It is truly remarkable what our bodies

        The Very Basics of Humans
        and the World We Inhabit
Have you ever stopped and wondered why we (humans) are as we are,
and why we do what we do? It is truly remarkable what our bodies are
capable of doing and how our bodies operate to perform various tasks.
Yet, we are just one of millions of different species inhabiting this planet,
all with a unique story to tell. And, like our fellow planet-mates, we must
abide by the basic objectives of life, namely to function as an independent
being (self-operate), defend ourselves both externally and internally,
nourish ourselves, and of course to reproduce, which is without question
the ultimate objective of all life-forms.
   Yet, we are special in that we have a relatively large brain and the intel-
lectual capacity to try to understand ourselves and, in accordance, how we
are to be nourished. In this chapter we will begin to explore the very basis
of our being and the world we live in. This will begin to set the stage for
understanding what it will take to nourish our body for optimal health and
longevity. We will answer questions about basic concepts such as elements,
atoms, molecules, oxidation, chemical reactions, water solubility, and
acids and bases. If you have a science background this site might seem
too rudimentary and you might consider moving on to the next ....