SOPHOMORE 1

S Y 2 0 0 0 - 2 0 0 1 V o l . 20 N o . 4

C O N T E N T S
r:
UNDERSTANDING HYDROPONICS Balani Edito alani
Dear Bato e of th e many Bato B m
No, it’s not the latest in audio-video systems; it’s about the I am on thin fro
g s
soilless cultivation of plants. I le a rn about many topics
read er s. d up to the
ur m ag az ine which ad peci ally about
yo in school, es
us s to
that we di sc tually rdha
co nc ep ts that are ac ning . M y
simpl e is about ya w
BONSAI: MORE THAN A SCIENCE AND AN ARTFORM ex am ple And
explain. One ly natural?
Discover the humble beginnings and commercial future of those yawning real you
question: “Is ning makes
tiny trees in pots, which came to be known as bonsai. Stand tall tiny
se ei ng so meone yaw
trees. does
yawn, too?”
. Halaba
GARLIC:ANTIBIOTICEXTRAORDINAIRE Charlene N stitute
Presenting the indisputable wonder drug of the spice L ad y of the Snows In
O ur
Capiz
kingdom–that golden clove of an herb called garlic. Dumarao, )
yawning - ed
5 to kn ow more about
(turn to p.
MUSHROOM: THE LARGEST FUNGUS ON EARTH
More than a fruiting body that sprouts almost anywhere damp, the
mushroom has long been regarded an exotic delicacy, beloved bythe
gastronomes.

BOARD OF ADVISERS
R E G U L A R F E AT U R E S Violeta Arciaga, Jaime F. Bucoy,
3 Science & Technology News Jose C. Calderon, Victoria V. Cervantes,

5 Filipino Scientists and Inventors Juanita M. Cruz, Belen P. Dayauon

CONSULTANT
Medical Facts and Fallacies
Merle C. Tan, Ph.D.
9 Livelihood Technology / I’d Like to Know
DIWA OFFICERS EDITORIAL BOARD
10 Cyber World Saturnino G. Belen Jr. President Lourdes F. Lozano Executive Editor
14 Earth Care Amada J. Javellana WilliamS.Fernando Managing Editor
Executive Vice President Alfie “eLf” V. Mella Magazine Editor
16 Investigatory Projects
Enrique A. Caballero, Virgie Naigan Art Director
19 Pseudoscience Reynaldo M. de la Cruz, SilvanoC. Santiago Cover Design

23 More Activities to Do William S. Fernando, Jose Valeriano P. Linay Layout Design

JoseMariaT.Policarpio, Elma L. Ropeta, Silvano C. Santiago Illustrator
24 Mind Games
Lourdes F. Lozano Vice Presidents

for Science and Technology is published bimonthly by Diwa Scholastic Press, Inc. Bato Balani is one of Diwa’s Scholastic Enhancement Materials (SEMO). The SEMO
R R
BATO BALANIO R

trademark refers to a new genre of scholastic publication, including a selection of premium-quality magazines. Copyright 2000. Articles in this publication may be reprinted provided due acknowledgment
is given. All communications should be addressed to THE EDITOR, G/F Star Centrum, Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City, Philippines, Telephone numbers: 843-4761 to 66.

2 SOPHOMORE
 Fatal Attraction,
I
n San Miguel Island, in the seas off
Southern California, female sea lions
have been dying at the rate of up to 50
per year. The circumstances behind
this tragedy have perplexed concerned
Sea Lion Style
citizens for years. Finally marine biologists A decline in the Steller’s population So as another mating season begins,
have identified the culprit, but they may not caused its males to seek mates among their DeLong just hopes the hybrid males would
be able to prevent more fatalities. When the California class-mates. Whenever a female not appear. Marine biologists are in a
corpses began piling up in an alarming resists, the male instinctively forces his way quandary whether or not to apply for a
number, experts initially suspected by bearing down with his full weight. Result: permit to kill the giant sea lions. They believe
poisoning by pollution or attacks by death by suffocation. Or in human term: that the hybrids are just trying to save their
fishcatchers. However, Robert DeLong, a rape with homicide. species from extinction.
biologist at the National Marine Mammal Source: Time magazine
Laboratory, refuted this initial report. He
witnessed a giant male sea lion mating with
a female, just a fraction his size. Tragically
the romance did not end with a baby in the
womb; the 700-kg male crushed the 100-kg
female to death. DeLong says the giant is a
hybrid of the large Steller’s sea lion and the
female a smaller California species.

Of Mice and Humans

S
cientists from Princeton University,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and
Washington University altered the DNA of a
mouse to increase its learning ability and
memory capacity. Mice are a far cry from humans but the
research could eventually lead to methods of upgrading
human intelligence. But if such genetic enhancement is
already available in the market, how much would it cost
those who would dare to have it? Unless they make the
service affordable even to those in the poverty level, it will
surely create a new “Aryan race” fracas, wherein “the rich
become more intelligent as the poor are left behind.”

Source: Time magazine

SOPHOMORE 3
 Once, botulism was considered a
dreaded thing. Why not? Botulism is an
Canned Headache
acute food poisoning caused by Clostridium
botulinum, a spore-forming bacterium that
secretes the food toxin botulin. Canned
foods are the favorite hunting ground of the
uncanny botulin. But after years of study,
doctors have discovered another side of the
toxin, fortunately a good one: botulin seems
to alleviate migraine headaches. In a
preliminary study, 50% of the patients were
injected with small amounts of the botulism
drug Botox on their foreheads. After a while
the patients reported that their migraine
headaches disappeared and stayed away for
up to four months.

Source: Time magazine

Beware!
Backbiters!
Bitten by a dog or a cat? Don’t take it lightly. Aside
from the dreaded rabies virus, scientists report that in at least
half of all the cases, animal bites also carry pasteurella, a
bacterium that invades the blood or joints. There the
bacterium causes an infection and, in rare circumstances,
meningitis—inflammation of the meninges, or membranes,
that surround the brain and spinal cord. So if swelling or
pain develops on the bite, don’t waste time trying to determine
which between the two--rabies or pasteurella--is on the loose.
It would be better to consult a doctor immediately.
Source: Time magazine

