[Latin Name]Huperzia serratum

[Source] Huperziceae whole herb from China

[Appearance]Brown to white

[Ingredient]Huperzine A

[Specification]Huperzine A 1% – 5%, HPLC

[Solubility] Soluble in chloroform, methanol, ethanol, slightly soluble in water

[Particle size] 80 Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Pesticide residue] EC396-2005, USP 34, EP 8.0, FDA

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[What is Huperzine A]

Huperzia is a type of moss that grows in China. It is related to club mosses (the Lycopodiaceae family) and is known to some botanists as Lycopodium serratum . The whole prepared moss was used traditionally. Modern herbal preparations use only the isolated alkaloid known as huperzine A. Huperzine A is an alkaloid found in huperzia that has been reported to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important substance needed by the nervous system to transmit information from cell to cell. Animal research has suggested that huperzine A’s ability to preserve acetylcholine may be greater than that of some prescription drugs. Loss of acetylcholine function is a primary feature of several disorders of brain function, including Alzheimer’s disease . Huperzine A may also have a protective effect on brain tissue, further increasing its theoretical potential for helping reduce symptoms of some brain disorders.

[Function] Used in alternative medicine, huperzine A has been found to act as a cholinesterase inhibitor, a type of medicine used to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (a chemical essential to learning and memory).

Not only used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, huperzine A is also said to enhance learning and memory and to protect against age-related cognitive decline.

In addition, huperzine A is sometimes used to boost energy, increase alertness, and aid in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disorder that affects the muscles).

This tasty and easy-to-make fruit puree — known by the French term of “coulis” (pron. coolee) — is a great way of jazzing up boring old oatmeal, birthday cake, yogurt or cottage cheese, and it makes a mean popsicle! It’s also a good source of anticancer compounds such as ellagic acid and proanthocyanidins. Why not make a big batch and freeze in smaller portions so you can have some to hand at all times? Yum…

A song about Macromolecules (a.k.a. Biomolecules, Carbon-Based Molecules, or the molecules of life) and Nutrition (Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids), based on PSY’s “Gangnam Style.”

Lyrics written by and song sung by a simple high school science teacher named Mr. Hsu.

Special thanks to Mr. Moore, Mrs. O’Brien, Mr. Kelly, Mrs. Wiemer, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Bourisseau, and Mrs. Brem for helping out by dancing and being filmed!

mp3 available:

Captions are available so you know what is actually being taught and sung (feel free to turn off or on).

This song and video have been made solely for educational purposes. Its level of depth and detail into various macromolecules (biomolecules) are aimed at High School Biology students (at least the ones I teach). If you find errors or omissions (i.e. I didn’t discuss enzymes), this is due to the fact that I’m trying to make a song that appeals to students, AND I’m being constrained by describing a relatively complex topic through a highly repetitive song that was originally written in Korean.

Of course, a big reason for making this video was to perform the dance and film it.

I also performed this song for my students in class before our macromolecule test. If you’re lucky, you might find a video of such a live performance somehwere in the vast internet (quite a few of them were recording me singing and dancing it in class, after all). A powerpoint goes with this, as well, so that the words and education I am trying to get through are more clear.

Lyrics:

Molecules Gone Wild!
Bio Style!

Carbohydrates provide the energy for your life!
The simplest form, like glucose, is known as a monosaccharide
Combine two, and make a larger sugar called disaccharide
The largest is a polysaccharide!

Lipids are the fats!
3 fatty acids with a glycerol make up the fats:
Triglycerides with only single bonds are saturated fats,
But if there’re double bonds they now become unsaturated fats
Don’t eat too much fat!

Monomers build to polymers filled
With C, H, O! Hey!
Molecule’s macro! Hey!

One with HO, other with H, so
Bond and go! Hey!
Release H2O! Hey!

Dehydration Synthesis is underway!!!

Molecules Gone Wild!
Bio Style
Mol-Mol-Mol-Mol Molecules Gone Wild!
Bio Style
Mol-Mol-Mol-Mol Molecules Gone Wild!

Many Polymers-mers-mers-mers:
Molecules Gone Wild!
Many Polymers-mers-mers-mers!

Proteins: the building blocks that make up your whole body
Your skin, your hair, your muscles – need protein to get the hotties!
Break down polypeptide to amino acids in your body
Nitrogen comes to the party!

Nucleic Acids!
The famous one is DNA that’s known by all you kids
With 2 polynucleotide chains linked to make it valid,
Which breaks into single nucleotides when it’s digested;
Phosphorous added!

When you eat food, to get in the mood (to study),
Molecules will flow! Hey!
Straight down your throat! Hey!

Need to break those big polymers, so
Here’s H2O! Hey!
Splits to H and O! Hey!

Hydrolysis is what I just now displayed!!!

Molecules Gone Wild!
Bio Style
Mol-Mol-Mol-Mol Molecules Gone Wild!
Bio Style
Mol-Mol-Mol-Mol Molecules Gone Wild!

Many Polymers-mers-mers-mers:
Molecules Gone Wild!
Many Polymers-mers-mers-mers!

Food deforms
Into its simplest forms!
When you eat it, break it down,
Then it reforms!

Now you’re informed!
So please study more!
Study, Study,
Read your notes and textbook

You know what I’m saying?

Molecules Gone Wild!

Many Polymers-mers-mers-mers:
Molecules Gone Wild!
Many Polymers-mers-mers-mers!

Molecules Gone Wild!