Download English - Vigyan Prasar

Unseen Biodiversity
Research and Script
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Mukherjee
Translated by: Abhas Mukherjee
(Characters: Vasudha,Srishti,Manav,Surya Prakash,Paresh,Dr.Bhavesh Tatke)
Vasudha:
Srishti, just bring bread. Let me quickly prepare toast for Manav for his tiffin.
Srishti:
In just a moment Mummy.
Vasudha:
On what is this Srishti! There is fungus all over the bread.
Srishti :
Mummy all this happened due to Manav. He forget to put the bread back into
the fridge after taking it out. He always does this
.
Vasudha:
That is all right, but now what would Manav carry in his tiffin to school?...okay
let me prepare ‘aaloo paranthas’ for him.
Srishti :
That would be fine mummy. We also have curd at home. Manav can have
paranthas with curd.
(Surya Prakash enters)
Surya Prakash:Srishti, what’s the topic of discussion between mother and daughter?
Srishti :
Papa, our bread has caught fungus, that is why mummy was talking about
preparing potato stuffed paranthas for Manav.
SuryaPrakash: And did I hear something about curd?
Vasudha:
I very well understand your weakness. You love eating potato stuffed
paranthas with curd.I was talking about giving paranthas and curd to Manav
in his tiffin. All right , you would also get paranthas and curd to eat.
Surya Prakash: Wow! I am so delighted to hear this. You have made my day.
Srishti :
Wow papa! I have instantly thought of a poem on this very situation.
Surya Prakash: Oh yes Srishti, go on with your poem. It’s wonderful morning and I am in a
delighted mood.
Srishti :
Then okay papa, listen to my poemWhen bread was wasted by fungus
Then curd and paranthas worked for us
As papa came to the kitchen a .
Poem came to my mind, You listen.
Papa would get curd and paranthas wholesome.
Sure his mood is house to blossom.
(Sound of Clapping his hands by Surya Prakash)
.
Surya Prakash:Great Srishti! You get poetic when I come walking to the kitchen. But ask
your mother. My coming to the kitchen always unnerves her.
Vasudha:
Okay ! it is easy to taunt but difficult to manage the kitchen.
(Manav calls out from inside)
Manav :
Mummy my tiffin is ready or not?
Vasudha:
Yes Manav, it is ready, just bringing it.
(Music for scene change)
(Manav and Srishti are seated in the drawing room with Paresh uncle)
Srishti:
Chachaji… you have given us a pleasant surprise by your visit.
Paresh:
Yes, it feels so good to surprise others at times. I had come for a conference
on Biodiversity, but in hurry it just slipped out of my mind to intimate you
people
about this.
Manav:
Chachaji on which topic you are going to talk on conference?
Paresh:
Manav, I am going to talk about Unseen Biodiversity in the conference.
Srishti:
Chachaji, Unseen Biodiversity… which means you are going to talk about
Bacteria, Virus, Fungus, etc.
Paresh:
Yes Srishti. It seems that you are well versed with Unseen biodiversity.
Srishti:
Yes chachaji, I have read all this in my Biology text book.
Manav:
Good Didi, nice to know that you read as well. I was under the impression that
you are just good at making poems only.
Srishti:
Enough is enough Manav. It’s not good to make fun of my poems all the time.
(Surya Prakash enters)
Surya Prakash: Who is making fun of your poems Srishti?
Srishti:
No.. nothing papa. Manav is in the habit of doing so.
Surya Prakash: By the way Srishti, I could nicely digest the poem recited by you in the
morning.
Manav:
You nicely digested the poem! How come you did that papa?
Surya Prakash: Yes Manav, after listening to the poem on curd and stuffed paranthas, I got
to eat the same delicious combination . So Manav, don’t you agree that I
digested the poem nicely.
Paresh:
It sounds so interesting…. A poem on curd and stuffed paranthas and then
getting to eat this tasty combination in reality.
Srishti:
Actually Chachaji, what happened was that today in the kitchen we
found that the bread we had was spoiled due to fungus deposition over it, so
mummy prepared paranthas and gave them to Manav in his Tiffin along with
curd.
Paresh:
(laughing to his hearts content) so ultimately. Unseen biodiversity has showed
its wonder in the morning.
Manav:
Unseen biodiversity’s wonderful ! How come chachaji?
Srishti:
I shall explain this to you Manav. The fungus which damaged the bread and
the bacteria that helps in the fermentation of milk to form curd, are both
micro organisms. So, don’t you agree that it is the wonder of the world of
unseen biodiversity. .