4 SOPHOMORE
 RAFAEL D. GUERRERO III Marine Scientist
“Study well and keep an open mind,”
advises Dr. Guerrero who in his childhood
was already fascinated with underwater
creatures. Kids like you, he said, should
develop their skills in what they like best.
That’s one of the first steps to success.
Dr. Guerrero, now 54 years old, is
the Executive Director of the Philippine
Council for Aquatic and Marine Research
and Development (PCAMRD), an agency
of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST).
He is an expert in the production of
marine and aquatic fishes and marine
environmental management. Fish is a good
source of daily nutrient and aquaculture is a
livelihood for many Filipinos. These make
Dr. Guerrero’s expertise very significant in
the lives of the Filipino people.
Fallacy: Yawning is contagious.
A results-oriented person, Dr.
Guerrero is also the present program
administrator of the DOST-Association of
Southeast Asian Nations’ Marine Science
Program. He is a visiting professor of
Zoology at the University of the Philippines,
and adjunct professor of aquaculture at the
Auburn University in Alabama, USA.
He has a long list of national and
international achievements; one of which is
his being the Academician of the National
Academy of Science and Technology since
1992. He was a recipient of the “Outstanding
Young Scientist Award” (1980) given by
the then National Science Development
Board, now DOST.
Fact:Yawning is an involuntary deep
inspiration of air into the lungs, often
accompanied by stretching of the arms and
legs. Some of the factors that normally cause
yawning include fatigue, sleepiness, and
poor ventilation with reduced oxygen
supply; and certain disease processes which
produce decreased bloodflow to the brain.
There is this popular belief that
yawning is contagious; that when one
observes the act of yawning in others, it
prompts him/her to yawn, too. However,
this is not true in a medical point of view.
The precipitating factor concerning poor
ventilation with reduced oxygen supply can
explain this. The fact that the yawning person
SOPHOMORE
Dr. Guerrero finished his degrees in
Bachelor of Science in Zoology (1964) and
Master of Science in Applied Zoology
(1970) at the University of the Philippines
at Los Baños (UPLB). He went to the
Auburn University for his degree in Doctor
of Philosophy in Fisheries Management
(1974). In 1984, he earned his one-year
course diploma inAgribusiness Management
also at UPLB.
With this load of accomplishments,
Dr. Guerrero can be regarded not only as a
man of science but a forerunner of
environmental progress as well.
is in the same room as the one observing
him/her, it is likely possible that the problem
lies on the ventilation of the room, which is
depriving its occupants of enough oxygen
supply that promotes normal blood and air
circulation in the body. So, the person did
not acquire the act of yawning from the other
but rather, both of them were somehow
affected by the condition of the air in the
room. The question as to why then not all of
the room occupants were yawning despite
their being inside the same room is explained
by the fact that different individuals have
different lung capacities. This also means
that they have different needs in the oxygen
level. Thus their reactions to the alleged poor
ventilation vary.
5
B I O L O G Y

Understanding
Hydroponics by Alfie Vera Mella

N
o, it’s not a newly invented waterproof
historians, and the Floating Gardens of the Aztecs of
gadget that will replace the cellular phone.
Mexico are early references that growing plants without
Nor the latest technology in audio-video
soil was already in practice during the dawn of civilization.
systems. It may not be a household word,
It was even described in Egyptian writings dating back
but the term “hydroponics” is quite old already. Actually
to several centuries before Christianity. Those
it is popular among those who are into plants.
spectacles were the first epitomes of hydroponics, thus
Hydroponics is a science and it has been helping in
hydroponics is far from being a new concept.
plant cultivation for quite a long time now.
Hydroponics, from the Greek words hydro,
ORIGIN
which means “water;” and ponos, which means “labor,”
The fact that plants can grow without soil has is the science of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid,
been in existence for centuries. The legendary Hanging without soil and with added nutrients. It has been a
Gardens of Babylon, though it might have never really subject of researches since 1697. John Woodward, an
existed except in the minds of Greek poets and English physician, submitted to the Royal Society a

6 SOPHOMORE
paper concerning the process. He reported that he had
grown some plants in two water media—polluted river
water and rainwater—to determine whether plant growth
was really due to the soil or the water alone. And from
Woodward’s experiment spawned many studies
concerning hydroponics. In the 1930’s botanists were
conducting experiments on growing plants without soil
using nutrients dissolved in water. They proved that the
soil is not indispensable. The main function of the soil
is to moor the plant roots in place.
Plants naturally acquire great quantities of
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from water and air, but
the remaining nutrients they need, such as nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium,
and iron are usually supplied as mineral salts by the
soil. In hydroponics, these essential elements are
provided in a solution consisting of distilled water and
mineral salts, such as calcium nitrate [Ca(NO 3) 2],
potassium nitrate (KNO 3), potassium dihydrogen
phosphate (KH2PO4), and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).
Hydroponics has been popularized in Western
Europe and is now used extensively in the Netherlands
for commercial flower and food products.
Canada is also recognized in
hydroponic culture. In the
Philippines, the science has been
boosting the flower and fruit
industry.
are also subject to pest attacks and diseases. One
disadvantage, though, of growing plants in water is the
easy growth of molds. In this case, small amounts of
fungicide do the trick. Also they are just as influensed
by climate, as are soil-cultivated plants.
The main advantage of the soilless cultivation
is that high yields can be obtained in places where the
soil is infertile or harmful to plants. Plant growth can
also be accelerated by manipulating the nutrient content
of the water. The only disadvantage is its high cost of
operation and maintenance. Nevertheless, hydroponics
is economically practical on large-scale crop cultivation
where highly valued crops, such as flowers and
vegetables, are needed in places where the soil is
infertile and disease-infested.
TECHNIQUES
Various types of techniques have been tried in
hydroponics. Each employed different types of cultures
and nutritional formulas. Scientists originally used them
for scientific researches, but some techniques have been
modified for commercial purposes. Two of the widely
used techniques are the water culture and the sand and
gravel culture.

As compared to soil
plant growing, yields of plants
grown by hydroponics are high.
However, they do not differ largely
from each other in terms of
nutritional quality and their
requirement for water, air, and
temperature. Plants grown in
solutions, usually of different types
of cultures, like those grown in soils,

SOPHOMORE 7
B I O L O G Y
Water Culture. The most exceptional deviation
from the usual soil plant cultivation is the water culture,
in which the roots of the plants are immersed in the
water containing nutrients without any support. Before
planting, the roots are usually germinated between
sheets of wet paper. Upon germination, the plants are
placed in a perforated cork that is just a little above the
nutrient solution. In large-scale cases, the plants are
planted in a porous material, which is held some inches
above the nutrient solution by means of a net or a chicken
wire.
Sand and Gravel Culture. The more widely
used hydroponic technique uses sand, gravel, or a
coarser medium to support the plants. Other materials
that can be used include cinder, pumice, pebbles, or
crushed rocks. This technique is more advantageous
as compared to the water culture because less care is
needed in sprouting and planting the seeds. In this
method, the nutrient solutions are poured over the sand
and allowed to percolate down through the container.
The excess solution is drained out of the bottom of the
container.
In both the water and the sand and gravel
cultures, the nutrient solution supplies plant roots with
the essential requirements such as water, oxygen, and
mineral nutrients.
HYDROPONICS: A TOAST OF THE DAY, THE TREND
OF THE FUTURE
Although hydroponics has been around for
many, many years, it still is a young science, but its
progress is impressively quick. It is currently being
employed in many agricultural activities and has long
advanced from being a mere hobby and subject for
researches to a lucrative way of growing fruits, flowers,
and vegetables. In the Philippines, particularly in Baguio
and in other parts of the Cagayan Valley region, where
flowers, fruits, and vegetables are a major source of
8 SOPHOMORE
livelihood, hydroponics is a widely recognized plant
cultivation method. Specialized hydroponics is also
under thorough study, for possibilities of growing edible
crops in submarines to feed crews and spacecraft to
sustain astronauts in space! In a more serious note,
hydroponics may be used for food production in
underdeveloped countries, where space and soil
resources are limited. It can also be a major
consideration in the desert countries, where growing a
variety of useful crops in soil is almost impossible.
The popularity of hydroponics has been
increasing remarkably. It’s about time to include
hydroponics in our list of household terms. What
overpopulated country would not need of the commercial
value of hydroponics, by the way? In an era where supply
of natural foods, like fruits and vegetables, is highly in
demand, the knowledge of growing plants without soil
is a big advantage.
1. Cite some historical references that allude to the
practice of hydroponics.
2. How is hydroponics considered more favorable than
the usual cultivation of plants in soil?
3. Describe the two most widely used techniques in
hydroponics.
culture – cultivation of soil; growth in a prepared substance
germination - process of growing or sprouting
percolate - to cause (a solvent) to pass through a permeable
substance especially for extracting a soluble constituent
References:
1. http://www.hydroponics.com
2. Encyclopedia Americana Intl Ed. 1983 Grolier Incorporated.
Q: For how long have centaurs been extinct?
A: Oops. To begin with, centaurs are not “centaurs.” Since riding horses was totally Glaizalyn A. Tan
real animals. They are just mythical unbeknownst to them, the not-so-civilized
Manila Science High School
creatures. Depicted as a race of half human- folk thought that the half-naked horse riders
half horse creatures, Centaurs, also known they saw from afar were really half man- Manila City, Metro Manila
as Ixionidae, were born out of the fertile half horse creatures. They thought that their
minds of bards who laid the foundation of bodies were connected to the horses they
Greek mythology. were mounted on.
What’s more interesting though is
how ideas of centaurs came into being. There
were many conjectures, but this one’s quite
logical:
During a time when most peoples
were still striving to civilize themselves, and
still afraid of all kinds of animals, which
were naturally wilder and untamable, some
more-civilized people from another place
were already riding horses. This tribe of
horse riders was said to be the first

