When was nitric oxide the "Molecule of the Year"?
Nitric oxide (nitrogen oxide or nitrogen monoxide) is a colorless gas with the formula NO. It is one of the principal oxides of nitrogen.
An important intermediate in chemical industry, nitric oxide forms in combustion systems and can be generated by lightning in thunderstorms. In mammals, including humans, nitric oxide is a signaling molecule in many physiological and pathological processes. It was proclaimed the "Molecule of the Year" in 1992. The 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for discovering nitric oxide's role as a cardiovascular signalling molecule.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
9 Comments
Gary Ellis
This is really a thing?!? Raises the question - how does the winning molecule celebrate this prestigious honor?
earlepg
William Laughlin, Not only molecule of the year, but even potentially more important, a Nobel Prize awarded, with no word about what caused it to be selected. Tsk tsk.
earlepg
Stephen W. Gerrard, Since being molecule of the year was important enough to propel it to question status, why not reveal the circumstances surrounding that selection?
earlepg
Denise Currie, It thought it necessary to use it, too. Only I went the other way and got it right off. Valuable hint for me.
Louella Wilson
Never heard of the term, but it had to be either of the more recent years.
The link made interesting, though incomplete reading to me.
Stephen W. Gerrard
Who knew there was a molecule of the year! Criteria? Outstanding performance?
William Laughlin
This is a terribly incomplete answer. What is a signaling molecule and why is it important?
Denise Currie
Gary Ellis, Goes out and has a blast?
Denise Currie
Used double chance and got it right second time