From the house of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle

Vol. 04 Issue 02
February 2015
44 pages, `75
Age: 10+years

PLAY WITH SCIENCE!

The Zoo Inside
Comics, stories, activities,
contests and more...

p22

POSTER

'Microbial
You'

p18

Kitchen Science

Mini-Masterchefs
p14

/brainwavemag
Join 52k other fans
p36

Time Gliders

Do-It-Yourself

The Farting Banana

p28

True Story

It Happened To Me!

Season 2 Episode 2

WARNING! Brainwave products will make you intelligent. They make science fun and engaging. If school textbooks frustrate
and confuse you, Brainwave products are exactly what you need to rekindle your love for science. I find it the best product
available in the education space! - Dr. Nikhil Gunari, Inventor and Science Entrepreneur based in Canada.
To Subscribe, turn to page 42.

MEET THE SMARTYS

Beyond the skies, trouble brews
Danger awaits us, all humans!
Sneaking and lurking in the dark,
Someones plotting to tear humanity apart.

The Smartys rarely punch down

opponents; they are peace lovers.
The official BW mascots use not only
brawn, but also brains!

1 2 3 Go! The Smartys move fast

Before the villains act, our friends arrive
to thwart the attack!

The battle's won; let's meet them now

They are real heroes take a bow!

Dr. Dodo, dear friends,

is the only Dodo alive.
The wise elderly
scientist, his ideas save
many a life!

Young Arby was sucked

into Dr. Dodos
time-machine,
Maths is his game,
Grow up to be
Aryabhata, yes, he will fine!

Mr. X is the antagonist.

Top IQ of the world is his!
The Smartys and he
don't see eye to eye.
Is he good? Is he bad?
You analyse.

Skree! is mysterious,
a bearded Toda lady.
Up her sleeves,
she has tricks aplenty!

Also sucked in time, young

Alby is none other than
Albert Einstein.
Change the history of
science, he will soon!

Earth, wind, water and

fire combine to make
Bhoo, an enigma.
She is a superhero every villain's dilemma.

Now that you know them, see their wonders

A new episode begins, Earth is saved from plunder.
www.bwmag.in/meet-the-smarties

04
02

February 2015

Body Bugs!

Vol. 04 | Issue 02 | February 2015

Dear Readers,
Do you know what youre made up of? If you said cells, youre
absolutely right. But dont get smug yet. Heres a little secret only
one in every ten of those cells are human! The rest are bacterial,
fungal and even a sizeable number of worms and viruses.
This month, Brainwave takes you through this wondrous zoo inside
us. We also celebrate Indias National Science Day (28th Feb) on
page 6 and page 34.
So get ready to be awestruck!

Editor
Aashima Dogra
Assistant Editor
Nandita Jayaraj
Consulting Art Director
Savio Mascarenhas
Art & Design Lead
Ria Rajan
Design & Illustrations
Nafisa C & Pooja P

Nandita Jayaraj
nandita.jayaraj@ack-media.com

Resident Geek
Mahak Katyal
Advisory Board

Cover artwork by Nafisa Crishna

Credits:
Ankit, Avinash & Ellie
Abbas, Rajesh Pathak & Mithun
Eric D'souza & team
India Book House & team
Jayanthi V & team
Janak F, Yogesh G & team
K.K. Arun & team
Lalit S & team
Mayur S & team
Narayan M, Sagar S & team
Neeti Saxena & team
Sandeep S, Heta D & team

No part of this magazine may be

reproduced without the express
consent of Amar Chitra Katha Private
Limited (ACK). Any reproduction,
modification, distribution,
transmission, republication, display
or exploitation in any way of the
content(s), in whole or in part, of this
magazine is strictly prohibited.
ACK makes no warranties or
guarantees, express or implied,
written or oral, as to the contents
of the magazine, the information,
materials or opinions, included in this
magazine. In no event shall ACK be
liable for damages of any kind arising
as a consequence of using or following
any method or formula as mentioned
in the magazine, including but not
limited to direct, indirect, incidental,
punitive and consequential damages.

Subscriptions:
brainwave@ack-media.com

Consumer Complaints:
+91-22-6629 6999
customerservice@ack-media.com

Business Queries &

Customer Service Escalations:
sasikanth.c@ack-media.com

Sr. VP Operations
Sandeep Padoshi

Sr. VP Sales & Marketing

Prakash Batna

Dr. Amol Dighe, Professor of Physics, Tata

Institute of Fundamental Research
Arvind Gupta, Scientific Toymaker
Extraordinaire
AS Manekar, Dy Director General,
National Council of Science Museums
Dr. Balaji Sampath, Science Director,
Ahaguru.com
Dr. Bernardo Pagnoncelli, Assistant
Professor, Universidad Adolfo Ibaez
Dr. Chandrakant Shukre, Astrophysicist,
Raman Research Institute
Dr. Geetha Narayanan, Director, Srishti
School of Art Design and Technology
Hari Parameswaran, Scientist & Educator
Dr. Jyoti Vora, Biochem HoD, Ruia College
Maya Menon, Director, Teacher
Foundation
Dr. Nikhil Gunari, CEO, Syletta Inc.
Dr. Pratima Roa, Scientific Project
Manager, ILSI Europe
Dr. Richard Zare, Marguerite Blake
Wilbur Professor in Natural Science,
Stanford University
Dr. Rohit Kumar, Computer Scientist,
Raytheon BBN Technologies
Siddharth Rao, Scientist, Adavi Trust
Brainwave is Printed and Published by
Vijay Sampath on behalf of Amar Chitra
Katha Private Limited Printed at Indigo
Press (India) Pvt. Ltd., Plot No. 1, C/716,
Opp. Dadoji Konddeo Cross Road,
Byculla (E), Mumbai 400027
Published at Sumer Plaza,
2nd Floor, Marol Maroshi Road,
Marol, Andheri (East),
Mumbai 400059.

