If You Cannot Grasp What I Have Just Explained, You Should Just Leave And Study Economics!

It’s Medical Mnemonics Monday!

Renal Papillary Necrosis is a form of nephropathy characterized by coagulative necrosis of the renal medullary pyramids and papillae.  

Causes of Papillary Necrosis can be remembered by the mnemonic “POSTCARDS”.

P yelonephritis

O bstruction of the urogenital tract

S ickle cell disease

T uberculosis

Chronic liver disease,

A nalgesia /A lcohol abuse,

R enal transplant rejection

D iabetes mellitus

S ystemic vasculitis

Check out the list of the previous Medical Mnemonics here.

be patient, good things are coming your way :)

11.19.17

2 more days until break

Music mood: Mili - Miracle Milk

Hi, everyone!! I’ve had a studyblr for about a week now and have already met so many kind, supportive people. I couldn’t be more thankful. That said, I really wanted to give back to such an amazing community! So here’s my first printable for you! 

It includes:

a 5AM-10PM schedule (for my early hustlers)

‘Top 3 Priorities’ + ‘Can Wait’ categories

a ‘To-Do’ list

Daily Goals, Notes, Doodles

a water tracker (stay hydrated, friends!)

10 Good Things (reflect back on your day and jot down the little things that made you happy even if your day wasn’t the greatest)

They’re available for download in PDF and PNG formats + in pink, blue, yellow, and white! I’ve also made a grid and grid-less version! 

Grid

Blue: pdf / png Pink: pdf / png White: pdf / png Yellow: pdf / png

No Grid

Blue: pdf / png Pink: pdf / png White: pdf / png Yellow: pdf / png

And here’s a link to the entire folder on my DropBox!

Please tag me with #arystudies or mention me if you use these!! I’d love to see them in action. :’) I’m also really curious to see what you all think of them, so please let me know!! 

Be sure to check out my monthly calendars too!

Happy studying!  

Some general resources:

Chemistry Glossary

Chemistry Exam Survival Guide

Toolbox – interactive graphing, tables, and calculators

Make virtual chemistry models

Interactive periodic table

Another site for making virtual chemistry models

Virtual labs – covers stoichiometry, thermochemistry, eq1uilibrium, acid base chemistry, solubility, oxidation/reduction and electrochemistry, analytical chemistry/lab techniques

Concept tests

Chemistry Science Fair Project Ideas

OChem Reaction Bank

Interactive chem simulations

Chemical calculations

The Chem Blog

Molecule of the day

Free chemistry drawing software

Laboratory Safety - Laboratory safety for the chemistry classroom

Periodic Table of Videos - Brady Haran

On this day in chemistry… - a history of chemistry

The faces of chemistry

Experimentation hub -  explore and enjoy our experiments to increase engagement in scientific investigation, develop new skills and enhance your knowledge.

Understanding journals - including reading articles, referencing, and example articles.

Resources for specific topics:

Stochiometry – the mole, molarity and density, reaction stoichiometry and limiting reagents, empirical formula and mixtures, gravimetric analysis

Themochemistry – energy and enthalpy, entropy

Kinetics – phenomenological and mechanistic kinetics

Equilibrium – LeChatlier’s principle, progress of reaction, equilibrium calculations, common ion effect

Acid base chemistry – strong acid and bases, weak acids and bases, buffer solutions, acid/base titrations

Solubility – solubility product, solubility and PH, common ion effect

Oxidation/Reduction and Electrochemistry – standard reduction potentials, galvanic cells

Analytical chemistry/ Lab techniques – reaction stoichiometry and limiting reagents, acid/base titrations, redox titrations, gravimetric analysis, UC/Vis spectroscopy

Physical chemistry – quantum mechanics, spectroscopy

Properties of solutions – intermolecular forces, colligative properties

Textbooks:

Chemistry Virtual Textbooks, Stephen Lower

Organic Chemistry, Tim Soderberg

Organic Chemistry I, George Mhehe

Environmental Chemistry, Dejene Tessema

Virtual Organic Chemistry

Industrial Chemistry, Helen Njenga

Inorganic Chemistry, Chrispin Kowenje

Physical Chemistry I, Onesmus Munyaki

General Chemistry, Principles, Patterns and Applications

Chemistry Books - a variety of chemistry textbooks

Chemistry Tutorials/Guides:

Atoms, Molecules, and Ions

Chemical reactions and stoichiometry

Electronic structure of atoms

Periodic table

Chemical bonds

Gases and kinetic molecular theory

State of matter and intermolecular forces

Chemical equilibrium

Acids and bases

Acid base equilibria and solubility equilibria

Thermodynamics

Redox reactions and electrochemistry

Kinetics

Nuclear chemistry

Organic Chemistry Tutorials/Guidelines:

Structure and bonding

Dot structures

Hybridization

Bond-line structures

Electronegativity

Resonance and acid base chemistry

Counting electrons

Resonance structures

Organic acid-base chemistry

Alkanes, cycloalkanes and functional groups

Naming alkanes

Naming alkanes, cycloalkanes, and bicyclic compounds

Conformations of alkanes

Conformations of cycloalkanes

Functional groups

Stereochemistry

Chirality

Enantiomers

Stereoisomeric relationships

Subsituation and elimination reactions

Free radical reaction

Sn1 vs Sn2

Nucleophilicity and basicity

Elimination reactions

Sn1/Sn2/E1/E2

Sn1 and Sn2

Alkenes and alkynes

Naming alkenes

Alkene reactions

Alkene nomenclature

Alkene reactions

Naming and preparing alkynes

Alkyne reactions

Alcohols, ethers, epoxides, sulphides

Alcohol nomenclature and properties

Synthesis of alcohols

Reactions of alcohols

Nomenclature and properties of ethers

Synthesis and cleavage of ethers

Nomenclature and preparation of epoxides

Conjugation, Diels-Alder, and MO theory

Addition reactions of conjugated dienes

Diels-Alder reaction

Molecular orbital theory

Aromatic compounds

Naming benzene derivatives

Reactions of benzene

Aromatic stability

Electrophilic aromatic substitution

Directing effects

Other reactions and synthesis

Aldehydes and ketones

Introduction to aldehydes and ketones

Reactions of aldehydes and ketones

Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Naming carboxylic acids

Formation of carboxylic acid derivatives

Nomenclature and reactions of carboxylic acids

Nomenclature and reactions of carboxylic acid derivatives

Alpha carbon chemistry

Formation of enolate anions

Aldol condensations

Amines

Naming amines

Spectroscopy

Infrared Spectroscopy

UV/Vis Spectroscopy

proton NMR

Careers:

A future in Chemistry

What can I do with my chemistry degree?

Chemistry Careers - American Chemical Society

What to do with a degree in chemistry - The Guardian

I need tips on taking textbook notes please! I always get bored reading and then I end up just writing down bolded words with no context (which is really bad I know) any tips to help take more efficient textbook notes without having to spend hours (because I have 3 content heavy classes that I need to take notes for)

Hi there! I know this post may feel basic, but I feel like you’re struggling with basic skills like summarising a topic and writing things in your own words, so I tried my best to explain things in a step-by-step action-oriented list so that you can stand on your own ‘feet’ when you’re studying :)

The Basics of Studying From a Textbook

1. The textbook may be boring, but you’ve still got to read it. 

Unfortunately, high school and university isn’t a walk in the park :( I know, some days it’s hard, but you’ve still got to put in at least a modicum of hard work if you want to do well. 

Sometimes, the studyblr community perpetuates the idea that there’s some sort of “secret” to being a straight-As, 4.0GPA, HD WAM student, but there’s only studying techniques to make things easier. You’re still going to need a basic level of motivation, discipline, time management, organisation and study in order to do well. 

So even though the textbook is boring, you’re either going to have to convince yourself that the topic is interesting, or pull up your socks, buckle down, and actually read it. 

2. Reading speed is a limiting factor on how fast you can take notes. 

Try reading the textbook without taking any notes and time how long it takes you. That’s going to be the minimum time it takes, so if doing all the reading for 3 content heavy courses takes at least an hour or two, then reading and taking notes is going to be much more than that (roughly more than double the time), so you can’t speed it up any faster than your base reading speed. 

I recommend trying speed reading techniques, but that would take a whole separate post, so I won’t go into that here. 

3. Learn how to summarise a topic. 

At the moment it seems like you’re struggling and not really understanding how to summarise topics, and just relying on the textbook to tell you what’s important. 

To summarise something, you’ll need to write down the key points (the most important information) from something that you read in the fewest number of words reasonable. I’m sure you already knew that, but you must not be putting it into practice because of what you’re telling me in your ask. 

4. Write things in your own words. 

Again, once you learn how to summarise, writing it in your own words will solidify that information in your brain. Explain the topic in layman’s terms to a family member, which forces you to use your own words. If you live alone, try a stuffed toy or rubber duck. 

5. Start off by annotating your class notes. 

I think initially you should start off with annotating just until you learn what information is important and what’s not. Class notes usually have 80% of the important information in brief points, and the textbook colours in the rest. 

6. Use the “gummy bears” method. 

I know it’s elementary, but you seemed to be having trouble with discipline and boredom, so place gummy bears on every paragraph as a crutch to get yourself to finish reading everything. Once you train yourself to do things that you don’t want to do, then you won’t have to use any cheap tricks, as you’ll be disciplined enough to read pages and pages without needing constant “carrot on a stick” rewards. 