Paresh:
Yes Manav, and Virus, Protozoa and Algal etc. are also part of the world of
unseen biodiversity apart from bacteria and fungi.
Srishti:
And chachji isn’t that Unicellular organisms like amoeba and diatoms are
also members of this world of Unseen biodiversity?
Paresh:
Right Srishti, amoeba,which causes amoebic dysentery and diatoms,found in
oceans, are also part of the unseen biodiversity. Scientists have classified
these organisms in the Kingdom Prostista .They are called Protists.
Manav:
Oh ! really the world of unseen biodiversity is wonderful. I know we watch
these micro organisms with the help of a microscope. Is n’t chachaji?
Paresh:
Yes Manav, we use high resolution microscopes to observe these micro
organisms.
Srishti:
Tell me one thing chachaji. Have the scientists been successful in identifying
all the species of micro organisms?
Surya Prakash: Let me give this answer to Srishti.. By reading articles etc. published in
newspaper and magazines on the occasion of the International biodiversity
year I have also gathered some information on this. So far the scientists have
successfully identified 4800 bacteria, 1000 virus, 26,000 algal, 68,000 and
30,000 protists species.. Am I right Paresh?
Paresh:
Yes bhai saheb you are absolutely right. But, till now only a few thousands of
these micro organisms have been indentified. We are still a long way in
identifying lakhs of others such unidentified species of micro organisms.
(Vasudha enters).
Vasudha:
It seems that the discussion is in full swing.
Paresh:
Welcome Bhabhiji..thanks to the curd and paranthas made by you in the
morning. Bhai saheb is so happy with curd and paranthas.
Vasudha:
Well, it is my job to serve all of you. Occasionally curd and paranthas or at
times curd and chewra as well.
Paresh:
Bhabhiji, you deliberately skipped “Dahi Bhalle” from your list.
Srishti:
Chachaji, what’s the use of mentioning is just now, I had a peep into the
kitchen. Mummy has already prepared your favorite dish “Dahi Bhalle” for
you.
Paresh:
“Dahi Bhalle”? so, what are we all doing sitting here like fools ! Come on, we
all should go and attack the kitchen rightaway
(Sound of everybody laughing after saying ‘yes, come –on let’s raid the kitchen’).
(Music denoting scene change)
(Manav and Srishti are seated in the drawing room along with Paresh uncle and his friend
Dr. Bhavesh Tatke).
Paresh:
Manav-Srishti, let me introduce you to my friend Dr. Bhavesh Tatke who is a
micro biologist, which means he does research on micro organisms.
Manav-Srishti :(in a conjujal voice) : Good evening Uncle.
Dr. Tatke:
Good evening Manav-Srishti. Your uncle has told me about your folks.
Srishti:
Uncle, have you also come to participate in the conference?
Dr. Tatke:
Yes Srishti, I also read my research paper in the conference, just as your
Paresh uncle did.
Paresh:
And do you know Manav-Srishti. He read his research paper on bacteria and
viruses .
Manav:
It is chachaji ! This would be really great as we shall get to know a good deal
about viruses and bacteria from uncle. Uncle please first tell us about the
difference between these two entities.
Dr. Tatke:
All right Manav, now listen to me very carefully. Bacteria are such unicellular
organisms which have protoplasm or life fluid inside them whereas viruses
don’t have life fluid In them.
Srishti:
Yes uncle, I have also read about Protoplasm in my Biology text book. We
can’t survive without oxygen, but uncle is it true that some bacteria can
survive without oxygen as well?
Manav:
Didi, what have you just uttered ! How come is it possible to survive without
oxygen.
Dr. Tatke:
Srishti is absolutely right Manav. Some bacteria can live without oxygen as
well. These are known as anaerobic bacteria.
Paresh:
And the bacteria which require oxygen for their life-support and survival are
called Aerobic bacteria.
Srishti:
Okay uncle, we got your point regarding aerobic and aerobic bacteria.
Now can you please tell us about the characteristics of viruses.
Dr. Tatke:
Look Srishti, you people must have heard or read about the genetic material
called DNA.
Srishti:
Yes sure uncle, DNA means Deoxy nucleic acid , which is present in our
cells. Information about us say for example physical features, is encoded in `
our DNA.
Manav:
Uncle I know, apart from DNA we have RNA as well.