Copyright 2015, Amar Chitra Katha Private Limited. All rights reserved.

February 2015

03

Vol. 04 | Issue 02 | February 2015

CONTENTS

INSIDE THE
INTESTINES

COMICS
p.16 Lice Science

COVER STORY

09

p.28 True Story of Infection

p.36 Time Gliders
WO. Brinda the Tapeworm

ACTIVITIES
p.14 DIY : The Farting
Banana
p.20 Design a Microbe
p.26 Cut and Paste :
Body Bug Zoo

04

February 2015

In which we explore the

microbial world inside
us, celebrate Indian
science, make banana
fart, accompany Arby
and Alby as they get
eaten by Skree!, and
much more...

BW
REPORTS
p.08 Toon Talk
p.18 Kitchen Science
p.22 Poster : Microbial You
p.32 Cutting Edge
p.43 Teacher's Guide
WO. Kingdom
Animalia

NATIONAL
SCIENCE DAY

POEM

p.06 History Maker : Dr. Subbarow

p.13 Phlegm
Monster

p.34 Eight Reasons to Celebrate

Indian Science

READER
CONTRIBUTION
Web Only - DIY Pot Fridge
p.21 Escape from Mars

MORE
CONTESTS

p.24 Solutions, Winners & Letters

P. 41 Treasure Hunt

p.33 Do Mosquitoes Get

Malaria?

P. 41 Sci-Q Time
P. 43 Puzzle Book

Win a gift!

WO - web only content on bwmag.in

February 2015

05

HISTORY
MAKER

04
06

February 2015

* Raman Effect: The change in direction that occurs when a

light beam hits molecules of a transparent surface in its path.

The End.
* Phosphocreatine: A chemical which releases
energy for muscles to contract.

February 2015

07

TOON
TALK
Snakes possess several
joints and their jaws
are extremely flexible.
This enables them to open
their jaws very wide and

swallow their prey

whole!

Snakes dont drink milk.

04
08

February 2015

Artwork: Alicia Souza

In fact, they can't

even digest milk
properly. In times
of dire thirst, with
no other option
available, they may
drink it. But it could
be harmful to them.

COVER
STORY
Skree! accidentally ate Arby and Alby
for breakfast. What they saw inside her
stomach was completely unexpected...

Artwork: Pooja Prabhakaran

February 2015

09

Artwork: Pooja Prabhakaran

Inside The Intestines

by Nandita Jayaraj

rby was in the midst of solving a fascinating

algebra equation when his best friend Alby ran
panting into the room.

Dr. Dodo has finished building The Diminisher!

Arby jerked his head up, eyes gleaming, Do you think
hell give us a demonstration?
The Diminisher is a gadget Dr. Dodo had been
working on all month. It could transform anything and
anyone into tiny, microscopic sizes. The boys went
giddy with excitement every time they imagined
adventures they could have with The Diminisher.
In the lab, however, they found Dr. Dodo slumped on
the control board, fast asleep.
He will be asleep for hours! Should we wake him
up? groaned Alby.
When Arby didnt reply, Alby looked back and saw
him tinkering with a remote-sized contraption.
Is that The Diminisher? he asked in a hushed tone.
Arby nodded in excitement.
LETS TRY IT! exclaimed the two boys together.
They attached two wire ends to their wrists, and Arby
clicked a button that said '1000X'.
Just as they felt themselves shrink, Dr. Dodo let out

10
04

February 2015

a giant sneeze that sent the newly microscopic Arby

and Alby flying into the next room, right into Skrees
plate of lunch!
Before they could think of a way out of the mess,
Skree! ate a spoon of rice. Little did she know, she had
just gulped in the two tiny geniuses too!
Inside Skrees mouth, micro-Alby and micro-Arby
whirled around. Luckily, they managed to hang on
to her tongue and escaped from being crushed by
Skrees chomping teeth.
Hello there, strange ones! said a high pitched
mysterious voice.
Alby and Arby rubbed their eyes and saw a friendlylooking creature, shaped like a chain of beads,
standing before them.
Who are you? asked Alby.
Im Streptococcus salivarius, but you can call me
Sally, replied the creature.
Arby knew that name sounded familiar
Youre a bacterium! Eww. Skree! must not be
brushing her teeth very well.
Hmmph! replied Sally, who looked rather insulted.
Youre wrong, boy. Im actually doing your friend a
favour. I prevent other bacteria from giving her throat

infections. In fact, almost a 100 trillion good bacteria

like me live in healthy humans.

body, but those needed to digest plant material are

not. Bacteroides produce these missing enzymes.

Alby and Arby were too baffled to react. Sally had an

idea.

And in return, the good Bacteroides can enjoy the

spinach Skree! is eating, Alby understood. That's a
good deal! Everybody wins.

Why dont you boys come with me for a ride?

What followed was a scary jump down Skrees food
pipe or oesophagus. With a plop, they landed in a
mush of partly-digested food.
Were in Skrees stomach now, explained Sally.
Now, quickly put these acid-suits on. They'll protect
you from the hydrochloric acid.

