2a2 Science Blog: Nitric Oxide (Mervin)

Hello everyone!

This is the second online lesson for LSS, and after much research, I chose Nitric Oxide, as the harmful element, which I am going to elaborate on.

During lessons, Ms Nada showed as an example of how two harmful elements can combine, bond and react to become a harmless and useful chemical.

Thus, our task is to find out and come out with two harmless elements that will bond and react to become harmful chemicals.

The harmful chemical that I came up with, is “Nitric Oxide” (NO) , which is a compound made up of oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N)reacting and boding together.

[NO->N+O]

Firstly, I will elaborate on the two harmless elements first. Oxygen is definitely harmless, and it is definitely essential in our lives. Without it, our heart will not beat, and our brains would be dead. Oxygen is needed for all human processes and systems of the human body to work. Also, oxygen is needed for fires to burn etc.

Now, on the nitrogen element. Even though it is not really as essential as oxygen the human beings, it is still harmless. Nitrogen “dilutes” the atmosphere. If there are too much oxygen, metabolic problems may occur, and there may be combustion problems. If there are too much Carbon Dioxide, quickens Global Warming effects, and definitely will not benefit humans and animals as well. Nitrogen can also be used to make into bulbs, explosives etc.

Next, on to the harmful element, Nitric Oxide, also known as nitrogen monoxide. Nitric Oxide is an essential form of gas produced by the human body, which helps in regulating its various functions. One of the most important functions if Nitric oxide is that it is the flow or circulation of the blood to different parts of the body. It is a crucial factor for making major organs like the brain. Kidneys, stomach ec. Work properly, and it also supports the immune system to fight diseases caused by bacteria etc. It helps in building muscles, and therefore, has been a crazy among bodybuilders. However, despite nitric oxide playing such important roles for humans, it has many side effects that can harm the human body badly.

An example of a side effect, most common for body builders, would be headaches and nauseas. Extreme weakness, fatigue and diarrhea are also common side effects for body builders. Rapid beatng of the heart, syncope, skin irritation etc. are also common side effects that consumers will come across. Asthma, tremors, severe sweating etc. will also occur. These are just the minor side effects. The severe and dangerous side effects would be the lowering of blood pressure below normal level, due to the excessive consumption of nitric oxide, causing blood poisoning. This may lead to a person’s death! In the same way, when a person suffers from stroke, the nerve cells stop receiving oxygen, as the large amounts of nitric oxide that the body produces attacks the neurons in the brains, causing definite death. As you can see, the side effects of nitric oxide are really terrible, and thus is definitely a very, very harmful element, if overdosed and over consumed.

Now, I will be showing you guys the dot and cross diagram of Nitric Oxide! (:

[N triple bond N-O]