LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING: PLANTS --V

 LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING:      PLANTS --V

[ON REQUEST FROM Cdr. V. KRISHNAN]

PLANT PRODUCTS

Most humans survive on plant-derived staple food like Rice/ Wheat or other cereals in all countries. All other eatable items are just additives and supplementary in value. The list of items would be baffling by the number of plant sources which humans make use of.

While energy helps activity, other requirements are not provided by cereals. The basic structure, growth and maintenance are silent day-to-day functions. So, it is essential that for appropriate physiology additional input is needed. Most important of them are ‘PROTEINS’.

PROTEINS

Proteins form the basic organization by an innumerable permutation of Amino acid sequences. A subtle difference in the sequence may mean entirely different product. To understand this, the 3 letter word GOD can be rewritten as DOG or PAT /TAP, BIN/ NIB. Positioning of letters is language and its beauty. It boils down to the idea that proteins are formed by different amino-acid assemblies; indispensable and irreplaceable for perfect functioning. So, as humans we need to accord the due importance to protein intake as a dietary plan. I am at a loss to understand why many people [especially in southern India] consume more carbohydrate and very little of proteins. It is a common sight to find ‘pot belly’ due to overload of carbohydrate in food.

Instead, a right combination of cereal + vegetables [bean varieties] + leafy vegetable would do a world of good to our well being.  It is opportune to highlight the value of proteins to streamline our physiology and health.

BUILDING BLOCK

Proteins function as building blocks by ‘construction’ of our tissues and muscles by formulation of right protein frame work. The process is nearly continual though not continuous. How?

MAINTENANCE and REPAIR

All our cells and tissues suffer ‘ageing’ and related damage. They need to be replaced by adding replacement without our knowing such internal happenings every minute.

KEY REACTIONS NEED PROTEINS

Reactions are catalyzed / kinetized by enzymes [All enzymes are proteins though the converse is not true].So, these are functional proteins unlike the structural building blocks.

MESSENGER ROLE

Hormones are signal providers [are proteins too] and help balanced ratios for steady state activity.

STRUCTURE PROVIDERS

Proteins- collagen, Keratin provide the typical frame work for respectively bones, ligaments and hairs

p H homeostasis

The above is simply upkeep of right pH in right place which is done by a buffering act of some proteins.

FLUID BALANCE

Albumin and Globulin are blood proteins which help fluid balancing by correct levels oh hydration.

IMMUNE UPKEEP

Antibodies are special proteins designed to combat proteins of invading bacteria / virus and destroy the latter before diseases spread in the body.

TRANSPORTERS

It is blood stream that delivers oxygen , cholesterol, Sugar , vitamins through protein carriers .

ENERGY PROVIDER IN EXIGENCY

Protein break down can liberate energy in low efficiency when carbohydrate sources are not in supply during starving.

So, proteins are vital for healthy living. It is enough if we rotate our vegetable intake by accommodating most vegetables without doing a palate-satiation exercise [of eating starchy potato] but serving our heath through protein supplements

GOOD LUCK

Prof .  K. Raman

 

LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING: PLANTS --IV

LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING:      PLANTS --IV

[ON REQUEST FROM Cdr. V. KRISHNAN]

PLANTS – 4

DEFENSIVE PROTECTION IN PLANTS

Quite an array of defensive features is found among plants. These are Structural, surface coat, Chemical substances, Secondary metabolites and so on.

Structural items

Structurally, thorns, prickles, hooks are strong protectives which defend plants from being plucked or grazed by animals. They injure the invader and frighten any further attempt.

Stinging hairs

These are emergences from stem / leaf surface and have slender sharp pointed tips. They pierce the tissue of the invader and break within to release irritant fluid. It causes profuse itch and causes agony to the invader.

Crystals and spicules

Several plant structures contain different salt crystals and oxalates.   Any  chewing animal can feel prickly pungence and it is a strong disincentive to devour the plant.

Gums and exudates

Several trees have different exudates which ooze from tree barks and clog as crystalline deposit on the stem. [Neem]. They carry several products which are collectively involved in plant protection.

Other secondary metabolites

Latex

Latex is a milky thick fluid which drops from cut ends of plants. Some plants have thin yellow semitransparent latex. These are common in dry land plants like cacti, hedge plants like Tirucalli etc. Latex is a powerful deterrent against grazing animals. Some natives use latex as wound healer for human injuries.