Pinoy Fries on the Go

by Alfie Vera Mella
Filipinos are known to adapt very
well to whatever environment and cultures
they are subjected to. They are also known INGREDIENTS
to innovate and imitate well-tested ideas. Not 1/2 kg kamote (sweet potato)
bad at all, as long as they do not claim such 1/4 kg brown sugar
ideas as their original. cooking oil
As an answer to the very famous MATERIALS
french fries, ingenious Filipinos have come peeler
up with their version of the beloved staple. knife
Dubbed as pinoy fries, it has come to win frying pan
the palate of Filipinos who have a natural gas stove
preference for all things sweet.
Here is a recipe shared to me by a PROCEDURE
food vendor in our neighborhood who 1. Peel the kamote. Cut into strips.
specializes in turon, maruya, banana and 2. Wait until cooking oil is at boiling point before putting the kamote strips in the frying pan.
kamote cues, and all sorts of sweet foodstuff. 3. When the kamote strips are already light brown, add the sugar.
Try it at home. Take a bite! Pinoy fries on 4. Wait until the sugar caramelizes and attaches to the kamote strips.
the go. 5. Serve while hot and crunchy.

SOPHOMORE 9
 Programming
Graphics by Wacky Salazar

What is a computer program

without graphics? Isn’t it boring? Part of
the fun in creating cool computer programs
is being able to create graphics or images
on screen. In Qbasic this is not too difficult
and with a little practice we can all become
simple artists.

Before an artist works, he has to

prepare his canvas. In the same way, we
have to prepare the computer screen for
the graphics. The computer screen has two
modes: text mode and graphics mode.
What we have been using in the past
exercises is referred to as the text mode.
In graphics mode, the screen looks different
because it displays data in a different way.
Let’s try this out. Try each of the following
programs and see what the differences are:

10 SOPHOMORE
 SCREEN1 SCREEN2 SCREEN12
of the center of the circle on screen. R defines the size
PRINT“HELLO” PRINT“HELLO” PRINT“HELLO” of the radius of the circle and color will specify the color
END END END of the circle border.

Notice that the higher the screen we use, the 3. PSET – this command allows you to plot
finer the word “HELLO” appears on screen. This is points on the screen.
because the screen command defines the number of Syntax: PSET(X,Y),color
graphic pixels (dots on screen) both vertically and
Example: PSET(20,50),8
horizontally. There are several screen modes that we
can use but in the next exercises, we will use The variables X and Y defines where on screen
SCREEN 12. you want to draw the pixel and the color specifies what
color to use. This command is similar to plotting points
Now here are some very simple graphics
on screen.
commands.
4. DRAW – this command allows you to draw
1. LINE – the line command allows you to draw
a series of lines starting at a given point. If we do not
a straight line on screen or create a
specify the point of origin, by default, the DRAW
box on screen. The syntax of the
command starts at the center of the screen.
command is:
Syntax: DRAW ”<commands>”
Syntax: LINE(x1,y1)-(x2,y21),color,B
Example: DRAW “U20E25F25D20”
Example: LINE(10,5)-(50,100),5
The letters correspond to the direction where
The first set of numbers in parentheses define
the line will be drawn and the value following the letter
the starting point of the line in terms of its X and Y
corresponds to the length of the line.
coordinates on screen. The second set of numbers
defines the end point of the line. The number after the U – up E – right diagonal going up
comma defines the color of the line. Now try adding ,B
D – down F – right diagonal going down
(comma B) at the end of our example and see what
happens. What appears on screen is now a box. This L – left G – left diagonal going down
creates a box using the coordinates as the diagonal of
R – right H – left diagonal going up
the box.
5. PAINT – this command will paint a bordered
2. CIRCLE – the circle command lets you draw
area starting at the point you specify. For example, if
a circle on screen. This is one of the easier graphics
you draw a circle and PAINT the center of the circle with
commands.
a certain color then the area within the border of the
Syntax: CIRCLE( x , y),r,color circle will be colored.

