Van+Wyk,+Joshua

Polymers In The Field This article about how artificial turf or "AstroTurf" is made was very interesting. I thought the fact that joint injuries are less likely to happen on turf than natural grass was interesting. You might get turf burns, but thats definitely better than blowing out a knee, or having any other kind of joint injury. One thing I learned from this article is what all of those little black beads were that you always find in your shoes after being on the field. They are actually shredded up tires! One thing I think that is pertinent to our class is the process of vulcanization. This process is used in the making of the rubber for the track.

Josh, Looks good! We will talk a little about vulcanization. 5 stars. MW

Josh Van Wyk Pd. 3 Organic Report Testosterone
 * Structural Formula**
 * C19H28O2


 * Uses**
 * Hormone found in both sexes, but in much larger amounts in males
 * When testosterone is produced in a fetus, female genitalia dies while male genitalia is created
 * Causes increase in size and activity of aggression center of brain in males during pre-natal stage
 * PUBERTY (male)
 * Causes skin to make more sweat glands and grow body hair
 * Increases bone density and gives men thicker muscles than women
 * Deepens male voice through thickening of voice box (larynx)
 * Begins production of sperm allowing males to reproduce
 * Psychological Effects
 * Sex Drive (males and females)
 * Increased aggression (males)
 * Synthetic Testosterone
 * Given to adolescents struggling to go though puberty
 * Given to patients with diseases that waste away your muscles
 * AIDS
 * Unused testosterone given to males can convert into estrogen
 * Development of male breast enlargement
 * Athletic Use
 * Can be used to improve athletic performance, although it is not allowed in most sports


 * Creation of Testosterone**
 * Secreted by testes of males, ovaries of females, sometimes by adrenal glands
 * In response to messages from brain
 * Derived from cholesterol
 * 6 Carbon atoms are removed by a mitochondrial cytochrome P450
 * 2 Carbon atoms are removed by the CYP17A enzyme
 * Hydroxyl group is oxidized
 * Rate limiting and final step- C-17 keto group is reduced

Chemical and Physical Properties
 * Mass- 288.4 amu
 * Very stable due to four carbon ring structure
 * Melting point- 428 K, 311 F, 155 C
 * Not very reactive
 * Insoluble in water
 * Exists as white or slightly creamy white crystals or crystalline powder at room temperature

Pics From: http://www.muscle-fitness-tips.net/weight-lifting.html http://digitalnaturopath.com/blog/?p=34 http://www.snac.com/articles/299/