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C O N T E N T S

BATO BALANI RO for Science and Technology is published bimonthly by Diwa Scholastic Press, Inc. Bato Balani is one of Diwa’s Scholastics Enhancement Materials (SEM RO). The SEM RO

trademark refers to a new genre of scholastic publication, comprising a selection of premium - quality magazines for greater learning. All rights reserved. All articles in this publication may be reprinted provideddue acknowledgement is given. All communications should be addressed to THE PRODUCT MANAGER, G/F Star Centrum, Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City,Philippines, Telephone numbers 843-4761 to 66.

IT’S AN ALIEN WORLD: MICROMITES IN YOUR SKIN

There is a realm that is invisible to the

naked eye. This is the world under a microscope.

A WORLD UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

“To serve and protect.” This could be the motto

of our antibodies, the body’s natural defense

army.

CELL WARS: ANTIBODIES TO THE RESCUE

Unlock the secrets of the microscopic kingdom

through the power of the electron microscope.

THE WONDERFUL ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

It’s not true that man reigns supreme in this planet.

This distinction may yet be claimed by earth’s tiny

inhabitants.

3 Science & Technology News

5 Filipino Scientists and Inventors

Medical Facts and Fallacies

9 Livelihood Technology / I’d Like to Know

10 Cyber World

14 Earth Care

16 Investigatory Projects

19 Pseudoscience

23 More Activities To Do

24 Mind Games

R E G U L A R F E AT U R E S BOARD OF ADVISERS

Violeta Arciaga, Jaime F. Bucoy

Jose C. Calderon, Victoria V. Cervantes,

Juanita M. Cruz, Belen P. Dayauon

CONSULTANT

Merle C. Tan, Ph.D.

DIWA OFFICERS

Saturnino G. Belen Jr. President

Amada J. Javellana Executive Vice President

Enrique A. Caballero,Reynaldo M. de la Cruz,

Carlo F. De Leon,William S. Fernando,

Jose Maria T. Policarpio, Elma L. Ropeta,

Lourdes F. Lozano Vice Presidents

EDITORIAL BOARD

Lourdes F. Lozano Executive Editor

William S. Fernando Managing Editor

Alvin Julian Magazine Editor

Virgie B. Naigan Art Director

Silvano C. Santiago Cover Design

Jose Valeriano P. Linay Layout Design

Jun Mediavillo Illustrator

Dear BB subscribers,

Bato Balani magazine is making

some changes to your favorite

magazine. Among the changes is a new

section called “Pseudoscience.” It deals

with scientific notions, myths, and

misconceptions that were popular at one

time. Also, we have expanded our

“Cyberworld” section to include a web-

linked activity section.

We hope that these changes will

help make your science studies more

relevant and more fun! Enjoy!

The Editor

S Y 2000 - 2 0 0 1 V o l . 20 N o . 1

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PRINCETON, N.J. — PrincetonUniversity researchers havedeveloped a kind of computerthat uses the biological moleculeRNA to solve complex

problems. The achievement marks asignificant advance in molecular computing,an emerging field in which scientists areharnessing molecules such as DNA andRNA to solve certain problems moreefficiently than could be done byconventional computing.

In work to be published in theProceedings of the National Academy of

Sciences, the Princeton scientists used a testtube containing 1,024 different strands ofRNA to solve a simple version of the “knightproblem,” a chess puzzle that isrepresentative of a class of problems thatrequires brute-force computing. The knightproblem asks how many and where one canplace knights on a chessboard so they cannot attack each other. For purposes of theirexperiment, the researchers restricted theboard to just nine squares, so there were512 possible combinations. Of these, theRNA computer correctly identified 43solutions.

It also produced one incorrectresponse, highlighting the need to developerror-checking techniques in chemicalcomputing.

One advantage, said Landweber, isthat the genetic molecules DNA and RNA,which encode all the instructions for creatingand running life, can store much more datain a given space than conventional memorychips. Another benefit is that, with vastnumbers of genetic fragments floating in atest tube, a biomolecular computer couldperform thousands or millions ofcalculations at the same time. It is an extremeexample of parallel computing, which is arapidly growing area of computertechnology.

American Academy of Neurology

Scientists CreateRNA Computer

WILL “DNA chips” thatreveal your geneticmake up withinminutes prove to beawesome medical

tools or the means of genetic discrimination?We could find out sooner than anyoneexpected. A British biotech start-up has filedfor a patent on a device that can detectvariants of over 2500 genes-including genesthat affect behavior and intelligence.

be used by unscrupulous employers orinsurance companies to reject applicantswith “the wrong genes”.

Rival DNA chip systems tend tofocus on gene variations relevant to just onedisease, such as breast cancer, or to apotential adverse drug reaction. But GenosticPharma’s chip gives medically relevantgenetic information about 16 different typesof disease, says the company’s founderGareth Roberts.

Cambridge University

A gene profiling systemthreatens to reveal yourinnermost secrets

Researchers with the companyGenostic Pharma of Cambridge have workedout the blueprint for a system which, theybelieve, can provide a “core” genetic profileof any individual. The automated device usesDNA chips—essentially sensors that candetect many thousands of gene fragments atonce. The company expects to start makingprototype chips within months.

It says that the device will helpdoctors to find out if people are predisposedto particular diseases and tailoring treatmentsto individuals. But such devices could also

Nowhereto hide

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It seems toothbrushes can do

everything these days — they bend,

they flex and some even “fit like a

glove.” So how do you know which

one is right for you?

Nico Guers, D.D.S., assistant professor

of dentistry at the University of Alabama in

Birmingham (UAB), says the first thing he

looks for when shopping for a toothbrush is

soft bristles. “A toothbrush needs to be able to

clean both sides of the tooth, that’s all.”

ST. PAUL, MN — Migrainesufferers can look to the sky as apossible cause for the onset oftheir headaches.

A study in the January 25 issue ofNeurology, the scientific journal of theAmerican Academy of Neurology, foundCanadian Chinook winds can triggermigraines in some people. The Chinooksare warm westerly winds specific to Alberta,Canada.

