Friday 15 January 2010

Nitrogenase is the enzyme used by some organisms to fix atmospheric nitrogen gas. It is only known family of enzymes which accomplishes this process.

Nitrogenase is the enzyme used by some organisms to fix atmospheric nitrogen gas. It is only known family of enzymes which accomplishes this process. Dinitrogen has a triple bond between nitrogen aoms. Nitrogenase thus breaks the triple bond by getting electron donors for each of the three bonds, and bonds the nitrogen to hydrogen atoms. The process is complex because each bond Is broken individually. Nitrogenase requires both the MoFe protein and ATP which supplies the energy. Nitrogenase bonds each atom of nitrogen to three atoms of hydrogen to form ammonia or NH3 each time nitrogenase associates with a second protin and each cycle transfers one electron from an electron donor which is enough to break one of the nitrogen chemical bonds. The enzyme is composed of the heterotetrameric MoFe protein that is transiently associated with the homodimeric Fe protein. Nitrogenase is supplied reducing power when it associates with the reduced, nucleotide-bound homodimeric Fe rotein.

Thursday 14 January 2010

 Azospirillum, a bacterium, growing on root surface of several tropical grasses, also fixed nitrogen. This combination where the nitrogen fixing micr

Ø Azospirillum, a bacterium, growing on root surface of several tropical grasses, also fixed nitrogen. This combination where the nitrogen fixing microbe does not penetrate deep into the host tissues is known as associate symbiosis.

Ø The first species of Rhizobium, R. Leguminosarum was identified in 1889, and all further species were placed in the genus Rhizobium

Ø Anammox – acronym for anaerobic ammonium oxidation- is the latest addition to the knowledge on the nitrogen cycle. In this biological process, nitrite and ammonium are converted directly into dinitrogen gas. This process makes up a mojor proportion of dinitrogen gas produced in the oceans.

Ø Although by far the majority of nitrogen – fixing plants are in the legume family Fabaceae, there are a few non-leguminous plants that can also fix nitrogen. These plants, referred to as actinorhizal plants, consist of 22 genera of woody shrubs or trees scattered in 8 plant families.

Wednesday 13 January 2010

The RNA world hypothesis is a theory which proposes that a world filled with RNA based life existed before the current DNA based life, RNA which can s

The phrase “RNA world” was first used by walter gilbert in 1986. however the idea of independent RNA life is older and can be found in carl Woese’s The Genetic Code.The RNA world hypothesis is a theory which proposes that a world filled with RNA based life existed before the current DNA based life, RNA which can store information like DNA and catalyze reactions like proteins may have supported cellular or pre cellular life. Some theories as to the biogenetic origin of life state RNA based catalysis and information storage as the first step in the evolution of cellular life.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Chromatography: Chromatography is employed for identification, purification and for separation of the constituents of a mixture present in very small


Chromatography: Chromatography is employed for identification, purification and for separation of the constituents of a mixture present in very small amounts।


Crystallisation: Crystallisation is used to purify the compound when the compound and the impurities differ in their solubilities in a particular solvent।


Differential extraction: Differential extraction is used for extracting a compound if it is present in very small amount in an aqueous solution।


Paper chromatography: The analysis of unknown substances by the flow of solvent in a filter paper is known as paper chromatography।


Steam distillation: Steam distillation is used for separating/ purifying liquids which are immiscible with water, volatile in steam and have high vapour pressure।


Sublimation: Sublimation process is used for those compounds which are easily sublimed off.

Monday 11 January 2010

GM crops are grown commercially or in field trails I over 40 countries and 6 continents. In 2000, about 109.2 million acres were planted with transgen

GM crops are grown commercially or in field trails I over 40 countries and 6 continents. In 2000, about 109.2 million acres were planted with transgenic crops, the principal ones being herbicide and insecticide-resistant soybeans, com cotton, and canola. Other crops grown commercially or field-tested are sweet potato resistant to a virus that could decimate most of the African harvest rice with increased iron and vitamins that may alleviate chronic malnutrition in Asian countries, and a variety of plants able to survive weather extremes.

On the horizon are bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious diseases such as hepatitis B; fish that mature more quickly fruit and nut trees that yield years earlier, and plants that produce new plastics with unique properties.

Sunday 10 January 2010

Although biotechnology and genetic modification commonly are used interchangeably. GM is a special set of technologies that alter the genetic makeup o

Although biotechnology and genetic modification commonly are used interchangeably. GM is a special set of technologies that alter the genetic makeup of such living organisms as animals plants, or bacteria. Biotechnology, a more general term, refers to using living organisms or their components, such as enzymes, to make products that include wine, cheese , beer, and yogurt.

Combining genes from different organisms is known as recombinant DNA technology, and the resulting organism is said to be genetically modified, “genetically engineered” or transgenic.” GM products include medicines and vaccines, foods and food ingredients, feeds and fibers.

Locating genes for important traits-such as those conferring in sect resistance or desired nutrients is one of the most limiting steps in the process. However, genome sequencing and discovery programs for hundreds of different organisms are generating detailed maps along with data analyzing technologies to understand and use them.

Saturday 9 January 2010

Since it is evident that control crosses that can be performed in pea plant or some other organisms, are not possible in case of human beings, study o

The idea that disorders are inherited has been prevailing in the human society since long. This was based on the heritability of certain characteristic features in families. After the rediscovery of Mendel’s work the practice of analyzing inheritance pattern of traits in human beings began. Since it is evident that control crosses that can be performed in pea plant or some other organisms, are not possible in case of human beings, study of the family history about inheritance of a particular trait provides an alternative.

Such an analysis of traits in several of generations of a family is called the pedigree analysis. In the pedigree analysis the inheritance of a particular trait is represented in the family tree over generations. In human genetics, pedigree study provides a strong tool, which is utilized to trace the inheritance of a specific trait abnormality or disease.

This inborn error of metabolism is also inherited as the autosomal recessive trait. The affected individual lacks an enzyme that converts the amino acid phenylalanine into tyrosine. As a result of this phenylalanine is accumulated and converted into phenylpyruvic acid and other derivatives. Accumulation of these in brain results in mental retardation. These are also excreted through urine because of its poor absorption by kidney.