Context:
Recently, ‘Fy’ algae was spotted in Yellowstone National Park
Fusarium strain flavlolapis (trademarked ‘Fy’):
- A mat of algae found in Yellowstone National Park
- Significance –
- The microbe is ‘extremophilic’, capable of thriving under harsh conditions
- The trait enable it to breakdown a variety of materials and convert them into food
- Can be used as packed proteins for space
- It can be cultured by feeding it water, salts and sugar, in ordinary metal catering trays and it becomes a high protein food
- A tray of the algae has proteins equal to 35 chickens
Yellowstone National Park:
- World’s 1st National Park
- Location – USA
- Known for – Geothermal features, especially the Old Faithful geyser
- Part of the South-Central Rockies forests eco region
- Rivers – Columbia basin, Green-Colorado basin, and Missouri River Basin
- Yellowstone Lake – One of the largest high-elevation lakes in North America and is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:
1. It is a fungus.
2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is not correct:
Gucchi mushrooms cannot be cultivated commercially and instead they grow wild only in some regions of hilly areas.
