F. U. N with Science F.U.N With Science_1_FINAL_UPDATE v3 | Page 13

In Chemistry, some chemical
reactions can be accelerated by
the use of a Catalyst. Catalysts are
substances that affect a chemical
reaction without being chemically
changed themselves. Catalysts are
usually used to increase the rate of
a chemical reaction but some are
also known to slow down a reaction,
or to obtain a particular product. In
Biology, a living body contains many
protein-based catalysts called en-
zymes. Enzymes are needed to
carry out all of the reactions
necessary for life.
The study of Radioactivity is yet
another topic incorporating all
three fundamental disciplines of
science. Radioactivity refers to the
decay or break down of an unsta-
ble nucleus of an atom over time.
The guiding principle in determining
if an atom is radioactive is based on
its mass; the heavier the atom, the
more likely the possibility of radioac-
tivity. Chemists and physicists have
studied and compiled a list of known
radioactive elements: chemists
use these elements to produce an
accurate picture of any compound
they study, while physicists have
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used them to produce new energy
sources, nuclear energy, weapons
of mass destruction, and the micro-
wave, just to name a few. In
Biology, radiation has been found to
be both helpful and harmful to living
tissue and biologists are constantly
studying its effects.
Clearly then, there are topics
within science that do not fit within
the rigid boundaries of the individ-
ual disciplines. Beyond these inter-
sections, we have relatively new
and emerging disciplines that draw
on multiple areas of established sci-
ence: Physical Chemistry, Biochem-
istry, Nanotechnology, Materials
Science and Genetic Engineering,
are just a few examples. The fun-
damental science - Mathematics -
underpins all of these disciplines,
old, new, and emerging. While
divisions help to simplify the study of
science for the benefits of students,
time should also be reserved to
appreciate the overlapping nature
of the individual disciplines. In so
doing, a more rounded, or a
multi-dimensional scientist can be
developed.
by Nigel Griffith