Oils, Resins Tannins and phenols of varied chemical composition arise in old plants. They carry a number of organic products which are not easy to digest. So, by sheer perception of odour, animals avoid using such leaves for feeding. All such tannins, phenols, Terpenes and similar derivatives have complex chemistry. Many of them are found to possess potent medicinal value. The medicinal property of such plant parts deters the animal from indiscriminate grazing. Several of them are inherently anti bacterial/ anti-microbial in action. In view of such properties herbal medicines are widely used by hill tribes as antidotes to several disorders, insect bite / snakebites.

Adathoda

Adathoda is a popular herbal drug against cough and throat disorders. The drug is an alkaloid ‘ VASICIN’ which is employed in allopathic syrups as antidote for cough. The bitter alkaloid safeguards the plant from grazing animals.

Knowledge on Secondary metabolites in plants is an expanding area of research involving bio-chemistry, microbiology, Immunology in deciphering the applicability of such drugs or their analogues. Undoubtedly Botanical science is a fascinating area if we are inclined to critically bridge disparate signals which relate to human physiology / Drug science.

Prof. K. Raman 

LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING: PLANTS --III

 LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING:      PLANTS --III

[ON REQUEST FROM Cdr. V. KRISHNAN]

NUTRITION

Plant nutrition relates to the method of acquiring energy by plants for themselves. But, we humans harvest these plant structures like stems [Sugarcane], Roots [ Radish, Carrot BEET ROOT, Sweet potato, Turnip] , underground stems [Potato, Ginger, Turmeric, tubers  ], Leaves[ Cabbage, Greens, Coriander, Betel and Onion, Garlic ] Flowers – [Cauliflower, Broccoli ]Fruits [Tomato, Gooseberry, Aubergine, Ladies Finger ,Pepper and Guava etc] and seeds [ SPICES ]. Strictly, we exploit plant products for our welfare. Why? Most plant products have value as medicines/ immune builders and substances which help digestion.

The feature to understand is the same taste for each plant product wherever the plant grows. This fidelity of plant chemistry is largely due to the minerals and salts acquired by plants from the soil. It means that every plant species ‘absorbs’ from the soil only typical salts / minerals and assembles its  physical STRUCTURE/ architecture. So, the plant species gives the same aroma and taste typical of that plant. Such a ‘steady composition’ indicates that plants ‘use’ what they require to form the plant structures. The mineral from soil assembly and the physiological processing of them within the plant results in ‘aroma’ / taste typical of the species. So, with    certainty we are able to gather what we need by choosing the plant.

Though plants synthesize the carbohydrates, they cannot procure Nitrogen from the soil. They utilize nitrate fertilizers or support from agriculture operations or with the help of soil bacteria which fix nitrogen in the soil. But there are plants which are in aquatic bodies and need special facility to gather Nitrogen. Such members trap insects in their special box like chambers and digest them for nitrogen. [In to- day’s response Dr. K. Venkataraman has made an observation on this] So, they are Insectivorous plants. They have facilities to attract and destroy insects. [பூச்சி உண்ணும் தாவரங்கள்].

They have colourful shiny surfaces with sticky fluids. Drawn by such fascinating surface looks, insects land on and get trapped [Honey trap]. Once trapped they are unable to fly off; they are immersed in digestive juices rapidly secreted by the leaf. Their body tissues deliver the nitrogen needed for plants. It would be better if one day we devote a detailed episode for such animal –feeding plants. As has been pointed out by Dr. K. V, there are fine quality medicines from plant secretions like gums, resins, phenols and latex for self-defence against grazing animals.

 More would follow soon

Prof. K. Raman

 

LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING: PLANTS --II

 LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING:      PLANTS --II

[ON REQUEST FROM Cdr. V. KRISHNAN]

OTHER SIGNALS TO READ

It would be quite astonishing, if we recognize how many different external situations are clearly perceived by plants. These include recognizing ‘light’, gravity, physical obstruction to spreading etc. Most of it may occur by perceiving a stimulus like ‘contact’, temperature, occurrence of ground water in the soil matrix and so on. Any of these can induce plant response and it may be positive [towards the stimulus] or negative [away from the stimulus].