Dr. Tatke:
Right Manav, RNA means Ribonucleic acid. Both DNA and RNA are present
in the human body but viruses only have either DNA or RNA in their structure.
Paresh:
And Manav-Srishti you know, the viruses which contain only DNA are called
DNA Viruses and the ones having only RNA are known as RNA Viruses.
Srishti:
Uncle, we have understood about DNA and RNA viruses. But, as you told,
these viruses do not have protoplasm in them. Then how do these
organisms multiply or reproduce themselves?
Dr. Tatke:
Actually what happens Srishti… is that a virus requires a ‘host cell’ to multiply
itself. Viruses which don’t have DNA in them enter the host cell and utilize its
DNA for reproduction.
Srishti:
On I understood uncle, the same is also true for viruses without RNA, which
enter the host cells and utilize their RNA for their reproduction.
Paresh:
And in this way, viruses keep multiplying from one to two and from two to four
and in this way their population continues to grow rapidly. Finally, the
Viruses come out by rupturing the host cell and go about in reach of a new
host cell.
Manav:
Oh my goodness ! These viruses are really very dangerous. They finish off
the very cells which give them shelter so cruel of them.
Srishti:
the
Suddenly, a few lines of poem have come to my mind. Chachaji do I have
permission to recite my poem?
Paresh:
Yes Srishti, you are most welcome to recite your poem.
informed r Bhavesh about your talent.
I have already
Srishti :
Then all right, here I present my poem –
“Killer viruses are coming so be careful,
As these are too cunning and deceitful.
Don’t fall into their trick,
They want to trap you brick by brick.
First they put cells into capture,
And then come out causing their rupture.
These damn creatures pierce the plate,
On which they once lived and ate.”
(sound of clapping of hands)
Dr. Tatke:
Oh wonderful! What a beautiful poem.
Paresh:
Srishti you have sketched the entire blue print of the virus.
Manav:
Yes chachaji, even I did like a lot this poem.
Srishti:
Manav, thanks for the compliment. Uncle tell me one thing --- Bacteria are
both beneficial and harmful. But, what about the viruses? Do they also serve
any useful purpose apart from just spreading diseases?
Dr. Tatke:
Srishti, you have asked a very relevant and good question. There is a type of
virus which kills bacteria, it is known as bacteriophage. You both must be
knowing that the water from the river Ganga never spoils. Actually, there are
quite a few bacteriophage viruses in Ganga’s water which destroy most of the
bacteria present in this water. That is why Ganga’s water never gets spoiled.
Paresh:
That’s true. It is another matter that now Ganga too is so much affected by
pollution that bacteriophages are also falling short! (All laugh after hearing
this)
Manav:
Uncle, now please tell us about beneficial Bacteria as well..
Dr. Tatke:
Actually Manav, bacteria are responsible for making the curd that we eat.
Bacteria also have a role in the making of Vinegar. We also do have some
`friendly’ bacteria in our intestines which apart from helping in digestion of
food, also aid in the production of vitamins. We also harbour 500 diverse
species of bacteria in our mouth.
Srishti:
Wow, so many bacteria in our mouth! Uncle, is it not true that bacteria also
clear off the mess that we spread in the form of waste.
Dr. Tatke:
Yes dear, you must have noticed that after a few days of an animal’s death,
its lifeless body gets mixed up in the soil. Bacteria and other micro-organisms
play their role in the process. Various species of bacteria like Pseudomonas,
are also helpful in the disposal of waste products and garbage from all around
us. Certain species of bacteria are also well adept at removing various types
of heavy metals from the industrial waste.
Manav:
Uncle, once I saw a programme on oil eating bacteria on the T.V.
Dr. Tatke:
Yes Manav, the oil spill from cargo ships causes a lot of pollution in the
oceans which has harmful effects on marine life. But, the discovery of oil
eating bacteria has resulted in relief from the oil pollution menace to a large
extent. Let me tell you that Dr. Anand Chakraborty was the first person to
discover this species of `oil eating bacterias. Just recently, a new species of
oil eating bacteria has been discovered in the Gulf of Mexico.
Srishti:
Uncle, these days we also hear about food products like yoghurt, Butter milk,
processed cheese, etc. Do bacteria have a role in the making of these
products?
Dr. Tatke:
Well Srishti, fermented milk itself is called yoghurt. Lactobacillus bulgaricus
and streptococcus thermophilus are the species of bacteria which are used to
prepare yoghurt. In a similar fashion, a few species of bacteria are used to
prepare processed cheese and Butter milk and yeast, which is a type of
jungus, is also added in a small quantity in this processing.