“The study shows a definitecorrelation between Chinooks and migrainein some sufferers,” said neurologist andstudy author Werner Becker, MD, of theUniversity of Calgary. “Previous studies on

Also, Guers said whether you have a

fancy toothbrush with flossers or not, it is

still essential to floss daily. “Brushing alone

is not enough. Flossing is actually more

effective than brushing in preventing gum

disease.”

WEATHER CanTRIGGER MIGRAINES

various weather triggers for migraines showconflicting results. Chinooks are ideal forstudying a link between a weather changeand migraine because they have a definitetime of onset and are a profound weatherchange.”

The study looked at diaries of 75migraine patients, ages 16 to 65, from theUniversity of Calgary Headache ResearchClinic and compared them to Chinookweather patterns. The patients’ diaries recordthe severity and time of day of headaches.Of the 75 patients studied, 32 were morelikely to have migraines during Chinookweather conditions than on days withoutChinooks.

“Identifying trigger factors formigraine, like the Chinooks, can helpneurologists treat, manage and learn moreabout the causes of migraine,” said Becker.“The more triggers we can identify, the closerwe get to preventing the onset of migraine.Patients could treat migraines before theystart, similar to those patients who sufferfrom menstrual migraine.”

American Academy of Neurology

University of Alabama in Birmingham

PreventingGum Disease

PreventingGum Disease

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Fallacy:The blue dye calledtina can cure mumps or beke.

Fact:Mumps is an infectiousdisease on either one or both of the parotidglands. These glands are the largest of thethree pairs of the salivary glands in thehuman body. Testes and ovaries are alsoaffected by the disease.

Women affected with mumps afterpuberty may feel soreness in the breastsand ovaries. In the case of men, there is apossibility of acquiring orchitis or infectionof the testes.

There is no truth that blue dye or tina

There is one branch of biology

which deals with the smallest or

molecular aspect of livingthings. This is known as

molecular biology. One of the country’s

outstanding molecular biologist is anacademician from the National Academy of

Science and Technology (NAST). This

scientist is Dr. Apolinario D. Nazarea. he iscurrently a professor of Biophysics at the

National Institute of Physics, University of

the Philippines.

Dr. Nazarea studied chemistry at the

University of the Philippines. It is also inthis university where he earned his masteral

degree in economics and a doctorate in

Theoretical Biology and Biophysics.Aside from teaching, he is also the

Program Coordinator of the Molecular

Biology and Biotechnology Program.Dr. Nazarea has also completed

important researches, such as

macromolecules, phospholipid membranes

DR. APOLINARIO Z. NAZAREA

and molecular sequences.

The results of these experiments are

used to improve our life. He is now workingon electric fields, neural dynamics, DNA/

RNA probes and the design of synthetic

vaccine.Despite the reputation he has earned

abroad, he chose to stay in the Philippines

and spearhead the development ofbiophysics and recombinant technology in

the country.

when dissolved in water can cure a personwith mumps. Tina does not have anybeneficial action when used. A live virusvaccine is now available for immunizationagainst mumps. Though medical statisticsare not yet substantial, this vaccine can serveas an effective defense. However, it cannotgive protection against mumps if given afterexposure to the virus. Doctors administerthis vaccine to all males who have not hadthe mumps before they reach the age ofpuberty.

What do you do when mumpsstrikes? Complete bed rest is recommendedby doctors. A light meal should also be givento patients. They should also be watched forpossible complications.

MUMPSMUMPS

Molecular Biologist

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B I O L O G Y

Would you like to lay your hands on a

million? Easy, just touch the nearest

door knob and you have laid hands on

a million...microbes!

Microbes? Yuck!!!! When we hear the word, we

immediately think of those microscopic creatures that

make us sick. Well, though they do that, microbes also

ensure that we live! How is that?

First, let us take a look at what microbes are.

Microbes are the smallest form of life on earth.

They have existed for billions of years but because

they are so tiny, it was only in the seventeenth century

that their presence was first detected. In 1683, there

was a Dutch cloth merchant named Anton van

Leeuwenhoek whose hobby was to make his own

microscopes and focus them on almost anything – drops

of blood, pond water, bits of skin, scrapings from his

teeth, plant tissues and other things. From the scrapings

from his teeth, he observed tiny creatures which he called

“animalcules.” It took about two hundred years before

man developed the tools to further understand these

“animalcules” and see the connection between disease

and microbes.

Marlene Gutierrez

Alien World:

Based on

their behavior

a n d

phys ica l

characte-

r i s t i c s ,

m ic robes

can be grouped into the

following categories.

Bacteria are

prokaryotic, single- celled

organisms. They come in

different shapes- rodlike,

helical, spherical.

Bacteria are found

everywhere, from soil to

water to air and even in

very deep parts of the

ocean, ice glaciers,

and volcanic vents.

They can live in extreme

conditions. Some can survive in temperatures higher

than the boiling point of water while others live in

temperatures below water’s freezing point. They make

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their own food through internal chemical processes or

feed on live hosts or dead matter. Bacteria have existed

on Earth for more than 3.5 billion years.

Archaea are also single-celled organisms that

look very much like bacteria . They are used to be

classified together with bacteria because they both

don’t have a defined nucleus. But unlike bacteria,

Archaea have genes that are found only in eukaryotic

organisms Hence, many scientists have put them in a

different category. They live in very extreme

environments on Earth. Some Archaea have been found

in temperatures above 93 degrees Celsius while others

live in the icy continent of Antarctica. A few have been

found in very salty waters! They can even survive in acidic

environments. Scientists believe these conditions are

similar to those of Earth during its early years thus,

scientists are closely investigating Archaea in the hope

that they will provide clues on how life on earth started.

Fungi are decomposers. They break down matter

into nutrients and minerals used by plants and animals.

There are about 100,000 known species of fungi. The

most common are mushrooms, molds, yeast, and

mildew. Fungi do not have chlorophyll and therefore are

unable to make their own food so they get nutrients

from decaying plants, animals, food, and other organic

matter.