GRAVITY, ROOT, STEM

Gravity is an environmental factor. Both stem and root perceive gravity, but respond differently for the same signal. Perception of gravity is named ‘gravi sensing’ to suggest sensing the gravity. Stem moves away from gravity while root moves towards the direction of gravity. This response is typical of these plant-parts. It is the terminal segment which ‘perceives’ the stimulus based on certain ‘grain-like’ particles in the root tip , which exert pressure signifying the factor of gravity. Root responds accordingly.

BRANCHING PATTERNS

Plant branches prefer to grow away from interference –human or any other. We can notice that new saplings start making branches only after attaining some height so that the branches away from the easy reach of persons /cattle. To start with branches may arise at lower levels; but once the interference pattern is ‘perceived’ branching is postponed until some height is reached. Note the tree branches in school / college campus where trees are close to the building. In them branches arise and spread away from the corridor so that human interference by plucking branches or leaves is avoided. Sensing signals / danger is essential for survival of plants.

OTHER SURVIVAL STRATEGIES

There are any number of tiny plants which grow to a total of 2 feet or below. These are ‘herbs’ which grow, mature and complete the life within a defined period before the arrival of extreme climate like frost or high summer. Their life ‘tenure’ is designed to begin in rain fed soil,  grow, form flowers, fruits, seeds and die before ‘climate extreme’. Only their seeds survive through bad climate; but revive upon better climate from those seeds.

Some plants merely pass the ‘bad climate’ as tiny buds ; these buds later open up and form new structures. This way also, plants manage to exist through ‘unfavourable’ conditions. Very rarely plants get eliminated outright.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Prof. K. RAMAN

 

LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING: PLANTS

 LIFE SCIENCE FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING:      PLANTS

[ON REQUEST FROM Cdr. V. KRISHNAN]

A general belief is that plants have leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. Each one of these components may be missing from some plants. So, generalizations may not always hold good. As for instance, we believe animals run. There are some which cannot. Eg: Sponges. Interestingly there are ‘walking ferns’ though they do not really ‘walk’. To be clear about these living systems, one has to begin with an open mind without ascribing any definite feature for plant or animal.

Plants which partake in ‘sexual’ reproduction, generally make seeds. The seed is a condensed or tiny plant within an enclosure. The enclosure guards the content from drying and helps to keep the ‘tiny plant’ alive for some time. For how long, depends on the plant variety.

SEED

The tiny plant is kept in a safe shell which allows for ‘breathing’. The ‘tiny plant’ stays dormant with very low activity, until activated by water. Each tiny plant has a root, a stem and just 1 or 2 leaves all in infancy, but ready to grow and establish. Root and Stem are at opposite ends; they regulate the growth of each other. Stem regulates root and vice versa. This is an arrangement of safety for growth.   If we fell the stem of a plant, the root triggers new stem growth; if roots get damaged, the stem triggers root growth. The two work as polar signals from opposite ends. Nature is a grand designer and ensures the safety of opposed structures by keeping their controls with the other end or terminal.

SIGNAL

For living systems, ‘signal-reading’ is a fundamental requirement. Seed grows only if it ‘understands’ that the environment is safe for growth. The most basic signal for life is ‘light’. Light is ‘read‘ for day break or day fall and accordingly functions open up or close down  respectively by day and night. Watch the ‘rain tree’ [தூங்கு மூஞ்சி மரம்]; by late evening, the leaves go to ‘sleep’ by closing upon one another and thus the Tamil name. Who tells the time? Light signal by its wavelength- predominance indicates the ending of the day. The signal reading facility is in the pigments which cause a number of chemical changes within. Nearly the same principle operates in causing‘flowering‘ of seasonal plants like Mango. Each mango variety responds to specific light / shadow [dark] ratio. Any alteration in the ratio can disrupt flowering. Also, flowering time generally coincides with every other support from the environment. You would have noticed a tiny beetle escaping from the ripe mango, as we try to cut the fruit. There is no external indication of any kind of the beetle [வண்டு] within.  When did it get in? Well before the flower could fall off. The beetle egg stays there for the length of time taken for the fruit to turn ripe. Each fruit variety and its beetle are mutually specific and take the same length of time to develop.  How nature has designed co-existence of plants / animal species is something to ponder over.

