THE CHEMICAL REACTION THAT TAKES PLACE IN THE BODY AFTER EXERCISE

By increasing your heart rate, raising your core body temperature, boosting oxygen levels and improving cardiac output, exercise triggers several known biochemical reactions. However, as Scientific American magazine explains, "Aside from such macro links and knowledge about the heart rates, blood-oxygen levels and hormonal responses related to exercise, scientists have a relatively cursory understanding of the chemical mechanisms at work in the body during and after physical activity."

Endorphins

One of the most well-documented reactions that take place after working out is the production of endorphins. These nonaddictive, feel-good molecules are polypeptides that bind with neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce pain symptoms. The human body produces at least 20 types of endorphins, which benefit the body in myriad ways. Besides relieving pain, endorphins help reduce stress, boost immunity, slow the aging precess and create a sense of euphoria.

Blood Chemistry

Another known reaction that takes place after working out is a change in your blood chemistry. While exercising, your muscles use oxygen contained within your blood's hemoglobin to convert the glucose in your bloodstream into usable energy. In addition, carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced during this process. Together, these changes affect your overall blood chemistry and cause your blood's pH level to drop.

Metabolism

Metabolites are small chemicals involved in your metabolic process that increase the more you exercise. Specifically, glycerol, a metabolite that breaks down fatty tissue, increases after exercise in people at all fitness levels. In fact, even after only 10 minutes of exercise, your bloodstream will likely contain more metabolites then when you started. Furthermore, according to Scientific American magazine, consistent exercise may stimulate long-term changes in your metabolism, of which scientists are only barely scratching the surface.

Considerations

Your experience after working out will depend on your own unique body chemistry. For example, the body releases endorphins at a different rate for every individual. It may take some people 10 to 15 minutes of consistent exercise to feel them kick in, whereas others may require 30 minutes or more. In addition, your metabolism often depends on your genetic predisposition, age and body type.

History of the construction of the periodic table

A good reflection to begin the day's work.

Chemical Changes

It's the Fourth of July in Providence, Rhode Island.   Brilliant fireworks are exploding in the night sky.  When you look at the fireworks, you see dazzling sparkles of red, white and blue trickle down in all directions. 
The explosion of fireworks is an example of chemical change.

During a chemical change, substances are changed into different substances.  Another words, the composition of the substance changes.

Physical changes are relatively easy to identify.  If only the form of a substance changes, you have observed a physical change.

Signs of Chemical Changes
How can you tell whether a change is a chemical change? If you think you are unfamiliar with chemical changes,think again.

 A common physical change occurs when matter changes from one phase to another.  When an ice cube melts for example, it becomes liquid water.  The solid ice and liquid water have the same composition.  The only difference is the form. 

Color Changes As in the case of autumn leaves, a change in color is a clue to indicate a chemical change.  Perhaps you have found a half eaten apple that turns brown.  The reason is that a chemical change has o ccurs when food spoils .

You have just witnessed a spectacular chemical change if you have seen the leaves change color in the autumn.

Energy - Absorbed or Released When you bake a cake, energy is absorbed by the batter as it changes   form a runny mix into a cake. Another sign of a chemical change is the release or gain of energy by an object.  Many substances absorb energy to undergo a chemical change.  Energy is absorbed during chemical changes involved in cooking, like baking a cake.

Energy can also be released during a chemical change.  The fireworks that were mentioned above release energy in a form of light that you can see.  You can also see that energy is released when in this movie clip when sodium and chlorine are combined with water.

Odor Changes It only takes one experience with a rotten egg to learn that they smell different that fresh eggs.  When eggs and food spoil, they undergo a chemical change.  The change in odor is a clue to the chemical change .

When you smell an odd order in foods such as  chicken, pork of mayonnaise, you know that the food has undergone a chemical change. You can use this cllue to avoid eating spoiled food and becomin ill.

Production of Gases or Solids The formation of a gas is  a clue to chemical changes.  The bubbles of gas that you observed form when an antacid is dropped into water is an example of change. Another clue that a chemical change has occurred is the formation of a solid.  A solid that separates out of solution during a chemical change is called a precipitate.

As wood burns, it turns into a pile of ashes and gases that rise into air.  After the wood is burned, it cannot be restored to its original form as a log.

Not easily reversed How do physical and chemical changes differ from each other?  Think about ice for a moment.  After ice melts into liquid water, you can refreeze it into solid ice if the temperature drops.  Freezing and melting are physical changes. The substances produced during chemical changes however cannot easily change back into the original substances.

Chemical vs Physical Change

The most important thing for your to remember is that in a physical change the composition of a substance does not change and in a chemical change the composition of a substance does change.

Chemical Reactions Chemical Changes are also called Chemical Reactions.  Chemical reactions involve combining different substances.  The chemical reaction produces a new substance with new and different physical and chemical properties.  Matter is never destroyed or created in chemical reactions.  The particles of one substance are rearranged to form a new substance. The same number of particles that exist before the reaction exist after the reaction.

To create your own chemical change, click on Fireworks.  To find more fun information about firework displays that you seeclick here. 

Consumer fireworks are illegal to possess in Rhode Island, however there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy a great show.  Although it rarely happens, it is possible that a firework component might fall to the ground without exploding. What do you do?