Meet Iris, a girl whose sensitivity is as profound as her tears are plentiful. Whether she’s feeling joy, sorrow, or simply overwhelmed, Iris finds herself shedding tears. Her unique lacrimal glands are always at work, producing new tears, while special tubes, known as lacrimal puncta, efficiently drain the old ones. Remarkably, Iris goes through ten ounces of tears daily, amounting to an astonishing thirty gallons each year. If you observe closely, you’ll notice that Iris is perpetually shedding a few tears.
Iris’s basal tears form a protective three-layer coating over her eyes, safeguarding them from dirt and debris. The innermost layer is mucus, which ensures the tears adhere to her eyes. Above it lies the aqueous layer, responsible for keeping Iris’s eyes hydrated, repelling bacteria, and shielding her cornea from harm. The outermost lipid layer provides a smooth surface for Iris to see through and prevents the other layers from evaporating. Typically, Iris goes about her day without noticing these basal tears, as they quietly perform their protective role.
One day, Iris meets a girl named Onion, who captivates her with a bright purple jacket and a delightful fragrance. Iris invites Onion over for dinner, but as Onion removes her jacket, a chemical reaction occurs. The sulfoxides that contribute to Onion’s pleasant scent transform into sulfenic acid, which then becomes syn-Propanethial S-oxide, a gas that irritates Iris’s eyes. Overwhelmed, Iris begins to weep uncontrollably.
These tears are different from the basal ones Iris is accustomed to. Reflex tears are produced in larger quantities to wash away harmful substances, and their aqueous layer is rich in antibodies to fend off microorganisms. Despite their mutual affection, Iris and Onion realize their relationship cannot continue if Iris is to suffer each time Onion removes her jacket. Heartbroken, they decide to part ways.
As Onion departs, Iris’s tears shift from reflex to emotional. Emotional tears arise when feelings become overwhelming, signaling a loss of control that can be dangerous. These tears, along with an increased heart rate and slower breathing, help stabilize Iris’s mood. Although scientists are still exploring the exact benefits of emotional tears, they may serve as a social cue for sympathy or submission. Some studies suggest that emotional tears contain higher levels of stress hormones like ACTH and enkephalin, an endorphin and natural painkiller, which may help calm Iris and communicate her emotional state to others.
Though Iris’s relationship with Onion didn’t work out, she can take solace in knowing that her tears—basal, reflex, and emotional—play a vital role in maintaining her balance and well-being. With these mechanisms at her disposal, Iris can navigate the complexities of her emotions and emerge stronger. As time goes on, she’ll find that things will indeed get better.
Keep a journal for a week and note down every time you shed a tear. Describe the situation and identify whether the tears were basal, reflex, or emotional. Reflect on how each type of tear made you feel and what you learned from the experience.
Using craft materials like clay, paper, and markers, create a 3D model of an eye showing the three layers of tears: mucus, aqueous, and lipid. Label each part and explain its function to your classmates or family members.
Conduct an experiment by cutting an onion and observing the production of reflex tears. Record your observations and discuss why these tears are different from basal and emotional tears. Make sure to have adult supervision while handling the onion.
With a group of friends, create a short skit that tells the story of Iris and Onion. Act out the different types of tears Iris experiences and explain their purposes. This will help you understand the emotional and scientific aspects of tears.
Create a trivia quiz based on the information from the article. Include questions about the different types of tears, their layers, and the chemical reactions involved. Test your classmates or family members to see who knows the most about tears!
Tears – Liquid that comes from our eyes when we are sad or happy. – When I watched the sad movie, I couldn’t help but shed tears.
Iris – The colored part of the eye that controls how much light enters. – My friend’s iris is a beautiful shade of green.
Emotions – Feelings such as happiness, sadness, or anger. – We all have different emotions that can change throughout the day.
Protective – Something that keeps us safe from harm. – The helmet is protective gear that helps keep our heads safe when we ride bikes.
Layers – Different levels or sheets of material stacked on top of each other. – The Earth has layers, including the crust, mantle, and core.
Reflex – A quick, automatic response to something, like pulling your hand away from something hot. – When the doctor tapped my knee, my reflex made my leg kick out.
Mucus – A thick liquid produced by our bodies that helps keep things moist and protects us. – When I have a cold, my nose produces a lot of mucus.
Bacteria – Very small living things that can be helpful or cause sickness. – Some bacteria in our stomach help us digest food.
Relationship – The way two or more people or things are connected or interact with each other. – My relationship with my best friend is very special and important to me.
Balance – The state of having equal weight or force on both sides, or being steady. – I practiced my balance by standing on one foot for a minute.