Example:LINE(10,5)-(50,100),15 Syntax: PAINT (X,Y), color

The X and Y variables denote the coordinates Example: PAINT (50,123), 5

SOPHOMORE 11
More than a Science and an Artform
by Alfie Vera Mella
“T
rees,” by Joyce Kilmer, what a lovely poem!
When you think of trees, what usually comes
to your mind? You would probably think of tall,
lush trees that decorate an equally lush
landscape. You might even imagine a sequoia, the tallest
among all trees, or the beloved guava tree in your
neighborhood, which you and your playmates have
learned to climb when you were adventurous little tots.
How about the legendary balete, which has lots of scary
tales to tell? Or a fresh, green pine for a Christmas
tree? But have you thought of tiny trees that grow in
pots? Yes, those attractive, diminutive plants that you
see in small pots that look like trees are specifically
trees after all! These are what are known as bonsai.
The first ever reference to tiny trees being grown
in pots for either decorative or medicinal reasons can
be traced back in China during the Tang Dynasty
(618-907). A wall painting discovered in the tomb of
Zhang Huai, a prince who lived and died during that
dynasty, showed a servant carrying a pot containing a
tree. This miniature tree, along with its miniature
landscape, was called Penjing, which literally means
“tray scenery.” It was believed that Japan adopted it and
the Japanese word for it, “bonsai” (from Japanese words
Bon, which means
“tray, pot;” and Sai,
which means
“planting, planted”),
was really derived
from the Chinese
word p’en t’sai,
meaning “tray-
planted.” The
Japanese went to
great lengths in
12 SOPHOMORE
“I think that I shall never see
A tree as lovely as a poem.”
developing these potted trees,
making them the eventual
masters of bonsai.
Bonsai is actually
the name of the process itself, but
bonsai has come to be known as
its own product – miniature trees
ranging from an inch to more or
less 80 inches in height,
dwarfed either by special
techniques or by nature itself,
then grown as potted plants. Natural
bonsai are those that have been naturally stunted by an
unfavorable environment, which includes factors such
as the type of soil and its nutrient contents and the
constancy of the wind blows in the areas where they
originate; though bonsai of this type are quite rare. On
the other hand, the true bonsai, according to Atty.
Poncevic M. Ceballos of The Philippine Bonsai Society
Inc. (PBSI), are those brought to miniaturization by
special techniques learned through years of careful
training. Based on the origin of the bonsai, he is right,
bonsai culture is meant to be an art of creating miniature
trees. However, not all species of trees can be made
into bonsai. Selection depends on the characteristics
of the leaves and trunks of the tree species as well as
their reaction to the procedures involved. For example,
some species die when their leaves or branches are
trimmed or when they are subjected to tying and bracing,
essential procedures in bonsai culture.
Varieties of tree species with small leaves,
flowers, or fruits are preferred. Most varieties grown by
the Japanese have been hardy trees, shrubs, and vines
common to temperate zones. These include flowering
apricot, pine, and spruce. In the Philippines, most of
the trees used for bonsai are local species like bantigue
(Pemphis acidula), bignay, bougainvillea, kamagong
(Philippine ebony), kamatsile (Pithicolodium dulce),
Ficus, guava, kalyos (Streblus asper), Muraya exotica,
orange jasmine, Philippine tea, and tamarind (sampaloc).
Amusing to know is the fact that almost always fruits of
fruit-bearing bonsai grow in their natural sizes and retain
their properties.
Among the various techniques employed in
creating bonsai, the most essential are pruning, training,
and shaping.
Pruning. Maybe done once a year or repeatedly,
according to the growth habits of the plant, this involves
cutting and trimming of leaves to reveal part of the trunk
and branch structure. Subsequent repotting of the bonsai
is also necessary to facilitate root pruning, which, in
turn, allows the bonsai to continue healthy growth in
the same size container.
Training. Seedlings, rooted cuttings, and small
grafted trees developed as bonsai are sometimes started
in ground beds, where pruning of tops and roots each
season develops compact habits. Vigorous growth in
ground beds also causes the trunks to fatten. Normally
bonsai that are not trained lose their essence of being
typical trees as they grow older. So training is an
essential part of the process.
Shaping. Aside from tying and bracing, a
widely used method is done by wrapping a soft copper
wire spirally around the branches and trunks to bend
them into a desired position or direction. One of the
more popular shapes achieved through this is the
“windswept bonsai,” which simulates a tree being blown
heavily by strong winds towards a certain direction.
Care of bonsai, particularly the selection of
potting soil and conducive environment, depends on
the nature of the
plant, the available
materials, and the
personal preferences
of the grower. A
common practice
today is the use of a
complete, soluble
fertilizer in weak
solution. Atty. Ceballos, who owns an
impressive bonsai garden in his
residence at Baesa,
Caloocan City, prefers a
high-in-organic fertilizer
as a growth
supplement for his
wide variety of
bonsai.
Aside from being mere
exotic plant collectibles, with a
current market price of about P1,000 and
above, bonsai can be developed in large scale for their
edible fruits and medicinal value. Obviously the main
advantage of growing bonsai over ordinary trees is the
economy of space needed in their cultivation. However,
although bonsai has long been regarded as a science
in Japan, where methods are continuously being
developed and refined, the commercial value of its
cultivation in the Philippines has yet to be established.
Deserving commendation for their continuous effort in
promoting bonsai culture in the Philippines are
organizations like Angeles Bonsai Club in Angeles City,
Pampanga; Angono Bonsai Club in Angono, Rizal; La
Union Bonsai Society in San Fernando City; and The
Philippine Bonsai Society Inc., the main club that
represents the whole country. Activities, like bonsai
exhibition and educational seminars, are sponsored
regularly by the said clubs.
1. Give early references of the existence of bonsai.
2. Describe the techniques employed in creating a bonsai.
3. How can the commercial value of the bonsai be
developed?
repotting - process of transferring a plant from its pot to another
pot for varied reasons
References:
1. http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Palace/7574
2. Atty. Poncevic M. Ceballos of The Philippine Bonsai Society Inc.
(PBSI) For more information email at: lawfirm@skyinet.net
3. Miniature Bonsai. Herb L. Gustafson. 1999 Sterling Publishing
Co., Inc. New York.
SOPHOMORE 13

