Our Amazing Kidneys
We have proposed that osmosis is directly related to vapor pressure and that free vapor molecules exist in liquids and solids. The quantity of these free molecules is in proportion to the vapor pressure value. The net flow of free molecules through a porous membrane is the called osmosis. Flow through porous membranes may also …. Read More
Me and My Celery
Me and My Celery…… Recently I decided to have a celery snack. The celery from my refrigerator was not crisp, it was limp. After finding my “how to do everything in the kitchen” book, I soaked the celery in freshwater overnight. The next morning it was crisp. WHY does the celery become crisp after soaking …. Read More
Molecular Theory Application to Biology
We have introduced a molecular model for osmosis and have shown that free molecules exist in liquids and solids. The number of free molecules is directly related to vapor pressure and the temperature of the substance. From the osmosis experiment we find that water moves from the pure waterside (higher vapor pressure) through the membrane …. Read More
Successful Seed Storage
Seed Storage Factors. Many elements affect the viability of stored seeds. Two principal factors that we can control are seed initial moisture content and temperature of storage. We further assume that temperature and seed moisture remain constant during storage. Storage time is defined as the years of storage when 90% of the initial batch of …. Read More
My Tree Drips
My tree drips. We proposed a model for maple tree sap collection. Sap rises as vapor in a tree. When the temperature drops below freezing, the excess vapor freezes. Then, as the temperature warms, the frozen sap thaws to a liquid which is then collected. This liquid sap is in a non-equilibrium condition. that is …. Read More
Pressure
Vapor Pressure II As we noted previously, the osmosis process of molecular movement through a membrane is directly related to vapor pressure difference. This agrees with other models for fluid flow. Flow is directly related to pressure difference and flow proceeds from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area. But, what is pressure? We introduce …. Read More
Maple Syrup
We are approaching maple syrup season. Sap is collected from Late February to April. Forty gallons of sap boil down to approximately 1 gallon of maple syrup. I tapped my sixty-foot-high maple tree several years ago and again this year, then inserted a pressure gage. I recorded pressure, ambient temperature and tree trunk temperature at …. Read More
HYBRID Seed Corn
HYBRID Seed Corn Hybrid seed corn has been specifically developed with special characteristics for: wet/dry growing seasons, soil types, plant strength, disease resistance, days to maturity, etc. More than 100 varieties are available from major suppliers. It is very expensive to produce hybrid seed corn. Six rows of one variety of corn are planted between …. Read More
Vapor Pressure
Others have suggested that vapor pressure is the driving force for osmosis, they were slapped in the face also. Osmotic pressure is approximately 140 times greater than vapor pressure. We asked the question what is vapor pressure? Frankel (1943) suggested that liquids and solids can be represented as crystal lattice structures with molecules at the …. Read More