Potential assignment for the new Ecological Physiology class April 27, 2010
Posted by Dr. O in Behavior, Biology, Fun, Neuroscience, Physiology, Science Education.add a comment
MU Science Students as possible Guest Bloggers?
What do you think? Perhaps my students should star as “guest writers” to this blog , the Animal Review, who’s blog owners “grade” animals based on their wacky adaptations. Seems a perfect way to celebrate the diversity of physiology in the animal world. I might just use this as an assignment for Physiological Ecology-BIO 305 in the Spring of 2012
Who needs a brain? (this coming from a neuroscientist…)
After checking out the Animal Review, I for one would have given the jellyfish a “B” and the comb jellies (Ctenophora) an “A+” for living in a “society” and incorporating “tool use” with out a true brain.
The beautiful comb jelly
I would also give the angler fish a solid B+ or A-. The ladies are okay in their own skin and definitely wear the pants in the relationship. After all… males are basically no better than parasites.
Stop drinking Gatorade and try a bowl of cereal! April 27, 2010
Posted by Jill in Biology, Chemistry, Exercise, Health, Medicine, Nutrition.1 comment so far
Following a long workout, most athletes prefer to drink massive amounts of water or a sports drink such as Gatorade or Powerade to refuel and quench their thirst. The benefit of sports drinks has long been discussed because they restore electrolytes and carbohydrates and aid in recovery following strenuous burning of calories. Water is an important player in rehydration, but most athletes know that post-workout they need to drink a sports drink to help them get through the next few days to prevent muscle fatigue and to able to continue to compete as early as the next day with as little muscle pain has possible.
Gatorade.. the drink of champions?
The carbohydrate-based sports drinks, like Gatorade and Powerade are usually used to replenish and refuel after competition-based sports or following a long run. The electrolytes in sports drinks aid in preventing lactic acid build-up in the muscles, preventing cramping following strenuous exercise. An exercise physiologist from the University of Texas at Austin, Lynne Kammer, researched the physiological effects of certain types of foods. In this research, Kammer and her students studied 12 cyclists (8 male, 4 female) in order to determine the effects of whole grain cereal and milk versus sports drinks. Based off of protein synthesis and glycogen replenishment, whole grain cereal and milk performed as well as, and in cases, better than the sports drinks.
Cereal... the real food of champions
Cereal and fat free milk are a cost effective option over pricey sports drinks and potentially provide the same nutritional value. Although relatively inexpensive, as an athlete, cereal and milk do not sound as appetizing as a bottle of Gatorade following a hard workout.
The full contents of this study can be found in Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
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