Cellfie Life

By NikaelaEducation

Cellfie Life episodes

April 18, 2023 MCAT -4- Early Embryogenesis
This episode teaches about the formation and development of an embryo in the first eight weeks. Fertilization is explained, detailing how sperm meets egg and delivers its genetic material. We cover the stages of embryo development: zygote, morula, blastula, and blastocyst. Each stage is described along with its key features. Finally, the episode discusses how the blastocyst implants itself in the uterus and the beginning stages of placenta development.
I have the script notes from all the episodes, so if you want to print out and use them to aid in your studying, the transcripts are available under the episodes. Download the full transcript!
33 min
April 18, 2023 Cellfie Life - 3 Female reproductive system
Cracking the Code on Periods: Unravel the Mysteries of Ovulation and Your Cycle
This episode dives deep into the fascinating world of female reproduction. We’ll crack the code on ovulation, transform you into a master of the menstrual cycle, and have you rocking the lingo like a pro: luteal phase, follicle phase, corpus luteum, progesterone – no sweat!
Get ready to go beyond the basics and truly understand what’s happening inside you each month.
41 min
April 18, 2023 MCAT -2- Male Reproductive System
Welcome to the Cellfie Life. Thank you so much for listening!!! Seriously, My name is Nikaela and today we are going to be reviewing the cell cycle, Meiosis and Mitosis. If you have questions or comments or corrections. Please let me know- the best way to reach me is on insta handle: @thiscellfielife or the contact form on the contact page!
I have the script notes from all the episodes, so if you want to print out and use them to aid in your studying, the transcripts are available under the episodes. Download the full transcript!
37 min
April 18, 2023 The Cell Cycle, Mitosis, and Meiosis - and giant chocolate cakes
Welcome to the Cellfie Life. Thank you so much for listening!!! Seriously, My name is Nikaela and today we are going to be reviewing the cell cycle, Meiosis and Mitosis. If you have questions or comments or corrections. Please let me know- the best way to reach me is on insta handle: @thiscellfielife or the contact form on the contact page!
I have the script notes from all the episodes, so if you want to print out and use them to aid in your studying, the transcripts are available under the episodes. Download the full transcript!
27 min
April 17, 2023 Cellfie-Life-Intro
Welcome to the Cellfie Life. Thank you so much for listening!!! Seriously, My name is Nikaela and today we are going to be reviewing the cell cycle, Meiosis and Mitosis. If you have questions or comments or corrections. Please let me know- the best way to reach me is on insta handle: @thiscellfielife or the contact form on the contact page!
I have the script notes from all the episodes, so if you want to print out and use them to aid in your studying, the transcripts are available under the episodes. Download the full transcript!
3 min
March 10, 2020 Eukaryotes – Pick your Poison

Heeeey!

I'm going to start this episode with a little story. When I decided I was going to be crazy and start this podcast, I was trying to think of a name for it, and I came up with the name Cellfie Life. I was running it by my best friend who is a social media manager. She does social media for a living, and she wasn't exactly a fan of the name because she thought it sounded like a prison podcast, which is not at all what I was going for, but I was excited and proceeded to tell her all about Robert Hooke.

Robert Hooke was looking through a microscope at a desiccated cork, and he thought that it looked like the little cells that the monks slept in, and so he used the word “cells” for what he saw through the microscope.

I was thrilled to be able to share the connection between the two types of cells with my bestie. My friend wasn't particularly entertained, but, nonetheless, welcome to the Cellfie Life! I am very excited this episode is on cells—kinda its namesake.

Robert Hooke - Biography, Facts and Pictures

Before we jump in, I want to thank you for listening. Please subscribe, and if you're going to find the script notes, you can find them on the website at cellfielife.com.

I also want to give a special thanks to Emily, and Abby, they messaged me on insta earlier this week about the podcast. It honestly meant so much that you guys contacted me. I told Emily that I usually just feel like a crazy person sitting in my closet talking to myself, so it's really nice when people reach out and give me feedback. So thanks, ladies.

Okay, let's just dig in today.

Eukaryotes

We will specifically be reviewing eukaryotes today. So, we, as humans, have a lot of cells, so it makes sense that we have an understanding of how they are organized and how they communicate and react.

