Scientists and their Poetic language

Whilst reading an article by a Physicist where he considers two quotes by scientists, I remembered a quote I came across when reading the book Edge of Evolution (by Dr. Michael Behe). The quote was attributed to Max Perutz. Apparently, it was his first reaction when finally myoglobin’s structure was worked out. It was the first time a protein’s structure has been worked out. What he said made me laugh:

“Could the search for ultimate truth really have revealed so hideous and visceral-looking an object?”

LOL! Ultimate truth, eh? This is the problem with some scientists trying to be waxing. It doesn’t suit them well. They tend to blurt out some nonsense. I mean does this guy really think finding the 3D structure of a protein is the Ultimate Truth?

Behe quoted this, and responded that proteins are made to carry out a function, they are not made to look pretty. But check out this picture:

Mnemonics for Amino Acids

I was searching around for some good Mnemonics or acronyms or anything I could find to remember the 20 essential amino acids names and structures. I found an excellent article here relating the structures of all the amino acids with easy ways to remember them. I’m going to mention things I found helpful for me here.

For those amino acids having non-polar aliphatic side chains, it was suggested that GAVLIMP as a good acronymn. For pronounciations sake it could be like:

G= Glycine

A= Alanine

Va= Valine

L= Leucine

I= Isoleucine

M= Methionine

P= Proline

Put it together, it comes to GAVa-LIMP. Thing is, the structures of the amino acids increase in complexity as you go from Glycine to Proline with Glycine having a hydrogen atom for the “R”- group while Proline has a sort of “penta-cyclic” side chain. Another way I remember this is swapping the first letters of the GAVa and LIMP to give LAVa-GIMP. Those of you that use Linux, will know that GIMP is a famous photo editing cum drawing program. So I picture the programs mascot, Wilber glowing with lava/fire!