proton
"In proton collisions at the LHC, the composite nature of protons creates an additional challenge for particle bookkeeping. A proton is like a tiny bag of quarks and gluons. In any individual collision, the identities and energies of the particular colliding quarks or gluons are not known. While it is still possible to observe missing momentum, there is a fundamental gap in particle bookkeeping at any proton collider."
"Proton pumps are like other types of ion transporters (Section 4.7) that are able to translocate ions as the result of conformational changes within the protein"
"Proton pumps are like transport proteins- moving against gradient."
"The process could also be seen as analogous to cycling uphill or charging a battery for later use, as it produces potential energy. The proton pump does not create energy, but forms a gradient that stores energy for later use."
"I'm sure you already know that mitochondria are the "powerhouse of the cell", which involves pumping protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane to generate a proton gradient. Generating the proton gradient is like charging a battery, and it provides the energy required for various mitochondrial proteins to function."
"Metaphors related to everyday things like cars or sports help get the point across. For example, if the proton of a hydrogen atom is the size of, say, a volleyball, then the electron is a spec of dust about 11 miles away."
METAMIA is a free database of analogy and metaphor. Anyone can contribute or search. The subject matter can be anything. Science is popular, but poetry is encouraged. The goal is to integrate our fluid muses with the stark literalism of a relational database. Metamia is like a girdle for your muses, a cognitive girdle.