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Source-This post on Research on Caenorhabditis elegans worm is based on the article “This worm develops food habits and its offspring ‘inherit’ them” published in “The Hindu” on 12th May 2024.
Why in the News?
Researchers found that when Caenorhabditis elegans worms ate harmful bacteria, their offspring learned to avoid it for up to four generations.
About the Caenorhabditis elegans worm
| About the ringworm | 1. Caenorhabditis elegans is a microscopic (~1 mm) nematode (roundworm) that normally lives in soil. 2. It has become one of the “model” organisms in biology. 3. It is found in “higher” animals like mice and humans. 4. It was the first multicellular organism to have its full genome sequenced, and neural wiring mapped. |
| Characteristics | 1. Rapid Development: It grows from fertilized egg to a millimetre-long adult in merely 3–5 days. 2. Accessibility: It offers a compact lifecycle which facilitates experimental manipulation and observation. |
| Significance | It is widely utilized to delve into neuronal and molecular biology due to its simplicity and genetic tractability. |
About the research and its findings
1. Findings from C. elegans research have provided profound insights into human physiology and broader biological mechanisms.
2. Inheritance of Learned Behavior: Researchers unveiled a fascinating phenomenon wherein C. elegans inherit knowledge across generations.
3. Mechanism: After consuming disease-causing bacteria, the worms passed on the learned avoidance behaviour to their progeny for up to four generations, mediated by small RNA molecules (sRNA).
4. Role of sRNA: Pseudomonas vranovensis bacteria produce sRNA, altering the worm’s feeding behaviour. sRNA is ingested by worms, influencing gene expression and behavior, a process known as RNA interference.
5. Implications and Speculation: These finding raises intriguing questions about the potential for similar transgenerational behavioural modifications in humans.
It also provokes exploration into whether microbial RNA can influence human behavior and inheritance, potentially reshaping our understanding of genetics and behavior.
6. Scientific Legacy:
a) Nobel Recognition: Contributions from studies on C. elegans were acknowledged with Nobel Prizes in 2002, 2006, and 2008.
b) Medical Relevance: Insights gained from C. elegans research have extended to human genetics and disease mechanisms, underscoring its indispensable role in scientific advancement.
About DNA and RNA
1. DNA and RNA are fundamental components of genetic information transfer within cells.
2. DNA consists of two strands made of phosphate and deoxyribose sugar molecules, encodes genes, each providing instructions for protein synthesis.
3. The DNA bases (A, T, C, G) form complementary pairs (A-T, C-G) to create a stable double helix structure.
4. In contrast, RNA has ribose sugar units attached to bases (A, C, G, U). During transcription, a cell transcribes DNA gene sequences into messenger RNA (mRNA), where the base sequence (A-T, C-G) is transcribed into (U-A, G-C).
5. This mRNA directs protein synthesis at ribosomes based on its sequence.
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