Welcome to another exciting session of “Ask Joe Stuff,” where we dive into intriguing science questions and uncover some amazing answers!
One curious question is whether someone in history might have had the exact same genetic code as you. The answer is pretty fascinating! Even identical twins, who start with the same genetic code, can have slight differences due to genetic mutations and how their genes are expressed. When your parents each contribute 23 chromosomes to create you, there are about 8.4 million possible combinations. When you combine these possibilities from both parents, the chance of someone having your exact genetic code is about 1 in 70 trillion! So, while it’s not impossible, it’s incredibly unlikely.
Another fun question is about the likelihood of a zombie apocalypse. While zombies aren’t real, scientists do study how diseases spread using zombie movies as a model. This helps them understand how real outbreaks might occur and when to take action to control them. It’s a creative way to learn about disease prevention!
Have you ever wondered why putting a piece of bread with hard cookies makes them soft again? It turns out that cookies don’t get stale because they lose water. Instead, the starch in them crystallizes. Cookies contain sugar, which absorbs moisture from the air. When you add a moist piece of bread, it helps the cookies regain some of that moisture, making them soft again.
Here’s a smelly question: why does cheese sometimes smell like feet? The answer lies in bacteria! Both cheese and feet have a type of bacteria called Brevibacterium. This bacteria produces a compound that gives both cheese and feet their distinctive smell. It’s a funny connection, but it explains why some cheeses have such a strong odor.
One user asked how Joe fell in love with biology. While he can’t pinpoint the exact moment, he finds biology fascinating because it’s the study of life and how living things understand themselves. The complexity of life, from tiny cells to entire ecosystems, is amazing. Seeing a cell under a microscope for the first time sparked his passion for biology.
When asked about his favorite scientist, Joe mentions Richard Feynman. Feynman was known for his ability to explain complex ideas in a fun and engaging way. He was not only a brilliant scientist but also a great storyteller. If you want to learn more about him, check out his series “Fun To Imagine” for some inspiring science stories.
Thanks for joining this session of “Ask Joe Stuff.” Remember, you can always send in your questions to learn more fun science facts. Stay curious and keep exploring the wonders of science!
Explore the concept of genetic variation by simulating the combination of chromosomes. Use colored beads to represent different chromosomes from each parent. Mix and match them to see how many unique combinations you can create. Discuss with your classmates how this activity relates to the 1 in 70 trillion chance of having the same genetic code as someone else.
Participate in a classroom simulation where you model the spread of a “zombie virus.” Use stickers to represent infection and see how quickly it spreads among your classmates. Discuss how this activity helps scientists understand real-world disease outbreaks and the importance of taking preventive measures.
Conduct an experiment to observe how bread softens hard cookies. Place a piece of bread in a sealed container with hard cookies and check them after a day. Record your observations and discuss why the cookies became soft, relating it to moisture absorption and starch crystallization.
Investigate the role of bacteria in cheese production. Research different types of bacteria used in making cheese and how they contribute to flavor and smell. Create a poster presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting the connection between cheese and the bacteria found on feet.
Research the life and contributions of Richard Feynman. Create a short biography or a comic strip that highlights his achievements and his ability to explain complex scientific concepts. Share your work with the class and discuss how Feynman’s storytelling approach can inspire your own learning in science.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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[music] You guys had questions, I’ve got some answers. It is time for another Ask Joe Stuff! [music] Ok, let’s get this show on the road.
A user asks, “What are the odds that someone has existed before that had my exact genetic code? Do I have a medieval or Roman twin?” Well, even identical twins or clones aren’t completely genetically identical. Even though they might start that way, through development they might accumulate several genetic mutations, and a lot of the differences we see in identical twins are due to gene expression, not the actual gene mutations themselves.
