acetylcholinesterase waits patiently for a signal

An example of anthropomorphism in science writing:

"Acetylcholinesterase is found in the synapse between nerve cells and muscle cells. It waits patiently and springs into action soon after a signal is passed, breaking down the acetylcholine into its two component parts, acetic acid and choline."

RCSB Protein Data Bank

RCSB Protein Data Bank website – Molecule of the Month: Acetylcholinesterase

Read 'How much damage can a couple of molecules do? Just how dangerous is Novichok?'

Read about anthropomorphism

Read examples of anthropomorphism in science

Many examples of anthropomorphism are listed in 'Creative comparisons: Making science familiar through language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.