Guttation
Rediscovering the Wonders of Biology
Three important takeaways:
1. The quality of teaching (knowledgeable and engaging educators) and the availability of engaging educational resources can significantly impact our interest, understanding and perception of a subject.
2. Modern visual aids, such as YouTube animations, can make complex subjects more accessible and interesting.
3. Learning is a lifelong process, interests can evolve over time; continued education and curiosity can change our perception about a subject.
My journey with biology has been anything but straightforward. As a young student, in Grade 9, I used to go to Ms. B, a private tutor for biology. The first chapter in my biology textbook was Cell Division and she tried to explain the process of meiosis and mitosis by drawing the various stages on my notebook. My challenge was that I couldn’t visualize the process — everything felt too 2-dimensional. This was the 1990s, so I did not have the advantage of watching animated YouTube videos on Cell division, like kids today have.
Meanwhile, Ms. B, became occupied with other students, or she assumed I was too thick in the head and the opportunity to learn any more biology slipped away. That was the last time I studied biology in school. Chemistry and physics made far more sense to me, and I managed to score well in science, even though I skipped biology.
In contrast, my father taught me Mathematics during the school days, a subject I struggled with. Despite my difficulties, he provided me with a solid foundation, which only later blossomed into a genuine interest and appreciation for the subject. By Grade 10 , although my father stopped teaching me Maths, his teaching was good enough for me to crack Engineering and as well as Management competitions and today I earn my living by teaching Maths.
Biology, however, remained elusive to me. It wasn’t until three decades later, when my son was preparing for his matriculation exams, that I revisited the subject. We turned to YouTube, where we found numerous engaging educators who reignited my curiosity. We saw a lot of animations too that brought the subject to life.
While I still don’t fully grasp all the intricacies of biology, I am now deeply fascinated by its processes. They are magical — to say the least. The heart’s ability to beat continuously for 80 to 90 years, for instance, is nothing short of miraculous. Similarly, the fact that 95% of water absorbed by plants is lost through a process called Transpiration, and that this mechanism helps water to reach the top of a 350-foot trees, is truly astounding. I used to think that the water droplets on the plants on my window were dew drops but now I realise it’s Guttation!
Biology, once a subject I viewed as a mere collection of terms to memorize, know looks like a field of wonders. Recently, I learned about the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems — an area I previously knew nothing about beyond the standard photograph of a brain. There are world class educators available on YouTube that help me satiate my curiosity.
Furthermore, as I advance in age, I have begun to value my physical body more and take it less for granted. Now I make a concerted effort to be mindful of what I consume, both physically and mentally, and in this regard, my continued education in Biology provides significant insights.
This experience has underscored for me, the importance of good teachers and a genuine interest in transforming one’s understanding of a subject. With the right guidance and curiosity, even the most challenging topics can become a source of awe and inspiration.
