Immunology is an incomprehensible mass of arbitrary gibberish. I'm trying to make my way through a chapter that reads something like this:
'C3bBb generated in the alternative pathway can activate unhydrolysed C3 to produce more C3b autocatalytically... the C3 convertase activity of C3bBb generates the C3bBb3b complex, which exhibits C5 convertase activity... the nonenzymatic C3b component binds C5, and the Bb component subsequently hydrolyses the bound C5 to generate C5a and C4b.' etc. etc.
It's actually pretty clear, I concede, but pure hell to memorise. I'm so screwed for Wednesday's midterm double-bill.
Once again, I've chosen to eschew evening social activities, but to be fair, I have been productively procrastinating all day. I didn't have to attend a symposium on China-Taiwan issues, for instance, but I did. I'm not regretting that decision - yet. But if immunology continues to be obstinate, I just might.
[edit] Ah yes, just what I need to keep me awake: potheads downstairs having some merry late-night garage band practice. Nice to know that there are people enjoying themselves in these bleak and desperate times.
words were spilled on Saturday, November 04, 2006
Comments:
ah the complement system! i had to mug that STUPID cascade too.
now, 6 months down the road, i don't even know what C3 does, or which is the active component should be when split. C3a or was it C3b? i think it should be C3b.... hmm *tricky memory*
in anycase, i agree, immuno is a string of arbitrary complexes joined together, and its pretty much incomprehensible for everyday use. the human mind wasn;t meant to memorise numbers or letters!
aye! i feel your pain.
i did however memorise the complement system by writing it out in a flowchart. it helped revision to no end. :) sorta like annotated notes.
as a precautionary note, keep off the caffeine *pills* my dear.
now, 6 months down the road, i don't even know what C3 does, or which is the active component should be when split. C3a or was it C3b? i think it should be C3b.... hmm *tricky memory*
in anycase, i agree, immuno is a string of arbitrary complexes joined together, and its pretty much incomprehensible for everyday use. the human mind wasn;t meant to memorise numbers or letters!
aye! i feel your pain.
i did however memorise the complement system by writing it out in a flowchart. it helped revision to no end. :) sorta like annotated notes.
as a precautionary note, keep off the caffeine *pills* my dear.
well... some people take caffeine and watch anime, and some other people take pot and play loud music.
was it good loud music, at least?
your immunology, i understood all the words and then when i put them together Horrible Things Happened.
you have my sympathy. i send love.
was it good loud music, at least?
your immunology, i understood all the words and then when i put them together Horrible Things Happened.
you have my sympathy. i send love.
# posted by 
: 10:57 AM
: 10:57 AM
yh: sound advice - i did flowcharts too, and found that they helped tremendously. oh, and C3a is the anaphylatoxin, and C3b associates with the C4b2a complex and goes on to do various funky things. if i remember correctly. *sigh*
jy: well, it was decent music, and i am more amusedly tolerant of the goings-on below than most of my suitemates. one of them actually screamed in the middle of the night out of sheer frustration, and 2 others lodged complaints. :)
*hops back to library carrel for more immuno immersion*
jy: well, it was decent music, and i am more amusedly tolerant of the goings-on below than most of my suitemates. one of them actually screamed in the middle of the night out of sheer frustration, and 2 others lodged complaints. :)
*hops back to library carrel for more immuno immersion*
hey! i'm s'posed to mug immunology for an upcoming CA this friday... wat a timely post!
the complement system... helps if u seea video of it? our lecturer played it and the components all looked like little pills and it was very amusing and memorable. after that, it was jus mugging the order of numbers (which wasn't too bad) rather than the sequence of events, cos they follow a certain repetitive fashion.
anyway, take care!
the complement system... helps if u seea video of it? our lecturer played it and the components all looked like little pills and it was very amusing and memorable. after that, it was jus mugging the order of numbers (which wasn't too bad) rather than the sequence of events, cos they follow a certain repetitive fashion.
anyway, take care!
thanks for the study advice! but as it turned out, complement has been pushed back till the next exam - as i found out /after/ memorising the damned cascades. trying not to feel too cheated.
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