Protists are organisms that may have the

characteristics of plants or animals or both. They include

algae and protozoa. Algae, which include diatoms and

dinoflagellates (they

occasionally bloom in great

masses called red tides.),

are photosynthetic organisms

that range from microscopic

single-celled organisms to

the multicellular giant kelp,

which can grow up to 200 feet

in length. Protozoa are a group

of one-celled predators and

parasites similar to bacteria but

about 1,000 times larger.

Examples include amoebae and

paramecia. Protozoa first

appeared on Earth more than 1.8

billion years ago. About one-third of

protozoa are parasites that cause

diseases such as malaria and

gastrointestinal problems. Some species of

protozoa and algae have developed the ability to adapt

to unfavorable environmental changes by building thick,

protective walls around themselves in a process called

encysting. Once they develop cysts, they can be

dormant for weeks, or even months, withstanding

dehydration and extreme temperatures.

Viruses are the smallest and simplest microbes.

They are just a lump of genetic material wrapped in a

shell - about a millionth of an inch across. They are

somewhere between living and nonliving. Outside a host

cell, they are inactive but once they invade a cell, they

inject their genes into the cell to produce thousands of

new viruses . The host cell may then release the newly

formed viruses by transporting them through the cell

membrane, or the host cell may burst open and die,

releasing a cloud of new viruses to infect more cells.

Even before the time we found out what microbes

were, we had been using them for hundreds of years for

a lot of things. For example, when our ancestors made

cheese and bread, they used microbes although they

were not aware of it at that time. Now we know that it is

yeast that makes bread dough rise and bacteria that

curdle milk into cheese via fermentation.

In the last fifty years, we have discovered more

uses for microbes. Enzymes produced by microbes are

used in leather tanning, paper making, laundry detergent,

food processing, and stonewashing of blue jeans.

Scientists have discovered bacteria that can be

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REFERENCES

1. What are the different kinds of microbes?2. What are the uses of microbes?3. How are microbes used to sustain health?4. How do microbes clean the earth?5. How do microbes ensure the survival of man?

Prokaryotic — cells without distinct nuclei

Eukaryotic cells — cells that have true nuclei

http://www.pfizer.com/rd/microbes/

http://www.microbeworld.org/

B I O L O G Y

used to clean oil spills. These bacteria

break down the oil particles into carbon

dioxide and other harmless products.

Though microbes are the main cause

of so many diseases , they also help us

maintain our health and fight off disease. Fungi

and bacteria produce powerful antibiotics such as

penicillin and tetracycline which we use to fight off

bacteria that cause sore throats, ear infections, diarrhea,

etc.

Vaccines consist of either dead viruses; live,

weakened viruses; or just tiny pieces of viruses. When

injected, the presence of these viruses or viral parts

stimulates the body’s immune system to make

antibodies against that virus. The next time a live, virulent

bug attacks, the body is primed to fight it off.

Scientists are altering the genetic materials of

microbes to make new products. For example, scientists

have modified the genetic blueprints of bacteria to turn

them into mini-human, insulin-making factories. The

human gene that codes for the insulin protein is spliced

into the DNA of bacteria. The bacteria are then cultured

in huge containers called fermenters where they

produce human insulin , which is then extracted and

purified into its final medicinal form. With this technology,

insulin has become much more readily available.

Scientists are also studying how viruses can be

used in gene therapy. They are replacing viruses’

disease-causing genes with new genes to fix a genetic

defect. When injected into a patient’s body, the viruses

would ideally infect target cells and insert their genes,

including the fix-it genes, into the cells’ DNA. The cells

would then contain correct copies to replace their

defective genes. Using viruses this way, one day

researchers may be able to deliver cures to diseases

such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia and cancer.

Finally, let us not forget the role of

microbes in maintaining balance in our

environment. Certain species of bacteria

fix nitrogen in the soil and make other

nutrients essential to healthy plant growth.

Photosynthetic algae and bacteria produce

up to half of the oxygen in the atmosphere. As

agents of decay , microbes prevent our planet from filling

up with trash and sludge.

Microbes might be the smallest organisms but

they serve as the foundation of life on Earth. It is even

possible that microbes can survive without man but

man definitely cannot survive without microbes.

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Scientists study Rhesus

monkeys to learn moreabout the human anatomy

because there are certain

similarities between the twospecies. While studying Rhesus monkeys,

a certain blood protein was discovered. This

protein is also present in the blood of somepeople. Other people, however, do not have

the protein. The presence of the protein, or

lack of it, is referred to as the Rh (forRhesus) factor.

If your blood does contain the protein,

your blood is said to be Rh positive (Rh+).If your blood does not contain the protein,

your blood is said to be Rh negative (Rh-).

This Rh factor is connected to your

Peanuts are one of the mostnutritious legume crops. Halfof the seed is oil, giving it avery high energy value. Thereis more protein in peanuts than

steaks or hams. Peanuts are rich in VitaminB complex, especially in thiamine and niacin.Peanuts are easily digested because they arehigh-protein foods and low incarbohydrates.

There are many different ways ofserving peanuts. We may eat salted peanuts,peanut candy, peanut butter or use peanutoil in fried foods. If you want to make peanut

What is Rh factor?Ryan Oneil P. HermosillaAbgao, MaasinSouthern Leyte

blood type. For example, your blood may

be AB+ which means that you have type AB

blood with a positive Rh factor. Or you mighthave O- blood which means that you have

type O blood with a negative Rh factor.

It is particularly important forexpectant mothers to know their blood’s Rh

factor. Occasionally, a baby will inherit an

Rh positive blood type from its father whilethe mother has an Rh negative blood type.

The baby’s life could be in great danger if

the mother’s Rh negative blood attacks thebaby’s Rh positive blood. If this happens,

an exchange transfusion may save the

baby’s life. The baby’s blood can beexchanged for new blood that matches the

mother’s.

Procedure:1. In a large cooking container, pour 10c. of sugar, 5c. of com syrup, 2 1/4c. of water

and 5 tbsp. of salt.2. Mix and bring to boil while stirring occasionally.3. Add the peanuts and cook until the syrup turns brownish.4. Add 5 tsp. of butter or margarine and 5 tsp. of vanilla.

brittle, just prepare the following:

Shelled raw peanuts, sugar,com syrup, salt, butter or margarine,vanilla, baking soda, baking sheet,jars or plastic wrappers, measuringcup, measuring spoon.

