The vastness of biology

 

From the time DPI had expressed its biased attitude towards biology; the entire biology has become a controversial subject. Let’s understand biology, its various branches, and its importance through this blog. In fact, we will be looking at the vastness of biology with a view of full consciousness with this blog.

The term "biology" in its modern sense appears to have been introduced independently by Thomas Beddoes (in 1799), Karl Friedrich Burdach (in 1800), Gottfried Reinhold Treviranus (1802), and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (Hydrogéologie, 1802). In a broad sense, Biology means the science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena, especially regarding origin, growth, reproduction, structure, and behavior. Forms of life can be from one-celled (unicellular) organisms to many-celled (multicellular) organisms.

Biology is the vision of the whole of life. The wide difference in the types of organisms calls for a thorough understanding of the vastness of this subject. This is mandatory for those who are contented in themselves with scanty information of what is going on unconsciously in their mind. Biology is more grandiose than any other branch of science. The vastness is up there, where one can stretch his imagination. It is to be remembered that even with this vastness there are coherent fields like microbiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology, which unify various sections and subsections of biology

Only, by Harnessing the Vastness of the biology, perils of agents like Corona can be combated. Before delving deep into the relation of Corona with other branches of biology, let us first look into some major branches of biology 

By the 18th and 19th centuries Botany, Zoology, and Geology replaced the pre-existing Natural history but soon due to further developments, these were accompanied by more branches of biology; some of which unifies various sections and sub-sections of biology.

All the fundamental principles of life are gathered into separate branches for the convenience of study. Some of the basic concepts of biology are homeostasis, cell, evolution, diversity, behavior, and interrelationships, continuity of life, structural, constitution and composition, and hierarchical levels. Let us review some branches of biology in a very concise manner. Subdivisions are defined on the scale at which organisms are being studied.

1. Biochemistry: Biochemistry is the branch of biology concerned with the chemical and physicochemical processes that occur within living organisms. 

2. Biophysics: Biophysics is the science of the application of the laws of physics to biological phenomena 

3. Biotechnology: Biotechnology is the exploitation of biological processes such as genetic manipulation of micro-organisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc. 

4. Botany: Botany is the scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, and ecology. 

5. Cytology: Cytology or Cell biology is the study of cell structure and function, and it revolves around the concept that the cell is the fundamental unit of life. 

6. Ecology: Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. 

7. Evolution: Evolution is the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth (Darwinism). 

8. Genetics: Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms. 

9. Immunology: Immunology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with immunity. 

10. Microbiology & parasitology: Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, those being unicellular, multicellular, or acellular and all biological processes at the micro-level. It also deals with the exploitation of micro-organisms for the benefit of mankind; Parasitology is the branch of biology or medicine concerned with the study of parasitic organisms, their economic importance, and role in the ecology

12. Molecular biology: Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the structure and function of the proteins and nucleic acids- these carry out the biological processes essential for cell's function and maintenance. 

14. Photobiology: Photobiology is the scientific study of the interactions of light and living organisms. 

15. Phycology & Mycology: Phycology is the scientific study of algae and Mycology is the scientific study of fungi 

16. Physiology: Concerned with the functioning, or metabolism of Plants, Animals, and Microbes 

17. Radiobiology: Radiobiology is a branch of biology that involves the study of the action of ionizing radiation on living things. 

18. Structural biology- Structural biology is a branch of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics dealing with the molecular structure of biological macromolecules. 

19. Virology: Virology is the branch of science that deals with the study of viruses 

20. Zoology: Zoology is the scientific study of the behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals. 

21. Theoretical biology: Theoretical biology (aka mathematical biology) is an interdisciplinary scientific research field with a range of applications in biology, esp. microbiology, biotechnology, and medicine. 

It is self-evident from the above break-up that biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology, zoology, and botany form an integral part of some but all the studies. Thus these are termed as the major branches whereas others are minor or sub-branches of biology.  However, the branches of biology do not limit here,  there are a plethora of branches like environmental biology, marine biology, bioinformatics, and so on, and so forth which in lieu of the vastness of biology is beyond the limit of this blog. 

Importance of Modern biology in the present context 

Modern biology is vast with no bound; it is an epitome of research and discoveries. It has so many branches and is so illimitable that there are numerous divisions and subdivisions of this scientific stream. Even with this vastness, there are coherent fields like microbiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology, which unify various sections and subsections of biology 

In the context of Microbiology, we can say that the prodigious smallness is also vast. The vast menagerie of microbes ranges from acellular prions to the unicellular fungi. Recent nuisance caused by the coronavirus can be addressed only by the knowledge of microbiology, virology, immunology, and biotechnology Novel coronavirus is an uninvited guest in the world of vast microbiology. 

