Meet another past “Chemical of the Day” featured on our Facebook page! Today’s chemical of the day is secretin! Secretin is a large hormone with a big job. This 27 amino acid (aka proteins!) chain is like a fireman in your tummy because it is responsible for protecting the sensitive parts of your digestive system from acid burns! When stomach acid enters the small intestine, secretin stimulates the release of water and bicarbonate (the active ingredient in baking soda!) into the small intestine and gut. The bicarbonate in the water is basic and neutralizes the stomach acid, ultimately preventing pain! Secretin is also special because it is the FIRST hormone that was ever identified back in 1902, although the term “hormone” wasn’t coined for another 3 years! More than 100 years later and secretin is still not completely understood! Can you guess why it was named “secretin”?
How to make Chromatography Flowers!
Chromatography Flowers are not just pretty, they’re a lot of fun, easy to create, cheap, and they are a creative way to teach kids about chemicals, as well as showcase an important way chemicals can be separated! What are Chromatography Flowers? Chromatography is…
Tomato Juice Rainbow Explained
I recently joined up with C&EN News to create “Chem-Lapsed.” A series that uses time-lapses to showcase interesting chemical reactions. The pilot episode features a reaction that is surprisingly not well-known, given its publication in 1986, and the relatively simple ingredients for a chemistry lab…
Our Favorite Chemical Reactions
Our latest The Collapsed Wavefunction podcast is up! I (Dorea) am not in it, but that is okay for TWO reasons! Our new co-host, Katie Pulsipher, joins Chad and Sam to talk about their favorite chemical reactions. We will FINALLY get to hear more from…
Our Favorite Chemicals with the Collapsed Wavefunction
Have you listened to our latest podcast with the Collapsed Wavefunction? It’s a pretty special podcast because we decided we would start a series where we discuss some of our favorite chemicals and what’s so special about them. We also decided that we wouldn’t tell…
Pueblo Science Camp and Walking on Eggshells!
Still looking to add to your New Years resolutions? If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, consider signing your kids up for the Pueblo Science Camp this March break, or volunteering for Pueblo Science! If you don’t live in the GTA, consider making a donation…