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Episode 137: The Digestive System
A journey through the digestive system, beginning with the mouth and progressing through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, we consider the structure and function of all key components of the gastrointestinal trac
Episode 136: Introduction to General Relativity
An introduction to the conceptual and mathematical framework of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. We begin by considering the key insight of gravity as a geometric phenomenon, and how the curvature of spacetime by matter explains the
Episode 135: The Science of Emotion
An introduction to the scientific study of emotion, including a discussion of the difficulties in defining emotions, discrete and dimensional methods of classifying emotions, the functional and representational roles of emotions, and an ove
Episode 134: Hormones and the Endocrine System
An introduction to hormones and the endocrine system, including a discussion of the definition of hormones and their production, storage, release, and mechanisms of action. I also consider the mechanisms of control and regulation of hormone
Episode 133: Motor Control
A journey through the complex network of regions controlling the human motor system, beginning with the spinal cord and its central pattern generators, and working up through the primary motor cortex, the premotor cortex, the posterior pari
Special Episode: Evolution and Genetics
In this special episode I discuss various topics in evolution and genetics with Art Woods of the Big Biology Podcast. We begin by analysing various ideas associated with the extended evolutionary synthesis, including plasticity, epigentics,
Episode 132: The Muscular System
A journey through the mechanisms of muscles and muscular contraction. I begin by outlining the key structural elements of muscle cells, including the sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum, the myofibrils and their myofilaments. I then explain
Special Episode: Language in Brains and Machines
A special interview from the Padverb Podcast, in which I discuss my research on language in the brain and thoughts on AI. The discussion covers topics such as backpropagation, how humans acquire language and concepts, how artificial neural
Episode 131: Sleep Science
I discuss the mysterious phenomenon of sleep, outlining the different stages of sleep, how the brain controls sleep and wakefulness, and the various theories for the functions of sleep. I also consider sleep in animals, the effects of sleep
Episode 130: Transition Metal Chemistry
I introduce the unique and diverse chemistry of the transition metal elements, also known as the d-block metals. I begin with an overview of transition metal properties and ores, and then discuss coordination complexes, ligands, denticity,
Episode 129: Glaciers, Ice, and Groundwater
Concluding our series on geographic landforms, here I discuss glaciers, including their global distribution, formation, movement, and various glacial formations such as moraines, drumlins, and fjords. I also examine the role of ice in shapi
Episode 128: Wind, Deserts, and Coasts
A discussion of the effect of wind on landscapes, focusing on deserts and coastlines. I outline the processes of eolian erosion, transportation, and deposition occurring in deserts, with particular focus on the formation and types of sand d
Episode 127: Weathering, Erosion, and Rivers
The first in a new series on geomorphology, in which I review the main erosion processes that shape landforms of the natural environment. Here I discuss the key mechanisms of physical and chemical weathering, outline the major forms of eros
Episode 126: Depression and Serotonin
An exploration of the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the development of depression. I discuss the role of serotonin in promoting the production of neurotrophic growth factor, the role the growth factor plays in facilitating neuro
Special Episode: Genetic Testing
In this special episode I discuss genetic testing with Kira Dineen from DNA Today. We cover a range of topics including the process and science behind genetic testing, the types of genetic conditions that can be tested for, the difference b
Episode 125: Earthquakes
A discussion of earthquakes, covering the elastic rebound theory of earthquake generation, the phenomena of deep and intraplate earthquakes, types of seismic waves, methods of earthquake detection, different ways in which earthquakes cause
Episode 124: Volcanoes
A discussion of the awesome power of volcanoes, including an overview of the different types of volcanoes, types of lava and pyroclastics, mechanisms of volcanic eruptions, a curvey of volcanic landforms, and a review of some major historic
Episode 123: Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Part 2
Concluding the two-part series on the circulatory and respiratory systems, I discuss the biochemical mechanisms by which red blood cells and hemoglobin molecules deliver oxygen to the tissues and carbon dioxide to the lungs, and the mechani
Episode 122: Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Part 1
The first in a two-part episode covering the circulatory and respiratory systems, including a discussion of the anatomy of the heart, the process of contraction, and the generation and propagation of electrical activity. I also discuss how
Episode 121: The Biology of Pain
An overview of the underlying mechanisms of pain, including the role of nociception, transduction of nociceptor signals by spinal pathways, the modulatory effects of opioids, and processing of these inputs in the brain. I also discuss pheno
Episode 120: Computational Chemistry Part 2
Building on the previous discussion of Hartree-Fock Theory, I discuss the inclusion of basis functions to produce the Roothaan equations, and the method of solving these using self-consistent field methods. I then provide an introduction in
Episode 119: Computational Chemistry Part 1
An overview of techniques of determining molecular structure, including an introduction to valance bond theory covering bond formation and orbital hybridisation, and a discussion of the basics of molecular orbital theory, covering the basic
Episode 118: Cell Signalling
A discussion of cell communication and signalling, including an overview of the purpose of cell signalling, the main types of signals, and applications such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and cytokines. The difference between G protein-cou
Episode 117: Intracellular Protein Sorting
A discussion of the transportation and sorting of proteins within the eukaryotic cell, including an overview of the endomembrane system, the mechanisms of nuclear transport, transmembrane transport, and vesicular transport. I also consider
Episode 116: The Cell Membrane
An introduction to the cell membrane, including a discussion of the structure of the bilipid membrane, an overview of the structure and function of membrane proteins, a review of the fluid mosaic model, and a discussion of mechanisms of mem
Episode 115: Special Relativity Part 2
In the second and final part of this series, I discuss the major consequences of special relativity, including the relativity of simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, and mass-energy equivalence. I then provide an overview of som
Episode 114: Special Relativity Part 1
The first of a two part series on special relativity, I provide a brief overview of the historical development of relativity theory, including a discussion of the role of the Michelson-Morley experiment, and considerations from classical el
Special Episode: Visual Processing in Mice
I discuss the methods and results of my Master's Thesis, in which I analysed electrophysiological data of the mouse visual system using a variety of statistical and computational techniques. I consider some of the major research questions a
Episode 113: Visual Processing
A discussion of higher-order processing of information in the visual system, including an overview of how the brain extracts edges and basic shapes from simple stimuli in the retina, how motion is detected, how parts of objects are distingu
Episode 112: Introduction to Microbiology
An overview of the field of microbiology, beginning with a brief history of the discipline, and then proceeding through a summary of the structure and function of various microbial life forms, including protists, yeasts, bacteria, archaea,
