Current Affairs 24th August 2025

Core Mystery in Biology Question: How did simple cells (bacteria, archaea) evolve into complex eukaryotic cells (animals, plants, fungi)? Eukaryotic cells = advanced internal structures (organelles, cytoskeleton). Prokaryotic cells = simpler machinery.
Role of Asgard Archaea A group of archaea called Asgard archaea are the closest living relatives of eukaryotes. Their genes provide important clues about early cellular complexity.
Importance Cytoskeleton = network of proteins → gives cells shape, helps in division, supports internal structure.
In bacteria → FtsZ protein essential for cell division.

Key Discovery (IISc Study, EMBO Journal) Studied Odinarchaeota (member of Asgard group). Found: it carries two versions of the FtsZ gene + a tubulin-like gene. Unusual because most microbes carry only one FtsZ gene. Findings – Two Distinct FtsZ Proteins OdinFtsZ1 Forms straight protofilaments (similar to bacterial FtsZ). Anchors directly to membranes. OdinFtsZ2 Forms spiral ring-like structures. Needs an adaptor protein for membrane attachment. Together → interact and cooperate inside cells.

Significance Shows division of labour between proteins → a sign of growing cellular complexity.
In eukaryotes → proteins like tubulin play similar but more advanced roles.

Combination of two FtsZ paralogs + tubulin-like protein suggests: Asgard archaea were experimenting with diverse cytoskeletal systems. Represents a turning point in evolution → foundation for eukaryotic cytoskeleton.

Problem: Ammonia (NH₃) is a promising clean fuel alternative to hydrogen. Direct use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) often leads to inefficiencies and reliability issues.
Recent Innovation: Scientists combined a fuel cell with a plasma reactor.