These are the some of the Chatshaala discussions happened in March .
Why is National Science Day celebrated on the 28th of February?
@Sakshi @Akanksha CUBE and others
Congratulations @Akanksha CUBE for bringing your grand road Fruitfly culture to Azim Premji University.what is the current status of your fruitfly culture at Azim Premji University?
What is an imaginal disk?
@Sakshi @Enas CUBE and others
Topics discussed: Difference between seed and fruit
2) Nutrients in food
Follow up of yesterday’s Chatshaala:
Can you differentiate between the seed and the fruit in this photo?
@Rechel CUBE @Akanksha CUBE @Priti CUBE @Dinesh Datta CUBE @Seethalakhmi @Enas CUBE @Dhanraj CUBE @Arunan sir and others.
Moong seed plantation
Location - Sophia college Mumbai
Date - 3/3/2025
Photo: Akansha
So moong is a seed not a fruit?? How can we connect it with yesterday’s discussion? What is the difference between rice and moong?? @Theertha @Arunan sir @Dhanraj CUBE
Chatshaala discussions:
Mango tree flowering status across the country in March
Can you predict what the discussion was about?
Can we use nail polish to measure nail growth?
Why are we interested in observing nail growth?
Can age and gender have any influence in nail growth?
We had a very informative session today.Thanks to @~Akhil Gupta Samuel @Akanksha CUBE @Arunan sir @Susanta Tanti CUBE @Kiran CUBE @Seethalakhmi @Enas CUBE
From mango flowering to its molecular biology.
We proposed a mango flowering pattern in Kozhikode Kerala, as shown in the graph.
We discussed the role of Florigen, a protein that translocates from the leaves to the buds.
How is Florigen produced?
How can we describe the transcription of mRNA?
What is a promoter?
Topic of discussion: Fruitfly culture and study parkinson disease
Yesterday we had the discussion about @Akanksha CUBE 's homelab, 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 !
@Akanksha CUBE Could you explain about your homelab??
Sakshi’s and Mayuri’s ( 9th std student fron sapekhati)
Experiments on fruitfly
Wild type fruit fly Vs Native fruit fly Differences
Please add your points
@Enas CUBE, @Akanksha CUBE, @Sakshi, @Mayuri CUBE sapekhati, @Kiran CUBE Ma’am, @Arunan sir Sir
Chatshaala discussion 07/03/2025
Why fruitfly is using as a model system for studying neurological diseases in human beings??
Structure of DNA?
Can you guess what is SPSPSP sequence indicating???
@Akanksha CUBE, @Sakshi, @Dhanraj CUBE, @Enas CUBE, @Mayuri CUBE sapekhati, @~Batul Pipewala Ma’am, @Kiran CUBE Ma’am, @Arunan sir Sir
Summary written by @2020ugchsncnseethala
Topic of discussion: Chlorohydra culture,touch response in humans vs Chlorohydra
When did CUBE Chatshaala started?
Is the CUBE Chatshaala movement going to complete 5 years in March 2025?
What are Azo dyes ?
What is Coumarin?
How to make Azo dye coumarin hybrid?
How to compare the structure of Carbon and neon?
Can we do Acid - Base detection test in Home ?
@Seethalakhmi @~Khushi 
@Akanksha CUBE @Arunan sir and others
Discussion was about the Mango flowering status across the country.
How to celebrate 5 years of CUBE Chatshaala?
How to identify butterflies?
What are the butterflies present in your area?
How does plant evolved with Nectar?
What is nectar ?
What is host plant?
From CUBE ,We made an entry for a paper presentation at INTERACT 2025, conducting by SN College Varkala.
Topic: Comparing the circadian rhythm in Phyllanthus and Fruitfly.
Today’s Chatshaala discussions:
How are curry leaves and Phyllanthus different?
What are the similarities and differences between curry leaves, hibiscus leaves, and Phyllanthus leaves?
