![Field of tobacco plants, which are a source of nicotine](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-04/field_of_tobacco_plants.jpg?itok=BE-oEUDd)
How do alkaloids cause addiction?
STEM Explained
Alkaloids are found in some of the most addictive substances that humans consume. What are alkaloids, and how do they cause addiction?
![Human kidney cross-section](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-04/human-kidney-cross-section.jpg?itok=3VpDHDAd)
Osmosis and Its Role in Human Biology and Health
STEM Explained
Learn how and where osmosis takes place in the digestive system and excretory system and the role of osmosis in kidney dialysis.
![Abstract image of brain connections](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-04/abstract_image_brain_connections.jpg?itok=pNICKPoz)
Neurons: The Building Blocks of Your Brain
Backgrounders
How does your brain allow you to do and experience so much? It’s all because of the building blocks of your brain - neurons!
![Namratt Joshi dans ses habits de graduation au doctorat](/sites/default/files/styles/career_image/public/2020-03/Namarata%20Joshi.jpg?itok=-RzKi-uN)
Namrata Joshi
PhD Neuroscience
![Rendering of the human brain](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-12/Rendering_human_brain.png?itok=dvtKrWbY)
Brain Architecture
Backgrounders
The human brain has many different parts. Each one plays a different function. But they all work together to manage complex thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
![Looking at a donut and a brain through a magnifying glass](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-02/human-brain-with-donut.jpg?itok=sDa9et9m)
How Sugar Affects the Brain
STEM Explained
Consuming sugary foods and drinks activates your brain’s reward system - the same system that can cause addiction.
![3D representation of a portion of human female brain](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-02/Clay-Adams_brain_section.jpg?itok=RDan4dDq)
Clay-Adams Brain
Interactives
This brain model helped doctors better explain things to their patients. Learn about this Ingenium artifact and make your own version using 3D printing!
![Mitosis of kidney cells © Ian P Newton & Paul L Appleton [CC BY-SA 4.0], Wikimedia Commons](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-08/600px-Mitotic_MDCKs.jpg?itok=VLMyMgJd)
What is Mitosis?
Backgrounders
Mitosis is an important part of cell division that helps organisms grow and repair themselves.
![Bread and wheat with a warning sign](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/gluten-intolerance-with-bread-and-wheat.jpg?itok=Ytq99uNA)
Celiac Disease: When You Really Need to Stay Gluten-Free
STEM Explained
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. Gluten triggers an immune system response, seriously affecting nutrition.
![Suffering from a hangover](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-11/suffering_from_a_hangover.jpg?itok=6Wjz2McS)
Why Do People Get Hangovers?
STEM Explained
Why does drinking too much alcohol make people feel so bad? Read about four theories.
![What is in blood?](/sites/default/files/2019-08/wiki-Blood_cells.jpg)
What is in blood?
Hands-on Activities
Make a model of blood and learn about the function of each of the parts that makes up blood.
![Like trees, brains grow and develop](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/How_a_brain_is_like_a_tree.jpg?itok=K6H2lR4a)
Understanding the Teen Brain
STEM Explained
Teen brain development prepares teens for adulthood, but also affects their emotions.
![Students studying outdoors on grass](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/Friends-studying-on-grass.jpg?itok=lXTVfdrZ)
The Benefits of Going Outside
STEM Explained
Spending time outside has important physical and psychological benefits. It can even help you learn better!
![man sick with the flu](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/man_sick_with_the_flu.jpg?itok=5C2Zm7yV)
The Surprising Reason You Feel Awful When You're Sick
STEM Explained
Viruses can make you feel awful! This article explains how feeling bad might be your immune system’s way of helping you heal.
![Former Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk enjoys cycling on board the ISS](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/Robert_Thirsk_cycling_on_ISS.jpg?itok=YDleE__K)
Spaceflight and Bone Loss
STEM Explained
Astronauts can experience bone loss in space. To understand why, you need to know a bit about how bones are formed and maintained in your body.