Peanut BrittlePeanut Brittle

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A flowchart is a visual representation of aprogram. This acts as the blueprint for yourprogram. If constructed properly, then writingthe program code becomes fairly easier.

How do we create flowcharts? Think about whatyou want the program to do and break that processdown into a sequence of logical steps. Each step willhave an associated symbol(see the chart below). Writethe steps inside its respective symbols. By convention,when a flowchart is written, you start at the top of thepage going down. (see the sample flow chart below).

What should you write in the boxes? How shouldthe text in the boxes look like? All you need to writedown is the literal step-by-step sequence of the process,

in plain English (or whatever language you fancy).

Here is a sample flowchart ( See next page ). Thissequential flowchart is the design for a program thatasks for two numbers and displays the product of thetwo values.

As you can see the text used in the symbols caneasily be understood even if you do not know anyprogramming language. The reason for this is thatflowcharts are designed to show the logical sequenceof steps to be performed by the computer.

Why don’t you try making your own flowchartsnow? See how you do and also try to visit our web sitesfor more about flowcharting, how to make flowchartsand much more.

Outlines for Essays,

Process Box The rectangle represents an action, computation orprocess that needs to take place.

Input/Output Box (I/O Box) The parallelogram is used when a value has to be enteredor something has to be displayed on screen.

Decision BoxThe diamond is used to signify that a decision has tobe made. Each decision can have only two possibleoutcomes, true or false.

FlowlinesThese arrows point in the direction of the next action tobe performed. Think of these as directional signs thatpoint you in the right way.

ConnectorsThese circles indicate a “jump” in the program.Sometimes your program needs to jump to another partof the flowchart.

Terminal SymbolThese ovals will signify the beginning or end of theprogram. Simply write START or END inside the oval.

Flowcharts for Programs

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S T A R T

X * Y = Z

D isp layC

E n ter 2 n os.X , Y

E N D

Batobalani magazine is now on the internet. In theBatobalani website are archives of current and pastissues as well as a variety of activities and additionaltopics for the inquisitive student of science. Insubsequent issues of the magazine, we will discuss

the different activities we have prepared for you.One useful feature in the website is a feedback or response

page. This allows you to send us your comments and evencontribute your own article. By simply typing it in or pasting it onthe dialogue box.

You will need to have a computer unit with a modem and avalid account with any authorized internet service provider (ISP)such as Mozcom, Infocom, Philonline, or any other ISPs.

To write us, simply follow these steps:1). On your computer, open up an internet browser program.

For most of you, this would be Microsoft’s Internet Explorer orNetscape’ Navigator’s program. Make sure you are connected toyour Internet Service Provider.

2). On the address window of your browser program, typewww.batobalani.com, then hit the “enter” key.

3). You will see Batobalani’s homepage on your screen.Also, you will see a menu of sections you can go to on the lowerright side of the screen. Choose “Feedback” and click the leftbutton of your mouse.

4). The feedback page will show you different boxes for youto fill in. Go ahead and fill the information. You may skip the itemsthat you cannot fill up. Then on the Message box, type in yourmessage or your opinion or even a simple “hello.”

5). Once you’re finished with your message, hit the “send”button by clicking the left button of your mouse. Presto! You’vesent us your message.

There are many other interesting things you can do insideBatobalani’s website. Feel free to explore. If you have questions orneed further instructions, why don’t you try sending it to us usingthe feedback page. We hope to hear from you soon!

Same Flowchart

Would you like to becomeInteractive?

www.batobalani.comwww.batobalani.com

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Supposing you went to the high,snowcapped mountains of theHimalayas. If you look around, you seenothing but white snow glistening underthe sun. Except for the hawk sweeping

past above the clouds, you see no sign of life.Going down to the beach on a December morning,

you miss the people running around, playing on the sand.The only sound you hear is the crashing of waves on anearby rock. And still no sign of life.

Or so you thought…For thousands of years, from the time of the Greek

philosopher, Aristotle, to the father of modern taxonomy,Linnaeus, man had tried to understand and organize allliving organisms around him. However, they were limitedby the things that they could see, by the things thatthey could perceive through their senses. But thanks toone of modern science’s greatest invention, themicroscope, people have gainedknowledge of an entirely new world ofliving things – the microscopic worldof bacteria, and protozoa, andalgae, and the virus.

It’s a Small World After All

The microscopic world is

similar to the macroscopic world, as we know it. It maynot be believable, but it is true. They have their ownecosystem, with predators and preys, parasite andhosts, producers and consumers. And they extend evento our own ecosystem, taking on the roles of predator,prey, parasite, host, producer, consumer.

Scientists have found it helpful and interesting thatthe microscopic world has a lot in common with ourmacroscopic world. It’s literally studying an entire jungleunder the microscope.

Take a drop of sea water for example – it containshundreds of microorganisms already.Coupled with very small pieces of fishbones, you end up with a savannahfor paramecia and didinia. A predator-prey relationship in the microscopiclevel allows scientists to study

ecology and how they work.Questions like ‘How would

a change in the population ofthe prey affect the food chain?’can be difficult to study in a

large-scale set-up. Who canpossibly monitor the population of

deers and lions in the wild? In caseswhen we notice that the number of the

prey, the deer for example, significantly

By Jenny Mae Z. Sombrito

the Microsc pe Microsc peA World UnderA World Under

13SOPHOMORE

decreased, should we say that it was caused directlyby the lion as its predator, or maybe they have otherpredators that we haven’t seen, yet? But in themicroscope, all the players are in your hands’ grasp,directly under your nose.

Looking through the microscope enabled us to havea picture of how organisms relate and react toone another. It can also tell us how and whyit is possible for some organisms to surviveharsh conditions or food shortages whenothers have died. More importantly, it canteach us how to take care of nature and toavoid overrunning its course.

It is only in this century that we havediscovered the countless microscopicorganisms–from the bacteria to algae to virus.

