Adolfo Sánchez-Blanco, Ph.D

When you drop chia seeds into water, something amazing happens: each seed swells and forms a slimy, jelly-like coating. This gooey layer is called mucilage, and it's made mostly of soluble fiber. . As water is absorbed, the surface of the seed releases polysaccharides (complex sugars), which interact with the water to form a thick, gel-like substance. Thanks to this, chia seeds can absorb up to 10–12 times their weight in liquid. . The production of mucilage is an evolutionary adaptation that improves germination in dry climates. By forming a gel, the seeds retain moisture around themselves, creating a hydrated microenvironment that increases their chances of successful germination. . When it comes to eating chia seeds, it's not just about their impressive nutrient profile. The mucilage itself is what makes them especially beneficial for digestion and gut health. The gel slows the movement of food through the digestive tract, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels and promote a longer-lasting feeling of fullness. It also acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and supporting a healthy microbiome. This natural, water-loving gel can regulate bowel movements, reduce blood sugar spikes, and support hydration. All thanks to the soluble fiber in chia mucilage! . In the first part of the video, I use water to demonstrate the mucilage production process. In the second part, I use methylene blue to better visualize the release of mucilage from the chia seeds. . By the way, I can’t believe how beautiful chia seeds are under the microscope! . For this video I used a Leica ZOOM 200 stereoscope and an Olympus BX41 microscope at up to 100X magnification. #microscopy #microscope #chiaseeds #drbioforever

The arteries that deliver oxygenated blood to the heart are called coronary arteries. Delivering oxygen to heart muscle cells is super important for these (myocardial) cells to function. If a group of myocardial cells does not receive oxygen, then they won’t be able to produce energy. If these myocardial cells stop producing energy, then they will not only stop contracting (which takes a lot of energy) but in a matter of minutes they will die (being alive also requires energy!). . Coronary atherosclerosis is when the lumen of the arteries that deliver blood to the heart narrows due to the buildup of fatty deposits called atherosclerotic plaque. People with coronary atherosclerosis are at a much higher risk of having heart attacks. . The high blood pressure inside the coronary arteries can eventually lead to the rupture of a tiny piece of plaque. This will trigger a coagulation event inside the artery (coronary thrombosis), which can end up completely blocking the blood flow of the coronary artery. If this happens, the blood flow to a particular region of the heart stops. In other words, that region of the heart won’t get oxygen and in a matter of minutes those heart muscle cells will die. This is what is known as a myocardial infarction (heart attack). . The formation of the atherosclerotic plaque is more complex than it seems. The plaque is rich in cholesterol and fat, but this doesn’t mean that cholesterol and fat initiate the formation of the plaque. Also, oftentimes people think that atherosclerosis is just “greasy arteries”. But the reality is that the plaque is embedded inside the artery wall. In other words, the plaque is covered by artery tissue. The formation of plaque is initiated by damage to the arterial endothelium. Common causes for this damage include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and chronic inflammation, all of which can stress or injure the arterial endothelium and trigger plaque formation. . For this video I used a Leica ZOOM 200 stereoscope and an Olympus BX41 microscope at up to 400X magnification. #microscopy #microscope #physiology #heart #atherosclerosis #heartattack #myocardialinfarction

The chloroplasts of Spirogyra, mosses, and Elodea all perform photosynthesis, but they differ in shape, number, and arrangement. . 1) The alga Spirogyra has large, ribbon-like chloroplasts that spiral along the inside of each cell, maximizing light capture in its filamentous structure. 2) The moss cells contain smaller, oval chloroplasts scattered throughout the cytoplasm. 3) Elodea, the vascular aquatic plant that you saw in the third part of the video, has a lot of small, disc-shaped chloroplasts that move around the edges of the cell in a process called cytoplasmic streaming. . Despite their differences in structure and appearance, these three organisms carry out photosynthesis in their chloroplasts, using sunlight to produce their own food and organic molecules of life from scratch! . Photosynthesis and chloroplasts are amazing! Honestly, I can’t decide which ones of these 3 types of chloroplasts are the prettiest. . For these videos I used an Olympus CX31 microscope at up to 400x magnification. #microscopy #chloroplasts #spirogyra #photosynthesis #moss #elodea #drbioforever

The spectacular shimmering effect of the dried leaves that you saw in the first part of the video is caused by the epicuticular wax (thin layer of crystalline wax found on the outer surface of the plant cuticle that helps the plant survive in the hot and dry environments where it lives). This wax structure crumbles as the leaves dehydrate, making the dry leaves look like they are covered in glitter. At the end of the video, you can see some small wax flakes in a living leaf. . The white spots that you see in the second part of the video (on the surface of the living Jade plant leaf) have to do with a natural process called guttation. These spots form near structures known as hydathodes. Hydathodes allow the plant to expel excess water and dissolved minerals when root pressure is high. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind mineral deposits that appear as small white spots. . By the end of the video, you can also see the Jade plant's stomata, which are pores that regulate the intake of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and the release of oxygen and water vapor. Something very interesting about these stomata is that they only open at night! This is because Crassula ovata does a special type of photosynthesis called CAM photosynthesis. To minimize water loss, CAM plants open their stomata only at night to absorb CO₂, which they convert into malic acid and store it. In the morning, when they get sunlight, they break down the malic acid to release CO₂ and now they complete photosynthesis while keeping the stomata closed. . The plant in the video is Crassula ovata (jade plant). This plant is a succulent. Its amazing thick, fleshy leaves are incredibly well adapted to the arid environments where this plant originally lives. . Succulents are incredible! . For this video I used a Leica ZOOM 200 stereoscope and an Olympus BX41 microscope at up to 200x magnification #microscopy #microscope #plantphysiology #jadeplant #crassulaovata #glitter #succulents #drbioforever