Further in the dark tunnel of the large intestine, they

encountered another tablet-shaped microorganism.
Meet one of my best friends Colly, also known as
Escherichia coli. Colly...tell these boys what you do,
said Sally.
Hi, boys! I help produce important vitamins that are

Where are we headed, Sally? asked Arby.

Were going to meet some of my friends. They live
further down, in Skrees small and large intestines.
The stomach is too acidic for them.
One crazy intestinal slide-down later, Alby and Arby
came face to face with several oval-shaped bacteria
who were busy munching on a piece of spinach
Skree! had eaten with the rice.
Those are the Bacteroides, said Sally.
Alby looked puzzled. Why are they surrounding that
piece of spinach?
They are having a barbeque, said Sally, You
should be thankful to them too. Human bodies need
chemicals called enzymes to digest different food
types. Most of these enzymes are present in the

not easily available in the foodTH you eat.

Suddenly, they heard an echoing groan from outside.
I need to use the toilet, they heard Skree! say.
Arby looked at Alby uneasily. You know what that
means
Well, at least we can get back to our world, said
Alby, holding his nose and getting ready for a stinky
exit.

February 2015

11

12
\00
04

February 2015

Artwork: Pooja Prabhakaran

ICKY
SCIENCE

by Meera Guthi

f youre yellow, it might jaundice be!

If youre blue, youre really cold maybe
If youre white, is it a ghost you see?

But jokes apart, natures colours can tell

Whats going on inside your bodys cell!
For example when youre racking with a cough
Its an infection your bodys getting rid of.
Phlegm* has bacteria, viruses and dead cells
And is causing all those coughing spells.
Those phlegmy monsters come out in all hues
You can tell them by their tones,
here are some cues!
If it is clear, sans abnormality
its harmless, maybe just an allergy?
But if it has a light yellow complexion
Your body is fighting an infection.
And if it is dark yellow, dont take it lightly
Its bacterial - visit your doctor quickly!

Artwork: Pooja Prabhakaran

If it is green, then youve been sick for long

Visit a doctor, dont you tardy along!
The colour is caused by the MPO enzyme*
Youre also probably coughing double time!
If it is grey or white, then youre possibly attacked
By an infection of the upper respiratory tract.
If it is brown, then you can be quite certain
Its caused by smoking many a pack n carton!
The colour is due to the resin or tar
That you find in cigarettes and cigar.
And beware if someones coughing pink
Its definitely got a heart-link
The fluid in the lungs can cause trouble
Get to a doctor on the double.
When leaves turn colour, seasons change
When you turn colour, somethings strange
Be aware of natures varied hues!
Theyre full of important health clues.
* Phlegm: The gooey stuff that comes out of our bodys mucus layer when we suffer from infection.
* Enzyme: Proteins that make chemical reactions in the body possible.
* MPO enzyme: An enzyme which contains a pigment that makes mucus green.

February 2015

00/
13

DO IT
YOURSELF

The Farting
Banana
by Alby and Arby

All the gases we produce, including the smelly

ones, are merely side-effects of the chemical
reactions taking place in the body.
But dont take our word for it. Make your own
little digestive system and witness
the action yourself!

What you need:

3 fully ripe bananas
Half a glass of water
Plastic Bottle
Big fork or spoon
Balloon

2
1

Peel the 3 bananas and smash them into a

paste using the spoon or a fork.
Try this at home and see if this works. Send some photos to
brainwave@ack-media.com. One lucky winner gets a cool prize.

04
14

February 2015

Put the banana mush into

the empty bottle, add a
bit of water and gently
shake.

Stretch out the mouth of the balloon and

fix it at the rim of the bottle. Make sure its
airtight.

What do you see?

Unless there is a hole in your balloon or in your bottle, you will
observe the balloon slowly inflating. It took us 2 days. It could take
more if you live in a cold place, or less, if you live in a warmer place.
Note: Make sure you dispose off the set-up carefully! You dont want a
microbe outbreak in your house, do you?

Keep this at a safe warm

place. Make sure no one
disturbs it for the next
few days.

Take a picture daily and note down how

the balloon and the banana mush are
changing through the days.

What is going on here?

Fermentation! The trillions of bacteria in our body

are continuously breaking down the digested food in

our intestines. Many gases like hydrogen and methane
are released as a result of fermentation.

This is exactly what happens in our bottle of rotting

banana mush. After a couple of days, the bacteria
releases enough gas to inflate the balloon. Bacteria
are more active at higher temperatures, so your
balloon may take longer or shorter depending on
weather conditions.
February 2015

15

LICE
SCIENCE

04
16

February 2015

The End

February 2015

17

KITCHEN
SCIENCE

mini MASTERCHEFS
By Yumna Hari Singh

Microbes have an amazing ability to break down food materials in a process called
fermentation. Often, the final product is much tastier than what they started with.
Were down to the final four in the all new 'Mini-Masterchefs'!

omy

har
: Sacc

visia

ere
ces c

n of cheese?
the formatio
in
.com
ps
el
h
m
e@ack-media
rganis
av
-o
w
ro
in
ic
ra
m
b
h
to
ic
Wh
swer
email your an a cool prize.
Research and
ins
w
ect answer
The first corr

No. 1
t
n
a
alt.
test
Con : Fungus : Bread our and s
h
o
.

