TEDxUIdaho
Jakob Magolan: A crash course in organic chemistry
Jakob Magolan: Curso acelerado de química orgánica
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Jakob Magolan está aquí para cambiar a vosa percepción da química orgánica. Nunha charla moi accesible chea de gráficos sorprendentes, apréndenos os fundamentos, ao tempo que desbarata o estereotipo de que a química orgánica é algo ao que lle hai que ter medo.
Jakob Magolan - Organic chemist
Professor Jakob Magolan is a synthetic chemist who assembles new molecules to discover new medicines. Full bio
Professor Jakob Magolan is a synthetic chemist who assembles new molecules to discover new medicines. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
I'd like you to ask yourself,
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Gustaríame que vos preguntásedes
00:14
what do you feel when you hear
the words "organic chemistry?"
the words "organic chemistry?"
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que sentides ao escoitar as palabras
"química orgánica"
"química orgánica"
00:18
What comes to mind?
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Que se vos vén á cabeza?
00:20
There is a course offered
at nearly every university,
at nearly every university,
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Case tódalas universidades
ofrecen un curso
ofrecen un curso
00:24
and it's called Organic Chemistry,
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que se titula Química Orgánica,
00:26
and it is a grueling, heavy
introduction to the subject,
introduction to the subject,
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unha dura e pesada introdución á materia,
00:30
a flood of content
that overwhelms students,
that overwhelms students,
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unha avalancha de contidos
que afoga aos estudantes
que afoga aos estudantes
00:33
and you have to ace it if you want
to become a doctor or a dentist
to become a doctor or a dentist
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e nos que hai que ser un ás
para converterse en médico ou dentista
para converterse en médico ou dentista
00:37
or a veterinarian.
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ou veterinario.
00:38
And that is why so many students
perceive this science like this ...
perceive this science like this ...
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Por iso moitos estudantes
ven así esta ciencia:
ven así esta ciencia:
00:44
as an obstacle in their path,
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como un atranco no camiño,
00:46
and they fear it and they hate it
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e témena e ódiana
00:48
and they call it a weed-out course.
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e considérana un curso "peneira".
00:50
What a cruel thing for a subject
to do to young people,
to do to young people,
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Que cruel que unha materia
lle faga iso á xente nova,
lle faga iso á xente nova,
00:53
weed them out.
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que os peneire.
00:55
And this perception spread
beyond college campuses long ago.
beyond college campuses long ago.
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E hai moito que esta percepción
se estendeu alén dos campus.
se estendeu alén dos campus.
00:59
There is a universal anxiety
about these two words.
about these two words.
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Esas dúas palabras
causan angustia universal.
causan angustia universal.
01:04
I happen to love this science,
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Acontece que eu adoro esta ciencia,
01:07
and I think this position
in which we have placed it
in which we have placed it
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e considero que a situación
na que a puxemos
na que a puxemos
01:09
is inexcusable.
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é imperdoable.
01:11
It's not good for science,
and it's not good for society,
and it's not good for society,
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Non é bo para a ciencia
e non é bo para a sociedade,
e non é bo para a sociedade,
01:15
and I don't think it has to be this way.
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e penso que non ten por que ser así.
01:18
And I don't mean that this class
should be easier. It shouldn't.
should be easier. It shouldn't.
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Non quero dicir que ese curso
debería ser máis doado. Non tal.
debería ser máis doado. Non tal.
01:23
But your perception of these two words
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Pero a nosa percepción desas dúas palabras
01:28
should not be defined
by the experiences of premed students
by the experiences of premed students
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non debera depender da experiencia
de estudantes de medicina
de estudantes de medicina
01:33
who frankly are going through
a very anxious time of their lives.
a very anxious time of their lives.
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que sinceramente pasan por unha etapa
anguriosa das súas vidas.
anguriosa das súas vidas.
01:37
So I'm here today because I believe
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Así que hoxe estou aquí porque penso
01:40
that a basic knowledge
of organic chemistry is valuable,
of organic chemistry is valuable,
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que ter coñecementos básicos
de química orgánica é moi útil,
de química orgánica é moi útil,
01:42
and I think that it can be made
accessible to everybody,
accessible to everybody,
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e penso que se poden facer accesibles
para todo o mundo,
para todo o mundo,
01:47
and I'd like to prove that to you today.
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e hoxe gustaríame demostrárvolo.
01:49
Would you let me try?
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Permitídesme que o intente?
01:51
Audience: Yeah!
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Audiencia: Si!
01:52
Jakob Magolan: All right, let's go for it.
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Jakob Magolan: De acordo, imos aló.
01:55
(Laughter)
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(Risas)
01:57
Here I have one of these
overpriced EpiPens.
overpriced EpiPens.
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Este é un deses carísimos
autoinxectores Epipens.
autoinxectores Epipens.
02:00
Inside it is a drug called epinephrine.
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Contén un fármaco chamado epinefrina.
02:03
Epinephrine can restart
the beat of my heart,
the beat of my heart,
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A epinefrina pode reiniciar
os latexos do meu corazón
os latexos do meu corazón
02:06
or it could stop a life-threatening
allergic reaction.
allergic reaction.
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ou deter unha reacción alérxica mortal.
02:08
An injection of this
right here will do it.
right here will do it.
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Abonda cunha inxección disto xusto aquí.
02:13
It would be like turning
the ignition switch
the ignition switch
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Sería como darlle ao interruptor
02:15
in my body's fight-or-flight machinery.
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da maquinaria corporal de loita ou fuxida.
02:17
My heart rate, my blood pressure would
go up so blood could rush to my muscles.
go up so blood could rush to my muscles.
