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This is an extra credit essay I did for my Chemistry Honors class:

Women in Chemistry: Ruth Erica Benesch

Stormy Richardson

Mr. Cooper

Chemistry I Honors

Throughout history men have dominated the science field. When one thinks of a famous scientist, a male normally comes to mind; like, Einstein, Bohr, or even Hooke. Over the past several decades though women have started to stake their claim on science by making advancements in a variety of fields and working side-by-side with their male co-workers. They may not be as well known, but they are part of our present and future. One famous woman in science is Ruth Erica Benesch.

Ruth Erica (Leroi) Benesch fled to England from Berlin in the late 1930’s during World War II to escape Anti-Semitism in Germany. While in England she continued through her high school studies and upon her graduation she was accepted at London University. While pursuing her degree she worked a part time job where she met Reinhold Benesch, who she later on married. The couple moved to the United States then entered graduate school in Chicago at Northwestern University. After finishing her Ph. D, Ruth accompanied by Reinhold started a research team.

Their main focus as biochemists was the components of the blood specifically hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a “gas transporting protein molecule” that transports oxygen from the lungs to all other parts of the body. Hemoglobin also helps give erythrocytes (red blood cells) their red coloring. This is due to oxygen rich cells. Hemoglobin plays a very important part in homeostasis by controlling the amount of oxygen delivered to each organ or part of the body that keeps carbon dioxide levels down.

When the human body makes energy, it uses glucoses (sugars) and oxygen that then releases carbon dioxide as a by-product. Now, Ruth and Reinhold Benesch questioned how the hemoglobin knew where to transport the oxygen. They wanted to figure out how the hemoglobin determined which location was more in need compared to another. They devoted their time into this research and finally came up with an answer. They compared hemoglobin to delivery trucks for oxygen and through this analogy-their theory was birthed and proven correct.

The carbon dioxide that is released after the metabolized sugar and oxygen molecules form builds up in that area and this is like a giant neon sign for the hemoglobin; telling them where to go. The higher concentration of CO₂(carbon dioxide) in an area lets the hemoglobin “know” that more oxygen is needed. Therefore- the hemoglobin goes to the sites with higher levels of CO₂present then to the areas with less CO_2.

After their break through studies on hemoglobin the Benesches started to study disorders dealing with the hemoglobin process. One of the leading disorders that they studied was Sickle -Cell Anemia. Sickle-Cell Anemia is a result of an abnormality in a person’s hemoglobin. Instead of having a biconcave shaped cell the cell takes on a crescent and or sickle shape. This is due to a form of hemoglobin referred to as Hemoglobin S. This disorder is very serious and can cause a variety of problems for the persons affected. Because of the bizarre shape of the cell it can not carry sufficient amounts of oxygen to the areas in need and the cells are more fragile than normal biconcave erythrocytes.

During their studies Ruth’s husband passed, but she still continued with her work. Furthering her biochemical research, Ruth started to look into compounds that could help replace or substitute natural hemoglobin. This would be used to help those affected by Sickle-Cell Anemia and other hemoglobin disorders. Unfortunately she never did finish her research, even though she continued it until her retirement in 1996.

Ruth Benesch proved to everyone that a woman could not just make it in the science field, but be productive and help further our knowledge. She was able to work with a male as an equal and made impressive steps in not only chemistry, but in the medical field as well. The results of her research have helped to further our possibilities of synthesizing hemoglobin to help those affected by the many disorders. That is a name to be remembered.

Works Cited

Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. Sickle Cell Anemia. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Nov. 0000. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001554/>.

"Famous Scientists - Reinhold Benesch & Ruth Erica Benesch Find How Oxygen Is Transported in Human Body." Famous Scientists - Reinhold Benesch & Ruth Erica Benesch Find How Oxygen Is Transported in Human Body. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.humantouchofchemistry.com/reinhold-benesch-ruth-erica-benesch-find-how-oxygen-is-transported-in-human-body.htm>.

"Reinhold Benesch and Ruth Erica Benesch." Homepage of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/online-resources/chemistry-in-history/themes/biomolecules/proteins-and-sugars/benesch-and-benesch.aspx>.

Dear Reader,

The way that people lie is amazing to me. The entire concept is astonishing. By lying or simply “twisting the truth” as most guilty parties say, hurts others. You would think that after thousands of years and documented cases of this and their outcome we would realize there is no positive ending. Yes, you may get what you want for the time being, but it will not last. That lie, even an ever so small one, will be recognized for what it truly is in the end. Then what is left for you? Mistrust and the repercussions for your actions plus a reputation for deceit. Think of what you are about to do. Tell the truth no matter how bad it may seem and if that isn’t good enough than no one can say you did the wrong thing. If you rely on lying than you will come to use it more and more until the reasons why blur and you’re left not remembering what the truth really is.

Lying becomes your safety cushion. Something you learn to fall back on. Nothing good comes of lying. It has torn apart marriages, friendships, families and whole countries. This is said a lot, but it is a shivering hard cold fact; learn from the mistakes of the past and tell the truth. Not just to those you care about, but also that stranger you just met. You’re not going to be damned by God if you lie. I don’t believe in that, but there is one thing that I do and that is The Truth.

Yours,

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Monday, October 8, 2012

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Truth...