Consider this: each parent contributes 23 chromosomes to either the sperm or the egg, which means there are about 8.4 million combinations that can shuffle up. Combine two parents, and you’ve got a 1 in 70 trillion chance, and that’s without any of the genetic crossover that occurs during meiosis. So while nothing in the universe is completely impossible, this is probably as close as it gets.
Another question comes in: “How likely is a zombie apocalypse?” Not very likely, considering that zombies are not real. But that doesn’t stop people from researching it. Epidemiologists actually use zombie films as a way to predict disease outbreaks, and it turns out that film directors have figured out when to bring in the big army to save humanity, which aligns pretty well with what we see in actual diseases. There’s a good article about that, and I’ll put it in the description.
Another user asks: “Please explain why a piece of bread will soften hardened Christmas cookies?” Contrary to popular belief, things don’t get stale because they lose water. It’s actually the starch granules inside the bread or cookies crystallizing from their gelatinous form. Christmas cookies are full of sugar, which is hygroscopic, meaning it wants to hold onto water and absorbs it from the atmosphere. So if you put a moist piece of bread in there, it actually helps to soften the cookies again.
Next question: “Why does cheese smell like feet?” Are you sure you want to know? Cheese smells like feet because they have a lot of the same bacteria. In fact, there’s a species called Brevibacterium that produces a compound found both between your toes and in many pungent cheeses. There was even a study where people, when blindfolded, couldn’t tell the difference between Parmesan and vomit. We should do a whole episode on cheese!
Another user asks: “How did you initially fall in love with the field of biology?” I don’t really remember the exact moment, but I know that physics gets a lot of attention, and while it’s fascinating to understand the workings of the universe, biology is the study of conscious beings understanding themselves. The intricate chemical machinery that evolves over time due to natural selection completely blows my mind. I remember the first time I saw a cell under the microscope, and since then, the more I’ve learned, the more amazed I am that anything works at all. That’s why I love biology.
Another question: “Do you have a favorite scientist?” Picking a favorite scientist is like choosing a favorite child, but if I had to pick one, it would definitely be Richard Feynman. He was an excellent explainer, funny, charming, and a brilliant storyteller. Oh, and he won a Nobel Prize! I’ll put a link to a series he did called “Fun To Imagine” in the description; watch that, and I promise you’ll love him too.
Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for this “Ask Joe.” Remember, you can always ask me questions at itsokaytobesmart.com. The email address and Twitter handle are down below. Subscribe by clicking on my head, and you can learn new fun science facts every week. Thanks a lot, and stay curious!
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Genetic – Relating to genes or heredity, which are the instructions in our cells that determine how living organisms look and function. – Scientists study genetic information to understand how traits are passed from parents to offspring.
Code – A system of symbols or sequences used to represent information, such as the genetic code that uses sequences of DNA to store biological information. – The genetic code in DNA determines the proteins that are made in our cells.
Mutations – Changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits or sometimes cause diseases. – Some mutations in the DNA can lead to beneficial adaptations in organisms.
Diseases – Disorders or illnesses that affect the health of organisms, often caused by infections, genetic factors, or environmental influences. – Scientists work to understand the genetic causes of diseases to develop better treatments.
Cookies – Small files stored on a computer by websites to remember information, not related to biology but can be used metaphorically to describe how cells store information. – Just like cookies store data on a computer, cells store genetic information in their DNA.
Moisture – The presence of water or liquid, which is essential for many biological processes and the survival of organisms. – Moisture in the soil is crucial for plants to absorb nutrients and grow.
Bacteria – Microscopic single-celled organisms that can be found in various environments, some of which can cause diseases while others are beneficial. – Bacteria in our intestines help us digest food and produce essential vitamins.
Biology – The scientific study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, and evolution. – In biology class, students learn about the different systems in the human body.
Ecosystems – Communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, forming a complex web of relationships. – Forest ecosystems are home to a diverse range of plants and animals.
Scientist – A person who conducts research and experiments to understand the natural world and uncover new knowledge. – The scientist conducted experiments to learn more about how plants respond to light.