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Subirían o ritmo cardíaco e a tensión
para que o sangue chegase aos músculos.
para que o sangue chegase aos músculos.
02:21
My pupils would dilate.
I would feel a wave of strength.
I would feel a wave of strength.
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Dilataríanseme as pupilas.
De súpeto sentiríame moi forte.
De súpeto sentiríame moi forte.
02:24
Epinephrine has been the difference
between life and death for many people.
between life and death for many people.
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A epinefrina leva sido para moitos
a diferenza entre vivir ou morrer.
a diferenza entre vivir ou morrer.
02:29
This is like a little miracle
that you can hold in your fingers.
that you can hold in your fingers.
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É coma un pequeno milagre
que che cabe na man.
que che cabe na man.
02:33
Here is the chemical structure
of epinephrine.
of epinephrine.
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E esta é a estrutura química
da epinefrina.
da epinefrina.
02:37
This is what organic chemistry looks like.
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Este é o aspecto da química orgánica.
02:39
It looks like lines and letters ...
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Semellan liñas e letras...
02:43
No meaning to most people.
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Sen significado para a maioría.
02:45
I'd like to show you what I see
when I look at that picture.
when I look at that picture.
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Gustaríame amosarvos o que vexo eu
cando miro esa imaxe.
cando miro esa imaxe.
02:49
I see a physical object
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Vexo un obxecto físico
02:53
that has depth and rotating parts,
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con profundidade e partes que rotan
02:55
and it's moving.
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e que está en movemento.
02:58
We call this a compound or a molecule,
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É o que chamamos un composto ou molécula,
03:00
and it is 26 atoms that are stitched
together by atomic bonds.
together by atomic bonds.
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e consta de 26 átomos unidos
por enlaces atómicos.
por enlaces atómicos.
03:07
The unique arrangement of these atoms
gives epinephrine its identity,
gives epinephrine its identity,
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A disposición única destes átomos
dálle á epinefrina a súa identidade,
dálle á epinefrina a súa identidade,
03:11
but nobody has ever
actually seen one of these,
actually seen one of these,
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pero en realidade ninguén viu isto nunca,
03:14
because they're very small,
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porque é algo moi pequeno,
03:15
so we're going to call this
an artistic impression,
an artistic impression,
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así que ímolo tomar como
unha representación artística
unha representación artística
03:18
and I want to explain to you
how small this is.
how small this is.
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e quérovos explicar
ata que punto é pequeno.
ata que punto é pequeno.
03:22
In here, I have less than
half a milligram of it dissolved in water.
half a milligram of it dissolved in water.
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Aquí teño menos de medio miligramo
disolto en auga.
disolto en auga.
03:26
It's the mass of a grain of sand.
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Ten a masa dun gran de area.
03:28
The number of epinephrine
molecules in here is one quintillion.
molecules in here is one quintillion.
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O número de moléculas de epinefrina
que hai aquí é un trillón.
que hai aquí é un trillón.
03:33
That's 18 zeroes.
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Son 18 ceros.
03:35
That number is hard to visualize.
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É unha cifra difícil de visualizar.
03:37
Seven billion of us on this planet?
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Os sete mil millóns que somos no planeta?
03:40
Maybe 400 billion stars in our galaxy?
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En torno a 400.000 millóns
de estrelas na galaxia?
de estrelas na galaxia?
Nin sequera nos achegamos.
03:45
You're not even close.
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03:46
If you wanted to get
into the right ballpark,
into the right ballpark,
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Para facer unha estimación máis precisa,
03:48
you'd have to imagine every grain of sand
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temos que imaxinar
ata o último gran de area
ata o último gran de area
03:51
on every beach,
under all the oceans and lakes,
under all the oceans and lakes,
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que hai en tódalas praias e
baixo tódolos océanos e lagos
baixo tódolos océanos e lagos
03:55
and then shrink them all
so they fit in here.
so they fit in here.
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e comprimilos todos para metelos aquí.
03:59
Epinephrine is so small
we will never see it,
we will never see it,
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A epinefrina é tan pequena que nunca
chegaremos a vela,
chegaremos a vela,
04:02
not through any microscope ever,
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nin sequera a través do microscopio,
04:05
but we know what it looks like,
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pero sabemos como é,
04:07
because it shows itself
through some sophisticated machines
through some sophisticated machines
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porque se mostra por medio de
sofisticados aparatos
sofisticados aparatos
04:11
with fancy names
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de nomes rebuscados
04:13
like "nuclear magnetic
resonance spectrometers."
resonance spectrometers."
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como "espectrómetros de resonancia
magnética nuclear".
magnética nuclear".
04:17
So visible or not, we know
this molecule very well.
this molecule very well.
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O caso é que, visible ou non,
coñecemos esta molécula moi ben.
coñecemos esta molécula moi ben.
Sabemos que se compón de catro
tipos distintos de átomos,
tipos distintos de átomos,
04:20
We know it is made
of four different types of atoms,
of four different types of atoms,
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04:23
hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen.
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hidróxeno, carbono, osíxeno e nitróxeno.
04:25
These are the colors
we typically use for them.
we typically use for them.
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Estas son as cores
que adoitamos usar para cada un.
que adoitamos usar para cada un.
04:27
Everything in our universe
is made of little spheres
is made of little spheres
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Todo no noso universo está feito
de pequenas esferas
de pequenas esferas
04:30
that we call atoms.
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que chamamos átomos.
04:31
There's about a hundred
of these basic ingredients,
of these basic ingredients,
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Existen uns cen
destes ingredientes básicos.
destes ingredientes básicos.
e todos están feitos
de tres partículas máis pequenas:
de tres partículas máis pequenas:
04:34
and they're all made
from three smaller particles:
from three smaller particles:
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protóns, neutróns e electróns.