The small intestine is a long tube where most of the digestion and nutrient absorption takes place. It is divided into 3 regions: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Each of these regions has specialized functions and unique histological features. These 3 parts of the small intestine share common tissue layers (mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa). However, if you observe these tissues closely, you can see differences in glandular tissue, villi structure, and immune features, which reflect their specific roles. . The duodenum plays an amazingly important role in coordinating digestion. As the first part of the small intestine, it receives partially digested food from the stomach in small amounts, along with bile from the gallbladder (that was produced in the liver) and buffers and digestive enzymes from the pancreas. These secretions work together to neutralize stomach acid, break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, and prepare nutrients for absorption further along the intestine. . Amazingly, the duodenum also releases hormones, which help regulate these secretions and ensure that digestion proceeds efficiently. This carefully timed coordination makes the duodenum a key control center for the digestive process. . What’s amazing is that the duodenum doesn’t just passively receive food. It acts like a control center for digestion. It uses neural connections and releases hormones that signal the pancreas and gallbladder to deliver just the right amount of enzymes and bile at the right time, and it even tells the stomach when to release more chyme! . The duodenum has histological features that can’t be seen in other parts of the small intestine. For example, the Brunner’s glands in the submucosa, which secrete alkaline mucus that helps neutralize the stomach acid entering with the chyme. Also, the villi are broad and leaf-shaped, and there are fewer goblet cells compared to the rest of the small intestine. . Histology is amazing and the human body is incredible! . #microscopy #microscope #physiology #smallintestine #duodenum #drbioforever

The cellular arrangement of plant tissues is incredibly beautiful! . Which one do you think is the prettiest? 1) 2) 3) or 4)? . 1) If you look closely at the Gingko branch stem, you can see the cells of the Pith, Xylem, Phloem, Medullary rays, Cambium, Cortex, Cork cambium… . 2) The ring pattern that you see is formed by the cells that make the vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) of the maple seedling stem. The cells in the center of the stem are the pith cells. The thick outer layer of cells that surround the vascular tissue are the cortex cells. Maple trees are dicot plants; thus, the vascular tissue bundles in the stem are arranged in the shape of a ring. . 3) Broccoli is also a dicot angiosperm plant. That means that the vascular tissue of this plant also forms a ring-like structure around the middle of the stem. The outermost layer is the epidermis. This layer of cells protects the stem and prevents water loss. Underneath the epidermis is the cortex, which is composed of elongated cells that store water and nutrients. The next layer is the vascular tissue, which is made up of xylem and phloem cells that transport water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the stem. Finally, in the very center of the stem there is the pith, which is made up of packed cells that look like bubbles. . 4) Asparagus is a monocot plant; thus, the asparagus vascular tissue is organized in bundles and these bundles are scattered throughout the plant stem. The patterns that you see in the video are formed by the cells that make the vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) of the asparagus stem, as well as the cells that surround the vascular tissue (pith cells). The vascular system transports water and nutrients. . Biology is amazing!! And yes, every time we eat a plant, we eat millions and millions of plant cells that form incredibly beautiful patterns like the ones you saw in this video! . For this video I used an Olympus CX31 microscope at up to 400x magnification. #ginkgo #mapletree #art #artinnature #microscopy #microscope #plantbiology #broccoli #asparagus #drbioforever

Warning: you aren’t going to get rid of the dandelions in your lawn anytime soon! Dandelions are amazingly well adapted to the suburban environment of lawns. Their leaves are very low to the ground, so they can easily escape being cut by lawn mowers. Their roots are very deep, so they can still get the water and nutrients they need even when the top of the plant is cut off. If this wasn’t enough, dandelions produce a lot of seeds, and these spread quickly and easily! So stop getting frustrated trying to get rid of dandelions and instead embrace how pretty they are ;) . In the first part of the video, what you see is the stigma of one of the many florets within a dandelion flower. You can also see that it is completely coated with pollen grains. The stigma is the part of the flower that the pollen grains attach to when pollination happens. . In the first part of the video, what you see is the dandelion fruits. Yes, I meant to say dandelion fruits! All those flying things are the dandelion fruits being dispersed by the wind thanks to modified sepals (the parachute part). A single seed is inside each fruit. This type of fruit is called Achene. The thing that is very very cool is that the dandelion fruits preserve their shape after immersion in water! . For these videos I used an Olympus CX31 microscope and up to 400x magnification. #microscopy #microscope #plantbiology #dandelions #artinnature #drbioforever