@Sakshi @Rechel CUBE @Sailekshmi CUBE @Amirtha CUBE @Lakshmy CUBE @Aditya Joshi and others
My TINKE moment:
How to differentiate between a simple and compound leaf?
There is an axil between the leaf and the stem (branch), which gives rise to an axillary bud either a flower or a branch. Based on the position of the axillary buds, we can differentiate.
Photo: Axillary bud developed into a flower in Phyllanthus.
Thank you @Chithra Ma’am @Sakshi @Rechel CUBE @Arunan sir @Himanshu Joshi and others
In Photo, arrows are indicating the axillary bud:Curry leaf
Discussion was about the different seasons in india
Discussion was about the nastic leaf movements in Phyllanthus
Key points of the discussion 22/03/2025 summary @2020ugchsncnseethala
What is zombie???
How it effects animals?
Does zombie insects will attacks plant or not???
How can we differentiate MALE & FEMALE IN Kudzu bug??
In most of the organisms why females always big??
Please add your points
@ayanasudheer, @Theertha, @~Akhil Gupta Samuel, @Chithra Ma’am ma’am, @Arunan sir sir and others
Group photographs of today’s chatshaala:23/03/2025
Thank you Dev for for the great chatshaala session ,today .
TINKE moment for me: Quantum Biology
We discussed with well plates and it’s uses and the regeneration in Chlorohydra
Seethalakshmi says Homelab is a Hero,Do you agree?
How does Homelab work?
How can we perform pH detection in college?
Listed Homelab Acid-Base indicater:
- Turmeric
2)petals of Hibiscus
3)Petals of clitoria
4)Red cabbage - Beetroot
How does each of the above show a colour difference?
@ayanasudheer @Seethalakhmi @Sakshi @~RAHUL MALAKAR &others
What are the similarities and differences between base and an Alkali?
What is acid and Base
@Seethalakhmi @Rechel CUBE @ayanasudheer
How does toddy formed?
Toddy is a acid or alcohol?
@Rechel CUBE @ayanasudheer @Seethalakhmi
Follow-up Context to curriculum whatsapp group discussions:
[31/03, 9:22 am] Arunan sir : What is the connection between acid- base and Toddy- Vinegar, cited on the white board? @Seethalakhmi @Rechel CUBE @Theertha @ayanasudheer
[31/03, 9:52 am] ayanasudheer: Palm sap contain some microorganisms like bacteria and yeasts. These organisms ferment sugars that is contained in sap and produce ethanol. Ethanol in the presence of oxygen and acetic acid bacteria(Acetobactor) is converted into vinegar. This is what I got from yesterday’s discussion.
[31/03, 9:55 am] ayanasudheer: Kitchen Science!
Today morning, I asked my mother and grandmother about the making of appam. Grandmother said that in her days, she used to make appam by adding kallu/toddy to the dough to make it soft and sweet. My mother said that since toddy is not readily available, she add Baker’s yeast to the dough along with a pinch of sugar. She keeps this overnight. And she says that, on adding yeast, the dough rises and holes appear on it by the next day.
What is the role of sugar here? Does it increase fermentation or act as a ‘start’ for fermentation? What actually is Baker’s yeast? Does it contain live organisms? And how?
@Theertha @Seethalakhmi @Rechel CUBE @Arunan sir
[31/03, 9:58 am] ayanasudheer: So Appam is a probiotic food?
[31/03, 10:35 am] Vijaya Tilak CUBE: Dosa and idli also belong to this category 
[31/03, 10:39 am] ayanasudheer: Yes I think. And also making cakes.
[31/03, 10:39 am] Vijaya Tilak CUBE: Measles cases reported in US!
I presumed this measles infection to be a summer problem and usually we during the transition from winter to summer.
It’s winter in several parts of US and measles cases are being reported since January.
So climate promotes infection?
[31/03, 10:41 am] Vijaya Tilak CUBE: Curd is also probiotic. Can we use it instead of toddy and dry yeast?
While making bhuture curd is used to knead the dough and rested for few hours.