More to follow

Prof. K. Raman

LIFE – THEN, NOW AND …… [II] [ON SUGGESTION FROM Dr. K.VENKATARAMAN]

 LIFE – THEN, NOW AND …… [II]

[ON SUGGESTION FROM Dr. K.VENKATARAMAN]

In furtherance of the chosen topic, I am obliged to recall the then NEWS PAPERS held in esteem by citizens in South India. Honestly, I had no idea or opportunity to recognize what was obtaining then of NEWS PAPERS across the rest of the country.

NEWS PAPERS then and now THE MEDIA

The fact that a segment is set apart for News Papers is itself testimony to the scale of importance accorded to that item of daily life then. The most revered status enjoyed by the then NEWS PAPERS [now spoken of as print media] emanated from their unquestionable / unfathomable adherence to principles of PATROTISM; the concept so dear to Indian society then, now seems to have a cavalier slant in the perception of several houses identifiable as print media components. Obviously, ‘freedom’ unfettered is on display now-a-days. Times were when elders would advise their children to read “THE HINDU” daily to gather the nuances of using ‘English’ for formal writing. Now-a-days English News papers do not seem to sustain the ‘spirit’ of language for ‘construct’ or connotation or for any elegance thereof. To recommend ‘reading of English dailies’ for true aspirants to learn language appears the surest way to destroy or nip in the bud any semblance of command over the language. My request to young ones is ‘please adhere to use of Dictionary –as a standard source to fortify language skills as prescribed by the lexicon. Kindly disband the tendency to take anything for granted especially in handling of languages. Perhaps the ‘utility’ of print media has grown stronger by their ‘pictorial coverage’ of events; pictures are more vivid and quick to emerge these days. Sustaining neutrality in reporting has been replaced by ‘opinionated-writing’ largely driven by political leanings of the ‘bosses’ of such print houses. Media houses of the present [both print and electronicl] seem to stay under the illusion that people buy their narratives; quite a few AMONG THE PUBLIC are more than aware of these gimmicks if social platforms like You tube/ WhatsApp are any indication; in these domains bitter criticism of their ‘postures of convenience’ of the media are stripped naked. Ironically the stage- managers OF SUCH MEDIA seldom realize how people call their bluffs and are ready to inflict heavy damage when things turn conducive.

COST INDICES

Someone by way of response to the previous posting has drawn reference to Gold price. Why that much? If you recall the price of hotel meal in 1970 in Madurai it was Re 0.55 with a cup of curd. It was deemed expensive, for in most other like hotels the price was just Re 0.50 per meal. [Incidentally many people use the term ‘MEALS’ while the right form is only ‘Meal’. It is an occasion to utilize the opportunity to set the record straight AND NOTHING MORE]. In my humble opinion the cost of foot wear has sky-rocketed from Rs 5/- a pair to Rs 400/-while during the same span of time the cost of rice per  Kg registered a hike to Rs 50 or 55 from Rs- 1 OR 2/-. How anomalous are these cost rise patterns between essentials and luxuries. Equally worse has been the swing in tailoring charges for stitching pants from a moderate Rs 15/- to a whopping Rs 500 in the next 3 1/₂ to 4 decades. This has cultivated a desire to switch over to ‘Ready’ mode [for using ‘Ready-made’ items] though they may not fit every one’s physical dimension in height or measurements. For the mere stitching cost the whole set of dress can be had ‘as a finished product’.

POLITICS –THE CENTRE-STAGE

Up to 1970 or so, students, politicians were two different entities without interactive exchanges. The seeds for politicizing institutions were sown during anti- Hindi agitation of 1965. Since then slowly, the line of segregation between students and politics [politicians] was eroded and student union elections in institutions came under political ideologies typical of national / regional political outfits. I am reminded of what happened in 1966 in Annamalai University in the month of March . For an annual celebration of Fine Arts Club, the then student secretary had managed to get Mr. C N Annadurai as the chief guest; the event was presided over by Shri. P. Adhi Narayana-the Vice –Chancellor. The V C sounded a note of caution to Mr. C N A SAYING “Mr CNA, you are an astute politician. Please avoid items of ‘Politics’. We are not interested in politics”. Mr. CNA,   after formal opening of his speech in English said “Mr. Vice Chancellor, you may not have interest in politics. If you are not interested in politics, politics is interested in you and so I shall confine myself to key issues without making a political reference. But, he made a veiled political speech without offending the sentiments of the VC that day.  Where are such refined politicians now? Besides, all institutions -academic or otherwise vie with one another to win over the politician in office. Institutions have themselves succumbed to the temptation of getting to invite political VIPs. Politicians of 1960s were not inclined to meet students and vice-versa. But, now everyone somehow manages to make a livelihood through political blessing. So, life is getting to turn complex besides leaning heavily on political intervention/ blessing. Both sides have axes to grind. Life has turned comfortable in facilities and uncomfortable for those who can ill afford to spend.