Pop quiz from the last episode:

Q: What is the main difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

A: Prokaryotes don't have membrane-bound organelles, and eukaryotes have membrane-bound organelles.

Another difference between the two is that prokaryotes are always going to be single-celled organisms where eukaryotes can be unicellular or multicellular with multicellular organisms, such as ourselves. Eukaryotes can form tissues and have a division of labor between the cells. This means that cells will be specialized with form following function.

Some cells might need more mitochondria or have more of a rough ER, depending on what type of work they are specialized in performing. I want to mention here that there are four types of tissue: nervous, muscle, connective, and epithelial. We won't be covering tissue in this episode, but I wanted to mention the types since we talked about eukaryotes being multicellular organisms and forming tissues.

When I was first learning all the science stuff, I really had a hard time keeping the cell types associated with the right name. I switched majors from creative writing to biology, so the change was a big one. Anyway, I was having a hard time keeping prokaryotes and eukaryotes associated with the correct types of cells. I knew that one was the cell with membrane-bound organelles, and the other was the one that didn't have membrane-bound organelles.

So, of course, I turned to my root words.

So “karyon” is essentially the Greek word for “nut” and “eu” is the word for "well." So,
45 min
February 25, 2020 Pathogens(Bacteria & Viruses) – Meet the Pro’s

Pathogens!! In this episode, we will be talking about fungus, archaea, bacteria, virus, and prions specifically as they relate to the human condition.

____________

So, two bacteria walk into a grungy bar. The bartender says, "We don't serve bacteria here!"

And, the bacteria says, "But, we work here. We're staph."

“Why did the mushroom get invited to the party?”

“Because he’s a fungi.”

LOL, I didn’t have a good bacteria song, so I Googled jokes about bacteria. So, you’re welcome for the dad jokes to start this episode. If you haven’t figured it out, we’re going to be talking about bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and prions in this episode.

Welcome to the Cellfie life. This is Nikaela, and I wanted to thank all of you for listening, and rating, and reviewing, and subscribing. If you are enjoying the podcast and want to help support the production of it, I have set up a Patreon page where you can support the podcast for as little as 25-cents an episode! Which is $1 a month.

Your contribution helps me pay hosting sites and my editors and really allows me to keep putting this content out there. So, check out Patreon if you want to help me keep making these podcasts. You can also support the podcasts by just subscribing, rating, reviewing, [and] telling your friends about it.

If you have questions, comments, corrections, please let me know. The best way to reach me is on Instagram @t-h-i-s- c-e-l-l-f-i-e life or the website cellfielife.com. I post the script notes on the site, and I post MCAT review questions on my story just about every day.

Now, let's talk about those tiny little prokaryotes.

Question (Q): Do you remember the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Simple Answer (A): Prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes do have membrane-bound organelles.

Okay, let’s meet the pro’s, and by the pro’s I mean those amazing prokaryotes that can: Survive in extreme environments, form symbiotic environments, replicate in many different ways... Some can survive with oxygen and without, meaning they can adjust their metabolism to meet the demands of their environment. They are pretty cool!

And, eukaryotes are the true nucleus, so are membrane-bound organelles—which is what our cells are—but we will talk about that next episode when we go into cells, specifically our cells.

So, prokaryotes are super simple: they don’t have membrane-bound organelles, and their DNA is usually concentrated in an area called the nucleoid region.

We’re going to talk about the pro’s (the prokaryotes) but, first, let's do a quick rundown of taxonomic ranks.

So there are eight basic taxonomic categories; this doesn't include subspecies. Taxonomic ranks are just a way of classifying things in a step-down method where organisms are split into more specific groups.

The order from broadest to narrowest categorization

Domain Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

How are we going to keep these taxonomic ranks in the correct order?

Obviously, we're gonna use a mnemonic device.

Dumb Kids Playing Cards On Freeway Get Smashed—I like this one because it sounds like a news headline.

There is also King Philip Came Over For Ginger Snaps! But,
37 min
January 28, 2020 Embryogenesis II- ‘Magic School Bus’ style.

Embryogenesis II- we finish up the embryology review by going over gastrulation, neurulation, and getting into a discussion on the germ layers, teratogens, stem cells, and fetal circulation.

