Edition #10 January 2024

Synergy presents

ALCHEMY CORNER
INNOVATIONS IN CHEMISTRY: THE
ENDURING LEGACY OF WALTHER NERNST
Farzana Faisal Gaffoor, Ashish Sam Abraham, Isha Ziyana (BSMS 2021)

Walther Hermann Nernst, a German physical chemist

born in 1864, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
in 1920 for his groundbreaking work in thermodynamics
and electrochemistry. His contributions revolutionised our
understanding of chemical reactions, leading to
advancements in various fields, including industrial
chemistry and electrochemical engineering. Nernst's
most notable achievement was the formulation of the
Third Law of Thermodynamics, which states that the
entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero is precisely
zero. This law laid the foundation for understanding the
behaviour of matter at extremely low temperatures and
provided crucial insights into the concept of absolute
zero.
Moreover, he developed the Nernst equation, a fundamental equation in electrochemistry
that relates the electrode potential of an electrochemical cell to the concentration of
reactants and products involved. This equation has widespread applications in diverse
areas, including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and electrochemical engineering. It
enables scientists and engineers to predict and manipulate the behaviour of
electrochemical systems with remarkable precision.
Nernst's work also played a pivotal role in developing the field of physical chemistry. His
studies on the behaviour of electrolytes and the thermodynamics of chemical reactions
provided valuable insights into the underlying principles governing chemical processes.
By elucidating the fundamental principles governing chemical equilibria, Nernst paved the
way for numerous advancements in chemical synthesis, catalysis, and materials science.
Furthermore, Nernst's contributions to electrochemistry were instrumental in developing
electrochemical cells and batteries. His research laid the groundwork for designing and
optimising batteries and fuel cells, essential components of modern energy storage and
conversion technologies. In summary, Walther Nernst's Nobel Prize-winning contributions
to thermodynamics and electrochemistry reshaped our understanding of chemical
processes and laid the groundwork for numerous technological breakthroughs. His
enduring legacy inspires scientific inquiry and innovation in diverse fields, leaving an
indelible mark on the history of chemistry and physics.
 DRUGS
Nivedita (BSMS 2023)
Gentamicin is on aminoglycoside antibiotic used in the treatment of several gram-negative infections. it is
succesfully used to treat the most dangerous disease, that caused devastating mortality, which is blubanic
plague or black death. it is also very effective in treating bacterial septicemia, meningitis, urinary tract
infections, gastrointestinal tract infections, and soft tissue infections. It can be given intravenously, by
intramuscular injection, or topically. Topical formulations may be used in burns or for infections of the
outside of the eye. The combination with another antibiotic, especially beta-lactams, is reasonable in
bacterial endocarditis, enterococcal bacteremia, and other severe infections. The beta-lactams break the
bacterial cell wall and allow gentamicin to enter the bacterial cytoplasm where it can access the ribosomal
target explaining, why this combination can be useful against gram positive bacterial infection.
gentamicin works by binding the 305 subunit of the bacterial ribosome, negatively impacting protein
synthesis. The primary mechanism of action is generally accepted to work through ablating the ability of
the ribosome to discriminate on proper transfer RNA and messenger RNA interactions. A secondary
mechanism has also been proposed based on crystal structures of gentamicin in a secondary binding site
at helix 69 of the 235 RNA, which interacts with helix 44 and proteins that recognize stop codons. At this
secondary site, gentamicin is believed to preclude interactions of the ribosome with ribasome recycling
factors, causing the two subunits of the ribosome to stay complexed even after translation completes. This
creates a pool of inactive ribosomes that can no longer re-initiate and translate new proteins.although
gentamicin has outstanding medicinal uses, the most common adverse effects observed in the patients
are Low blood cell counts, allergic reactions, neuromuscular problems, nerve damage ie neuropathy,
kidney damage ie nephrotoxicity, and ear disorders (ototoxicity), nevertheless gentamiacin will always be
one of the most best antibiotic for deadly diseases.

FACTS
Kanak (BSMS 2022), Monica (BSMS 2023)
1. Space synthesis of pharmaceuticals under microgravity may revolutionize
medicine production for long-term space travel.
2. Aluminosilicate aerogels, with their low refractive index, are ultra-light,
transparent materials capable of making objects behind them appear to
vanish.
3. Wearable "chemical tattoos" changing color in response to body chemistry
variations offer real-time health monitoring, detecting glucose levels,
hydration, and other biomarkers.
4.Superfluid helium, reaching a superfluid state at 2.17K near absolute zero,
defies gravity and climbs walls due to zero viscosity, flowing rapidly through
any pore.
5.Astatine, named for Greek 'astatos' (unstable), is Earth's rarest element,
emerging from uranium and thorium decay, with an 8.1-hour half-life, and only
0.00000005 grams synthesized.
6.Glenn Seaborg uniquely wrote his address using elements named in his
honor or related to his work: Seaborgium (Sg), Lawrencium (Lr), Berkelium
(Bk), Californium (Cf), and Americium (Am), representing himself, Berkeley
Lab, Berkeley city, California, and America.
 CROSSWORD
AYSHA SALEEM , FIDHA NASRIN M (BS-MS 2022)
Down
1.The Egyptian American scientific genius
that scored a Nobel Prize for his stellar
contributions to femtochemistry
2. The artificial fiber with characteristics
akin to silk.
3. What's the whimsical sum of oxidation
numbers for lead in litharge and
manganese in the permanganate ion?
4. When an aromatic aldehyde throws a
party with an aryl methyl ketone and a
base, the puzzle solution is a snazzy name
for resulting a, b-unsaturated ketones!
6. Which chemical took center stage as the
most potent weapon, delivering a mix of Across

Designed by Manasvi Raina (BSMS 2023)

devastation and horror during the 1914-18 5.The cool concoctions that swoop in like
war? winter superheroes to break and banish
8. the secret alchemy in industries that snow or ice?
turns water and gas into hydrogen 7.term use to describe the minimum
temperature at which something decides
to spark up in flames?
DOWN
1. QUARK GLUON PLASMA
9.Can you guess the dynamic duo, a mix
5. DALTON of copper sulfate and slaked lime, that
Issue - December

6. CRYOGENIC
7. DOPPLER steps up as a fungicide superhero?
Answers

ACROSS 10.What's as tough as a rock and stylishly

2. AZOBISISOBUTYRONITRILE
3. KASTLEMEYERTEST rocking a sleek black hue?
4. VISCOELASTIC
6. CYCLOADDITION
8. ZEEMAN
9. CALCIUM

COMIC STRIP
AYSHA SALEEM , FIDHA NASRIN M (BS-MS 2022)