See, the difference between my two physiology professors is this: both can be entertaining while lecturing, but one (Dr. Hunter) has to get completely off-topic to do so (pyramids built by aliens, anyone?), while Dr. Herman can tell incorporate amusing anecdotes while still lecturing.

One example [warning - contains science]: we were talking about membrane potentials today and how sodium wants to enter the cell because of the negatively-charged proteins inside (electric gradient) and the relative lack of Na+ inside the cell compared to the outside (concentration gradient). So sodium will stream into the cell through leak channels, but eventually the positively-charged Na+ will neutralize the (-) proteins inside the cell, eliminating the electric gradient. However, the concentration gradient will still cause more sodium to enter the cell, causing the formation of an electric gradient in the opposite direction (inside of cell more (+) than outside now). Eventually, the electric gradient pushing Na+ out will equal the concentration gradient pushing Na+ in, and the net movement of Na+ will be zero (Na+ equilibrium potential). Dr. Herman's analogy was this: when the new burrito place opened in College Station, they were handing out free burritos, but there was a big line to get said burritos. Dr. Herman was driving by and thought "I want a free burrito" but saw the line and thought "but not so much" - and he was acting like the sodium at the equilibrium potential - it wants to enter the cell but looks at the positive inside and decides "not so much."

Okay, so maybe that isn't the most humorous thing to my readers, but I was amused (being there helped). Dr. Herman also gets credit for making me laugh by getting dry erase marker residue all over his face today. You should never erase with your fingers and then rub your face. Ever. Unless you want me to laugh (it was like Leslie and me at church at Christmas - the inappropriate giggles you try to hold in but just can't) (I had to stop looking at him for the rest of class).