Hey, hey, hey - It’s Nikaela, and this is Cellfie Life. Where we talk about complex science principles by relating them to, I love lucy episodes and bunnies.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about listen to the Early Embryogenesis episode, it was the episode right before this one.

Also, For those of you questioning my three heys, I heard someone say it in the library when I was writing this episode and thought I would try it on. I’m not sure how I feel about it.

Hi, I'm Nikaela welcome to the Cellfie Life. This subject is a two-parter because it was getting a little longer than I wanted. I want to keep these episodes around 30 minutes-ish. So, I decided to chop the Embryogenesis review in half.

But first housekeeping!

I have set up a Patreon page; If you are enjoying the show and want to share the love, you can head over to pateron.com. With Patreon, you can pay a small amount of money each month to help me cover production costs. It will help me pay for hosting and pay my amazing editors that help me get these episodes out every week. You can support the podcast for as little as .25 cents an episode, a dollar a month. Or if you are just such a broke student and you need that dollar for ramen, I get it, share the love by telling your friends about this podcast, and rating and reviewing.

https://www.patreon.com/cellfielife

You can follow me on Instagram. I post review questions on my stories just about every day or check out the website at cellfielife.com, where you can find the script notes and the gifs and memes and youtube links I talk about in the show.

Now, let's jump right in-

Okay, so the last episode we talked about fertilization and implantation, and cleavage and morulas, and blastocysts and the trophoblasts and the inner cell mass. And how the inner cell mass gives rise to the bilaminar disk, which ultimately gives rise to the germ layers. I know we covered a lot.

And this is where we are going to pick up on this episode.

We are going to pick up right after implantation. The embryo is just heading into gastrulation at this point, which we have already talked about a little in the previous episode, but we're going to talk about it more in detail here. Gastrulation is the formation of the three germ layers. It also happens about the 3rd week of development, so it happens pretty early.

We haven't gone over these germ layers, but do you remember them from school…?

Q: What are the three layers of the trilaminar disk called?

A: Ectoderm, Mesoderm, Endoderm.

If you got that one give yourself a high five-

Follow up:

Where do these three layers develop from?

A: the inner cell mass that forms the bilaminar disk, which is made up of the epiblast and hypoblast. The epiblast layer will become the trilaminar disk, which is made up of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

Let’s talk about how these three layers form.

We will start by taking another look at the bilaminar disk just to remind us where we’re at; the bilaminar disk has formed and is the two pancakes, remember? The top layer is the epiblast, and the bottom layer is the hypoblast.
36 min
January 21, 2020 Early Embryogenesis and ‘I Love Lucy’

Let's talk about fertilization and implantation, and cleavage and morulas, and blastocysts and the trophoblasts and the inner cell mass. And how the inner cell mass gives rise to the bilaminar disk which ultimately gives rise to the germ layers. This episode is dense but has so much good info! buckle up and get ready for embryogenesis!!

Early Embryogenesis

“Come on, baby. Baby baby baby...”

Can anyone name that movie line? It’s Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line. I really love that movie, and I know you’re all surprised I’m not singing at you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bR-BPDwdXo

I considered doing a rendition of Britney Spears “Hit Me Baby One More Time.”

But when I’m animating the word “baby” in my mind, Reese beats Britney to the punch.

Hello, everyone, welcome to the Cell-fie Life! Where we are reviewing topics that are covered by the MCAT.

My name is Nikaela, and today I’m going to be reviewing embryogenesis. And I’m not going to lie to you; It is complicated. Probably as complex, if not more so, than the female reproductive system But, I mean, come on, does anyone out there expect growing babies to be easy!? But I am going to do my best to break it down and tie it all together.

Growing human babies blows my mind. I mean, growing any type of a baby is crazy, but human babies are next level. How cells are this smart to pull off this sorcery (like witch fingers and bunny ears) is just another reason that I love science. Science is so cool.

Let’s jump in and start with the basics.

What is embryogenesis!?

