An Experimental Study on the Carbon Flux within the Coral Community.

The flux of carbon within the coralline ecosystem has been a subject of great interest in the recent decades. So far several studies had been conducted to understand actual process of carbon transfer within this system and it is an elusive factor on science because of the complex process. An attempt had been made to delineate the source and sink of carbon within the coral ecosystem by establishing small experimental set up in the present study. For these study, four experimental tanks, each consisted of a different community of coral ecosystem was set up in Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India. The Tank A was set up with a most prevalent sponge species Stylissa massa, in this part of the study area, Tank B consisted of sponge Lamellodysidea spp., Tank C consisted of macroalgae community i.e. of Padina spp. of an area of 620 cm2 and Tank D had a soft coral Sarcophyton spp. All these species were collected from Burmanallha, a region characterized by rich species diversity. The results indicated that the algal and sponge community provided carbon to support the growth of coral reefs. Coral utilized this carbon for their growth. It was also observed that fluctuation of environmental and physical parameters induced biological stress within the life forms resulted in the release of excess inorganic carbon to the surrounding water. Whenever, the opportunity were available this carbon was utilized by the system itself and managed full extent without any excess carbon.

Structure–function–folding relationships and native energy landscape of dynein light chain protein: nuclear magnetic resonance insights.

The detailed characterization of the structure, dynamics and folding process of a protein is crucial for understanding the biological functions it performs. Modern biophysical and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques have provided a way to obtain accurate structural and thermodynamic information on various species populated on the energy landscape of a given protein. In this context, we review here the structure–function–folding relationship of an important protein, namely, dynein light chain protein (DLC8). DLC8, the smallest subunit of the dynein motor complex, acts as a cargo adaptor. The protein exists as a dimer under physiological conditions and dissociates into a pure monomer below pH 4. Cargo binding occurs at the dimer interface. Dimer stability and relay of perturbations through the dimer interface are anticipated to be playing crucial roles in the variety of functions the protein performs. NMR investigations have provided great insights into these aspects of DLC8 in recent years.

Synaptic transmission in the 7th abdominal ganglion of the scorpion, Heterometrus fulvipes (C. Koch).

Electrical recordings made from the peripheral nerves of the 7th abdominal ganglion in the scorpion, H. fulvipes showed pronounced activity on ipsilateral stimulation of the connective and minimum activity on the contralateral side. Measurement of conduction velocities and synaptic delays indicated that ipsilateral pathways are probably monosynaptic and excitatory, while contralateral pathways might be polysynaptic and inhibitory. The nature of transmission has been suggested to be chemical.

Effect of ventral nerve cord transection on metabolic parameters in the nervous system of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana L.

Periplaneta americana were subjected to unilateral transection of the ventral nerve cord, and the levels of soluble and total proteins and total carbohydrates were determined 30 days postoperatively. Total proteins showed a decrease while soluble proteins and total carbohydrates showed an elevation. These changes were correlated with the generation of giant fibers in the ventral nerve cord.