We believe that behind every invention and discovery there is always a curious mind working. This section of BioNE, is dedicated to all those young curious minds who have been thinking and working on unexplored possibilities in the horizon of biological sciences. Today’s learning process is no longer confined in books, rather it is based on questioning beyond the existing knowledge and searching for relevant answers. Here, we are inviting all those curious minds to put up questions and bring up a joint platform to share their ideas. Please mail your questions to bione@vetbifg.ac.in

Question: Though RBCs do not contain DNA, how does haemoglobin protein come and express on RBC surface?                                                                        

Juhi Baruah, H.S. 2^nd year, Cotton college

Answer: Central Dogma of Biology says that RNA is synthesized from DNA by the process of transcription, and by the process of translation RNA gives rise to proteins. Immature RBCs are developed from haematopoetic stem cells in the long bone marrows and at that time RBCs do contain nuclei and so DNA as well. Matured RBCs have a life span of 120 days and all the required proteins for 120 days are already expressed while the cell is still getting matured inside the bone marrow.

Question: Will it be helpful to use Beauveria bassiana as a biocontrol agent for controlling tea mosquito bug in tea gardens as it is a pathogen of silk worm which causes muscardine to Bombyx mori?

                                                               Pinki Rabha, B.Sc. 5^th Semester, Handique Girls’ College

Answer:  Beauveria bassiana causes white muscardine in Bombyx mori which is common during winter and rainy seasons but not throughout the year. So, if we use Beauveria to control tea mosquito bug in the period except in winter and rainy seasons, there may not be any problem. However, it may create a problem, particularly in the areas where both sericulture and tea cultivation are practiced.

Question: Enzymes are very specific to their substrates, then how DNA polymerase can utilize all four types of nucleotides as substrates?

                                                Jyotirmoy Mahanta, B.Sc. 3^rd Semester, B. Borooah College

Answer: The substrate for the enzyme DNA polymerase are all deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, the only difference among them is the structure of the nitrogenous base. Thus the enzyme can catalyze the addition of any of the nucleotides into the growing strand via the formation of a phosphodiester bond.

Question: Whenever we feel pain we take painkillers. How does it work?

     Pratigya Sarmah, Class X, Gopal Boro Govt. H                                                          .S. School

Answer: We feel pain due to the transmission of a specific signal to the brain via the spinal cord. Painkillers prevent the pain signal from reaching the brain mainly by two ways. The first one works by blocking the body’s prostaglandin molecules which are responsible for pain and swelling. Blocking prostaglandins blocks the signal at the source of the pain, as well as reduce swelling. The second one blocks the pain messages in the spinal cord and the brain, and are typically used for relief of severe pain.