just not
Too close, too close (How close is close enough?)
We lay, we lay together just not
Too close, too close

I just wanna break you down so badly
Well I trip over everything you say
Well I just wanna break you down so badly
In the worst way

I just wanna break you down so badly
Well I trip over everything you say
I just wanna break you down so badly
In the worst way (worst way)

I'm gonna make damn sure that you can't ever leave
No, you won't ever get too far from me
You won't ever get too far from me
I'll make damn sure that you can't ever leave
No, you won't ever get too far from me
You won't ever get too far from me
You won't ever get too far from me (ever get too far)
You won't ever get too far...

I just wanna break you down so badly
Well I trip over everything you say
Well I just wanna break you down so badly
In the worst way (worst way)

I'm gonna make damn sure
I just wanna break you down so badly
I just wanna break you down so badly (damn sure)
In the worst way (worst way)


I've been searching high and low for the title of this song. Heard it today at CD rama, saw the CD they were playing, grab the CD and searched for the song title. After months of searching I finally got the title. Nice Nice.