I was thinking since I'm so consumed with school and learning all these interesting facts, I might share some of the things I am learning with you. Let me know if you find it interesting and I'll continue sharing throughout the year.

1. The Thalamus is a part of the brain that processes pain. It's near the hypothalamus, which processes sexual pleasure. (They do other things too, but I'm going simple here and sharing the stuff I thought was cool). I can't help but wonder if that plays some role in people who are masochists. I googled it, but got nothing. Still, it's interesting

2. A Complement Cascade is super awesome. Basically, several antibodies attach to a foreign cell in little doughnut shapes around the cell. Then, they suck out the water and salt and make it explode!!!

3. A Hematocrit test is used to separate red blood cells from the other types of cells. The thick layer of white blood cells in the test tube is called "The Buffy coat". hehe. I picture a pimp wearing a big white fluffy coat of white blood cells.

4. -itis means inflammation of. There are a MILLION different itises. I am itised out. I have heard this suffix a million times in the past month. However, inflammation is a totally awesome thing. Your blood flow increases at the infected site, which heats it up and turns it red. Vascular permeability (things can move through blood vessel wall better) makes it swell. This makes it easier for the white blood cells to come to the rescue and start chomping on the bacteria. They just eat it up! (phagocytosis)