COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHAKRAS IN EUKARYOTES CELLS
ESTUDO
COMPARATIVO DOS CHAKRAS EM CÉLULAS EUCARIOTAS
Ramai
Pandita Das (Rega, RMS) – BBiomedSc, MSc
(UERJ/USP)
Margareth Costa Neves - BSc, MSc (UFF)
Summary: The chakras are, according to yogic philosophy, energy centers within
the subtle body part, that distribute the pranic energy through channels
(nadis) nourishing organs and systems. The aim of this study is to make an
anatomical relationship between the major chakras with cellular structures.
Key-words – chakra, body, cell.
Resumo:
Os chakras são, segundo a filosofia yogue, centros energéticos situados na
parte sutil do corpo humano, que distribuem a energia pranica através de canais
(nadis) nutrindo órgãos e sistemas. O objetivo desse estudo é fazer uma relação
anatomofuncional entre os principais chakras com as estruturas celulares.
Palavras-chave
– chakra, corpo, célula
INTRODUCTION
A cell is a structure as well as a functional unit of
life-Every living thing has cells. Some organisms are made up of just one cell
are called uni cellular, but animals, including human beings, are
multi-cellular. An adult human body is composed of about 100,000,000,000,000
cells! Each cell has basic requirements to sustain it, and the body's organ
systems are largely built around providing the many trillions of cells with
those basic needs (such as oxygen, food, and waste removal). (6)
Cellular Organization - Several different molecules
interact to form organelles within our body. Each type of organelle has a
specific function. Organelles perform the vital functions that keep our cells
alive. (1,2)
Plasma membrane –The boundary of the cell, sometimes called the
plasma membrane, separates internal metabolic events from the external
environment and controls the movement of materials into and out of the cell.
This membrane is very selective about what it allows to pass through; this
characteristic is referred to as "selective permeability.
Peripheral proteins – Attach loosely to the inner or outer surface of the
plasma membrane. Integral proteins lie across the membrane, extending from
inside to outside. A major function of these proteins is the identification and
communication with neighboring cells.
Cytoplasm - The gel-like material within the cell membrane is referred to as the
cytoplasm. It is a fluid matrix, the cytosol, which consists of 80% to 90%
water, salts, organic molecules and many enzymes that catalyze reactions, along
with dissolved substances such as proteins and nutrients.
Cytoskeleton - The gel-like material within the cell membrane is
referred to as the cytoplasm. It is a fluid matrix, the cytosol, which consists
of 80% to 90% water, salts, organic molecules and many enzymes that catalyze
reactions, along with dissolved substances such as proteins and nutrients.
Nucleus - Controls the cell; houses the genetic material (DNA). The nucleus is
the largest of the cells organelles. Cells can have more than one nucleus or
lack a nucleus all together. Skeletal muscle cells contain more than one
nucleus whereas red blood cells do not contain a nucleus at all.
Chromosomes – Inside each cell nucleus are chromosomes.
Chromosomes are made up of chromatin, which is made up of protein and
deoxyribonucleic acid strands. Deoxyribonucleic acid is DNA, the genetic
material that is in the shape of a twisted ladder, also called the double
helix. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Mitochondria - Mitochondria are the organelles that function as
the cell "powerhouse", generating ATP, the universal form of energy
used by all cells. It converts food nutrients such as glucose, to a fuel (ATP)
that the cells of the body can use.
The chakras – A person can collect energy from
several different levels of vibrations that are utilized in various parts of
the body. Throughout our body we have main energy centers, which are connected
to major organs or glands that govern other body parts. Each of these main
energy centers are referred to as chakra. (3) Chakra is a Sanskrit word which
means wheel. A chakra is a wheel-like spinning vortex that whirls in a circular
motion forming a vacuum in the center that draws in anything it encounters on
its particular vibratory level. The seven main chakra centers are aligned along
the spinal column. If there are disturbances on any level, this shows in the
chakra’s vitality level. Also each of the seven main chakras is their own
intelligence center. (4, 5) This means that each chakra is not only associated
with our physical health but also controls aspects connected to our emotional,
mental and belief system. The seven chakras are:
Muladhara or Root Chakra
(last bone in spinal cord) - Element: Earth.
Svadhisthana or Sacral
Chakra (ovaries/prostate) - Element: Water.
Manipura or Solar Plexus
Chakra (navel area) - Element: Fire.
Anahata or Heart Chakra
(heart area) - Element: Air.
Vishuddha or Throat Chakra
(throat and neck area) - Element: Ether.
Ajna or Brow or Third Eye
Chakra (pineal gland or third eye) - Element: Light/Dark (Ether).
Sahasrara or Crown Chakra
(Top of head) - Element: Thought/Space (Ether).
COMPARATIVE STUDY (Figure 1)
In cells the chakras can be
represented in their organelles or structures:
(a)
The
muladhara chakra is related to the cytoskeleton.
(b) The Svadhisthana chakra is related to the cytoplasm.
(c) The manipura chakra is related to mitochondria.
(d) The Anahata chakra is related to cell membrane.
(e) The Vishudha chakra is related to transmembrane
proteins.
(f) The Ajna chakra is related to the cell nucleus.
(g)
The
Sahasrara chakra is related to the genetic material.
References:
1.Alberts,
B; Bray, D, Lewis, J; Raff, M; Roberts, K; Watson, J.D. Biologia molecular da
célula. Porto Alegre: Artes Médicas, 1994.
2.Guyton, AC.; Hall, JE.
Textbook of Medical Physiology. Philadelphia. Editora
Elsevier Saunders.2009.
3.Hiroshi,
M. Teoria dos Chakras - Ponte Para a Consciência superior. Editora Pensamento.
Rio de Janeiro. 2008.
5.Johari,
H. Chakras - Centros de Energia de Transformação. Editora Pensamento. Rio de
Janeiro. 2010.
6.Junqueira,
LC; Carneiro, J. Biologia celular e molecular. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara
Koogan, 2000.
Figure 1 - Drawing of a eukaryotic cell structures by relating to te chakras.
