As a life long Scientist, a dedicated Chemistry Educator, a passionate Cook and an admirer of Nature’s Art and Harmony, I am sharing the presentation I made to the Lifetime Learning Institute:

“The Molecules of Life and Elemental Tales”.

Chemistry is a science, a way of asking and answering questions about our physical surroundings that are composed of matter and energy.  All matter is made up of atoms, and atoms of different elements combine chemically to form molecules.  One group of molecules are of great interest and importance, “The Molecules of Life” in living systems. They are based on the chemistry of carbon and just four elements, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen that comprise 96% by mass of the atoms in our bodies! These “Molecules of Life” are are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and vitamins & minerals. They are composed of simple building blocks, but it does not mean that the final products, the larger molecules, that come in an extraordinary variety of shapes and functions are simple. I am also including a few “Elemental Tales”, interesting stories about a few selected elements from the Periodic Table that are part of our Dance of Nature and Life!

Couscous, Potatoes & Peas Cutlets         Lemon Blueberry Souffle

You may enjoy The Element Song by Tom Lehrer