Synthetic Biology

Definition

Synthetic biology is the design and construction of new biological entities such as enzymes, genetic circuits and cells or the redesign of existing biological systems.

Analysis

All living organisms contain an instruction set that determines their structure and function. The instructions are encoded in the organisms DNA; long strings of molecules embedded in each cell. This is known as the organisms genetic code.

Synthetic biology, in simple words, is altering this genetic code. Scientists have used synthetic biology to breed organisms that have the best useful features of other organisms.

Conclusion

Synthetic biology is a vast topic. This, however, is the basic explanation of synthetic biology. 

Citations

https://www.nature.com/subjects/synthetic-biology

My Mars Mission

Mars. The red planet. The only planet on which signs of life have been found. How intriguing is that? Very interesting isn't it?

If I got the chance to go to any place I wanted, I would choose Mars. Just experiencing one day on Mars would be surreal. From the time I get decked up in the special spacesuit, to entering the spaceship to reaching Mars, that entire time would be truly special.

Those first moments would truly be emotional for me because the thought of leaving behind my family without knowing what would happen to me, is a really scary thought. But, once I enter the spaceship, the excitement begins. Once we reach Mars, the first thing I would do is feel the Martian surface. I would then ensure the safety of my fellow astronauts. We would then start to our space station, keeping in mind the challenges we are going to face. 

We have to keep in mind the hostile living and temperature conditions on Mars. Although we are prepared, we have to be ready for anything. After getting somewhat comfortable at base camp, we will get ready to explore Mars. The craters, remains of water bodies and all the other mysteries that Mars holds will be discovered and investigated by us. We will study all the surfaces and also look for signs of alien life. We will definitely have the lack of resources we will need to live, but we will try to overcome all the challenges we face and will survive as long as we can on Mars. 

We don't know what would happen to us, but staying on Mars would be extremely exciting. Let's see if we can make Mars a place like Earth, a place where we can live and breathe.

This was what I had written for a sci-fi writing competition in school. I was not at all prepared, I went to school and wrote something. It was a story writing contest, but I wrote about an experience, my experience (what it would be like), rather than a story. I was not expecting it, but guess what?! I got first place. So, I thought I would share it with all of you. 

Hydraulic Jacks

Definition

A hydraulic jack is a jack (a device used to lift heavy loads, like wheels of vehicles) that uses hydraulic power.

How they work

A hydraulic jack works on pascal's principle,i.e, when force is applied to an enclosed fluid, it moves in all directions undiminished. 

Let me explain this a little clearer with an example. Let's say we have two syringes (without the needle, of course) named A & B. Let's fill A with water. If we push the piston of A, the water will flow through the tube & go into B, hence pushing B's piston upwards. 

If something is placed on top of B's piston then it will be moved.

Hydraulic jacks work the same way.

So, the next you see someone on the road lifting their tires with a jack, you can walk up to them & tell them how their jack works ;-)   

Citations

https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/materials-handling/how-hydraulic-jacks-work