The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean Chapter 10 Summary/Reflection

1.Copper is like a sterilizing chemical, it prevents bacteria's ability to produce chemicals needed for mitosis.
2. Since electrons can only match up with electrons of opposite spin, and Gadolinium, with many unpaired electrons, allows it to connect with atoms that don't have full shells.  Oftentimes, this is used in cancer to destroy cancer cells, but if not properly flushed out, it can harm the body.
3. “Take a look at the ‘blue man’ on the internet by typing in Argyria” … wtf thats so weird he’s literally blue.
4.Pediazole, Sulfanitran, others
5.D-Dopa (i think)

Summary
    In this chapter Kean discusses medical properties of elements. We know that elements influence the body in horrible ways (cancerous ways), luckily there are also elements that do the opposite.  The most common ones we see in the everyday world and been used for many years are copper and silver.  In both cases, they neutralize a bacteria's ability to produce chemicals that allow it to reproduce.  They can be compared to birth control for the bacteria,  silver however, can turn the skin blue if taken in excess.
There are elements that react better in chemical compounds than they do by themselves. On the other hand when dealing with chemicals one must consider their chirality (right handed or left handed so the element has to be in a certain position).  Chirality was first discovered by Pasteur through tartaric acid.  An important quality can also be when it comes to chemicals is the bodies and its influence on the chemicals.  But like Prontosil, on its own, it cannot do anything to bacteria.  Ingested by a mammal, the cells of the mammal change it to sulfonimide, which then kills the bacteria.  This discovery led to the creation of many more “sulfa” drugs.  Later on, continued research with chirality created many more drugs including a remedy for Parkinson's using Rhodium as a catalyst for only L-Dopa

Reflection
Overall, I enjoyed this chapter due to its intriguing stories that had me constantly wondering about the effects of certain drugs.  Much of the background information goes into depth and has a different approach to how you should remember things. It actually brings up my motivation to continue reading.