Type ture Dis ast with rments t d alcohol

e
a
fe
n
Sign e : Mix y h. Sugar ubbles a o rise and s
g
b
t
d
p
Reci the dou dioxide dough ompoun
c
ad
n
ad
Kne se carbo the bre ted into
s
r
a
rele as cause ts conve .
s
g
e
ste
hour
a
t
f
The cohol g
l
s
a
t
l
di
ah
and
the a ive brea
e
n
g
:O
that
aken

Time

BREAD

Contestan
t No. 2: Ac
etobacter
Type : Bac
aceti
teria
Signature
Dish : Vine
gar
Recipe : T
ake juice

or any
alcoholic
liquid, ad
d starter
culture*
of acetob
a
cter. Close
with a che
jar
esecloth,
so that
oxygen ca
n rea
Time Take ct with the liquid.
n : Few mo
nths
VINEGAR

04
18

February 2015

* Culture: Not like culture in EgyptTH or India.

In a laboratory, culture is the gel or liquid on
which cells are grown.

Psssst - Did you know?

Artwork: Ria Rajan

Zymurgy is the study of fermentation in food.

A person who studies fermentation is called a Zymurgist.

chocolate

Con
te
Type stant N
o
Sign : Bacteri . 3: Erw
a
inia
a
diss
Reci ture Di
olve
s
p
h
ns
: Cho
bein e : W

h
c
g
rem proces ile coe olate an
o
s
e
by b ves the ed, Erw or cho d Coee
c
inia
reak
toug
brea olate ar
frien
ing t
h ou
e
k
h
t
the ds creat em dow er husk s down
nis
e th
s
a
n. Er
nd
of th
ea
he
w
Tim
e Ta d produc roma an inia and e beans
d a
ken
t
vour her
: Fou .
of
r to
eigh
t ho
urs

COFFEE

aricus

lg
lus bu
l
i
c
a
b
o

t
. 4: Lac
o
N
t
n
sta
Conte cteria
Ba
d
Type : e Dish : Cur l it to room rd
r
u
cu
oo
Signat Heat milk. C of curd. This eria.
:
it
act
Recipeature. Add a b ntains live b produce

o
r
d
tempe er culture c the milk an s and kills
t
rd
r
n
or sta t the sugar i ss makes cu
a
ce
They e id. This pro
c
a
rs
a.
lactic
ht hou
acteri
g
b
i
l
e
u
o
f
rt
harm
n : Fou

COFFEE
CURD

ake
Time T

February 2015

19

TRY
IT

Design A Microbe

Microbes come in different shapesTH, sizes and clusters. While some have fine
hair-like projections to move around, others can change their shape at will.
Take a look at some of them.

virus

protozoa

Artwork: Ria Rajan

bacteria

Use the blank box below to design your own fictional microbe.

NAME :

TYPE (Circle One) : Bacterium/Fungus/Virus/Protozoa/Hybrid

DESCRIPTION :

Email a photo of your work with a description to brainwave@ack-media.com.

The most interesting one wins a fun prize.

04
20

February 2015

FAN
FICTION

by Aditya Ganesh Mahale

had just returned from school when the doorbell

rang. I ran excitedly to see if it had arrived, and yes,
that months Brainwave Magazine was there! It was
the outer space issue, just as I had predicted. I began
reading at once.
After a few minutes, I looked up. the Sun had almost
set, the sky was reddish dark. Something in the garden
caught my eye.

From a distance, I heard my moms voice. I opened

my eyes and found myself in the reading room. The
magazine had slipped from my hands and fell on the
floor. It was then that I realised I had been dreaming!
I smiled, got up and told my mom the whole story. She
started laughing and said, I think you took one of the
stories in the magazine way too seriously, my boy!

What is that blinking outside? I wondered aloud.

Artwork: Nafisa Crishna

Curious, I went into the garden.

Mom, are you there? I called out.
When no one answered, I decided to check the
bushes. Thats when I spotted a remote control with
two buttons, one was blue and the other, red. Without
thinking, I pressed the red button.
ZOOM!
I was sucked into the remote control. Terrified, I closed
my eyes till I felt like I was on the ground again. When
I looked down, I saw that the sand beneath me was
red. I was wearing a spacesuit. I realised what had
happened. I had been teleported to Mars!
Scared, I started walking. I was trying to figure out
what to do when I saw a strange creature with big
eyes. It was coming closer and closer. I was trapped. I
started running in the opposite direction. In my haste,
I tripped on a stone and fell. The alien was just about
to capture me when I felt something in my hand fall
down.

Ever find the real world just not exciting enough? Invent
your own universe with time machines, clones, nuclear
reactors, or whatever you want, and email your original
sci-fi story in 200 words to brainwave@ack-media.com
(with 'Fan Fiction' as the subject).
The best ones will be published in the upcoming
issues and win fun prizes!

February 2015

21

04

Words : Aashima Dogra

Artwork: Ria Rajan

LETTERS
AND WINNERS

Dear friends, please be

sure to include your name,
age, school, picture, address
and appropriate subject line
when you send us your
answers.

Here are the December 2014 issue contest

winners. Congratulations!
We are sending you some gifts to celebrate.
Pidilite Fun: Vithal Rao
2014 Roundup: Ritvik Upadhyay
Treasure Hunt: T.C.A. Ramanujam
Puzzle Book: Maullick Gupta
Sci-Q: Shubham Chorage
Word Find: Pradeep Kumar
Fan Fiction: Akhil Sarvesh Ganeshan
Ask Us Why: Ayush Jain

Letters from
Readers

I love Brainwave. It inspires me to learn more about

science. But I am unable to subscribe for next year's
edition. Please tell me how.
Diwakar Ranganathan
Hi Diwakar,
Great to hear about your enthusiasm for science.
You can get details about how to subscribe by
visiting this URL: http://www.bwmag.in/subscribe.
Do let us know if you have any trouble with this.
Team Brainwave

24
04

February 2015

I've been reading Brainwave for almost one year.