04:36
protons, neutrons, electrons.
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04:38
We arrange these atoms
into this familiar table.
into this familiar table.
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Organizamos estes átomos
por medio desta táboa ben coñecida.
por medio desta táboa ben coñecida.
04:42
We give them each a name and a number.
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Dámoslle un nome e un número a cada un.
Pero a vida tal e como a coñecemos
non require todo isto,
non require todo isto,
04:45
But life as we know it
doesn't need all of these,
doesn't need all of these,
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04:47
just a smaller subset, just these.
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só un subconxunto, só estes.
04:50
And there are four atoms in particular
that stand apart from the rest
that stand apart from the rest
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E catro átomos en concreto
distínguense do resto
distínguense do resto
04:53
as the main building blocks of life,
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por seren os elementos esenciais da vida.
04:56
and they are the same ones
that are found in epinephrine:
that are found in epinephrine:
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E son os mesmos que atopamos
na epinefrina:
na epinefrina:
04:59
hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
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hidróxeno, carbono, nitróxeno
e osíxeno.
e osíxeno.
05:04
Now what I tell you next
is the most important part.
is the most important part.
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Mais o que vos vou contar agora
é a parte máis importante.
é a parte máis importante.
05:08
When these atoms
connect to form molecules,
connect to form molecules,
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Cando estes átomos se asocian
para formar moléculas,
para formar moléculas,
05:11
they follow a set of rules.
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seguen unha serie de normas.
05:13
Hydrogen makes one bond,
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O hidróxeno forma un enlace,
05:15
oxygen always makes two,
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o osíxeno sempre forma dous,
05:17
nitrogen makes three
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o nitróxeno, tres
05:18
and carbon makes four.
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e o carbono, catro.
05:20
That's it.
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E xa está.
05:22
HONC -- one, two, three, four.
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HONC: un, dous, tres, catro.
05:25
If you can count to four,
and you can misspell the word "honk,"
and you can misspell the word "honk,"
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Se sabedes contar ata catro
e sodes quen de escribir mal "honk",
e sodes quen de escribir mal "honk",
05:29
you're going to remember this
for the rest of your lives.
for the rest of your lives.
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ides lembrar isto para o resto
da vosa vida.
da vosa vida.
05:32
(Laughter)
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(Risas)
05:34
Now here I have four bowls
with these ingredients.
with these ingredients.
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Ben, aquí teño catro cuncas
con estes ingredientes.
con estes ingredientes.
05:36
We can use these to build molecules.
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Podemos usalos para facer moléculas.
05:40
Let's start with epinephrine.
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Comecemos pola epinefrina.
05:43
Now, these bonds between atoms,
they're made of electrons.
they're made of electrons.
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Ben, estes enlaces entre átomos
están feitos de electróns.
están feitos de electróns.
Os átomos usan os electróns a modo
de brazos para agarrar aos veciños.
de brazos para agarrar aos veciños.
05:48
Atoms use electrons like arms
to reach out and hold their neighbors.
to reach out and hold their neighbors.
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Dous electróns en cada enlace,
como dándose a man,
como dándose a man,
05:51
Two electrons in each bond,
like a handshake,
like a handshake,
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e coma unha aperta de mans,
non son permanentes.
non son permanentes.
05:53
and like a handshake,
they are not permanent.
they are not permanent.
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05:56
They can let go of one atom
and grab another.
and grab another.
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Poden soltar un átomo
e agarrar outro.
e agarrar outro.
05:58
That's what we call a chemical reaction,
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É o que chamamos unha reacción química,
06:00
when atoms exchange partners
and make new molecules.
and make new molecules.
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na que os átomos cambian de parella
e crean moléculas novas.
e crean moléculas novas.
06:03
The backbone of epinephrine
is made mostly of carbon atoms,
is made mostly of carbon atoms,
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O eixe central da epinefrina está formado
sobre todo por átomos de carbono,
sobre todo por átomos de carbono,
06:06
and that's common.
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o que é moi común.
06:07
Carbon is life's favorite
structural building material,
structural building material,
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O carbono é o material de construción
favorito da vida,
favorito da vida,
06:10
because it makes
a good number of handshakes
a good number of handshakes
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porque dá unha boa cantidade
de apertas de mans
de apertas de mans
06:13
with just the right grip strength.
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coa forza xusta.
06:15
That's why we define organic chemistry
as the study of carbon molecules.
as the study of carbon molecules.
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Por iso definimos a química orgánica
como o estudo das moléculas de carbono.
como o estudo das moléculas de carbono.
06:20
Now, if we build the smallest molecules
we can think of that follow our rules,
we can think of that follow our rules,
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As moléculas máis pequenas que podemos
construír segundo as nosas regras
construír segundo as nosas regras
poñen de relevo esas regras
e teñen nomes familiares:
e teñen nomes familiares:
06:25
they highlight our rules,
and they have familiar names:
and they have familiar names:
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06:28
water, ammonia and methane,
H20 and NH3 and CH4.
H20 and NH3 and CH4.
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auga, amoníaco e metano,
H2O e NH3 e CH4.
H2O e NH3 e CH4.
06:33
The words "hydrogen,"
"oxygen" and "nitrogen" --
"oxygen" and "nitrogen" --
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As palabras "hidróxeno", "osíxeno"
e "nitróxeno"...
e "nitróxeno"...
06:36
we use the same words
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usamos as mesmas palabras
para nomear estas tres moléculas
de dous átomos cada unha.
de dous átomos cada unha.