The virus is an entity that is considered partly livingand partly non-living. Now, how is this so, for an organismto be as dead as a grain of sand at one time but can be

as alive as your annoying dog in the next.Not only that, when it is alive, itbecomes ‘obsessed’ with reproduction,in the process killing the cells itcomes in contact with.

Virus floats around us all thetime. This very moment you are

surrounded by millions of virus – all ofthem seemingly lifeless. Until it attaches itself into ahost cell and starts to live. The virus would start to livewith or within the cell, invading its nucleus, and givesorders for reproduction. As the cell reproduces, thevirus multiplies with it. In some cases, it may evencause the cell to explode!

Fortunately, most viruses are plant viruses that donot cause any apparent harm. Otherwise, we would bewiped out from Earth history sooner than you canimagine. There are over a hundred known types of coldviruses floating around. That’s why when you think thatyou’ve gotten over a fit of cold, here comes another one.

Then the list continues: We have influenza,common measles, German measles, chickenpox,mumps, polio-myelitis, virus meningitis, virus

pneumonia, common warts, virus encephalitis, AIDS,etc.

People had not always been aware of the presenceof the virus – even with the invention of the microscope.Most viruses are smaller than that of a typical cell, but

still they are larger than molecules (even the longmolecular chains). At the beginning of the

1900s, scientists had identified a total ofabout ten viruses infecting humans. By1950s, there were about seventy. Now,virologists have counted hundreds so far.

The virus is a big problem forscientists. Looking for cures to ailments

caused by viruses can be a tough job. Wecannot easily kill them, considering that they

are not even ‘alive’ in the first place. Viruses are notbiological in nature. In addition to that, although wedevelop immunity from some virus, it might be possiblethat they can easily mutate into other forms, thusrendering our defense mechanisms useless.

1. What are the benefits of studying microorganisms?

How can they ‘mirror’ the situation of the macroscopicworld?

Taxonomy – the science of classifying organisms into orderMacroscopic – the bigger rangePopulation – a group of organism belonging to the same speciesVirology – science dealing with the study of viruses

Reference:

Knopf Alfred A. Virus Hunters. Greer Williams. NewYork 1960

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In the past decades, we have witnessed how man’s

ways can destroy the environment. This

carelessness has caused deforestation, marine

pollution, global warming, among others.

Some continue to ignore the call for environmental

preservation but there are those who are actively taking

care of mother nature.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an

international group that has played a major role in the

movement to save the Earth from further destruction.

WWF, formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund,

was officially formed on 11 September 1961.

A black-and-white panda bear logo represents

WWF’s efforts for the planet, mainly through raising

funds for the conservation of forests, freshwater

ecosystems, and ocean and sea coasts.

It also works for the preservation of biological

diversity, promotion of the concept of sustainable use of

Leda A. Esguerra

15SOPHOMORE

resources, and reduction of wasteful consumption and

pollution.

The organization has five campaigns, namely, living

planet, living waters, endangered seas, forests for life

and climate change.

Global warming and climate change threaten the

existence of many species and the health of people

around the world. WWF works to slow down the rate of

climate change by raising the awareness of its bad

effects and persuading people and governments to cut

down on polluting activities.

It also wants to speed

up the “introduction of

technologies that use energy

more efficiently with less

pollution, and increase the

contribution from clean

renewable energy sources.”

Another WWF

campaign is the protection of

forests that contain 90% of

the world’s species. WWF

said a recent study shows

those 94% of the world’s

remaining forests are

unprotected while more than

half of the world’s forests

have already been lost.

“Deforestation was

most severe in Europe and

North America, but in recent

decades the rate of deforestation in Latin America, Africa

and Asia-Pacific has massively increased,” it noted.

WWF is also involved in the preservation of marine

life. It wants to put a stop to “chronic overfishing, recover

devastated fisheries, improve the way countries manage

their fishing grounds, and reduce the use of destructive

fishing gears.”

In the 1970s, WWF initiated the Tropical Rainforest

Campaign, The Seas Must Live campaign, and Save

the Rhino campaign.

In the 1990s, it helped stop the ivory trade and

joined efforts to pressure government to sign agreements

on biodiversity and climate change during the United

Nations Earth Summit.

With IUCN-The World Conservation Union and

United Nations Environmental Program, WWF also

published “Caring for the Earth - A Strategy for

Sustainable Living.” The book lists 132 ways by which

people can preserve or improve their environment.

WWF has almost five million supporters throughout

five continents, 24 national organizations, 5 associates,

and 26 program offices.

Since 1985, WWF has invested more than

US$1.165 million for 11,000 projects in 130 countries.

Contributions from individuals are still its major source

of funds, making up 53 per cent of its income every

year.

Source:

http://www.panda.org

16 SOPHOMORE

I N C O O P E R A T I O N W I T H T H E

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLGY

ABSTRACT:

The effect of an industrial effluent

on the tomato plant, Lycopersicum

esculentum Apollo, was investigated. The

effluent used was from an electronics firm

and was composed mainly of copper, iron,

and chlorine.

The tomato plants were treated with

different concentrations of the effluent: 0,

250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm. The

germination percentage, root and shoot

lengths, and the general appearance of the

plant were observed. Analysis of variance

and ch-square test were done to determine

whether the effluent had a significant

effect on the germination and growth of

the plant samples.

Results showed no general trend

on the germination percentage of the

tomato seeds. For succeeding growth

stages, a pronounced decrease in growth

percentage was noted as the effluent

concentration increased. The root and

shoot lengths decreased with increasing

concentrations of the effluent. Ch-square

test indicated no significant effect of the

effluent on germination. Analysis of

variance and chi-square tests showed that

the presence of the effluent inhibited

growth of the roots and shoots of tomato.

INTRODUCTION

Effluent or liquid wastes from

industries is one of the main pollutants in

our country today. Many factories produce

wastes that are not disposed of properly.

Usually the wastes are dumped into rivers,

thereby polluting the waters and the

surrounding land. As a result, plants

growing in contaminated soil are exposed

to the effluents.