It is a treasure of knowledge. The activities in the
magazine are a lot of fun. I suggest you also include
a separate column for the latest science news.
This will increase the quality of the magazines.
My hearty congratulations to the team for helping
students learn science in a fun and easy way.
R. Benjamin Franklin
Hi Benjamin,
Did you read the interview with your famous
namesake in our December 2014 issue? Were glad
you enjoy the magazine, especially the activities (do
try out the banana fart DIY from this issue. We had a
lot of fun with it at the Brainwave office). Thanks for
your suggestion. We will, in fact, be launching a new
column dedicated to news and events very soon.
Keep reading!
Team Brainwave

www.facebook.com/brainwavemag

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

FOR MORE PRODUCTS
www.bwmag.in

t
e
g
,
Now bang
more your
for ck!
bu

Visit our website for

more content every
month!
With this issue:

Animal Tales : Brinda

the Tape Worm comic
Kingdom Animalia : I Don't
Live Alone in My Body

Visit www.bwmag.in/category/web-only-articles
February 2015

25

Bo

TOY
BOX

o
o
Z
g
u
B
y
d

Written by Nandita Jayaraj

Artwork by Nafisa Crishna

Clues

- I love yo
ur hair.
- I cant m
ake you sic
k, but
I can mak
e you itch
.
- I am a w
ingless in
sect.

If you could match the right animal

to the right exhibit, show us!
Send your complete cut and paste
activity to brainwave@ack-media.
com to win a cool prize.

NEWS

FLASH

Clues

uth.
your mo
in
out
e
iv
l
I
me with
e
e
s
t
n
- You ca
scope.
a micro

s.
hain of bead
c
a
e
k
li
ok
- I lo

04
26

February 2015

Theres
bee
at the b n a big escap
e
ody bu
g zoo!
The on
ly w
back in ay to bring th
e creat
to thei
re
ures
identif
ying th nclosures is
em cor
by
stickin
g them
rectly a
in the
right e nd
xhibit.

se
ou

Clues

- Cat pers
on? I could
be
close by.
- I am a b
acterium.

eptococcus sa
Str
li

Pas
teu

s
riu
va

- I am ova
l shaped.

ultocida
am
l
l
re

Clues

s
- Your cake
e.
at without m
fl
e
b
would
.
e of fungus
- I am a typ

ea

st

g.
e by buddin
- I reproduc

February 2015

27

TRUE
STORY

04
28

February 2015

February 2015

29

04
30

February 2015

Have you had an infection because of your carelessness? What was it?
How did you get rid of it? Send your stories to brainwave@ack-media.com to win a cool prize.

February 2015

31

Compiled by Nithya S | Design by Nafisa Crishna

CUTTING
EDGE
Your gu
t
mouth is full of mic
r
and yo
ur nose obes. Your
to
microb
ial com o! You are a
munity
.

icrobiome

The HMP,

Human Mic

robiome
Project,

started in
2007 in U
SA.
HMP scien
tists took
samples
from 5 site
s: mouth, n
ose,
skin, vagin
a and gut
of healthy
people.

Human
Microbiome
Project

collectio
hole
ni
w
e
sc
h
T

am
d
le
al

For every one body cell, there

are 10 bacterial ones!

trillion
ut 100 hats
o
b
a
s
e. T
rrie
ywher
f us ca
Each o with us ever dy weight!
bo
ia
bacter -2 % of our
1
t
u
o
b
a

DNA SEQUENCER
The microorganisms DNA
were sequenced and
analysed with DNA
sequencing machines.

Sequencing several
microbial genomes at once
is called metagenomics.

The more we know about our individual microbiomes, the more we learn about disease risks,
diagnosis and treatments.
Who started the Human Microbiome project? What are the goals of the project? Research and send your answers
to brainwave@ack-media.com to winsa cool prize.

04
32

February 2015

ASK US
WHY

Do mosquitoes get malaria?

Image Source: "Anopheles stephensi" by Jim Gathany

Asked by G Sumita
Answered by Harshada Sant, Senior Research Fellow, Insect Flight Lab, NCBS, TIFR, Bangalore

alaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium.

To complete its lifecycle, Plasmodium needs
to live in two hosts: mosquitoes and humans.

Malaria is nothing but the body's severe immune

reaction against one of the life stages of Plasmodium.
This is the stage of its life that is spent inside
humans. In any other stage of its life cycle, we can say
that it is inactive as far as its malaria-causing ability is
concerned. When it is living inside a mosquito, it does
a good job of hiding from the mosquito's immune
reaction.

and other symptoms.

Most Merozoites continue this cycle, but some mature
further into male and female sexual forms called
Gametocytes.
When an uninfected female mosquito feeds on
infected human blood meal, Gametocytes enter the
mosquitoe's body and are released in its gut. The
malaria has now travelled from human to mosquito.
In the gut of the mosquito, an immune response is
triggered, killing several parasites.

Lets go through the life cycle of Plasmodium to see

what happens. When an infected mosquito bites a
human, it injects Plasmodium Sporozoites into the
human. Sporozoites are not yet mature to cause
malaria.

