Random thoughts thread

[Canehda]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Ya, I may have taken the definition of "us" to the extreme and only considered other living organisms (bacteria, viruses, etc) that live on or in "us" as separate. If you start to add up the non cellular portions that we contain then I suppose the levels of mass would be higher. Although I would maintain that things such water are still part of us.
HMMMMM I see some research in my future.

Its also so difficult to determine this because the rate of exchange between inside and outside is so great.... A super simple example is with neurons because for a brief moment during depolarization overshoot the cell is filled with both sodium and potassium ions but then when potassium channels finally open the cell releases them... So within like fractions of a millisecond the neuron has changed its mass three separate times in one particular location xD :p

[Sarlacc]

I like my bacteria. We've formed a symbiotic relationship over the years.

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

I like my bacteria. We've formed a symbiotic relationship over the years.

Worst. Biology joke. Ever.

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by Canehda

So within like fractions of a millisecond the neuron has changed its mass three separate times in one particular location xD :p

sounds like me after a workout. the meal follows evidently, very very quickly.

[babydriver]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I heard somewhere that half of our body mass isn't actually us.

As Tcoat pointed out, that's based on a "census" of the number of cells in our bodies vs. the number of microorganisms living on and in our bodies. It is true that the microorganisms greatly outnumber our cell count (about 10 to 1,) but their mass is infinitesimal compared to that of our own cells.

On a related note, if E-coli bacteria were able to reproduce without limit (an unlimited food supply and exponential population growth) and without mortality, their total mass would exceed that of the Earth within a week. No joke. Fortunately, there isn't that much food available.

Correction: It wouldn't take a week. I did a quick calculation and if the Earth's mass is 6 x 10^27 grams, then in one day the unrestricted E. coli would reach a mass of 2.36 X 10^15 grams. By the second day, they will have reached a total mass of 1.16 X 10^37 grams, easily eclipsing the earth's mass. Now that's gross.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by babydriver

As Tcoat pointed out, that's based on a "census" of the number of cells in our bodies vs. the number of microorganisms living on and in our bodies. It is true that the microorganisms greatly outnumber our cell count (about 10 to 1,) but their mass is infinitesimal compared to that of our own cells.

On a related note, if E-coli bacteria were able to reproduce without limit (an unlimited food supply and exponential population growth) and without mortality, their total mass would exceed that of the Earth within a week. No joke. Fortunately, there isn't that much food available.

It makes much more sense considering it that way. The statement I heard at the time was very misleading. I remember thinking to myself "Really? That just doesn't add up." I appreciate how it turned into an interesting little conversation today.

[babydriver]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Ya, I may have taken the definition of "us" to the extreme and only considered other living organisms (bacteria, viruses, etc) that live on or in "us" as separate. If you start to add up the non cellular portions that we contain then I suppose the levels of mass would be higher. Although I would maintain that things such water are still part of us.
HMMMMM I see some research in my future.

It would be impossible for any part of "us" to function without water, so I would certainly consider water to be part of us. At least until we pee it out. Eaten food in its various partially processed and leftover fully processed form obviously is not part of us, but its nutrients are incorporated into our biology. The rest is eliminated, as they say.

Also, there are no non-cellular living portions of the body. Even cartilage and bone are made up of constituent cells. Fat cells are just that: cells. Nails and hair are compressed from skin cells, and are not cells any longer per se, but they are also not alive. Everything else is made of living cells.

Added: Exceptions would be blood plasma and lymph fluid, which carry cellular material, nutrients and waste around the body, but are not cellular in construction themselves. These do have considerable mass, but are basically water in terms of their mass, so if we include water as part of us, then obviously these are also included.

[babydriver]

Originally Posted by Canehda

So within like fractions of a millisecond the neuron has changed its mass three separate times in one particular location xD :p

Just put 'em all together and average the weight of the "bag".

Once the substance/chemical is incorporated into the organism's biology, it is part of it until the time when it is removed/excreted from the body. No need to treat it separately.

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Worst. Biology joke. Ever.

Thank. You. Sir.

[bcj]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Although I would maintain that things such water are still part of us.

Hey, I paid for that beer. It's mine!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by bcj

Hey, I paid for that beer. It's mine!

Dude you don't buy beer you only rent it!

[soulreapersteve]

I got the sudden urge to visit the 3 local dealerships and ask if I can sit in the FRS. Not test drive, but just sit. Sit and giggle like a giddy girl in love...

I hope I get a decent raise when I finally become a real worker at my workplace -___-"

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

I got the sudden urge to visit the 3 local dealerships and ask if I can sit in the FRS. Not test drive, but just sit. Sit and giggle like a giddy girl in love...

I hope I get a decent raise when I finally become a real worker at my workplace -___-"

Well at a minimum you should twist the steering wheel while going VROOOOOM VROOOOOM. That will keep the salespeople from bothering you.

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Well at a minimum you should twist the steering wheel while going VROOOOOM VROOOOOM. That will keep the salespeople from bothering you.

No, don't do that. You'll just look silly.
What you need to do, is go VROOOOOM VROOOOOM while fiddling with the gear shifter, and EEEEEEE while twisting the steering wheel.
That'll make you look like you know what it's all about.