🧬 From Seeds to Cells: Tracing Life’s Blueprint in CUBE ChatShaala – 06.07.2025 Summary

CUBE chat
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:green_square: Participants and Highlights

  • Sailekshmi ( CUBE @ S N College Chempazhanthy ) shared ongoing mustard seed germination studies, comparing different sprouting setups and chemical treatments ( notably using 10% KOH to observe setae in earthworms ).

  • Abhijeet ( Bio Dosimetry Lab ) brought in a thought-provoking discussion on DNA damage response mechanisms, tying it to electromagnetic radiation exposure—a theme directly linked to radiation safety in lab environments.

:magnet: Core Concepts Explored

1. What is DNA?

:small_blue_diamond: Explored as a molecule composed of:

:black_small_square:Sugar-phosphate backbone

:black_small_square: Nitrogenous bases : Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T)

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This led to discussion on molecular structure and function in living organisms.

2. Role of Radiation in DNA Damage

The electromagnetic spectrum was discussed, with a focus on:

:arrow_right: Gamma rays, X-rays, and UV ( high energy – damaging DNA )

:arrow_right: Visible light ( VIBGYOR ) – placed between UV and Infrared

â—Ź TLD Badges ( Thermo Luminescent Dosimeters ) were mentioned as safety tools used in radiation labs to monitor exposure.

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3. Can We Get DNA From Blood?

A pivotal question raised:

" Do we get DNA from blood? "

Clarified that:

  • Red Blood Cells (RBCs) lack nuclei → no DNA

  • White Blood Cells (WBCs), specifically lymphocytes, have nuclei → DNA can be extracted

Discussed the process of blood collection and lymphocyte separation, relevant for chromosomal aberration studies and genetic analysis.

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:camera_flash: Group photos during ChatShaala

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:brain: Follow-up Questions for Inquiry-Based Exploration:

  1. :seedling: Why might mustard seeds be an ideal model for studying Mendelian genetics in seed germination?

  2. :dna: How exactly does electromagnetic radiation damage DNA at the molecular level?

  3. :test_tube: What methods can be used to isolate lymphocytes from blood for DNA extraction?

  4. :bulb: Why do TLD badges glow under radiation exposure, and what material science principle lies behind it?

  5. :bar_chart: Can seed germination data ( like in the mustard study ) be used to understand genetic variability or mutation patterns?

:books: Reference

Let’s keep the spirit of “ context to curriculum ” alive by transforming everyday observations and simple biology into deep, inquiry-based science!:herb::microscope:

@Arunan @Ayana_Sudheer @Shivani @Abhi0703 @2020ugchsncnseethala @Chitralekha @magpie and others.

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