The Whales Are Wailing
There they sail alone
Naked barebellied
Brokenhearted
Meek and somber
With hearts as big as oxen
Grand but humble
In the Pacific they dwell
In the Atlantic and the rest
Ocean to ocean
Coast to coast
Breaking water surface, splash
From place to place they surface
Atop their heads their blowholes
Flip on air astonishingly—swift
Ocean water
Like fountains from there it
squirts
Whales, beware!
They’ve come to take your
dreams
For so long you’ve been hunted
For barrels of oil your fat would
make
O’ whales, I hope you’d prevail
And your butchers, fail!
The whales are wailing
and all those means to an end
Can’t you hear them?
Let them live
Leave them alone in their ocean
home
The whales are not fish
But are mammals like us
So they’re closer to our hearts
These poems were all written in 1990, and are included in the author’s unpublished
poetry anthology entitled: “A Box Pretending to be a Book Full of Stories.”
14 SOPHOMORE
by Alfie Vera Mella
Dugong, Sirena ng
Karagatan
Dugong, alam mo na ba ang
balita?
The Dolphins’ Sheen Malakas ang ugong-ugong
Na ang iyong lipi ay unti-unti nang
nangangaubos
Playful creatures of the sea
Isang dagok sa ulo
Lovable cetaceans swim with
Hinto ang tibok ng puso
glee
Lagot ang hininga
Bilad ang balat
with waves
Iyong karne’y ulam
as arrows, graceful like
Dugong, dugong
shadows
Mga sirena ng karagatan
Into the sea they dive
comparable to falling Prinsesa ng Palawan
stalactites
O’ anong ganda ng
pangangatawan
Humans who should have
been their caretakers Bibihirang mga nilalang
Doon sa karagatan sila’y
Predate these dolphins in
various trends— matutunghayan
Dynamite, cyanide, driftnets,
Mala-abo ang kulay
Sa paglangoy ay mahusay
Ngunit sa tao ay mailap
Pitiful creatures of the sea
Like the whales and the Lalo’t sibat at ‘di pagkalinga
Ang sa kanila ay nakalaan
manatees
Die of unworthy butchery
In the hands of human Dugong, dugong
‘Di man tunay na mga sirena
savagery
Sila’y mga tunay na prinsesa
The sheen of the dolphins’
skin Dugong, dugong
Under the sunshine’s beam Hayaang dumami ang mga
Promises, promises…a lifeful prinsesita
tomorrow’s gift Ng mga dugong ng karagatan
To this endangered species’
plea
Though shall be set free
G eographically, the water portion of the Earth
is far greater than the land. As a matter of
fact, Earth is approximated to be 75 percent
water! But just as the land is home to an
extremely diverse varieties of fauna and flora,
so as the oceans, the seas and other water
bodies. “There’s no place like home,” says a song, but
how can aquatic living things consider the waters their
home when it is slowly becoming unfavorable for them
as their habitat? It is inevitable, some might say, for
change is the only permanent thing in the world. However,
most of the changes in the water environment are
preventable after all, especially those brought about by
human activities, which have been pushing the aquatic
creatures toward endangerment. Unless unscrupulous
fishcatchers cease from their illegal activities, such as
fishing through the use of dynamite, cyanide, spears,
and driftnets, the Earth’s waters will soon be deprived of
them—plants and animals, who all have their roles to
play in our fragile ecosystem.
Among the many endangered species that
inhabit the sea, the larger whales, the dolphins, and the
sirens seem to be closest to the edge of extinction.
Humans have found a great use in them without
considering the fact that these gentle aquatic mammals
are already in the list of endangered species. In the
Philippines alone, there are possibly 27 species of whales
and dolphins and most of them have been hunted since
the 1800s.
Larger species under order Cetacea, the
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) have long been
preys of notorious whalers. A single humpback yields
tons of meat ready to supply a number of restaurants
specializing in exotic foods. The sperm whale, which
has a large closed cavity in the head containing a fluid
mixture of spermaceti and oil, is much prized. One sperm
whale produces barrels of spermaceti, a waxy solid
substance used in ointments, cosmetics, and candles.
The dolphin is another cetacean, which belongs
to Delphinidae, a family of small gregarious toothed
whales. It is known for its playful antics and has been
observed to save distressed humans during shipwrecks.
Unfortunately, the dolphin is also an entry in the animal
flesh trade. Local researchers even noted that dolphin
meat is popular during fiestas in some small Philippine
towns like Talisayan, Misamis Oriental; Sagay,
Camiguin; Mogpog, Marinduque; and Malampaya Sound
in Palawan, Polillo Island on the Pacific coast.
The dugong, the manatee, and the sea cow, or
what are collectively known as sirens, are aquatic
herbivorous mammals under the order Sirenia. The sirens
are known to have a meticulous reproductive cycle.
Gestation lasts up to 13 months and only one calf is
born per pregnancy. Three to five years would have to
pass before a new calf can be conceived. This is one
reason why propagation of their species is very slow.
Despite this, people continue to hunt them to extinction.
Endemic in the Philippine waters, specially in Palawan,
Isabela, and Southern Mindanao, the dugong (Dugong
dugon), or baboy-dagat, is another favorite of local
fishcatchers. The dugong and the rest of the sirens are
prized for their meat, which, meatlovers say, is tastier
than beef.
One might say that these sea creatures—the
larger whales, the dolphins, and the sirens—are killed
and butchered for “valid” and “noble” reasons; that is, to
supply humankind with basic needs like food, oil, and
other raw materials for various commercial products.
However, people should take into consideration the
availability of such animal resources. It has long been
declared that these three are already among the
endangered species. As a matter of fact, laws, such as
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’
Administrative Order No. 55, and programs of non-
government organizations in protection of these animals
are existent. It’s just that most people don’t take them
seriously. Moreover, such attempts to save the
endangered species are often useless without the
support of the general public. Start saving our
endangered species before they become limited to being
subjects of photography, taxidermy, and poetry.
Awareness and just a word of concern about them
passed on to everyone are a big step towards saving
them.
gestation - conception and development of a young in the uterus
propagation - increasing the population of species through
reproduction
taxidermy - the art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting animals
especially vertebrates (animals with backbones)
References:
1. http://www.nubook.com/wwfphil
2. http://www.cetacea.org
3. http:www.haribon.org.ph/wildlife
4. Kasaysayan The Story of the Filipino People. Raymundo S.
Punongbayan et al. 1998 Asia Publishing Company Limited.
SOPHOMORE 15
 I N C O O P E R AT I O N W I T H T H E
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

BIODEGRADABLE
ABSTRACT
The study aims to produce
biodegradable plastic using cassava starch
as its main product.
Cassava starch was mixed with water,

PLASTIC FROM
epoxydized soya bean oil (ESBO), glycerol,
and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The mixture
was then compressed and tested.
Three preparations were made from

CASSAVA
the mixture.

Preparation I:
50 grams starch

(Manihot esculenta)
50 grams water
50 grams PVA
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol

STARCH
Preparation II:
65 grams starch
65 grams water
50 grams PVA
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol

Preparation III:
80 grams starch
80 grams water
50 grams PVA
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol

The first preparation exhibited the

most desirable mechanical properties. The
material produced was proven to be
biodegradable.

INTRODUCTION
There is an increasing demand for
plastic, from the highly technological fields
of electronics, fiber optics, and
pharmaceuticals to the basic necessities such
as sandwich wrappers and garbage bags.
This high demand for plastics, however, has
been a major contributor to the world’s
present garbage problems. The researches
aimed at developing biodegradable plastics
is one big step to lessen, if not totally
eliminate, this global concern.

16 SOPHOMORE
 The use of biodegradable plastics has
already started in the United States. Some
plastics use cornstarch as an additive. This
additive helps in the natural decomposition
of the plastic materials.
Cassava is basically composed of
starch. Cassava starch is composed of two
components: amylose and amylopectin.
Amylose is a long straight chain of polymer
of anhydroglucose units. Amylopectin is a
branch of chain compound, also of
anyhydroglucose units. Because plastics are
made of polymers, starch is a very favorable
raw material in plastic-making.
The study was limited to one species
of cassava, Manihot esculenta. The plastic
produced was treated with different amounts
of starch, polyvinyl alcohol (binder),
epoxidized soya bean oil (stabilizer), and
glycerol (plasticizer).
The finished product was expected
to be comparable to commercial plastics in
terms of clarity, reaction to acids and bases,
water absorption, tensile stress and tensile
strain, electrical conductivity and
flammability.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The word plastic came from the
Greek word plastikos, whih means “capable
of being molded.” Plastics can be as hard as
metal or as soft as silk. They can take any
shape in almost any form due to the
versatility of the carbon, the most common
backbone of polymer chains. Plastics can
be conveniently divided into two categories:
semi-synthetic, in which the basic chain
structure is derived from a natural product,
such as cellulose; and synthetic, which is
built up chemically from small units or
monomers.
Despite the various applications of
plastics, drawbacks have been encountered
in three major points. Firstly, there are certain
chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics
that may cause allergic reactions. There is a
need to protect humankind from these
threats. Secondly, since cellulose films are
biodegradable, they are readily attacked by
bacteria. Films and packaging materials
from synthetic polymers are normally
attacked at a very low rate. New polymers
such as nylon, polyvinyl chloride and
polystyrene have replaced cellulose, the
pioneer plastic material. These plastic
materials have become permanent wastes.
There are various methods in making
biodegradable plastics. The simplest is the
production of plastic from the extraction of
casein from milk. Casein is obtained in two
ways: 1) by souring, with the use of lactic
acid; and 2) by boiling together with an
additive, such as acetic acid.
Starch is a natural organic polymer
manufactured by green plants through
photosynthesis. It occurs in the form of
grains in many parts of the plant, principally
in embryonic tissues such as seeds, fruits,
roots and tubers.
Polyvinyl alcohol is a colorless,
odorless, tasteless, thermoplastic synthetic
resin. It is commonly used for grease-
proofing paper, in adhesives, in gas- and
oil-impervious films and coatings. This
substance, although soluble in water, is
insoluble in common organic solvents.
Glycerol is the simplest trihydric
alcohol. In commercial form, it is called
glycerin. It is a colorless, odorless and
viscous liquid with a sweet taste. It is
completely soluble in water and alcohol but
is only slightly soluble in many common
solvents, such as ether, ethyl acetate and
dioxane. It is widely used in coatings and
paints, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Plastic production is a relatively new
technology. Experiments are being
conducted to relieve the negative effects of
overproducing plastics. By changing its raw
materials and additives, commercial plastic
may be improved so that it will become
biodegradable while retaining its good
quality.
METHODOLOGY
In order to determine the right
combination, three batches with different
proportions were prepared.
SOPHOMORE
Batch I:
50 grams PVA (1:4 ratio of PVA
to water)
50 grams water
50 grams starch
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol
Batch II:
50 grams PVA (1:4 ratio of PVA
to water)
65 grams water
65 grams starch
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol
Batch III:
50 grams PVA (1:4 ratio of PVA
to water)
80 grams water
80 grams starch
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol
Measured amounts of water and
starch were mixed and boiled, using a hot
plate (at 80 degrees Centigrade), until a
sticky paste was formed. After removing
the starch-water mixture from the hot plate,
the rest of the materials were added.
After mixing all the materials, the
mixture was passed through a roll-mill with
a temperature of 118 degrees to 120 degrees
Centigrade. Then, it was compressed, using
a compressor with a temperature of
130 degrees Centigrade for seven minutes.
The samples produced were cut into
1-inch-by-2-inch strips for testing.
Several tests were conducted to
determine the mechanical properties of the
samples.
The plastics were inspected to
determine their opacity, translucency and
transparency.
To determine the effects of strong
acids, the plastic strips were immersed in
concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCI) for
30 minutes. Changes in length, width and
appearance were noted. A tensile test was
also conducted. Strips were hooked to a
spring balance and were pulled until they
17