[31/03, 11:08 am] Arunan sir 
: Does fresh Palm sap contain microorganisms, like bacteria and yeast? @ayanasudheer
What exactly is palm sap?
[31/03, 11:15 am] Arunan sir : Can coconut water, which normally is discarded while coconut is grated for cooking, be used to ferment to make an 'imitation toddy’, when actual toddy is not available, to make famous appam? @ayanasudheer
[31/03, 11:16 am] Arunan sir : What is the role of yeast in bread making and ‘appam’ making? @ayanasudheer @Theertha @Seethalakhmi @Enas CUBE @Sakshi
[31/03, 11:17 am] Arunan sir : What is meant by ‘probiotic’? @ayanasudheer @Vijaya Tilak CUBE
[31/03, 11:20 am] Arunan sir : What if curd is added to Dosa dough, for fermentation? @Vijaya Tilak CUBE @ayanasudheer
[31/03, 11:40 am] ayanasudheer: No. The palm sap contain high enough sugar for the yeast to ferment. Fresh and fermentated palm sap contain yeast.
How long will the toddy last? If it continue to ferment will it become vinegar? @Theertha @Arunan sir @Vijaya Tilak CUBE
[31/03, 11:46 am] ayanasudheer: Yes. Coconut water can also be used for making appam instead of toddy. Coconut water also ferment?
[31/03, 11:50 am] +91vikram: How can fermentation be slowed or stopped once the desired taste is achieved?
Obviously, whatever chemicals etc are used have to be potable. Having pleasant colours, especially if different colours are possible, is an added benefit
[31/03, 11:57 am] ayanasudheer: Yeast is added to make the dough lighter and fluffier. To make appam soft.
[31/03, 11:58 am] ayanasudheer: That might be the reason why the batter is kept in refrigerator to prevent fermentation.
[31/03, 12:01 pm] ayanasudheer: How can we make sure the dough is fermenting. Is the bubble appearing on the surface the only indicator? What change of taste and smell it brings?
@Theertha @Arunan sir @Seethalakhmi @Vijaya Tilak CUBE
[31/03, 12:01 pm] ayanasudheer: Is there any other methods to stop or slow down fermentation?
[31/03, 12:05 pm] ayanasudheer: Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for us, especially our digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases. But our body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. You can find probiotics in supplements and some foods, like yogurt.
bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy.
[31/03, 12:09 pm] ayanasudheer: We can add curd, milk also for fermentation. But yeast fermentation is faster.
[31/03, 12:52 pm] vikram: Exactly, good question
Certain alcoholic drinks last for quite a while without becoming stronger or going bad, if kept in bottles. Wine is one that changes continuously, where refrigeration helps.
Similarly, jams and jellies also last if kept carefully without refrigeration.
What makes some mixtures carry on fermenting while others don’t?
[31/03, 12:53 pm] Vijaya Tilak CUBE: We use preservatives like sodium benzoate for jams and ketchup
[31/03, 12:55 pm] ayanasudheer: Type of microorganisms, their nutrient availability, temperature, fermentation time … All these can be the factors, right?
[31/03, 5:08 pm] ayanasudheer: Fermentation is the process in which yeast acts on sugar and converts it into alcohol and carbon dioxide. It is one of the economic methods of producing new food items and also preserving food. Coconut water, coconut milk also ferment. But palm sap ferment faster (they contain high amount of sugar) Fermentation of coconut water produce more lactic acid and very less ethanol. That might be the reason why only palm sap is fermented to toddy.
[31/03, 5:11 pm] ayanasudheer: Changes in microbial communities and their predictive functionalities during fermentation of toddy, an alcoholic beverage of India - ScienceDirect
[31/03, 5:11 pm] ayanasudheer: Traditional method of toddy preparation from fresh palm saps: (a) preparation for collection of saps; (b) tapping; (c) sap collection in container; (d) accumulation of sap into container; (e) filtered sap; (f) sap kept outside for natural fermentation.
(Image taken from web)