06:38
to name these three molecules
that have two atoms each.
that have two atoms each.
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06:41
They still follow the rules,
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Tamén cumpren as regras,
06:42
because they have one, two
and three bonds between them.
and three bonds between them.
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porque teñen un, dous e tres
enlaces entre eles.
enlaces entre eles.
06:45
That's why oxygen gets called O2.
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Por iso ao osíxeno se lle chama O2.
06:48
I can show you combustion.
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Podo amosarvos a combustión.
06:51
Here's carbon dioxide, CO2.
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Isto é dióxido de carbono, CO2.
06:53
Above it, let's place water and oxygen,
and beside it, some flammable fuels.
and beside it, some flammable fuels.
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Poñemos enriba auga e osíxeno,
e ao pé, combustibles.
e ao pé, combustibles.
Estes combustibles constan
só de hidróxeno e carbono
só de hidróxeno e carbono
06:58
These fuels are made
of just hydrogen and carbon.
of just hydrogen and carbon.
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07:01
That's why we call them hydrocarbons.
We're very creative.
We're very creative.
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Por iso lles chamamos hidrocarburos.
Somos moi creativos.
Somos moi creativos.
07:03
(Laughter)
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(Risas)
07:05
So when these crash
into molecules of oxygen,
into molecules of oxygen,
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Así que cando chocan
con moléculas de osíxeno,
con moléculas de osíxeno,
07:07
as they do in your engine
or in your barbecues,
or in your barbecues,
139
415409
3714
como no motor do voso coche
ou na barbacoa,
ou na barbacoa,
07:12
they release energy and they reassemble,
140
420091
1993
liberan enerxía e reagrúpanse,
07:14
and every carbon atom
ends up at the center of a CO2 molecule,
ends up at the center of a CO2 molecule,
141
422108
2992
e cada átomo de carbono acaba
no centro dunha molécula de CO2,
no centro dunha molécula de CO2,
07:17
holding on to two oxygens,
142
425124
1242
agarrado a dous osíxenos,
07:18
and all the hydrogens end up
as parts of waters,
as parts of waters,
143
426390
2449
e os hidróxenos acaban como
parte de moléculas de auga
parte de moléculas de auga
07:20
and everybody follows the rules.
144
428863
1992
e todo o mundo segue as regras.
07:22
They are not optional,
145
430879
1318
Non son optativas.
07:24
and they're not optional
for bigger molecules either,
for bigger molecules either,
146
432221
2478
E tampouco o son
para as moléculas de maior tamaño
para as moléculas de maior tamaño
07:26
like these three.
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434723
1418
como estas tres.
07:29
This is our favorite vitamin
148
437347
2175
Esta é a nosa vitamina preferida,
07:31
sitting next to our favorite drug,
149
439546
1650
a carón da nosa menciña preferida.
07:33
(Laughter)
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441220
1246
(Risas)
07:34
and morphine is one of the most
important stories in medical history.
important stories in medical history.
151
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3739
O da morfina é un dos relatos
máis importantes da historia da medicina.
máis importantes da historia da medicina.
07:38
It marks medicine's first
real triumph over physical pain,
real triumph over physical pain,
152
446253
2912
Sinala o primeiro verdadeiro triunfo
sobre a dor física,
sobre a dor física,
07:41
and every molecule has a story,
153
449189
2004
e cada molécula ten a súa historia,
07:43
and they are all published.
154
451217
1584
e todas están publicadas.
07:44
They're written by scientists,
and they're read by other scientists,
and they're read by other scientists,
155
452825
3466
Escribíronas científicos,
e lenas outros científicos
e lenas outros científicos
07:48
so we have handy representations
to do this quickly on paper,
to do this quickly on paper,
156
456315
3075
así que temos boas representacións
á man para facer isto nunha folla
á man para facer isto nunha folla
07:51
and I need to teach you how to do that.
157
459414
1859
e teño que ensinarvos a facelo.
07:53
So we lay epinephrine flat on a page,
158
461297
2775
Dispoñemos a epinefrina
no plano da páxina
no plano da páxina
07:56
and then we replace all the spheres
with simple letters,
with simple letters,
159
464096
2680
e substituímos todas as esferas
por simples letras,
por simples letras,
07:58
and then the bonds
that lie in the plane of the page,
that lie in the plane of the page,
160
466800
2495
e logo os enlaces que figuran
na superficie da páxina
na superficie da páxina
08:01
they just become regular lines,
161
469319
1809
convértense en simples liñas,
e os enlaces que apuntan
cara a adiante ou atrás
cara a adiante ou atrás
08:03
and the bonds that point
forwards and backwards,
forwards and backwards,
162
471152
2253
08:05
they become little triangles,
163
473429
1398
convértense en trianguliños,
08:06
either solid or dashed to indicate depth.
164
474851
2139
sólidos ou raiados para indicar
profundidade.
profundidade.
08:09
We don't actually draw these carbons.
165
477330
2231
En realidade, non debuxamos
estes carbonos.
estes carbonos.
08:11
We save time by just hiding them.
166
479585
2811
Aforramos tempo simplemente
ocultándoos.
ocultándoos.
08:14
They're represented
by corners between the bonds,
by corners between the bonds,
167
482897
3136
Están representados polos ángulos
entre os enlaces,
entre os enlaces,
08:18
and we also hide every hydrogen
that's bonded to a carbon.
that's bonded to a carbon.
168
486057
3633
e tamén agachamos todos os hidróxenos
unidos a carbonos.
unidos a carbonos.
08:22
We know they're there
169
490583
1158
Sabemos que están aí
08:23
whenever a carbon is showing us
any fewer than four bonds.
any fewer than four bonds.