Once you’ve done those, here are my masterposts for content heavy courses:

Studying Content Heavy Courses

Use my Unique Automated Study Planner Printable which uses spaced repetition to make you remember more strategically!

Content Heavy Courses Study Guide - biology used as an example

Self Studying Advice - when you have to study a lot by yourself

Staying Productive No Matter How Much Time You Have

The Blank Paper Method - for rote learning lots of information

Part 11 Adapting to Uni Study - university basically mandates studying a large amount of info in a short period, so you’ll find this post useful for balancing 6 heavy courses!

Part 12 How to Study From Textbooks in Uni

Hope that helps!!

Follow optomstudies for daily original posts and study masterposts! Links: all originals + langblr posts + 15-part college 101 series + web directory!

volutin granules are an intracytoplasmic storage form of complexed inorganic polyphosphate, the production of which is used as one of the identifying criteria when attempting to isolate Corynebacterium diphtheriae on Löffler’s medium….look like chines letters…as given below

Antimicrobial Agents  - Cell wall inhibitors

Based on mode of action • divided into families based on chemical structure

 Modes of action Interference with: 

cell wall synthesis 

protein synthesis 

nucleic acid synthesis 

plasma membrane integrity 

metabolic pathway 

Inhibitors of Bacterial Cell Wall (peptidoglycan) Synthesis 

The Beta-lactam Family 

The Glycopeptides 

Peptidoglycan is composed of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) repeat units, and amino acids.  Each NAM is linked to peptide chain and the peptide chains are cross-linked.

β-lactams 

Includes penicillin derivatives (penams), cephalosporins (cephems), monobactams, and carbapenems.

class of broad-spectrum antibiotics containing a β-lactam ring

Bacterial transpeptidase enzymes are responsible for catalysing cross-linking of the peptide chains

β-lactam ring bind to these transpeptidases – this inhibits cross-linking between peptide chains and prevents synthesis of stable PG

Cell wall synthesis ceases and the bacterial cells eventually die due to osmotic instability or autolysis. 

Glycopeptides 

Polypeptide agents - basic structural elements amino acids 

Vancomycin: 

complexes with peptide portion of peptidoglycan’s precursor units 

vancomycin is a large hydrophilic molecule able to form hydrogen bonds with the terminal D-alanyl-D-alanine moieties of the NAM/NAG-peptides

preventing PG transglycosylation reaction – PG precursor subunits (NAG-NAM+peptide) cannot be inserted into peptidoglycan matrix;

Vancomycin also alters bacterial-cell-membrane permeability and RNA synthesis

Uses:  serious Gram positive infections e.g. MRSA wound infection

Adverse effects:

damage to auditory nerve 

hearing loss (ototoxicity) 

“Red man/neck” syndrome - rash on face, neck, upper torso 

Haematology

White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils = granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes)

Monocytes & lymphocyes = mononuclear

Neutrophils

Most numerous (~60% of WBC)

Nucleus divided into lobes

Cytoplasm contains small granules

Stains pink with Romanowsky dyes

Lifespan of 6-10hrs

Exit into tissues - non-specific defence against bacteria and fungi

Eosinophils

1% of circulating leukocytes 

Large cytoplasmic granules - stain strongly with acidic dye eosin

Nucleus is bilobed

Circulate for 4-5hrs

Exit to tissues –> 

Defence against parasites 

Dampen allergic response

Tissue eosinophils are also capable of responding to bacterial and fungal infection in a similar way to neutrophils.

Basophils

Least numerous (<1%)

Large granules stain strongly with basic dye methylene blue

Involved in anaphylactic hypersensitivity and inflammatory reactions

Monocytes

5% of circulating leukocytes

Large cell

Kidney/clefted shaped nucleus

Scattering of delicate azurophilic granules

Circulate for 10hrs

Mature into phagocytic tissue macrophages

Responsible for the removal of aged RBCs and other debris

Process and present antigens to T-lymphocytes 

(Macrophages are formed in response to an infection or accumulating damaged or dead cells. Large, specialized cells that recognize, engulf and destroy target cells.)

Lymphocytes

Second most common leukocyte (33%)

Much less cytoplasm - nucleus almost fills cell

Variable lifespan

Receptors on surface recognise foreign substances

Several types of lymphocyte - click here

Clostridium perfringes

Nagler reaction: C. perfringens phospholipase causes turbidity around the colonies on egg-yolk medium. Inhibited by specific antiserum.

Anaerobic stormy fermetantion in milk media

Food poisoning strains produce heat resistant spores.

Type A spores producing gas gangrene are inactivated by heat quickly.