Scientists (a team of microbiologists) have developed a new low-cost nasal swab test that can accurately diagnose the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in just 20 minutes. The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, show the test called N1-STOP-LAMP is 100 percent accurate in diagnosing samples containing SARS-CoV-2 at high loads. The rapid molecular test is highly accurate and easy to use, making it a prime candidate for use in settings with limited testing capabilities. (https://microbiologysociety.org/news/press-releases/a-new-20-minute-assay-for-covid-19-diagnosis.html)

Bharat Biotech is developing India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine; COVAXIN in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Bharat Biotech's BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) high containment facility. (https://www.bharatbiotech.com/covaxin.html) 

Jaclyn Winter and Shiladitya DasSarma demonstrated how they harness the unique biology of extremophiles for the discovery and development of new therapeutics. (https://www.the-scientist.com/sponsored-webinars/extremophile-biology-67801) 

These are just a few examples of the contribution of Micro/ Biotech/ Immunology/ Virology and Biochemistry in the present year. In the modern era (2020), the experimental work has replaced natural history as the dominant mode of research which makes zoology and botany obsolete (though their importance remains in the basic understanding of biology) 

Several universities have designed their courses in such a way that one can get the flair of all the branches. For eg., a course in Microbiology (M.Sc Micro) does not necessarily mean that the scholar will study only Microbiology by definition but also virology, phycology, mycology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Cytology, Ecology, Bio-statistics, genetics, molecular biology, and others, thus in every respect, he is a biologist. Due to its vastness, no university offers a course in biology. The course is named in such a way that one of the branches is major i.e. the named one and the other branches complement it.

For me, life has always been something striking and amazing. It is all about how we perceive things. Something is not big if there is something small and vice versa. Thus, all branches of biology are equally important and deserve equal weightage in each career, whether it is of a teacher or a researcher.

Getting scared is a necessity

Getting scared is a necessity

Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist, Seneca said ‘Where fear is, happiness is not’. But in the present condition opposite to it is true i.e. Happiness is there where fear is. Apprehension has become imperative to protect ourselves from the wrath of coronavirus. This fear is not an excuse to come to a standstill but it requires precautionary activities for a smooth sailing life. An understanding of the infectiveness of the corona (SARS-CoV-2 virus) makes it mandatory for sane humans to exhibit their prudence to keep them away from the enormity of this ghastly virus. WHO has suggested a lot of measures to keep swathed in a protective covering to remain unaffected from the atrocities of this virus. Let us enlighten ourselves with the significance of the precautionary measures which we need to be aware of and practice them stringently.

Social distancing is the first norm in the race of circumspection to avert for countering infection. Social distancing focuses on deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. In other words, it aims to prevent ailing people from coming in close contact with healthy people to reduce opportunities for disease transmission. It can include large-scale measures like canceling group events or closing public spaces, as well as individual decisions such as avoiding congregation.

One of the undemanding ways to achieve social distancing is to keep ourselves ensconced in our homes. Living in confinement and self-quarantine, and thus having no physical contact with the outer world inadvertently leads to social distancing. To understand why self-quarantine is required; we need to look into the mode of transmission of respiratory infections. Respiratory infections can be transmitted through droplets of different sizes: when the droplet particles are >5-10 μm in diameter they are referred to as respiratory droplets, and when they are <5μm in diameter, they are referred to as droplet nuclei.  According to current evidence, the COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted between people through respiratory droplets and contact routes. Droplet transmission occurs when a person is in close contact (within 1 m) with someone who has respiratory symptoms like, coughing or sneezing and is therefore at risk of having his/her mucosal lining or conjunctiva exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets. Transmission may also occur through fomites (inanimate objects) in the immediate environment around the infected person. So here remaining aloof plays a pivotal role in survival.

The second recommended precautionary measure is repeated washing of hands. Here too fear plays a paramount role. It is a fear of germs, a mandatory requirement. This fear is not OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), an extreme behavior whose real purpose is to lessen intense feelings of fear and anxiety but a prerequisite. The secret of handwashing as to encumber the infection to manifest itself lies in the biochemical composition of the virus. Viruses have the weakest link in the fatty bilayer, thus strong forces are not required to break the units forming them apart. Soap dissolves the fat membrane and the virus falls apart like a house of cards and dies or rather, we should say it becomes inactive as viruses aren’t really alive (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/12/science-soap-kills-coronavirus-alcohol-based-disinfectants).