The objective of this study is to

determine the effects of an industrial

Effect of Industrial Effluenton the Germination and EarlySeedling Growth of Tomato

Effect of Industrial Effluenton the Germination and EarlySeedling Growth of Tomato

17SOPHOMORE

effluent from an electronics firm on the

germination and early seedling growth of

Lycopersicum esculentum Apollo. The

effluent is composed mainly of copper,

iron, and chlorine. Its source is an

electronic firm in Metro Manila.

REVIEW OF RELATED

LITERATURE

Industrial effluents are liquid

wastes containing organic and inorganic

compounds, acids, alkalis, suspended

solvents, and other materials. When

untreated, effluent discharged into the

environment disrupt the ecological

balance.

Several studies have been done to

determine the response of plants to the

presence of effluents containing high

concentration of metal cations and anions.

In general, plants may either exclude the

metals from their metabolic system. Or

the enzymes system of the plant may alter

the normal processes of the plant to

prevent the metal ions from exerting any

effect on them.

Metal ions such as iron and

chlorine were reported to inhibit root

growth and reduce plant growth. Excess

deposition of Cl in the shoot of rice

seedlings inhibited shoot development

(Behera and Misra, 1980).

The effect of iron and copper on

two grass species were investigated by

Wong et al. (1983). They reported that

copper inhibited root growth while iron

caused the death of the plants.

In the Philippines, the Department

of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR) launched numerous campaigns

to stop pollution. The agency is fighting

the improper disposal of mercury in

creeks and rivers. It has ordered

junkshops, electroplating and steel

factories to discharge their wastes

properly or stop operations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effluent used in this

experiments was from the Signal Electric

Company, an electronic firm in San Juan,

Metro Manila. Tomato seeds were

obtained from the Bureau of Plant and

Industries in San Andres, Manila.

Two hundred tomato seeds of

approximately the same size and weight

were collected and surface sterilized. They

were thoroughly washed and soaked for

one hour in tap water at room temperature.

The seeds which floated in the water,

deemed not viable, were removed. From

the viable seeds, 150 were placed in

sterilized petri dishes lined with filter

papers. Each dish contained 10 seeds.

Effluent concentrations used were 0 ppm,

250,500, 750 and 1000 ppm. Three

replicates were prepared for each

treatment.

The seeds were allowed to

germinate for 4 days. On the 4th day, the

emergence of the radicle, its length and

the general appearance of the seedlings

were noted.

The germinated seedlings were

transferred into ice cream cups filled with

sawdust. The sawdust was initially

moistened with 20 ml of the different

concentrations of the effluent. Every other

day, for 36 days, 10 ml of the effluent was

added to the growth medium. On the 36th

day, the seedlings were uprooted. Shoot

and root lengths were measured and

growth percentage was computed.

The seedlings were transplanted

into pots with soil and were watered with

the effluent everyday for 20 days. On the

60th day, the seedlings were again

uprooted and measured.

Analysis of variance and ch-square

tests were performed on the data obtained.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Germination of tomato was not

affected by the presence of effluents.

Table 1 shows the germination percentage

18 SOPHOMORE

RESEARCHERS:Eduardo ChuaRachelle MoranoRichard Glenn dela CruzKatrina Reyesand Saidee Singson

ADVISERS:Juanita Cruz and Lilian de LunaPhilippine Science High School Quezon City

of tomato seeds treated with varying

concentrations of the effluent.

The copper, chlorine, and iron in

the effluent seem to have affected growth

of the tomato seedlings. Inhibition of

radicle growth was observed. This effect

increased with greater concentration of the

effluent.

Roots are the organs that absorb

nutrients needed by plants. Longer roots

mean larger surface area for absorption.

That copper inhibited root growth of two

grass species (Wong et al., 1983) could be

true to tomato seedlings as well. Shorter

roots could be a defense mechanism to

avoid uptake of large amounts of

poisonous materials.

Measurements taken on the 36th

and 60th days indicate the root and shoot

lengths also decreased with increasing

concentrations of effluent. Table 2 shows

the growth percentages of tomato seedling

in sawdust later in soil with the effluents.

At concentrations of 750 ppm and 1000

ppm, plant growth was completely

staunted.

Chlorine accumulates rapidly and

lead to severe retardation of plant growth

and development (Behera and Misra,

1980). Since chlorine is present in the

effluent, this may be the main inhibitor of

shoot growth in the tomato seedlings.

Analysis of variance of root and

shoot lengths in seedlings grown in

sawdust and later in soil indicated that the

differences are significant.

To obtain more solid evidence on

the effects of effluents, a plant content

analysis is recommended. The study could

also be extended to include the fruiting

stage of tomato plants.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

Behera, B. K., and B.N Misra. 1980.

“Analysis of the Effect of Industrial

Effluent on Growth and Development of

Rice Seedlings”. Environmental Reseach.

28: 10-20.

Priscila, A.R. DENR. “Drives vs

Pollution”. Manila Bulletin, Feb 3, 1991.

Wong, M.H. Lau, S.W. Li, and C.K. Tang.

1983. “Root Growth of two grass Species

on Iron Tailings at Elevated Levels of

Manganese, Iron and Copper”.

Environmental Research. 30:1.

Table 1 Germination percentage oftomato in various concentrations ofeffluent.

Table 2 Growth percentage oftomato seedlings in various concentrationsof effluents

Effluent

concentration

0

250

500

750

1000

Germination

percentage (%)

70

50

87

67

80

Effluent

0

250

500

750

1000

in soil

81

38

25

0

0

Growth percentage

(%) concentration

(ppm) in

sawdust

100

87

61

45

29

19SOPHOMORE

It is very easy to get lost and confused with all

the people’s claims to a particular cure, or a

particular discovery. Students should know

beforehand what kinds of questions they should

arm themselves with in order not to get fooled by the

fakers. Here are the top questions to ask yourself.

1. Has the subject shown progress? (Has it, so

far, proven itself with regards to existing science?)

2. Does the discipline use technical words

such as “vibration” or “energy” without

clearly defining what they mean?

(Fake science is often cloaked

in a lot of mumbo-jumbo to

confuse ordinary people.

