Algae is one of the oldest and most abundant forms of life on planet Earth, so it only makes sense that it offers a ton of solutions to unsustainable modern problems. Here are five ways in which algae continues to reshape the world.

Paul Andersen explains how signal transduction pathways are used by cells to convert chemical messages to cellular action. Epinephrine is used as a sample messenger to trigger the release of glucose from cells in the liver. The...

In this episode, we talk about Silicon Valley's namesake and how network solids are at the heart of it all. Hank also discusses Solid-State Semiconductors, N-Type and P-Type Semiconductors, Diodes, Transistors, Computer Chips,...

Annually, we shower over 5 billion pounds of pesticides across the Earth to control insects, unwanted weeds, funguses, rodents, and bacteria that may threaten our food supply. But is it worth it, knowing what we do about the associated...

There are natural poisons that lurk in bacteria, plants, and fungi pretty much everywhere, and they're there for good reasons (according to the organisms that produce them) - but what is it about their chemical make up that makes them so...

The Story of Frozen Food

Chemicals are in everything we see, and the reactions between them can look like anything from rust on a spoon to an explosion on your stovetop. But why do these reactions happen in the first place? Kareem Jarrah answers this question by...

Food doesn't last. In days, sometimes hours, bread goes moldy, apple slices turn brown, and bacteria multiply in mayonnaise. But you can find all of these foods out on the shelf at the grocery store " hopefully unspoiled -- thanks to...

In this video Paul Andersen explains how equilibrium is achieved in a reversible reaction. When the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction the system is at equilibrium. Graphical analysis of...

In this video Paul Andersen defines the equilibrium constant (K) and explains how it can be calculated in various reversible reactions. The equilibrium constant is a ratio of the concentration of the products to the concentration of the...

Biology and technology grew closer together when scientists manufactured neurons that acted like those in a brain! And birds evolved to protect themselves in two ways: fight and flight.

Why does fire burn? What's the chemistry and physics of a flame? This week, learn about the beautiful science happening inside a flame!

Paul Andersen describes the major mutations found in the living world. He starts with an analogy comparing the information in DNA with the information in a recipe. Changes in the DNA can result in changes to the protein, like changes...

Paul Andersen explains how enzymes are used to break down substrates. The correct shape of the active site allows a key/lock fit between the enzyme and the substrate. The enzyme catalase is used to break down hydrogen peroxide. The...

Hank tells us about the enormous concentrations of plastic debris floating around in the Pacific Ocean, why they're there and why they're a problem.

You might not believe it, but the same chemistry that brought us bulletproof vests and modern sailing sails also gave us the technology to build your smart phone. But that doesn’t mean these chemists were thinking about these...

We've talked about mixtures and solutions, solutes and solvents, but what about things that can't be undone? What about Chemical Changes? Would it surprise you to know that baking a cake is a Chemical Change? Or striking a match? In this...

Mr. Andersen explains the difference between physical and chemical changes. A brief discussion of chemical reactions and equations is also included.

Organic chemistry is pretty much everywhere! In this episode of Crash Course Organic Chemistry, we’re talking about the amazing diversity among organic molecules. We’ll learn about the origins of organic chemistry, how to write Lewis...

What's something pandas, orangutans, rhinos, and gorillas have in common? They're all endangered animals. Join Jessi and Squeaks to learn how an animal becomes endagered and what we can do to help them!

Hank takes a break from the desk to bring you to the lab in order to demonstrate some important points about the practical side of chemistry - experimentation in the laboratory. You'll learn what to wear in the lab, how to dispose of...

Hank talks about the last major way humans are impacting the environment in this penultimate episode of Crash Course Ecology. Pollution takes many forms - from the simplest piece of litter to the more complex endocrine distruptors - and...

Paul Andersen explains the process of photosynthesis by which plants and algae can convert carbon dioxide into useable sugar. He begins with a brief description of the chloroplast. He describes the major pigments in a plant (like...

In this video Paul Andersen explains how energy can be transferred from one system to another. In a closed system the energy can be transferred as either work or heat. Thermal energy transfer is know as energy transfer through heat. ...