60% alcohol-based sanitizers inactivate enveloped viruses and corona is one of them. Sanitizers target the viral envelope made up of proteins and lipids. Alcool-based disinfectants have also been shown to effectively inactivate Coronavirus on inanimate surfaces such as metal, glass, or plastic (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7301780/).

One of the ways to keep ourselves safe from acquiring infectious particles is by wearing a mask. Though one might feel suffocated by wearing a mask continuously for long hours yet it is mandatory when one is moving on open roads or interacting with someone in close vicinity.  CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering when one is in public places or it is difficult to maintain social distancing. These are places where there are usually more people like cinema halls, pharmacy shops etc.

Though handshake is a greeting associated with amity and harmony, it is supplanted by ‘Namaste’, which is the joining of hands to greet and involves no physical contact. The contagiousness of COVID-19 is addressed in this way (https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/namaste-corona-away-the-way-the-world-greets-when-corona-attacks/story-Ufe3axqAyRFPe2ybu4pZnM.html).

Fear of spreading contamination is associated with the practice of sneezing and coughing by hiding the mouth or nose in upper arms. Around 40,000 droplets are produced by sneezing  and as high  as 3000 droplets are released by coughing and if a person is sick the droplets in a single cough may contain in a single cough as many as two hundred million virus particles (https://www.livescience.com/3686-gross-science-cough-sneeze.html)

The bottom line is that all these precautionary measures are associated with the fear of infection due to Covid19. Initially, these precautions may seem punitive and tedious but following them religiously exhibits your fortitude and coming out as a victorious worrier with a beaming smile. This eventually evinces that fear is necessary for happiness.

 

  

Corona: warning of nature

 

Someone once told me that viruses are the most specialized organisms that have shed their organelles due to overspecialization and exploit the host machinery whenever required. The veracity of this definition is being proved in the present context.

It was the daftness of humans due to which they always underestimated the supremacy of viruses over their ego. Viruses co-evolved with the host whose machinery they required to replicate themselves. In lieu of this fact, there are more viruses then the visible species on this Earth.

 Viruses have short generation times, and many (in particular RNA viruses) have relatively high mutation rates (on the order of one point mutation or more per genome per round of replication). This elevated mutation rate, when combined with ‘Natural selection’, allows viruses to quickly adapt to changes in their host environment. In addition, most viruses provide many offspring, so any mutated genes can be passed on to many offspring quickly. Darwin stressed on overproduction of offspring crucial for natural selection and survival. Virus can grow up to 280000 billion in number just in one day thus they are the fittest organisms for survival. This huge army can eradicate humans in no time.

Under the aegis of development, humans have devastated forests and disturbed the basic food chain, thus creating a more and more unsuitable environment for him. Virus existed even before the oxidizing atmosphere persisted, proving the fact that they can sustain even in unfavorable circumstances. As such viruses are ubiquitous in nature and can be discovered in the depths of glaciers as well as in the intense temperature of the thermal vents. So, these are more adapted to hostile conditions compared to human beings.

Humans were under the illusion that they are omnipotent but the disillusionment came with the battery of viruses.  He became pococurante and took the abject lessons by the nature as something for birds. Inflated in vainglory, he laid in the reverie that he will always remain unscathed. He thought that he has adroitness to exploit the anonymous menagerie of microorganisms in whatever way he wants. But he remained oblivious to the fact that these tiny organisms possess the impregnable weapon of mutability, a ‘brahmastra’. Brahmastra as mentioned in Hindu Mythology was capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. Therefore is one of the most destructive, powerful, irresistible weapons of all the weapons existed so far.

The corona-virus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); Being an RNA virus it is associated with a high mutation rate. Generally, all viruses have higher mutation rates than all other organisms present on this Earth but RNA viruses have even higher mutation rates than other viruses. Many novel viruses are lying in dormant condition buried deep in the ice or untouched ecosystems. They may come to a picture if these untouched, unsullied ecosystems are destroyed either by global warming or any of human activities. The world is yet to witness the savagery of these tiny organisms.

Humans need to educate themselves from the brouhaha caused by these tiny entities. To be a Spartan is the only possible solution to prevent further pandemics. A Spartan lifestyle is marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort. It is a life of discipline and self-denial. This may eventually benefit to keep them prepared for the more calamities in the future.  The training for the same is imparted by this lockdown either by self-motivation or by perforce.