Prokaryotes
Scientists have found that Prokaryotes are remarkably resilient to climate change and may dominate marine environment
- Microscopic single-celled organisms including bacteria, blue green algae, etc.
- Absence of a defined nuclear region, and membrane-bound cell organelles.
- Have a single chromosome.
- Eukaryotes – Includes plants, animals and fungi.
- Have a well-defined nucleus as well as membrane- enclosed organelles.
- May be either unicellular or multicellular.
- All eukaryotic cells are not identical.
Extremophile
New study highlighted that microwave ovens host thriving microbial communities and extremophiles. About
- Organisms with the ability to thrive in extreme environments under high pressure, temperature, radiation, salinity etc.
- Unique enzymes used by these organisms (extremozymes) enable these organisms to function in such forbidding environments.
- Plays crucial role in maintaining plant growth and crop productivity in regions with adverse conditions.
Dengue
Indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine, DengiAll has proceeded toward its phase-3 clinical trials.
- Viral infection that transmits with bite of an infected female Aedes mosquitoes
- Found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
- Can escalate to severe conditions like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome in adults.
- Currently, there is no antiviral treatment or licensed vaccine against dengue in India.
Californium
A package suspected to contain Californium was seized in Patna.
- Silvery white synthetic radioactive element
- Named after University of California
- Synthetic element – An element of the Periodic Table that has been created in a lab.
- Applications – Portable metal detectors, gold and silver ore identification, help start up nuclear reactors etc.
- Threats – Can damage genetic makeup, Hazardous to health(due to radioactivity) etc.
Gross environment product Index
Uttarakhand has become the first Indian state to launch a Gross environment product Index (GEPI).
- Amethod to evaluate ecological development caused by human interventions.
- 4 pillars of GEPI – Air, soil, tree and water.
- Formula = Air- GEP index + Water- GEP index + Soil-GEP index + Forest-GEP index
- Significance – Help assess the impact of anthropological pressure on our ecosystem and natural resources.
- Also calculates what we put back into the environment.