Embryogenesis is the formation and development of the embryo in the first eight weeks after fertilization. And it is kind of a whirlwind of mitotic activity and cell differentiation, which makes sense because you are taking a single-celled organism and turning it into an organism that is developing brains and intestines and limbs and eyelashes. Okay, let’s be honest: At the end of embryogenesis, it’s basically a ball of cells with tubes, but they will develop into the guts and brains and limbs and all that stuff.

So, without further ado, let’s get into embryogenesis.

Actually, there is some more ado….

This episode may contain some sexual health material. But it’s really more of a review of embryogenesis, but there might be some flashback material.

Okay, pop quiz time.

You didn’t know that you would be starting this episode with a pop quiz, did you!? It’s okay; this is one pop quiz you’re gonna ace because I’m grading, and I make the rules.

Question 1:

Q: A spike in what hormones causes ovulation?

A: LH and FSH.

Follow up:

Q: Which surge point, LH and FSH, was highest, and why?

A: The LH surge was higher because the inhibin being produced is already inhibiting FSH.

Okay, so ovulation of a secondary oocyte has occurred. Like just occurred...

Q: ...and the egg is arrested right now in what phase?

A: Metaphase II.

If you’re having any trouble with these concepts, just use it as an informative experience that is showing you where you can improve. You can just go back and give the last few episodes a listen for a helpful review.

Okay, back to the egg.

The egg has been swept up by the fimbriae. It is now in the fallopian tube,
33 min
January 14, 2020 Female Reproductive System – Let’s talk about sex

**This episode contains sexual health material**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KL9mRus19o

Let’s Talk About Sex: Female Reproductive System

Okay, hold up—I know
the perfect song for this episode. Awkwafina’s “My Vag”.

I like the way you work
it…no diggity, got to bag it up.

“My vag like an operatic ballad

Yo vag like Grandpa's cabbage”

Let’s be perfectly
honest about a few things: One, I can't sing, and two, there is no way I could
do this song justice, so do me a favor. Pause this podcast, go and listen to
Awkwafina’s song “My Vag”, then hit play on this podcast. And if that song
doesn’t get you seriously excited to learn about the female reproductive
system, then listen to it again. And don’t “at” me about a vag song because
there are so many songs about penises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z726OPwCnjE

Maybe I should mention
that this episode does have sexual health material—so this is your warning.
We’re gonna be talking about vagina’s and periods and all of those hormones
that make it all happen.

Welcome to the Cell-fie Life. This is Nikaela and I wanted to thank you, so much, for listening. If you have questions or comments or corrections, please let me know. The best way to reach me is either the website CellfieLife.com or on Insta @thiscellfielife.

You guys subscribe to this podcast. Just hit that little button and then you will get the latest episode automatically. There really is no downside to subscribing. Seriously.

Are you guys ready for this? You all know that females have a complicated reproductive system and it’s cause we can grow new humans. New humans. That is just crazy to me. So take a deep breath and dive in.

Last note before we
begin in earnest. This episode is about biological sex and not gender
expression.

Okay, now, let's talk
about the ladies, which are hella-complicated, but we can get this all sorted.

The major reproductive organs for females include the ovaries, which are homologous to the testes, meaning they came from the same precursor during development. The ovaries are where the ova, a.k.a. the gametes are produced. Then there’s the uterus. Or, as I like to call it sometimes, the baby box. But we’re being science-y here, so it’s “the uterus”. The uterus is where a viable progeny develops. I say “viable” because ectopic pregnancies are pregnancies where implantation happens outside the uterus. This is super dangerous for mothers if not caught in time. And finally, breasts are also included in reproductive organs; breasts because of lactation. So these are all included in the reproductive system along with the brain. Because as we learned from the last episode, sex starts in the brain.

Q: Do you remember what part of the brain releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone?

A: The hypothalamus. Do
you remember where the GnRH travels to and acts upon?

A: The anterior
pituitary.

Nice job, you guys are
so smart, you should all be doctors!

If you missed those
questions, no worries. We will review them in, like, 30 seconds; you could also
review the last episode which goes over the male reproductive system.

The ovaries produce
41 min

About Cellfie Life

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The Cellfie Life Podcast: Unraveling the mysteries of advanced physiology with entertaining weekly episodes featuring in-depth discussions with industry experts, perfect for medical professionals,…

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