Manav:
Really, we could not have imagined that bacteria and viruses go such a long
way in helping us. But isn’t it that viruses and bacteria cause several
diseases as well.
Dr. Tatke:
Yes! Right Manav. Bacteria are notorious for spreading several kinds of
diseases such as TB, Pneumonis, cholera, Anthrax etc. Viruses also spread
a host of diseases like AIDS, Rabies, Polio, Hepatitis, Flue etc. Some viruses
like Ebola virus and Hanta virus spread really very dreaded diseases.
Srishti:
You told us that Polio is caused by a virus, apart from polio drops children are
also administered vaccines for prevention of Diphtheria, Tetanus and
Pertusis. Uncle, please tell us whether Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertuisis are
caused by virus or by bacteria?
Dr. Tatke
You raised a very pertinent question Srishti; Diphtheria, Tetanus and
Pertussis are caused by bacteria only. Pertussis is common parlance is also
known as whooping cough.
Vasudha:
I think all of you must be feeling hungry after so much discussion, that’s why I
have brought some refreshments for all.
Paresh:
Wow Bhabhi.... Dhokla and Coffee.
Srishti:
Yes mummy takes good care of you. Isn’t it chachaji that bacteria and yeast
spell their magic in the making of Dhokla as well.
Paresh:
Surya
Yes Srishti but that role is played at a micro level but I would give all the credit
to Vasudha Bhabhi for this wonderful dish.
: Paresh, I see your habit of giving all credit to your Bhabhi time and again.
Vasudha:
Well, as they say “Old habits die hard”. And you also don’t leave any occasion
to point that….
Surya :
Yes Vasudha, we always enjoy the tasty food made by you. Please, help
yourself Dr. Tatke, and Manav-Srishti why are you looking at my face like
that? Enjoy eating Dhoklas and hot coffee.
(sound of everybody laughing)
(Music denoting change of scene)
(After dinner at night, Mnav and Srishti are seated with Paresh uncle on the terrace of
the house. At that time, Surya Prakash enters theres)
SuryaPrakash: Here you are Manav-Srishti sitting with your uncle on the terrace. And there
downstairs mummy is calling you. Go and fetch the ice-cream.
Manav:
Ice cream, Papa...? Oh great, i’ll just hop and bring it.
Srishti:
Oh today we are having a gala time papa. First, mummy prepared yummy
Pulao and finger-licking mushroom curry for us. And now…...Ice cream!
SuryaPrakash:Yes Srishti beta, try to understand. Your mummy has made all this yummy
preparation for your uncle, who is her most dear and only brother-in-law.
Paresh:
Yes Bhai Saheb, I also agree that Bhabhiji leaves no stone unturned to take
maximum care of me, of course being here only brother-in-law. (Manav
arrives with ice-cream)
Manav:
Okay everybody here I come ...Now everyone have fun eating your delicious
ice-cream. (sound of everybody’s laughter)
Srishti:
Oh really the ice-cream was really a treat from mummy. Tell me one thing
chachaji, Tatke uncle told us that yeast belongs to the fungi family. Isn’t it true
that Mushroom is also a kind of fungus.
Paresh:
Yes Manav that is also fungi only but a larger-sized fungi.
Srishti:
Mushroom and yeast are beneficial for us, whereas chachaji, the fungi
afflicting our food items like bread is harmful for us.
Manav:
This means that fungi are both beneficial and harmful for us chachaji.
Paresh:
Yes Srishti, Yeast is used in making bread, cake, biscuit and other such
edibles. Mushroom is eaten as a delicacy. An antibiotic drug called penicillin
is also made from fungi. Thre are also certain kinds of fungi which are helpful
in destroying harmful fungi afflicting the food crops.
Manav:
Chachaji kindly enlighten us with some more uses of fungi.
Paresh:
Rhizopus arrtizus is a fungal species which has the ability to remove harmful
elements like uranium and Thorium. In a similar fashion, a species of fungi
called Penicillium chrysogenum has the ability to store Radium. Fungi are
also present int he soil which, in association with algae, protozoa and other
micro-organisms, not only help in increasing the fertility of soil but are also
beneficial for soil conservation.
Srishti:
Chachaji while there are so many benefits of fungi, isn’t it that fungi have a lot
of harmful effects too?
