How Molecular Motors Harness the Power of Thermodynamic Fluctuations

By Mara Casebeer Just like a city has highways to transport goods and people from one area to another, your cells have their own set of highways to transport important components like proteins and genetic material. These cellular highways are called microtubules, and they are traversed not by trucks and cars, but by molecular motors – proteins that can carry cargo and step along microtubules … Continue reading How Molecular Motors Harness the Power of Thermodynamic Fluctuations

The Cat’s Out of the Bag! The biological reason why cats can’t get enough of catnip

by Whitney Liebermanfigures by Allie Elchert If you’re a feline enthusiast, you’ve almost certainly noticed the unusual behavior of cats in the presence of catnip. This plant, a member of the mint family, can be purchased at your local pet store or grown in your backyard. A sprinkle of catnip sends most cats into a frenzy characterized by behaviors such as chewing, rolling, and head-rubbing. … Continue reading The Cat’s Out of the Bag! The biological reason why cats can’t get enough of catnip