The Gametocytes that survive, fuse to form Zygotes

and burrow into the wall of the mosquitoe's gut,
forming Oocysts. Oocysts grow, rupture and release
Sporozoites, which find their way to mosquitoes
salivary glands.

In the human liver, Sporozoites mature into the

malaria causing Merozoite stage. Merozites are then
released into the human blood.

When this mosquito bites an uninfected human,

Sporozoites again are passed from its saliva into the
human blood and the life cycle comes full circle.

Within a human red blood cell, Merozoites multiply

to produce new Merozoites, which travel within the
bloodstream to invade other red blood cells. This
triggers a strong immune reaction, thus causing fever

Have a burning science question? Email it to

brainwave@ack-media.com with 'Ask Us Why' as the
subject. Best questions win exciting prizes and get answered.
February 2015

33

NATIONAL
SCIENCE DAY

by Team Brainwave

8 Reasons To Be Proud of Indian Science

As we saw on page 6, Sir CV Raman is pretty awesome because he is the only
Indian scientist to win a Nobel Prize. Thanks to his discovery, the Raman effect, we
are able to identify and analyze all kinds of solids, liquids and gases.
In fact, he was so awesome that India celebrates the day of his discovery (28th
February 1928) every year as National Science Day! The theme for 2015 National
Science Day is Science for Nation Building.

Reason #1 Or should we say zero?

India invented the decimal and the number system. Guess who
invented the Zero? Arby...or as he was known in 500 CE, Aryabhata.

Reason #2 More fame for Arby

In 1975, Aryabhata, a space-worthy satellite designed within the
country, furthered Indias space research ambitions.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Reason #3 Story of Pi
In 800BC, the value of pi was first calculated by Baudhayana.
He also first wrote about what we call the Pythagorean Theorem.

Reason #4 Worlds best batch of nerds?

More than 10,500 students from all over the world pursued higher studies in one of the worlds
first universities - Nalanda - in Takshashila in the Indian subcontinent over 2700 years ago!

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

04
34

February 2015

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Reason #5 Doctors Manual

The Sushruta Samhita, written in the 6th century BC, describes
1,120 illnesses, 700 medicinal plants, and surgical techniques like
incisions, extraction of foreign bodies, tooth extraction, excisions,
fracture management, and even fitting of prosthetics!

Reason #6 Out of this world!

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

In 1984 & 1997, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first
Indian and Kalpana Chawla became the first Indian woman in space,
respectively.

Reason #7
Chandrayaan 1 was successfully inserted into the lunar orbit,
pushing India's space program on to the world map.
(Postal Stamp in recognition of Russian-Indian collaboration in space)

Reason #8 In case you didnt know

already
In 2014, Indias Mangalyaan became one of the most low-cost but
high-functioning space missions ever! India is the only nation to
reach Mars orbit on its first attempt.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Outstanding Indian Scientists:

Known as the missile man of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Only a few countries in the world have the nuclear power and thanks to Dr. Homi Bhabha,
India is one of them
Dr. Jagdish Chandra Bose is the first to bring up the idea that plants 'feel'
The greatest mathematician to have ever lived, Srinivasa Ramanujan
Dr. Satyendra Nath Bose worked on quantum physics along side Albert Einstein

"We have come a long way since our independence, from being mere buyers of technology to those who
have made science and technology an important contributor for national development and societal
transformationIt is important for India to put all her acts together to become a continuous innovator
and creator of science and technology intensive products." - Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
As a scientist of the future, what is the one thing you would want to invent so that you become part of Indian science history?
Send your responses to brainwave@ack-media.com to win a cool prize.
February 2015

35

GRAPHIC
NOVEL

Season 2 Episode 2

Throw down that

weapon. E-e-a-sy now.

The TG-1 landed to

investigate a seemingly
deserted new York City...

by Cobus Prinsloo

Where are
you from? That
transport vessel
you came in looks
quite impressive.

...om...

Ummm...We are a relief team

from the United Nations.
How can
we assist?

Really? Youll have to

prove it. We have been
in this situation for over
three weeks!

The stores have been

pillaged and looted, and we are
living on our last rations.

Its been like a war zone.

Most people have left the
city to go look for greener
pastures, but we decided to
stay and wait for help.

04
36

February 2015

Gday, mate!

You should rather ask

When are we fro...

You just make sure

you give it back lady!

Ahem! Do
you have a safe
place somewhere
inside where we
can setup a special
device?
But for now,
were keeping your
gun, mister.

I have just the

thing that will help
sustain everyone
until more help
arrives.
Follow me.

We have no
communications, so
we cannot even find
out whats going
on in the outside
world.

Quasar,
ready our nanosynthesizer please!
But stay inside; Deon
and Liz will come to
collect it.

Theres a room on the 5th floor that we use for operations.

Sorry
stairs only!

Identify
yourselves,
please

Im Patel,
and these are my
assistants, Liz and
Deon. But for starters,
you can put your guns
away then we can
discuss a menu.

A menu, you say? I am

Mark Ross, and with me
is my deputy, Lerato. For
starters, were in dire need
of medicine and water.

Oof...stairs!
This will be
tough.
Liz, Deon, go fetch the
synthesizer.

February 2015

37

Soon, Deon and Liz enter the

operations
'operations room
room' inside one
of the abandoned buildings...

This? So you
say this thing can
make beef from
grass, earth, air
and water?

Yessir! Delicious beef. You

see, this nano-synthesizer
works differently from crude,
obsolete manufacturing
methods.
The old way
manipulated
huge groups of
molecules such
as sheet metal or
nuts and bolts.

