Major Chatshaala Discussions:
1)Chlorohydra and Moina Sent by Sakshi to Kiran:
Sakshi sent Chlorohydra and Moina to Kiran in two vials, each containing 50 Chlorohydra. According to Kiran, Moina was not present in the vial, but Chlorohydra were present. Currently, she is placing the culture in sunlight.
2)Cardamine Seed Germination Study:
I did a seed germination study on Cardamine in the CUBE homelab in Cherukkad, Kozhikode.
Questions answered:
Cardamine seeds will germinate within four days under proper water conditions. Some seeds did not germinate despite of adequate moisture, indicating dormancy. The study also observed that as the concentration of Clarithromycin increased, the cotyledons changed from green to yellow, and both shoot and root lengths decreased.
3)Butterfly Model System of Sneha and CUBE Sapekshati:
Sneha from NES Ratanm College observed a Papilio caterpillar on a plant. We discussed host plant detection by females, with Hanvita, Ajita, and Himanshu actively participating.
4)Regeneration in Earthworms, Planaria, and Chlorohydra:
Sailakshmi from SN College Chempazhanthi and Anjali from SN School Varakala had interest in earthworms. Anjali started culturing of earthworms in tissue paper cups.
5)Isolation of Earthworms and Soil Nematodes:
We discussed the methods for isolating earthworms and soil nematodes, as both are found in moist, nutrient-rich soil.
6)Effect of Antibiotics on Chlorohydra and Cardamine:
Trimethoprim caused discoloration in Chlorohydra, while kanamycin caused green color changes to yellow in Cardamine seedlings. We discussed the effects of these antibiotics on the 70S ribosomes of chloroplasts.
7)Denaturation of Protein:
Seethalakshmi raised the question of how boiling an egg causes hardening.
8)Budding in Chlorohydra and Plants:
Budding is asexual reproduction in Chlorohydra, while in plants, it is a vegetative propagation method introduced by humans.
9)Survival Strategies in Chlorohydra and Moina:
Autophagy in Hydra and asexual reproduction (parthenogenesis) in Moina may be the survival strategies used by the Hydra and Moina sent from Mumbai to Bageshwar.
Celebration of Goof-ups:
Culture of Chlorohydra and Moina at Kiran’s Homelab:
Regular updates were missing, and an alternative food source for Chlorohydra was not used.
Gaps and Misconceptions:
1)Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes:
We had confusion regarding unicellular and multicellular organisms in relation to prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
2)Biological Oxygen Demand:
We discussed dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand, as well as their relationship with water purity.
3)Autophagy:
We addressed how self-eating plays a role in cell renewal in Hydra.
4)Osmotic Potential in the Context of Osmosis:
We discussed the differences between freshwater and marine water and whether freshwater fish can survive in marine water, including processes like diffusion and osmosis.