Examples: crystal therapy

and a lot of UFO stuff).

3. Would

accepting the tenets of

a claim require you to

abandon any well

established physical

laws? Fake sciences

often involve elaborate

explanations that border on

the fantastic and delusional.

4. Are popular articles

on the subject lacking in references? When

something is written about a pseudoscience,

references are always missing.

5. Is the only evidence offered anecdotal in

nature?Anecdotes from people and personal stories,

instead of impartial, objective researches and studies

are used.

6. Are the best texts on the subject decades

old? Scientific evidence valid thirty years ago may not

be valid today.

7. Does the proponent

make appeals to history (i.e. it

has been around a long time,

so it must be true)?

8.Does the subject

display the “shyness effect”

(sometimes it works,

sometimes it doesn’t)?

9. Does the proponent

use the appeal to ignorance

argument (“there are more things

under heaven … than are dreamed of

in your philosophy?

10. Does the proponent use

alleged expertise in other areas to

lend weight to the claim?

How to Detect APseudoscience?

Joe Bert G. Lazarte

20 SOPHOMORE

B I O L O G Y

CELL WARS: ANTIBODIES

There’s a war whose outcome determines ourhealth. It’s the war of the cells that silentlyrage within our bodies.

The human body has evolved an army of cells,molecules, and organs that constitute our immunesystem and dutifully defends us from foreign organisms.When our defenders are overwhelmed, we get sick.Sometimes, our immune system reacts to harmlessinvaders as enemies and we get allergy. Also, the body’sdefenders are constantly on the watch for cells that turnrebellious, preventing them from multiplying rapidly andbecoming cancerous.

The Invasion

We are constantly being invaded by pathogens,microscopic creatures that cause diseases — bacteria,protozoa, fungi, and viruses.

Suppose a virus is able to slip inside one of ourcells. It will immediately take over the host cell to beable to multiply. Outside the cell, the virus cannotreproduce. It is more dead than alive. Thus, the cellbecomes a factory for producing new, identical viruses.Eventually the cell ruptures. Then viruses spread out toinvade nearby cells.

The first defenders to arrive on the battle sceneare the class of white blood cells called phagocytes, or“cell eaters.” The phagocytes constantly patrol theterritories of our bodies. The phagocytes can recognizecells that are ‘self’ because each cell in the body has adistinct shape on its surface. Cells with unfamiliarshapes are marked as ‘nonself’ and will be destroyed.

A group of phagocytes called macrophages playan important role in fighting the invaders. They attach to

invading foreign substancesbecause they are able torecognize the molecularconfiguration calledantigen on thesurface of theinvaders. Themacrophages thendeliver the virusesto be destroyed byother components of the immunesystem.

The presence of theseantigens alert another type ofwhite blood cells called thelymphocytes whose function isto identify and destroy invadingorganisms. The kind of lymphocytesthat first detect antigens are the T-lymphocytes or T-cells. A class of T-cells that are programmed to recognizethe antigens are the helper T-cells. The helper Ts actlike commanders of the immune system army of cells.They control the strength and quality of all immuneresponses by binding onto the antigens on themacrophages. The macrophages in turn secrete alymphokine called interleukin-1, which activates thehelper Ts. Lymphokines are proteins by which immunecells communicate with each other.

Antibodies to the Rescue

How do antibodies fight the invaders? Antibodiesbind into the antigens, thus preventing the invaders frominterfering with the activities of the body’s cells. Thisactivity is called neutralization. Antibodies also helpdestroy the antigens by marking them as easy targets

By Ernesto Buensuceso Ferreras Jr.

TO THE RESCUE

21SOPHOMORE

for ingestion by macrophages in a process calledopsonization. The antibodies coat the surface ofantigens, which make them stick to macrophages.Finally, antibodies like IgG and IgM can kill. Locking onto the enemy’s antigens, the antibodies collect bloodproteins collectively called complement. When thiscomplement comes together in the right sequence, itdetonates like a bomb, cutting holes in the invaders’cell membranes.

Cloning Antibodies

In the war against cancer whose cells havebecome rebellious, researchers have been able toproduce antibodies of one specific arrangement, calledmonoclonal antibodies.

How are monoclonal antibodies produced? Miceare specially bred to produce antibodies. Researcherswould inject the mice with antigens, turning on theproduction of antibodies. Then tissue cells from the miceare joined with tumor cells called myelomas to give themthe ability to live for long periods of time. The results arehybridoma cells that would be injected into the abdominalcavities of other mice. The mice then serve as factoriesin which the cells can grow and produce large numberof antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies have become important indiagnosis, therapy, and biochemical research.Monoclonal antibodies can be alerted to lock on tospecific types of cells, like biological guided missilescapable of targeting specific antigens. Researchers havebeen able to tag monoclonal antibodies with radioisotopeto see on a screen the image of the tumor lighting up inthe patient.

Cloned antibodies may one day also be used todestroy other unwanted cells — B-cells involved indestructive allergic reactions, for instance, or T-cellsthat turn against our own tissues, as in rheumatoidarthritis.

Antibodies will also play an important role in modernimmunization, especially in the creation of new vaccines.Traditionally, each kind of vaccines contains the virus itseeks to destroy. But the virus is either dead orweakened that it presumably will not cause diseasebut will provide the proteins that stimulate the patient’sproduction of antibodies. Occasionally, however, thisweakened virus causes serious, even fatal reactions.

Such risks can be avoided by cloning genes.Scientists would simply produce the viral protein thatstimulates our bodies to make antibodies, purify it, anduse it as a vaccine, free of contamination by the wholevirus.

Vanquishing the Enemy

Meanwhile, some of the viruses have been able topenetrate the body’s cells. To boost the immunesystem’s capability to fight, helper T-cells produceanother lymphokine called gamma interferon (IF). IF alsohelps activate killer T-cells, enabling them to attack theinvading organism and also increases the ability of B-cells to produce more antibodies. It also helpsmacrophages digest the cells they have engulfed.