But nanotechnology
constructs products at the
atomic level, rearranging
the atoms in raw materials
to build up more complex
molecular structures.

Ive read about

nanotechnology,
but where does it
originate
from?

Strange name! You

have more crew on
your craft?

Quasar, wont
you upload the file
'nano-biology 001' to
my visor please?

Ingenious!

While my colleagues are

setting up, Ill get Quasar
to upload data about 20th
century nanotechnology.

Professor Patel starts to project

images against the wall...

Just a sec, Prof.

I mean...five-anda-half seconds,
to be exact!
Sigh! Just do it.

The ideas behind Molecular

Nanotechnology (or MNT) were
put forward by the Nobel prizewinning physicist Richard Feynman
as far back as 1959.

He stated that when the

manipulation of individual atoms
becomes feasible, scientists will
have figured out how to synthesize
absolutely anything'.

04
38

February 2015

Quasar? Err...yes.
Hes Chinese.

Then, in 1989, IBMs Research

Labs used a Scanning Tunnel
Microscope, or STM, with a tip
only one atom wide, to arrange
individual Xenon atoms to form
the IBM logo.

Another big proponent of

this technology was Dr. K.
Eric Drexler. In the 1980s he
intrigued the public with the
new possibilities of MNT.

He was convinced that

it would help solve all of
humanitys problems from
medicine and manufacturing to
healing the environment.

This machine
practically does the
same it only cuts
out the middle man
between grass and
beef steak.

Now which one is

more unbelievable
the cow or this nano
factory?
If organic cells
can reproduce
according to a
genetic blueprint,
why could molecules
not be programmed
to do the same?
MNT manufactures things
the way nature does; the same
way that cows take in raw
materials such as grass and
water, transform their molecular
structure, and turn them into
milk or new muscle tissue.
Hmm...ok then. Well give
your machine a chance. But
there are many other citizens
in the rest of the city.

February 2015

39

No problem. Well
upload a program to the
synthesizer to replicate
more of them. Then well
have a real production line
of food.

Professor, come
in. Come in,
please!

What is it,
Quasar?

My sensors pick up
a large group of life
forms coming from the
south-east, 7km away.
Their trajectory points
towards your location.

Also, there are larger

life forms below them,
suggesting humans
riding on horses.

Thats not good.

What does
it mean? You
know them?

O-yes! These are

raiders coming to scavenge
whatever is left here. Theyve
been here before, and it
looks like theyre back with
reinforcements!

04
40

February 2015

To be continued...

Treasure Hunt!
Y

ou must be aware of the grind by now.

The Treasure Hunt leads you to the theme of the next
issue. Take your magnifying glass out and become the
adventurer. Follow the words or phrases marked in
purple and tagged with TH in this issue and use them
as your clues.

.........

Look closer and you will find enough clues to get you
cracking. What are you still waiting for? Get started
and finish fast, to better your chances of a win!
The top entry will win a special pack of cool ACKs
and Tinkles. Email your answers to
brainwave@ack-media.com with Treasure Hunt
as the subject.

Sci-Q Time
Finished reading the magazine?
Answer this quiz to win a mystery gift worth Rs. 500!
Email your answers as soon as possible to

brainwave@ack-media.com

1. Name the procedure by which faeces of one person can be

transplanted to another? When was it first documented in history?
2.

Name the microorganism that helps in preparation of vinegar.

How much time does this microorganism take to do this?
3.

4.

What is the scientific name of head lice?

Why do they live on our head?

Name the bacteria that lives in the saliva of cats?

How does it affect humans?
5.

List the bugs that live in your ear.

February 2015

41

Give your child a Brainwave...

...and science will just be a game!
Pay only ` 900 720!
Get 12 issues of
20%
OFF

YOUR DETAILS*
Student's Name:
Guardian's Name:
Date of Birth:
Address:

(DD/MM/YYYY)

City:
State:
School:
Class:
Email (Student):
Email (Guardian):
Tel. of Guardian: (R):
Mobile:
Guardian's signature

PAYMENT OPTIONS
CREDIT CARD
Card Type:
Visa
Master Card
Please Charge `
to my Credit card
Number below:
Why pay `75 every month (that's `900 a year) at your
news-stand to enjoy Brainwave magazine?

Expiry Date:

Now, Brainwave magazine is the perfect balance of science

and fun, which will make you tell your friends, "Guys, let's play
science!"
You get comics, stories, experiments and cool contests. There's
a Treasure Hunt too! You can win many exciting prizes, and even
be on our Student Board.

Note: Prices and payment options valid in India only.

For international shipping / payment modes, subscribe

online.
SUBSCRIPTION TYPE

Card member's signature

CHEQUE/DD
Enclosed please find cheque/DD no.
drawn in favour of 'ACK Media Direct Ltd.'
on (bank)
for the amount
dated D D / M M / Y Y Y Y

,
,

ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION

1 year : Brainwave mag - `720

2 year : Brainwave mag + mystery gift of `250 - `1450
1 year : Brainwave mag + Tinkle Magazine - `980
1 year : Brainwave mag + Tinkle Digest - `1150
1 year : Brainwave mag + National Geographic - `3200

42

February 2015

Visit: amarchitrakatha.com or bwmag.in

Email: brainwave@ack-media.com
Amar Chitra Katha, Sumer Plaza, 2nd Floor,
Marol Maroshi Road, Marol, Andheri (East),
Mumbai - 400059, India.
Publisher, at its sole discretion, shall have the right to revise the
offer or subscription price.
* All fields are mandatory for the subscription to be activated.

