#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:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856711009531
https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf
https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/23026007/
https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs
https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/FDA-bans-red3-food-drugs/103/web/2025/01
https://www.acs.org/education/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/october-2015/articial-dyes.html
https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/
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--------
44:46
What is the future of antihistamines?
#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
https://cen.acs.org/articles/91/web/2013/06/Tracking-Histamine-Levels-Glowing-Nanosensors.html
https://cen.acs.org/articles/92/web/2014/12/Chemical-Cocktail-Lures-Bedbugs-Coaxes.html
https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/antibiotics/Common-allergy-drug-makes-resistant/97/i24
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05515
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/h/histamines.html
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.9b03300
Thanks to our monthly supporters
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Elizabeth P
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Rachel Reina
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Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
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--------
34:35
Why are seasonal allergies the worst?
#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
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538528/
https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/histamine/3005799.article
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/h/histamine.html
https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i19/Periodic-Graphics-Allergies-Antihistamines.html
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette Napoleon
Cullyn R
Erica Bee
Elizabeth P
Sarah Moar
Rachel Reina
Letila
Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
Hunter Reardon
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--------
29:11
Why is red food dye banned?
#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:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856711009531
https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf
https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/23026007/
https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs
https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/FDA-bans-red3-food-drugs/103/web/2025/01
https://www.acs.org/education/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/october-2015/articial-dyes.html
https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/
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
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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--------
33:49
Chemistry Support: Where does a fart go? (and other questions)
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
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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
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.