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Circuit Schematics and Component Identification

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research on genes, proteins and cells. It also funds studies on fundamental processes such as how cells communicate, how our bodies use energy and how we respond to medicines. The results of this research increase our understanding of life and lay the foundation for advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The Institute's research training programs produce the next generation of scientists, and NIGMS has programs to increase the diversity of the biomedical and behavioral research workforce. NIGMS supported the research of most of the scientists mentioned in this booklet.

Figures (6)

Common schematic diagram symbols (US symbols)
The circuit diagram for a four-bit TTL counter, a type of state machine
Comparison of pictorial and schematic styles of circuit diagrams
Wire crossover symbols for circuit diagrams. The CAD symbol for insulated crossing wires is the same as the older, non-CAD symbol for non-insulated crossing wires. To avoid confusion, the wire "jump" (semi-circle) symbol for insulated wires in non-CAD schematics is recommended (as opposed to using the CAD-style symbol for no connection), so as to avoid confusion with the original, older style symbol, which means the exact opposite. The newer, recommended style for 4-way wire connections in both CAD and non-CAD schematics is to stagger the joining wires into T-junctions.[3]
A rat's nest
Figure 2.1 A volcanic eruption releases tons of gas and dust into the atmosphere. Most of the gas is water vapor, but several other gases are common, including greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and acidic pollutants such as sulfur dioxide. However, the emission of volcanic gas is not all bad: Many geologists believe that in the earliest stages of Earth’s formation, volcanic emissions formed the early atmosphere. (credit: modification of work by “Boaworm”/Wikimedia Commons)

Key Points

  • A resistor is a passive two-terminal electronic component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element.
  • A pull-up or pull-down resistor provides a voltage for a circuit when it is otherwise disconnected (such as when a button is not pushed down or a transistor is not active).
  • Switch genes are master controllers that provide each body part with a kind of identification card.
  • Breaker of Yale University is developing ways to create entirely new forms of RNA and DNA that both work as enzymes.

Terms

Tap a term for a plain-language explanation.

Sources & licensing(4)