TEACHER'S
GUIDE
By Mahal Katyal
Designed with expert advice from Brainwave
Advisor, Ms. Maya Menon, Director of The Teacher
Foundation.

You will need at least one copy of this issue of the

Brainwave magazine handy during the session.

This is our SECOND guide for

Techers and parents. Welcome!

This lesson plan is spread across two parts.

Ideal for Grades 5 to 8 Biology classrooms,
it can also be used for any learning environment

Teachers, parents or study groups can use the following

lesson plan to conduct a well-rounded learning
experience on Microorganisms in Human Body.

This is a full-fledged plan to introduce technology to

students. Apart from this lesson plan, some individual
articles can be used to teach specific topics;
find these at the bottom of the next page.

Part 1

Part 2

Lesson Intro:

Lesson Intro:

Begin the class by engaging students in a

discussion. Ask students:
How do you catch a cold?
What happens if you eat food with dirty
hands?
Has anyone in your family been sick lately?
How did the person get that disease?

Discuss the homework given to them

in the previous class. Explain that some
microorganisms are our friends, while some are
our enemies. The friendly micro-organisms help
us in many ways. The enemies cause diseases
and infections.

Arrive at the term 'germs' through the

discussion. Tell students that these germs are
micro-oganisms. Explain to them why they are
called so.

Lesson Middle:

Ask students to guess where microorganisms are found.

Discuss their guesses. Explain to the
students that microbes are found
everywhere around you...in the air you
breathe, to the food you eat and even in your
body. In fact, for every one body cell inside
you, there are around 10 bacterial ones.

Lesson End:

Ask students to create their own microbe on

'Design a Microbe' activity page (Page 20).
Ask students to display their microorganisms
in class.

First, talk about some friendly microbes. Explain

how some perform important functions in our
body, and others help in different activities
around us.

Lesson Middle:

Use Cover Story (Page 9) and MiniMasterchefs (Page 18) to talk about some
microbes that are helpful to us.
Read the story in proper tone and annotation
in order to maintain the fun and excitement
of the story.
If time permits, you can organise a roleplay using the 'Mini-Masterchefs' article
to establish how microorganisms help in
fermentation.

Lesson End:
Conduct a group recitation session of the
Phlegm Monster poem (Page 13) to end the
session with a good laugh.

February 2015

43

Registered with Registrar of Newspapers under RNI No. MAHENG/2012/42382.

Published on the 15th of every previous month.
Postal Registration No. MCN/279/2015-2017.
Posted at Patrika Channel Sorting Office, Mumbai 400 001.
Posting date: 21st & 22nd of every previous month.

Sukanya has fallen ill.

Spot at least 6 infection hot
spots in her surroundings.
(One has been circled for you.)
Send your answers to
brainwave@ack-media.com
The correct entry wins a cool prize.

PUZZLE

BOOK
Artwork By Nafisa Crishna

04
44

February 2015

ANIMAL
TALES
When Brinda was a
little worm, living in
Sureshs small
intestine, her
grandmother used
to tell her stories
of the legendary
Brain, the high, far
place all tapeworms
script by
aspired to go to.
shalini srinivasan
Now older, Brinda
art by
still lives in Sureshs
watch
prabha mallya
small intestine, and
out,
riff-raff! still dreams of his
brain. But she is no
idle dreamer.

Brindas upward mobility

was having some
consequences.

Move,
you
stoopid
balloon!

Brinda didnt realise

that if Suresh couldnt
breathe, hed die, and
so would his intestines,
his brain, and Brinda
herself.

At last, her work

was done. And
Brinda went UP !

luckily:

and Suresh found

himself suddenly very
full
of hot air.

Brinda was back in the small intestine

February 2015

WO 1

KINGDOM
ANIMALIA

I DON'T LIVE ALONE IN MY BODY!

by Debashree Chakrabarti

Besides the trillions of friendly bacteria that live in our bodies, a few bigger,
nastier bugs have been known to pay us the occasional visit.

.............................

From head to toe

I scrub each row
Bugs live on me
They
just won't go!
.............................

Head Louse
The flat & wingless louse usually crawls across the
scalp causing an irresistible itch. Lice cement their
eggs, called nits, on your hair and feed on your blood.
Do you need more reason to wash your hair now?

Human botfly
This fly lays its eggs on your body as it pleases. Most of
them do so under your skin, but the more adventurous
have been removed from the mouth and the eyes.

What are the scientific names of each of these bugs?

Research and send your answers to brainwave@ack-media.com
The correct entry wins a cool prize.

04 2
WO

February 2015

Gut worms
Your 25-feet-long intestine can make a very luxurious
home for tapeworms and hookworms. Their larvae
usually enter our bodies through improperly cooked
meat or spoilt vegetables.

Itch mites
'Scabies' is a skin rash caused by itch mite eggs. These
parasites live inside the skin, making the infection very
painful, but lucky for us, its pretty rare, especially if
you take a shower often.

Ear parasites
Have you heard of the bugs that like to live in your ears?
Baby roaches, june bugs, moths & earwigs are the most
common ones to have been pulled out of peoples ears.

Eye Admirers
The Loa Loa is the infamous roundworm that slithers
across the unfortunate eye ball. More common,
however, are the Demodex mites. These are pretty
harmless and, in fact, could be living in your eye
lashes even as you read this.

February 2015

WO 3