tore apart. The readings on the balance when
the strips broke were recorded. To test the
samples for flammability, strips with the
same dimensions were burned using Bunsen
burners. Burning time was noted. An organic
solvent test was also conducted by
immersing the material in ethanol for
48 hours. Changes in length, width and
appearance were also noted.
The samples underwent
biodegradability tests. The strips were
stapled to a piece of cardboard and buried in
a can of soil. They were unearthed after a
week. Their final dimensions were recorded.
To determine the effects of water, the samples
were immersed in a bottle of chlorinated
water. The bottle was sealed so as to isolate
its contents from the external environment.
After a week, their final dimensions were
noted. In conducting the air test, the strips
were exposed to open air for a week. Changes
in the dimensions were also noted.
RESULTSAND DISCUSSIONS
The quality of plastic produced
greatly depends on the proportion of
additives used. Any difference in the
formulation may bring about changes in
terms of flexibility, color, transparency and
texture. The difference in the amount of
starch had an effect in the texture and
transparency of the samples (see Table 1).
The different proportions were formulated
to test which of the samples from the
different formulations would exhibit the best
properties. The rest of the formula were kept
at a constant amount to test the effect of
variations in starch content.
Commercial plastic served as the
control. All the preparations, except for
Preparation I which is the only sample that
underwent the Tensile Stress Test, were
subjected to the same tests. The tests were
conducted to find out which among the
samples is comparable with the control.
The strong acids had unfavorable
effects on the samples, unlike the control
which did not manifest any change.
18 SOPHOMORE
It was observed in the strong base SUMMARYAND CONCLUSIONS
test that instead of being dissolved, the Favorable results were obtained in
samples absorbed the liquid. No significant the Strong Acid Test, Strong Base Test, and
difference was observed in the dimensions Flammability Test. The samples were found
of the three preparations and the control. to be water-soluble. However, the samples
When tested for flammability, the would not dissolve in ethanol, an organic
samples completely burned. It was also solvent.
observed that the samples produced resisted All samples were biodegradable.
heat better since they took longer to burn.
The soil biodegradability test showed RECOMMENDATIONS
that there was a significant reduction in the The samples dissolved in water
size of the samples when buried in the soil because the binder (PVA) used is water-
for a week. soluble. In order to solve this problem, an
The samples dissolved in water. This alternate binder may be used. A water-proof,
may be because the binder (PVA) used is biodegradable coating may be used to solve
water-soluble. However, the samples would this problem. Antioxidants may also be used
not dissolve in ethanol since the binder to make the product more transparent.
(PVA) used is insoluble to organic solvents.
Exposure to air did not have any
effect on the samples.
TESTING RESULTS
TABLE 1. TEXTURE
PREPARATION REPLICATE DESCRIPTION
I 1 smooth, translucent
2 with air bubbles,
slightly rough
3 with air bubbles,
slightly rough
II 1 slightly rough
2 translucent, and
3 thicker than Prep. I
III 1 thickest of the three preps.,
2 yellowish,
3 and a bit opaque
control 1 smooth, translucent
(polyethylene plastic) 2 smooth, translucent
3 smooth, translucent
Researchers:
Note:
Leah Dolly Girao No part of this article may be used or reproduced in
Rolando Giancarlo Inciong any form whatsoever without written permission
Emanuelle Jacinto from the Philippine Science High School, Diliman,
Bambii Joanne Magbuhat Quezon City, except in the case of brief citation as
Sherwin Louie Sayson embodied in the laws of scientific articles and reviews.
 “Pseudoscience” literally means “false science.” Therefore, it is best for the public to be made aware of the facts behind
pseudosciences – practices and beliefs that have no reliable scientific bases. These include false beliefs that are, almost always, results
of the ignorance and gullibility of the oldfolk, who tend to rely strongly on “coincidence mentality.” However, baffling it is to know that
despite the innovations and developments in science – the foundation of human knowledge – many continue to patronize pseudosciences.
This section aims to expose these pseudosciences, which do not only hamper progress, but may also pose harm to the health
and sound judgment of those who get victimized by it. But don’t worry, just a dose of real science cures the most ignorant of minds.
Subliminal Messaging
A
few years ago, a local
alternative band caused quite
a stir when it was alleged that
their songs carried demonic
messages when played in
reverse. The allegation that
backmasking, or the process of playing a
piece of music on compact disc, vynil, or
cassette tape in reverse, reveals a subliminal
demonic message either intentionally or
accidently recorded by the composer has
persisted over the last two decades. Rock
songs are the favorite victim of this
preposterous allegation, for the sole reason
that rock music has long been associated
with sex, drugs and fast life. However, time
and liberal thinking proved that such
assumption is baseless and unfair. Rock
music analysts say the idea of backmasking
is just an attempt by several “conservativists”
to discredit rock music. Rock music, just
like folk, classical and other types of music,
is already regarded as a musical artform.
Thus, subliminal messaging through
backmasking is only a fiction of the mind.
Subliminal messaging is a belief that
a person’s behavior or decision-making can
be influenced by delivering messages
through visual, auditory, or aural means,
without the person being aware of it. It is
generally said to be below conscious
perception and addresses the unconscious
mind.
In the advertising industry, for
instance, much has been made over
subliminal advertising. In a movie theater,
for instance, a split-second flash of a
message that says “Drink This Cola” during
a movie will not be noticed by the audience’s
conscious mind. However, advocates of
subliminal messaging claim, this split-
second flash could influence the audience
to buy that particular brand of softdrink.
The scientific community has not
totally discarded the possibilities of
subliminal messaging. Studies continue to
be done on the many forms of subliminal
propaganda. Even American government
agencies caution radio, print and television
companies from using subliminal
messaging until more definitive studies yield
tangible proofs to its validity or invalidity.
However, the proponents of
subliminal messaging have overhyped and
played up the effects of this practice and
turned it into a sociological scare tactic. It
also creates an atmosphere of fear and
uncertainty over whether consumer
companies or even the government could
be testing or using subliminal messaging to
attain their objectives.
Even Disney movies catering to
children and families have not been spared.
Recently, a spate of rumors have floated
about the proliferation of sexually
SOPHOMORE
suggestive elements in Disney movies. But
no scientific study has yet proven that such
covert messaging can override a person’s
individual preference or decision. “The fact
that there is almost no empirical support for
the usefulness of subliminal messaging has
not prevented numerous industries from
producing and marketing tapes which
allegedly communicate directly with the
unconscious mind, encouraging the ‘listener’
not to steal, or coaching the ‘listener’ to have
courage or believe in his or her power to
accomplish great things.”
When you sit in front of your
television set or watch a movie or listen to
rock music, don’t worry. No evil entity will
whisper in your ears and urge you to do bad
things. No big consumer company or
government agency can yet tell you what
softdrink to buy or vote for a certain
candidate. Subliminal messaging has yet to
be proven effective in replacing your
decisions with somebody else’s. For the
meantime, no one and nothing else will be
held responsible for every little thing that
you do but yourself.
References:
1. The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal,
edited by Gordon Stein (Buffalo, NY.
Prometheus Books, 1996)
2. www.parascope.com
3. www.straightdope.com
19
B I O L O G Y

