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Gastrodia indica

16-08-2024

11:14 AM

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1 min read

Overview:

A unique orchid species- Gastrodia indica was recently discovered in Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim.

About Gastrodia indica: 

  • It is the first orchid from India that never opens its flower.
  • The orchid was found at an elevation of 1,950–2,100 metres above sea level.
  • This is the first cleistogamous species of the genus Gastrodia discovered from India.
    • The Gastrodia genus is known for terrestrial, herbaceous, and holomycotrophic orchids.
    • Cleistogamous plants are highly specialized, as they do not depend on external pollinators like insects or wind for reproduction.
    • Holomycotrophic species like Gastrodia indica rely entirely on a fungal host for sustenance, lacking chlorophyll and drawing carbon from underground fungi.
  • It is morphologically allied to G. exilis & G.dyeriana but critical examination revealed considerable differences in floral morphological characters.
  • This new species thrives in dense, rotten leaf litter and is associated with trees such as Magnolia doltsopa, Acer campbelli, and Quercus lamellose.
  • The discovery adds to India's botanical diversity, bringing the total number of Gastrodia species in the country to 10.
  • Threats: Gastrodia indica faces potential threats due to its limited population and specific habitat requirements.

Q1: What is Pollination?

It is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. The goal of every living organism, including plants, is to create offspring for the next generation.

Source: A Orchid that never opens its flower discovered in


What are Forever Chemicals?

16-08-2024

11:14 AM

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1 min read
What are Forever Chemicals? Blog Image

Overview:

Researchers recently demonstrated a new lab-based method to detect traces of Forever Chemicals from food packaging material, water, and soil samples in just three minutes or less.

About Forever Chemicals

  • PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances), also known as the Forever Chemicals, are a large chemical family of over 4,700 highly persistent man-made chemicals.
  • These were first developed in the 1940s and are now found in a variety of consumer products, including nonstick pans, water-resistant textiles, and fire suppression foams, due to their ability to repel both grease and water.
  • PFAS are the most persistent synthetic chemicals to date. They hardly degrade in the natural environment and have been found in the blood of people and animals all over the world, and are present at low levels in a variety of food products.
  • The secret to PFAS’s indestructibility lies in its chemical bonds. PFAS contains many carbon-fluorine bonds, which are the strongest bonds in organic chemistry.
  • These chemicals also cause pollution at every stage of production. At the PFAS chemical manufacturing facilities and garment factories, they often contaminate the air, water, and soil of the surrounding environment.
  • Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancers, weakened immune systems among children, weight gain, and a wide range of other health problems.

Q1) What are chemical bonds?

Chemical bonding is the attraction between two or more atoms that allows them to be able to form a stable chemical compound. The specific nature of a chemical bond can vary, but the most commonly known are covalent and ionic bonds. With these bonds, it provides sufficient energy between atoms when one has less. It’s the force of attraction that holds atoms, allowing the electrons to form a bond together. 

Source: Researchers unveil method to detect 'forever chemicals' in under 3 minutes