170
491765
2898
cando un carbono nos mostra
menos de catro enlaces.
menos de catro enlaces.
08:27
The last thing that's done
is the bonds between OH and NH.
is the bonds between OH and NH.
171
495853
2936
O último que se pon son os enlaces
entre OH e NH.
entre OH e NH.
08:31
We just get rid of those
to make it cleaner,
to make it cleaner,
172
499432
2088
Librámonos deles para que quede
máis limpo
máis limpo
08:33
and that's all there is to it.
173
501544
1477
e iso é todo.
08:35
This is the professional way
to draw molecules.
to draw molecules.
174
503045
2580
Este é o modo profesional
de debuxar moléculas.
de debuxar moléculas.
08:37
This is what you see on Wikipedia pages.
175
505649
2411
É o que atopades nas páxinas da Wikipedia.
08:42
It takes a little bit of practice,
but I think everyone here could do it,
but I think everyone here could do it,
176
510793
3762
Require algo de práctica, pero penso
que calquera podería facelo,
que calquera podería facelo,
08:46
but for today, this is epinephrine.
177
514579
2726
pero por hoxe, temos aquí a epinefrina.
08:49
This is also called adrenaline.
They're one and the same.
They're one and the same.
178
517886
2928
Tamén se lle chama adrenalina.
Son exactamente o mesmo.
Son exactamente o mesmo.
08:52
It's made by your adrenal glands.
179
520838
1612
Segrégana as glándulas adrenais.
08:54
You have this molecule swimming
through your body right now.
through your body right now.
180
522474
2952
Agora mesmo tedes esta molécula
flotando polo corpo.
flotando polo corpo.
08:57
It's a natural molecule.
181
525450
1690
É unha molécula natural.
08:59
This EpiPen would just give you
a quick quintillion more of them.
a quick quintillion more of them.
182
527164
4244
Este EpiPen inxectaríavos nun instante
outro trillón delas.
outro trillón delas.
09:03
(Laughter)
183
531432
1650
(Risas)
09:05
We can extract epinephrine
184
533106
3191
Podemos extraer epinefrina
09:08
from the adrenal glands
of sheep or cattle,
of sheep or cattle,
185
536321
3420
das glándulas adrenais de ovellas
ou gando vacún,
ou gando vacún,
09:11
but that's not
where this stuff comes from.
where this stuff comes from.
186
539765
2334
pero non é de aí de onde procede
esta substancia.
esta substancia.
09:14
We make this epinephrine in a factory
187
542123
2868
Esta epinefrina fabricámola
09:17
by stitching together smaller molecules
that come mostly from petroleum.
that come mostly from petroleum.
188
545015
5239
xuntando moléculas máis pequenas
que saen sobre todo do petróleo.
que saen sobre todo do petróleo.
09:23
And this is 100 percent synthetic.
189
551322
1709
Isto é totalmente sintético.
09:25
And that word, "synthetic,"
makes some of us uncomfortable.
makes some of us uncomfortable.
190
553862
3253
E esa palabra, "sintético",
incomódanos a algúns.
incomódanos a algúns.
09:29
It's not like the word "natural,"
which makes us feel safe.
which makes us feel safe.
191
557964
3295
Non é como a palabra "natural",
que nos fai sentir seguros.
que nos fai sentir seguros.
09:33
But these two molecules,
they cannot be distinguished.
they cannot be distinguished.
192
561283
3642
Mais estas dúas moléculas
non se distinguen unha da outra.
non se distinguen unha da outra.
09:38
We're not talking about two cars
that are coming off an assembly line here.
that are coming off an assembly line here.
193
566263
3896
Aquí non falamos de dous coches
que saen dunha cadea de montaxe.
que saen dunha cadea de montaxe.
09:42
A car can have a scratch on it,
194
570183
2041
Un coche pode ter unha rascadura,
09:44
and you can't scratch an atom.
195
572248
1855
pero non se pode rascar un átomo.
09:46
These two are identical in a surreal,
almost mathematical sense.
almost mathematical sense.
196
574127
4548
Estas dúas son idénticas nun sentido
surrealista, case matemático.
surrealista, case matemático.
09:50
At this atomic scale,
math practically touches reality.
math practically touches reality.
197
578699
3101
A escala atómica, as matemáticas
convértense na realidade.
convértense na realidade.
09:54
And a molecule of epinephrine ...
198
582128
1619
E a molécula da epinefrina
09:56
it has no memory of its origin.
199
584779
1699
non garda memoria da súa orixe.
09:58
It just is what it is,
200
586502
1405
É simplemente o que é,
09:59
and once you have it,
201
587931
1151
e unha vez que a temos,
10:01
the words "natural" and "synthetic,"
they don't matter,
they don't matter,
202
589106
4411
as palabras "natural" e "sintética"
xa non importan,
xa non importan,
10:06
and nature synthesizes
this molecule just like we do,
this molecule just like we do,
203
594284
3212
e a natureza sintetiza esta molécula
do mesmo xeito ca nós,
do mesmo xeito ca nós,
10:09
except nature is much better
at this than we are.
at this than we are.
204
597520
2287
só que a natureza faino moito mellor.
10:11
Before there was life on earth,
205
599831
2378
Antes de que houbese vida na terra,
10:14
all the molecules were small, simple:
206
602233
3007
tódalas moléculas eran pequenas, simples:
10:17
carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen,
207
605264
1651
dióxido de carbono, auga, nitróxeno,
10:20
just simple things.
208
608018
1150
só cousas simples.
10:21
The emergence of life changed that.
209
609192
1948
A aparición da vida cambiou iso.
