Tickling Rats for Science?

Is laughter really the best medicine?  After the election last week, maybe we all could use a dose of laughter to make us feel better?

This past week I saw two articles relating to laughter and I thought some comic relief would be good for you.  One of the articles was about tickling rats....yes that is right tickling rats.

http://www.seeker.com/when-tickled-rats-giggle-at-a-supersonic-level-2088268601.html

https://www.wired.com/2013/09/tickling-rats-for-science/

The other article was about how laughter may be the best pain medicine.  Laughing with your friends not only makes you feel better, but it may improve your overall health.  I just spent at least an hour looking for funny videos.  This one is pretty good, but I know that you are all experts at finding funny videos.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-laughter-may-be-the-best-pain-medicine/

Pick which ever article that you like best and write a scholarly paragraph indicate which article you read and explain what you learned.  Do you think neuroscience is interesting?  Why or why not?  Remember to write at least 5 sentences.  While I think kids are funny, my 12 year old insists that funny cat videos will make you laugh more.  Include your own funny video clip at the end of your post for an extra credit point.

Choices Choices Choices

As you contemplate which science class you should take as sophomores, I thought it was a perfect week to give you choices on your blog post.

1.  Watch the Ted Lesson below:

In the video, there were many terms that we discussed in class on Thursday:  enzyme, active site and more.  In a scholarly paragraph, explain how enzymes work.  What is the enzyme?  What is the substrate?  How is aspirin different than ibuprofen?  In the penny lab, we learned about denaturation, co-enzymes and competitive inhibitors, which of these three things do you think that aspirin and ibuprofen work like?  Why would it be bad to permanently change your pain receptors?  What is congenital analgesia?  How do they treat it?  You do not need to comment on a peer's response.

OR

2.  Watch the two videos below about the history of Veterans Day:

and

In a scholarly paragraphy explain why Veterans Day is significant to you.  Are you related to a Veteran?  When did they serve?  What is the history of Veterans Day?  What do you do specifically to thank the Veterans that have served our country?  I know that the Ela Public Library by my house has a letter writing day on November 6th where the public can write letters to Veterans to thank them for serving our country.

Two very different choices for this week.  I hope you can find one that you like.