GARLIC: Antibiotic Extraordinaire

by Leda A. Esguerra

I n horror films, one cannot miss the long wreaths

of garlic hung outside houses or around the necks
of protagonists. It is supposed to ward off horrible
creatures, particularly the vampire and the aswang,
a popular Filipino mythical character. But more than a
weapon against the human flesh- and blood-lusting
Reference to its uses in traditional medicine can be
traced back to ancient Greece, Rome, medieval Europe
and the Far East. The Egyptians at the taking of oaths
invocated garlic and onion as deities. Hippocrates, father
of medicine, recommended garlic to cure many common
health problems. The ancient Greeks and Romans
creatures of folktales and film myth, garlic has more largely consumed garlic, as noted by Virgil in Eclogues.
than meets the eye in real life. It is a legitimate Horace, however, recorded his extreme
ingredient in various recipes of many dislike of the spice, the smell of
countries. As a matter of fact, in which, in those days, was
almost any Filipino dish, garlic considered a sign of
seems to be indispensable. vulgarity. Among the ancient
From sinangag to adobo to Greeks, those who ate
lugao and tokwa’t baboy, garlic were not allowed to
flavor and aroma is enter the temples of
incomplete without it. Cybele. But according to
But more than anything Homer, Ulysses escaped
else, garlic is also from being changed into
considered a medicine a boar because of the
to cure several virtues of the ‘Yellow
ailments. Garlic.’ The herb is also
Regarded as a mentioned in a
“wonder drug,” garlic, or Mohammedan
Allium sativum, of the legend: “when
herb and spice kingdom, Satan stepped
has a bulb composed of out of the
small cloves and is Garden of Eden
identifiable by its distinct after the fall of
odor. Its existence was man, Garlic
recorded in as early as 2000 BC. sprang up from the

20 SOPHOMORE
spot where he placed his left foot, and Onion from where
his right foot touched.” According to superstition in some
parts of Europe, a man running a race will be ahead of
his competitors if during the race he chews a morsel of
the bulb. Hungarian jockeys sometimes fastened a clove
of garlic to the rein of their horses in the belief that other
racers running close to them will fall back the instant
they smell its offensive odor. Garlic is also mentioned in
several Old English vocabularies of plants from the 10th
to the 15th centuries. It is said to have been grown in
England before the year 1540.
The name “garlic” is of Anglo-Saxon origin;
derived from gar, which means “spear;” and lac, which
means “plant,” in reference to the shape of its leaves.
Garlic has at least 100 sulfur-containing compounds
that can be linked to its medicinal value. It can fight-off
infections, germs, viruses, fungi, eliminate parasites,
prevent blood clotting, reduce cholesterol, lower blood
pressure and open lungs and bronchial tubes. Research
has shown that garlic possesses anti-infective properties,
as well as immune-enhancing properties. It is also useful
for allergies because it acts as a natural decongestant.
As for the heart, garlic plays a valiant role in many ways.
It can reduce clotting and lower blood pressure. Various
studies have shown that raw garlic, garlic oil and garlic
supplements resulted in lower cholesterol levels and
that garlic also helps prevent the formation of plaque in
the arteries. Various researches concerning the use of
garlic in cancer prevention are ongoing. When garlic oil
is used, it is excreted primarily through the lungs, so it
is employed in the treatment of chronic bronchitis,
recurrent colds and influenza, and bronchitic asthma.
Syrup of garlic is an invaluable medicine for hoarseness,
cough, dyspnea, and most other disorders of the lungs.
Garlic can further be used as a tonic or preventative for
many infections. It successfully kills harmful bacteria in
the digestive tract while supporting the development of
natural bacterial flora. It was reported that during an
outbreak of infectious fever in certain poor quarters of
London in early last century, French priests who
constantly used garlic in all their dishes visited the worst
cases and remained healthy while their English
counterparts caught the infection, and in many cases
died because of the disease. In olden days, garlic was
also used against leprosy. It was also believed that it
had most beneficial results in cases of smallpox, if cut
small and applied to the soles of the feet and renewed
daily. Used externally, the herb can help in the treatment
of ringworm and threadworm. Garlic’s use as an
antiseptic has long been recognized. In the late war it
was widely employed to speed up the healing of wounds.
It is sometimes applied externally to disperse hard
swelling. An infusion of the bruised bulbs, given before
and after every meal, has been considered of good effect
in epilepsy while a clove or two of garlic, pounded with
honey and taken two or three nights successively, is
good for rheumatism. If sniffed, it will revive a hysterical
sufferer. In terms of physiological effects, it is reported
that it makes the eye retina more sensitive and less
able to bear strong light.
With all these heroic roles of that clove of an
herb in the field of medicine, garlic is indisputably a
wonder drug.
1. Give early references of the use of garlic.
2. How does garlic play its daily role in your household?
protagonist - the hero in a play or movie
deity - a god; a divine being
dyspnea - difficulty of breathing
References:
1. http://www.akins.com/HH/Garlic.htm
2. http://www.azuswebworks.com/herbs/garlic.htm
3. http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/
garlic06.html#med
4. http://www.erowid.org/herbs/garlic/garlic.shtml
SOPHOMORE 21
B I O L O G Y
M u s h r o o m :
The Largest Fungus on Earth
by Alfie Vera Mella
“F
ungus? Has it, that, ahh...something to do
with skin diseases?” said the last person
whom I surveyed.
Most people always associate fungus
with disgusting skin diseases, especially
those infecting the most hidden corners of the human
skin. However, have in mind that not all fungi thrive on
the realms of dreaded fungal infections. Did you know
that the mushroom, which is not only eaten as the main
course, but also as an ingredient in various dishes, is
actually a fungus? In fact, mushrooms are the largest
species of fungi, any of a large group of plantlike
organisms which include the mildews, molds, puffballs,
rusts, and yeasts. Unlike green plants, fungi lack
chlorophyll so they cannot manufacture their own food.
However, they are significant in many ways, both
beneficial and harmful. They play a major role in the
decay process, which returns useful chemicals to the
soil. In the field of gastronomy, fungi, particularly morels,
puffballs, truffles, and certain mushrooms, are
considered delicacies. The mushroom, in particular, is
a profitable source of livelihood for many plant growers.
In the Philippines, many are known to cultivate
mushrooms in large scales, supplying markets and a
long chain of restaurants that have mushrooms in their
recipes.
Mushroom is any of the larger fleshy species of
fungi, mostly under class Basidiomycetes. Actually, it
22 SOPHOMORE
is not a complete fungus plant but a spore-producing
fruiting body that grows on dead wood, humus, manure,
and as parasites on tree barks. The great majority of
mushrooms are edible, only some are poisonous.
Generally, the term “mushroom” is applied to all forms,
both edible and poisonous, but experts prefer to use
mushroom to refer to the edible ones, and toadstool, to
the poisonous few.
Once, viewed as tiny parasites thriving on dead
tree stumps and in almost anywhere damp, mushrooms
were limited to the diet of adventurous food lovers. Now,
they are sold commercially in cans or by the kilo.
Comparable to many vegetables in terms of nutritive
value, mushrooms are rich in vitamin B. Two of the most
known species are the common edible mushroom
(Agaricus campestris or Psalliota campestris) and the
commercial, two-spored field mushroom (Agaricus
bisporus).
Before mushrooms were only grown in places
like caves and abandoned mines, where the temperature
and humidity are perfect for their growth. However, with
the development of the mushroom industry, the most
delicious mushrooms are now being produced in
specially-built airconditioned cultivation houses, where
conditions are favorable and can be better controlled.
1. Give some beneficial and harmful activities of fungi.
2. How are mushrooms of value to humans?
gastronomy - the art of good eating
Reference:
1. Encyclopedia Americana Intl Ed. 1983 Grolier Incorporated.
 FOSSIL FORMATION
Derived from the Latin word fossilis, which means “something dug out of the ground,” fossil
is any remains, trace, or impression of past life on Earth–whether of a plant or an animal, a mineral
or even a rock. However, with the development of paleontology, the study of ancient life on Earth, the
term “fossil” is now used to refer to the tangible evidence of extinct plants and animals.
Some fossils represent the actual organism, some consist of materials that had previously
replaced the original organism, while some are only impressions or traces of the extinct plant or
animal. In this activity, you will make an impression of a seashell on a block of clay.