10:23
Life brought biosynthetic factories
that are powered by sunlight,
that are powered by sunlight,
210
611164
3236
A vida trouxo fábricas biosintéticas
alimentadas pola luz solar,
alimentadas pola luz solar,
10:26
and inside these factories,
small molecules crash into each other
small molecules crash into each other
211
614424
3515
e nestas fábricas as pequenas moléculas
chocan entre si e convértense
chocan entre si e convértense
10:29
and become large ones:
carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids,
carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids,
212
617963
3308
noutras máis grandes: carbohidratos,
proteínas, ácidos nucleicos,
proteínas, ácidos nucleicos,
10:33
multitudes of spectacular creations.
213
621295
2453
unha morea de creacións espectaculares.
10:37
Nature is the original organic chemist,
214
625613
2325
A natureza foi
o primeiro químico orgánico,
o primeiro químico orgánico,
10:40
and her construction also fills our sky
with the oxygen gas we breathe,
with the oxygen gas we breathe,
215
628932
3423
e a súa construción tamén enche o ceo
dese aire que respiramos,
dese aire que respiramos,
10:44
this high-energy oxygen.
216
632379
1468
ese osíxeno cargado de enerxía.
10:47
All of these molecules are infused
with the energy of the sun.
with the energy of the sun.
217
635597
3261
Todas estas moléculas están impregnadas
da enerxía do sol
da enerxía do sol
10:50
They store it like batteries.
218
638882
1468
Almacénana coma baterías.
10:52
So nature is made of chemicals.
219
640810
2842
Así que a natureza componse
de substancias químicas.
de substancias químicas.
Se cadra podedes axudarme a reclamar
ese termo, substancia "química",
ese termo, substancia "química",
10:56
Maybe you guys can help me
to reclaim this word, "chemical,"
to reclaim this word, "chemical,"
220
644251
2937
10:59
because it has been stolen from us.
221
647212
2499
porque nolo roubaron.
11:01
It doesn't mean toxic,
and it doesn't mean harmful,
and it doesn't mean harmful,
222
649735
2699
Non significa tóxico, nin nocivo,
11:04
and it doesn't mean man-made or unnatural.
223
652458
2635
non significa fabricado ou artificial.
11:07
It just means "stuff," OK?
224
655117
3253
Significa simplemente "substancia",
estamos?
estamos?
11:10
(Laughter)
225
658394
1521
(Risas)
11:11
You can't have
chemical-free lump charcoal.
chemical-free lump charcoal.
226
659939
4036
Non existe o carbón vexetal
sen substancias químicas.
sen substancias químicas.
11:15
That is ridiculous.
227
663999
1210
Iso é ridículo.
11:17
(Laughter)
228
665233
1001
(Risas)
11:18
And I'd like to do one more word.
229
666258
1833
E quero comentar unha palabra máis.
11:20
The word "natural" doesn't mean "safe,"
230
668932
2675
"Natural" non significa "seguro",
11:23
and you all know that.
231
671631
2508
e todos sabedes iso.
11:26
Plenty of nature's
chemicals are quite toxic,
chemicals are quite toxic,
232
674163
4483
Moitas das substancias da natureza
son bastante tóxicas,
son bastante tóxicas,
11:30
and others are delicious,
233
678670
2603
e outras son deliciosas,
11:33
and some are both ...
234
681297
1922
e algunhas son ámbalas dúas cousas,
11:35
(Laughter)
235
683243
1371
(Risas)
11:36
toxic and delicious.
236
684638
1690
tóxicas e deliciosas.
11:38
The only way to tell
whether something is harmful
whether something is harmful
237
686813
2778
O único xeito de saber se algo é nocivo
11:41
is to test it,
238
689615
1872
é analizándoo,
11:43
and I don't mean you guys.
239
691511
2158
e non me refiro a vós,
11:45
Professional toxicologists:
we have these people.
we have these people.
240
693693
2809
senón a toxicólogos profesionais.
Existen.
Existen.
11:48
They're well-trained,
241
696526
1514
Son persoas moi preparadas,
11:50
and you should trust them like I do.
242
698064
2002
e deberiades confiar neles como fago eu.
As moléculas da natureza
están por todas partes,
están por todas partes,
11:52
So nature's molecules are everywhere,
243
700893
1770
11:54
including the ones that have decomposed
244
702687
1873
incluso as que se descompuxeron
11:56
into these black mixtures
that we call petroleum.
that we call petroleum.
245
704584
2310
nesas misturas negras
que chamamos petróleo.
que chamamos petróleo.
11:58
We refine these molecules.
246
706918
2230
Refinamos esas moléculas.
12:01
There's nothing unnatural about them.
247
709695
1819
Non teñen nada de artificial.
12:03
We purify them.
248
711538
1150
Purificámolas.
12:06
Now, our dependence on them for energy --
249
714228
2968
Ben, a nosa dependencia delas
como fonte de enerxía,
como fonte de enerxía,
12:09
that means that every one of those carbons
gets converted into a molecule of CO2.
gets converted into a molecule of CO2.
250
717220
4009
iso significa que cada un deses carbonos
vaise converter nunha molécula de CO2.
vaise converter nunha molécula de CO2.
12:13
That's a greenhouse gas
that is messing up our climate.
that is messing up our climate.
251
721253
2944
É un gas de efecto invernadoiro
que está a estragar o clima.
que está a estragar o clima.
12:16
Maybe knowing this chemistry
will make that reality easier to accept
will make that reality easier to accept
252
724221
3691
Pode que saber de química faga
a realidade máis doada de aceptar
a realidade máis doada de aceptar
12:19
for some people, I don't know,
253
727936
1470
para algúns, non sei,
12:21
but these molecules
are not just fossil fuels.
are not just fossil fuels.
