Jaina Biology

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 30

Cell Structures and Functions
complex organization, 14 for each type of cell-body (Abbuya15) has a characteristic size and shape, it has a unique vital force16 which distingushes (or separates the living substance from the surroundings and it contains a life-force, 17 plans a major role in controlling and regulating the activities of the cell-body. The bodies of the higher animals and plants are organized in a series of increasing complex levels. 18 It appears that cells are organized into tissues, tissues into organs and organs into organ-systems. 19
According to modern Biology, “The structural and functional unit of both plants and animals is the cell, the simplest bit of living matter that can exist independently. The cell itself has specific organization, for each type of cell has a characteristic size and shape, it has a plasma membrane which separates the living substance from the surroundings, and it contains a nucleus, a specialized part of the cell separated from the rest by a unclear membrane. The nucleus, plays a major role in controlling and regulating the activities of the cell. The bodies of the higher animals and plants are organized in a series of increasingly complex levels. Cells are organized into tissues, tissues into organs, and organs into organs system.o20
Metabolism :
According to Jaina Biology, metabolism is the sum of all the chemical activities of paryāpti (Vital force )21 which provide the energy for the growth, maintenance and repair of the organic system as well as its own growth with intensity. Paryāpti of all cell-bodies is constantly
14. Ibid. 15. Tandulaveyaliya, 2. p. 6. Cell = arbuda ? 16. Paryapti 17. Prāna 18. Bhagavati Sūtra 19. 3. 6. 52-53; 25. 1. 717.
Uttaradhyana Sūtra 36.70 ff. Pannavanā 29.25. ( Sūksma-bādara, etc.)
Gommațasara ( Jiva ), VV. 177, 183. 19. Tandulaveyaliya, 2, p. 6.
“Abbuya jayae pesí, pesio ya gbanam bhave....pimdiyão pāni, pāyam siram ceva nivvattei. pittasoniyam uva cine satta sirasayaim pamca pesisayaim upto romaku
vakodiya nivvaitei I” 20. Biology Villel. A. p. 17. 21. Pannavanā, Āharapada, 2nd Uddešaka, pajjattidá-a, p. 406.
Jivabhigam, p. 2?; Navatattva Prakaranam, V. 6, p. 12, etc. Lokaprakāśa, Pt. I, 3rd Sargā, vv. 15, ff; Gommațasāra ( Jivakāņda ). Paryapti, 3rd chapter, v. 119, ete., Mūlācāra, Pt. II, paryaptyadhikara, 12, v. 4 etc. Bộnatsangrahaņi, 363.