Paresh:
Yes of course Srishti, fungi produce different kinds of diseases in food crops
say, potatoes, onions, wheat, Arhar, green peas etc. apart from afflicting
standing crops, fungi don’t even spare seeds during storage. During
monsoon season, due to the moisture present in the air fungi cause damage
to the food items, paper, leather, etc. Not only this, fungi also affect human
beings with a host of skin diseases and fungal infections.
Manav:
Chachaji, you told us about fungal colonies growing over paper, leather, etc.
in the rainy season. I have also seen mosses growing during the monsoon
season, Are these also kinds of fungi?
Paresh:
Not at all Manav, mosses do not belong to the fungi family. Neither are they
algae, although both mosses and algae belong to metaphyta or the plant
kingdom. It would be of interest for you to know that instead of the previous
five kingdoms, now classification has been in terms of three domains and
algae, fungi and mosses, all have been clubbed together into the third
domain.
Srishti:
That’s great Chachaji. This is an up-to-date information for us. Fungi, algae
and mosses, all have now been placed in a common domain. Okay chachaji,
I have read about lichens as well. Aare these algae or fungi?
Paresh:
Lichens are as a result of association between algae and fungi, Srishti.
Manav:
Chachaji Algae and fungi make an interesting pair indeed.
Paresh:
Yes Manav, both cooperate well with each other. While alage provide
organic matter to fungi, in return fungi provide water and minerals to algae.
Lichens are a perfect example of mutual cooperative existence which is
known as symbiosis.
Srishti:
Wow chachaji ! What remarkable mutual cooperation is present between
them. I have instantly thought of some lines of poem. If you give me
permission, then I can recite my poem.
Paresh:
Yes Srishti, you can recite you poem without any hesitation.
Srishti:
Then okay, here is my poemFungi and algae form such on association,
That is worth cheers and admiration.
Both live together in such a way,
As if made for each other, let’s all say.
(Sounds of clapping of hands)
Paresh:
Srishti, it’s really a very nice poem.
Manav:
Yes didi, your poem is also as wonderful as the pair of fungi and algal.
Srishti:
Thank you Manav. Chachaji, now please tell us about some uses of algal.
Paresh:
All right Srishti, algae are used in the form of food, in pollution control as well
as in textile industry. Dyes are also obtained from algae. These even find use
in the preparation of ice-creams, tooth pastes, shaving creams, toilet
accessories, cosmetics and dairy products.
Srishti:
This means chachaji, the ice-cream which we all had was also made using
algae.
Paresh:
Yes Srishti, we make use of carrageen in obtained from red algal and alginic
acid obtained from brown algal for making ice-creams.
Manav:
And chachaji which algae do we use as our food-item?
Paresh:
Commonly a red algal called porphyra and green algal called chlorella are
used as food. In fact, in countries like China, Japan and Korea it is a usual
agricultural practice to grow these algal as crops in large scale in the vast
oceanic area. In addition to carbohydrates proteins, vitamins, fats as well as
minerals are abundantly found in these algal. Presently some scientific
research is also underway for synthesizing Bio-diesel from the carbohydrates
present in these algae.
Srishti:
These days, Scientists are doing research to obtain bio-diesel from algae.
This seems to be a latest information chachaji. Okay tell us what sort
of
medicines are made with the help of algae?
Paresh:
Srishti, alage have found use of traditional medicines since ages. Iodine is
found naturally in some alage. So, their regular consumption prevents goitre.
Apart from this, a few antibiotic are also prepared from algae. For instance
Chlorellin, an antibiotic medicine, is prepared from an algae species called
Chlorella. Also polysiphomia, a red algae, has been found to possess
antibacterial properties.
(Surya Prakash enters)
SuryaPrakash:Hey Manav-Srishti. It’s already too late in the night. You should now
retire to bed. You both have to go to your school tomorrow morning.
Srishti:
Yes papa and tomorrow I am going to share all the valuable information given
by chachaji with my friends at school.
Manav:
And Papa I would also tell my friends about algae while eating ice-cream.
Paresh: It’s fine Manav-Srishti..You both can share all this information with your
friends tomorrow at school. But, now get ready to go to bed.
Manav-Srishit (in a conjugal voice): All right Chachaji, Good Night.
Paresh:
Good night, children. Have sweet dreams!
(END)
Translator:-
Research and Script:-
Abhay Mukherjee
43, Deshbandhu Society
15, Patparganj
Delhi – 110092
Dr. Pardeep Kumar Mukherjee
43, Deshbandhu Society
15, Patparganj
Delhi - 110092