254
729430
2283
pero estas moléculas non son
só combustibles fósiles.
só combustibles fósiles.
Son tamén as materias primas
máis baratas das que dispoñemos
máis baratas das que dispoñemos
12:24
They're also the cheapest
available raw materials
available raw materials
255
732523
2642
12:27
for doing something
that we call synthesis.
that we call synthesis.
256
735189
2334
para facer iso que chamamos síntese.
12:30
We're using them like pieces of LEGO.
257
738195
2102
Usámolas como pezas de LEGO.
12:33
We have learned how to connect them
or break them apart with great control.
or break them apart with great control.
258
741083
4287
Aprendemos a conectalas ou separalas
de forma moi controlada.
de forma moi controlada.
Eu mesmo fíxeno moitas veces
12:37
I have done a lot of this myself,
259
745394
1606
e sigo pensando que é sorprendente
que sexa posible.
que sexa posible.
12:39
and I still think it's amazing
it's even possible.
it's even possible.
260
747024
2349
12:41
What we do is kind of like assembling LEGO
261
749397
3302
O que facemos vén ser
como ensamblar pezas de LEGO
como ensamblar pezas de LEGO
12:44
by dumping boxes of it
into washing machines,
into washing machines,
262
752723
3032
botando caixas delas nunha lavadora,
12:47
but it works.
263
755779
1305
pero funciona.
12:49
We can make molecules that are
exact copies of nature, like epinephrine,
exact copies of nature, like epinephrine,
264
757108
4213
Podemos facer moléculas que son copias
exactas da natureza, coma a epinefrina,
exactas da natureza, coma a epinefrina,
12:53
or we can make creations of our own
from scratch, like these two.
from scratch, like these two.
265
761345
3992
ou elaborar creacións propias
partindo de cero, coma estas dúas.
partindo de cero, coma estas dúas.
12:57
One of these eases the symptoms
of multiple sclerosis;
of multiple sclerosis;
266
765361
4270
Unha delas alivia os síntomas
da esclerose múltiple;
da esclerose múltiple;
13:01
the other one cures a type of blood cancer
that we call T-cell lymphoma.
that we call T-cell lymphoma.
267
769655
3787
a outra cura un tipo de cancro no sangue
denominado linfoma das células T.
denominado linfoma das células T.
13:05
A molecule with the right size and shape,
it's like a key in a lock,
it's like a key in a lock,
268
773466
4232
Unha molécula do tamaño e forma correctos
e coma unha chave para unha pechadura,
e coma unha chave para unha pechadura,
13:09
and when it fits, it interferes
with the chemistry of a disease.
with the chemistry of a disease.
269
777722
3475
e cando encaixa, interfire nos procesos
químicos dunha enfermidade.
químicos dunha enfermidade.
13:13
That's how drugs work.
270
781221
1293
Así funcionan os medicamentos.
13:15
Natural or synthetic,
271
783580
1620
Sexan naturais ou sintéticos,
non son máis que moléculas que resulta
que encaixan nalgún lugar importante.
que encaixan nalgún lugar importante.
13:17
they're all just molecules that happen
to fit snugly somewhere important.
to fit snugly somewhere important.
272
785224
3460
13:20
But nature is much better
at making them than we are,
at making them than we are,
273
788708
2680
Só que a natureza fainas
moito mellor ca nós,
moito mellor ca nós,
así que as súas son
máis espectaculares cás nosas,
máis espectaculares cás nosas,
13:23
so hers look more impressive than ours,
274
791412
2112
13:25
like this one.
275
793548
1578
como esta de aquí.
13:27
This is called vancomycin.
276
795150
1945
Chámase vancomicina.
13:29
She gave this majestic beast
two chlorine atoms
two chlorine atoms
277
797119
3063
Regaloulle a esta besta maxestosa
dous átomos de cloro
dous átomos de cloro
13:32
to wear like a pair of earrings.
278
800206
2185
para que os usase de pendentes.
13:34
We found vancomycin in a puddle of mud
in a jungle in Borneo in 1953.
in a jungle in Borneo in 1953.
279
802415
5167
Atopamos a vancomicina nunha lameira
na selva de Borneo en 1953.
na selva de Borneo en 1953.
13:39
It's made by a bacteria.
280
807606
1816
Faina unha bacteria.
13:42
We can't synthesize this
cost-efficiently in a lab.
cost-efficiently in a lab.
281
810355
2746
Non se pode sintetizar nun laboratorio
de forma rendible.
de forma rendible.
13:45
It's too complicated for us, but we
can harvest it from its natural source,
can harvest it from its natural source,
282
813798
4319
Para nós é demasiado complicado, pero
podemos obtela da súa fonte natural,
podemos obtela da súa fonte natural,
13:50
and we do, because this is
one of our most powerful antibiotics.
one of our most powerful antibiotics.
283
818141
4183
e así o facemos, porque é un
dos nosos antibióticos máis potentes.
dos nosos antibióticos máis potentes.
13:54
And new molecules are reported
in our literature every day.
in our literature every day.
284
822348
2955
E nas nosas publicacións infórmase
a diario de novas moléculas.
a diario de novas moléculas.
13:57
We make them or we find them
in every corner of this planet.
in every corner of this planet.
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Facémolas ou atopámolas
en cada recuncho do planeta.
en cada recuncho do planeta.
E de aí saen os medicamentos,
14:01
And that's where drugs come from,
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razón pola que os nosos médicos
teñen poderes incribles
teñen poderes incribles
14:03
and that's why your doctors
have amazing powers ...
have amazing powers ...