Cells that are infected will be sacrificed by killer T-cells by chemically puncturing their membranes andletting the contents spill out, thus disrupting the viraltakeover. Antibodies then neutralize or destroy theviruses.With each exchange of lymphokines betweenmacrophages and T-cells, the immune system defendersmultiply in great numbers until the enemy is defeated.

Antibody – a protein that binds to an invading antigen prior todestruction of the antigen.

Antigen – a foreign substance, usually a protein, that triggersthe body’s production of a specific antibody directedagainst the antigen

1.Describe the actions through which our immunesystem fights foreign organisms.

2.What are the important uses of monoclonalantibodies?

REFERENCES

Encarta 97 Encyclopedia. Microsoft Corporation, 1996.Jaret, Peter. “Our Immune System: The Wars Within.” NationalGeographic, June 1986.Weaver, Robert F. “Beyond Supermouse: Changing Life’s GeneticBlueprint.” National Geographic, December 1984.

22 SOPHOMORE

Look around you, and you will see differentthings of various sizes, shapes and colors.But there are other wonderful things aroundus, however, that we can not see unless weuse a special tool to view them. We started

using the magnifying lens which make things appearslightly larger. And then we are introduced to the lightmicroscope for us to see things that are not visible toour naked eyes.

Since these light microscopes can magnify theobjects under study up to 2000 times, it has become avery popular tool in the study of science, especially inbiology where scientists view minute organisms.However, just like any other tool, it also has itslimitations. It may magnify an object thousands of timesbut its resolution, the increase in the visible detail, isquite limited.

Physicists still created a microscope that usesan energy beam with a shorter wavelength than light,which is used in the light microscopes. And which energybeam has a shorter wavelength? None other than theelectron, a certain atomic particles. Because of thisknowledge, the creation of the electron microscopesfollowed.

The first Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)was first developed in 1931 by Max Knoll and ErnstRuska in Germany. This microscope sends the beamof electrons through the specimen. This creates a clearand detailed image of the object. It works very muchlike a slide projector. However, instead of light beam, itmakes use of the electron beams.

The first Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) wasfirst developed in 1942, although it was not commerciallyavailable until around 1965. SEM sends a beam ofelectrons across the specimen, from left to right. Thisprocess is popularly known as scanning. This process,

the movement from left toright, makes the electronsbounce off the object viewedin different directions, thuscreating a three dimensionalview of the specimen on atelevision-like screen.

Electron microscopes provide us with highmagnification and high resolution. This type ofmicroscopes has greatly helped science. Using theseelectron microscopes provided scientists fine details ofminute organisms that could be obtained from the lightmicrocsopes.

The WonderfulElectron MicroscopeThe Wonderful

By Alma Renee R. Pavia

Electron Microscope

References:

Campbell, Neil A. “Biology”. Third Edition, The Benjamin/ CummingsPublishing Company, Inc., Redwood City, California., 1993.

Goodman, Harvey D. “Biology”. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.Orlando, Florida, 1989.

Specimen- the object being studiedMagnification- the increase in the object’s sizeResolution- an increase in the visible detail

1. Compare a light microscope with an electronmicroscope.

2. What are the two kinds of electron microscopes?Name their similarities and differences.

B I O L O G Y

23SOPHOMORE

Green plants use energy from sunlight to form the oxygen that animals need tosurvive. This process is called photosynthesis. In this exercise, we will use somewater plants to make oxygen, and collect the gas in a test tube. A simple test willconfirm that the gas is indeed oxygen.

Procedure

1. In a pet shop, buy a couple ofplants, suitable for fresh-wateraquariums.

2. Obtain a glass funnel to put overthe plants, and a test tube to fitover the spout of the funnel.

3. Put the plants in a clear glass bowl or fish tank andpour in cold water.

4. Fill the test tube with water and, keeping itunderwater, slide it sideways over the spout of thefunnel.

Materials

plants clear glass bowl glass funnelcold water test tube sliver of wood

Photosynthesis

5. Position the funnel and test tube over the water plants.At this stage, the test tube should still be full of water.Put the bowl or tank in a sunny place.

6. Observe how tiny bubbles of gas come of from theplants and rise up into the test tube.

7. When the tube is full of gas, lightthe end of a long thin sliver of wood(not waxed paper). Blow out the flame,lift the test tube from the funnel andquickly insert the glowing wood in atest tube. The wood should burst intoflame, thus confirming that the gas isoxygen.

24 SOPHOMORE

ACROSS2 Cigarette– – – –4 An insect related to the butterfly8 Selenium9 Female sheep11 Aluminum13 _ _ _ _ _e; to make a succession

of short sharp noises15 Lanthanum16 F_ _ _; a bloodsucking parasitic

insect18 An instrument for writing19 Some calf20 _ _ _ _n_;deviating from a square,

circular, or spherical form21 A glossy black corvine bird23 _ _ _t_ _; an insect that feeds on

other insects and clasps itsprey in forelimbs held up as if inprayer

25 Chlorine26 Molten rock material within the earth28 Fermium29 Magnesium30 Insect in its inactive pre-adult form31 A measure of length equals to 3

feet

DOWN3 _ _a_; a drop of the clear saline liquid

that lubricates the eyeball4 _ _ _ _ _r; a phenomenon or

appearance in the atmosphere as aluminous streak of light

5 A night-flying bird of prey6 Tellurium7 A soft mineral that is whitish,

greenish, or grayish in color10 A long sharp tooth12 Pencil – – –d14 M_ _ _;a labyrinth15 The lion; a constellation17 S_ _ _ _ _; a slightly al-kaline secretion

of water that lubricates ingested food18 A living thing that lacks locomotive

movement or sensory organs butposses cellulose cell wall

21 A large mass of stone forming a cliff22 _ _ _t; clean23 Deep body preserved by embalming24 – – – – wrestling; a Japanese sport

27 P_ _ _n; one who is neither aChristian, Moslem,

C R O S S W O R D

Under The SeaUnder The SeaWhich among these marine organisms is a mollusk?

1

8 9

12

25

36

13

2

18

21

29

3

16

33

4

14

19

22

29

22

26

26

5

11

10

17

27 28

6

15

20

30 31

30

7

2423

a

b

c

e

d