Prof. K. Raman

LIFE – THEN, NOW AND …… [ON SUGGESTION FROM Dr. K.VENKATARAMAN]

 LIFE – THEN, NOW AND ……

[ON SUGGESTION FROM Dr. K.VENKATARAMAN]

Life as witnessed by ourselves in our early days around late 1950s and during our student days in College/ University and later in profession for 35+ years and as at present is progressively witnessing an increasing priority for ‘self’ and a waning enthusiasm towards neighbours, cousins and members of every other description. There is an urgent ‘visible’ materialism about most activities in society. What brought about this shift is a matter for consideration.

LIFE ..THEN

Life then was far more simple, families were larger, of joint family type that naturally infused greater bondage among cousins; the general economic poverty was more than compensated by willingness to share most things; these could extend over to dress material descending on to younger cousins, books passing hands between brothers, cousins and at times neighbours.  There was just no urgency of any kind nor were there this many ‘emergency’ wards in hospitals. Doctors and diseases were few and far between.  Even medication was sought only if inevitable. FEVER WAS TREATED with simple liquid formulations like carminative mixtures / simple tablets crushed to powder and dispensed as small units -3-5 for 2day- use. On the third day, invariably, there would be near normal state for the patient and [s]he would resume normal food ,low in fat /oil and boiled to ‘porridge’ like consistency. Bread was viewed as ‘patients’ food and persons in normal health never consumed bread or bun except by physician’s advice.

Scooters/ Two wheelers were unknown. The richer among the poor had a bicycle for domestic use. Domestic use meant fetching fire wood bundles ‘char coal bags’ for fuel. Oils of home use were just three in number – Gingelly or Sesame, Coconut and Ground nut oil. The most widely used was sesame oil for food and body massage on SATURDAYS [Fridays for women] referred to as ‘oil bath’- a by-gone tradition now. Another nightmarish reference to oil use related to purging of children by forcible ‘oral feed of Castor oil’ quite repulsive by taste and odour. It can unleash liberal purge in repeated pulses through the day. It was administered for all children above 5 years of age. After a day’s suffering, the children would feel to have acquired well-oiled machines in the digestive system.

SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, TEACHING, LEARNING, REGIMENTATION

Schools/ Colleges were viewed with awe and respect for the sheer discipline enforced and vigil with which students’ academic progress’ was monitored and correctives offered. Every candidate was critically scrutinized for general discipline and academic orientation. All teachers had first hand information of all the wards under their observation. Teachers were too keen to ensure appropriate approach /methods to learn subjects. The then teachers enjoyed genuine freedom to reprimand any wrong doer –no matter who the student was in terms of parents’ status [Govt. officials, high police officials, children of Doctors or Judges –who ever. Those parents would not intervene in support of their children on the principle that teacher had every right to reprimand and that reprimand alone can mend the boy’s habits and shape his future on healthy lines].Boys /Girls held their teachers in high esteem and would implicitly obey the teacher’s instructions. A disciplined life in the formative days is a powerful tool in developing attitudes to major principles of life.

THE SCENARIO IN COLLEGES

In 1960s and till 1980s Colleges across T N sustained excellent standards through some quality teaching handed down by brilliant faculty who had established state-wide respect and popularity for their espousing the fantastic skill in presentation of subject matter. It is a life-time blessing to listen to such lectures. They were ‘true Professors’ who could simply electrify any session by raising quality arguments and critical evaluation of subject content. In fact students of such teachers were duly enthused to take to teaching not for its nobility but for the stupendous dominance that one can achieve by ardent effort in teaching. Those teachers did nothing wrong in any domain of academic functions –be it teaching, evaluation or judgment of student skills ; they were thoroughly objective and trained us to be true learners and there by derive the abilities to teach, teach with consummate ease to storm through our classroom efforts. We hope to have lived up to the reputation of our teachers by our honest effort and in-depth discussion of details in all critical sessions.

To continue

Prof. K. Raman