Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
I'd like to turn now to the object which is the main point of this talk: the helix. This is a fascinating mathematical object which touches many parts of our lives. Movement, the natural world, the manufactured world and our genetic make-up are all connected to the shape of the helix.
A helix is a type of three-dimensional curve that goes around a central cylindrical shape in the form of a spiral, like a corkscrew or a spiral staircase. The helix is a very popular shape in nature because it is very compact. In fact, helices are sometimes referred to as 'nature's space saver'. In architecture too, the helix shape of a spiral staircase is an attractive option in buildings where space is very restricted.
The most renowned type of helix is probably the double helix of DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is made of two helices that curve around each other, a bit like a twisted ladder. DNA contains the genetic information or 'code' that determines the development and functioning of all known living things. The helix shape is a very efficient way to store a long molecule like DNA in the limited space of a cell.
There are different types of helices. Helices can twist clockwise, right-handed, or anti-clockwise, left-handed. An interesting experiment is to hold a clockwise helix, such as a corkscrew, up to a mirror. The clockwise helix appears to become counterclockwise.
We can perceive examples of helices in many areas of our world. Spiral staircases, cables, screws and ropes can be right-handed or left-handed helices. A helix that goes around a cone is called a conical helix. Examples of conical helices are screws or the famous spiral ramp designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
Helices are also prevalent in the natural world. The horns of certain animals, viruses, seashells and the structure of plants, flowers and leaves can all contain helices. The human umbilical cord is in fact a triple helix.
With the discovery that the helix is the shape of the DNA molecule, it is not surprising that the helix is found in so many areas. It's one of the most natural shapes in nature.
Let's turn our attention now to the mathematical description of the helix. You'll need a pen and paper for the next part of the talk as I am going to give you some variables to write down. Take your time to notice the different ...
Yes definitively. For me it's very common to watch this kind of thing, I'm also love to watch documentaries. These always help me to learn new words and increase my vocabulary. There are a lot of options of documentaries on YouTube for free. I recommend DW channel, there are a lot of video with diverse subjects for different countries, it is pretty nice.
No, I´m not used to this type of lecture. Most of the time online, I see publications on social media about topics like travel, mindfulness, food, and other areas of interest. However, I find stimulating to learn about this diverse subject matter.
I definitely like watching scientific lectures on youtube. In addition, I also read books and articles on the Internet. Fortunately today there is a lot of scientific material that is very easily accessible, unlike when I was a child that this type of information was only available in specialized books, very difficult to find, or as short articles in newspapers.
I don't. Usually, I only watch some videos but about psychology topics. But from today, I really think that lectures like this would make me more cultured person.
I've been in some lectures. but they were different from this.
Not very often, although I do like to see documentaries about human nature and evolution theories, I rarely watch scientific lectures or talks related to that. It’s really interesting though how humans have been adopt different shapes observed in nature to apply them to solve different kind of problems in engineering, mechanics or in medicine.
Thanks for the episode!
Great site.
Yes I watch many scientific lectures. The last lecture I've seen was about subatomic particles in TEDed. I found fascinating how the things we assume are common can produce so much dilema in the scienific community. In this case the helix it's everywhere in the nature however it has an esential role in the structure of DNA.