MATERIALS
seashell, paint brush, vaseline, a block of modeling clay (twice as long
and wide as the shell), plaster of paris, paint brush, dull knife, container

How are fossils discovered formed?

PROCEDURE

1. Coat the outer side of the shell with vaseline.

2. Press the shell halfway into the clay.
3. Remove the shell from the clay. This is now your mold.
4. Paint the surface of the clay and the inside of the rim with
vaseline.
5. Mix water and plaster of paris until you achieve a viscous mixture.
6. Fill the mold with the mixture up to the rim.
7. Allow the plaster to harden. The time will depend on the
consistency of the mixture. You can dry it in the sun to speed
up the process.
8. Carefully remove the clay from the plaster.
9. Trim the edges of the plaster with a dull knife.

How would you compare the real shell with the product that you
made?

SOPHOMORE 23
 WHO’S WHO?
1. Who’s afraid of riding a Ferris wheel?
GROUPS OF YOUR FAVORITE ANIMALS ________ Ferris
1. a parliament of _________ a. eagles 2. I received a basketful of Nestlé chocolates
2. a convocation of ________ b. kangaroos last Valentine’s. _________ Nestlé
3. a flock of _____________ c. ducks 3. You’re febrile. The thermometer reads
4. a troop of _____________ d. goats 37.6o Celsius. ___________ Celsius
5. a paddling ____________ e. frogs 4. Where did the electrician install the voltmeter?
6. a trip of ______________ f. owls ___________ Volta
7. a school of ____________ g. seagulls 5. The roof of our house is made of galvanized
8. an army of ____________ h. wolves iron sheets. ___________ Galvani
9. a pack of _____________ i. sheep 6. Pregnants are advised not to expose
10. a herd of _____________ j. fish themselves to Roentgen rays.
_________ Roentgen
7. Have you ask Father to include pasteurized
milk in the list of groceries to buy?
______________ Pasteur
a. Alessandro
b. Wilhelm Conrad
c. Luigi
d. Louis
e. George Washington Gale
f. Anders
g. Henri

WHICH IS WHICH?
Which is longer: 4 yards, 130 inches, 11 feet, or
330 centimetres?

C R O S S W O R D
ACROSS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 DOWN
1 study of the scientific classification of 2 _ _ _ _ _phobia; inexplicable fear of being
plants and animals 10 11 12 in open or public places
8 Tin 3 chemical element Xe
13 14
10 carriers of hereditary traits 4 not off
11 k_ _ _ _; a marsupial 5 Middle Paleolithic
15 16
13 electrically charged atom 6 movement of a solvent through a semi-
14 an alloy of mercury and another metal 17 18 19 permeable membrane
15 _ _ _-ma_ _ _ n; an earlier species of human 7 nucleus of an egg
16 a flightless bird indigenous to New Zealand 20 21 8 Cole_ _ _ _; raw chopped cabbage salad
17 a Chinese dynasty 9 tsu_ _ _ _ _; tidal waves
18 Daylight Saving Time 22 23 24 25 26 12 _ _ _ _g; process of growing old
20 _ _s_ _t; to exert force in opposition 13 bird (combination form)
22 space of more than three dimensions 27 28 19teaspoon
27 a fungus 20 c_ _ _ _ent; a phase of the moon
29 30 31
28 _ _ _ _l; umbilicus 21 _ _ _elopment in _e_ _nology;
29 someone who deals with the study of 32 33 34
technological progress
transmutation of metals into gold 23 _ _ _st; a fungus
33 _ _ _ _ _ _ _asis; defective expansion of the 35 36 37 24 the roof of the mouth
pulmonary alveoli at birth 25 _ _ _ _ine; an oily liquid poisonous amine
35 a food toxin usually present in spoiled 38 39 C6H5NH2
canned foods 30 Y_ _ _; Sasquatch
37 indicated horsepower 31 _ _ _ _ rea; criminal intent
38 electron volt 32 tablespoon
39 center of the solar system 34 triphosphopyridine nucleotide
36 ultraviolet
24 SOPHOMORE