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14:05
(Laughter)
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(Risas)
para curar infeccións mortais
e todo o demais.
e todo o demais.
14:07
to cure deadly infections
and everything else.
and everything else.
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Ser médico hoxe en día é coma ser
un cabaleiro de relucente armadura.
un cabaleiro de relucente armadura.
14:09
Being a physician today
is like being a knight in shining armor.
is like being a knight in shining armor.
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14:13
They fight battles
with courage and composure,
with courage and composure,
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Libran batallas con coraxe e compostura,
14:16
but also with good equipment.
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pero tamén con bo equipo.
14:18
So let's not forget the role
of the blacksmith in this picture,
of the blacksmith in this picture,
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Non esquezamos o papel do ferreiro
nesta imaxe,
nesta imaxe,
14:22
because without the blacksmith,
things would look a little different ...
things would look a little different ...
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porque sen o ferreiro,
as cousas serían un pouquiño distintas...
as cousas serían un pouquiño distintas...
14:26
(Laughter)
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(Risas)
14:28
But this science is bigger than medicine.
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Pero esta ciencia é moito
máis que a medicina.
máis que a medicina.
14:30
It is oils and solvents and flavors,
fabrics, all plastics,
fabrics, all plastics,
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Son os aceites e os disolventes e
os aromas, as teas, tódolos plásticos,
os aromas, as teas, tódolos plásticos,
14:36
the cushions that
you're sitting on right now --
you're sitting on right now --
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o coxín enriba do que sentades,
son todos manufacturados,
e son esencialmente carbono,
e son esencialmente carbono,
14:39
they're all manufactured,
and they're mostly carbon,
and they're mostly carbon,
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o que converte todo iso
en química orgánica.
en química orgánica.
14:41
so that makes all of it organic chemistry.
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14:43
This is a rich science.
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É unha ciencia moi rica.
14:45
I left out a lot today:
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Hoxe deixei moitas cousas fóra:
14:47
phosphorus and sulfur and the other atoms,
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o fósforo e o xofre e os outros átomos,
14:51
and why they all bond the way they do,
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e por que se enlazan como o fan
14:54
and symmetry
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e a simetría
14:55
and non-bonding electrons,
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e os electróns libres
14:57
and atoms that are charged,
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e os átomos que se cargan,
14:58
and reactions and their mechanisms,
and it goes on and on and on,
and it goes on and on and on,
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e as reaccións e os seus mecanismos,
etcétera, etcétera
etcétera, etcétera
15:01
and synthesis takes a long time to learn.
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e a síntese leva moito aprendela.
15:03
But I didn't come here to teach
you guys organic chemistry --
you guys organic chemistry --
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Pero eu non vin aquí aprendervos
química orgánica.
química orgánica.
15:06
I just wanted to show it to you,
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Só quería amosárvola,
15:08
and I had a lot of help with that today
from a young man named Weston Durland,
from a young man named Weston Durland,
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E niso axudoume moito hoxe
un rapaz chamado Weston Durland,
un rapaz chamado Weston Durland,
15:13
and you've already seen him.
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a quen vós xa vistes.
15:16
He's an undergraduate
student in chemistry,
student in chemistry,
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É un estudante do grao de Química,
15:18
and he also happens to be
pretty good with computer graphics.
pretty good with computer graphics.
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a quen resulta que se lle dan moi ben
os gráficos por ordenador.
os gráficos por ordenador.
15:21
(Laughter)
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(Risas)
15:23
So Weston designed
all the moving molecules
all the moving molecules
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Así que Weston foi quen deseñou
todas as moléculas en movemento
todas as moléculas en movemento
15:27
that you saw today.
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que vistes hoxe.
15:29
He and I wanted to demonstrate
through the use of graphics like these
through the use of graphics like these
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El e mais eu queriamos probar
o uso de gráficos coma estes
o uso de gráficos coma estes
como apoio para alguén que queira
falar desta complexa ciencia.
falar desta complexa ciencia.
15:32
to help someone talk
about this intricate science.
about this intricate science.
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Pero o principal obxectivo era
simplemente mostrarvos
simplemente mostrarvos
15:35
But our main goal was just to show you
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15:37
that organic chemistry
is not something to be afraid of.
is not something to be afraid of.
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que a química orgánica non é
algo que haxa que temer.
algo que haxa que temer.
15:41
It is, at its core, a window
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É, en esencia, unha xanela
15:44
through which the beauty
of the natural world looks richer.
of the natural world looks richer.
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a través da cal a beleza do mundo natural
semella aínda máis rica.
semella aínda máis rica.
15:48
Thank you.
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Grazas.
15:49
(Applause)
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(Aplausos)
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Jakob Magolan - Organic chemistProfessor Jakob Magolan is a synthetic chemist who assembles new molecules to discover new medicines.
Why you should listen
Jakob Magolan holds the Boris Family Endowed Chair in Drug Discovery at McMaster University in Canada. As a graduate student, he was trained to synthesize the complex and beautiful molecules made by nature from simple chemical building blocks. His medicinal chemistry laboratory now partners with biologists and clinicians to find new molecules and innovative strategies to treat disease. He and his colleagues at McMaster's Institute for Infectious Disease Research are working to discover new antibiotics to combat the threat of drug-resistant microbial infections.
Magolan has taught organic chemistry to hundreds of undergraduate students. He believes in the tremendous value of scientific literacy in society and loves to share his appreciation of science with the public. Magolan prepared this TEDx talk together with graphic designer Weston Durland, who was one of his chemistry students.
Jakob Magolan | Speaker | TED.com