Sourav Pan is the founder and sole author of Biology Notes Online. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree and an M.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Calcutta. He creates educational resources covering microbiology, immunology, biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, botany, zoology, and other life-science subjects.
His goal is to make complex biological concepts easier to understand through well-structured, student-friendly articles based on academic textbooks, peer-reviewed research, and authoritative scientific sources. In addition to writing new content, he regularly reviews and updates articles to improve their accuracy, clarity, and educational value.
What is Pauly’s Test? Pauly’s test is a biochemical colour test which is used for detection of tyrosine and histidine amino acid in proteins. It is a specific colourimetric assay. It was given by Hermann Pauly (German chemist) in 1904. It is based on azo-coupling reaction. In this process sulfanilic acid is diazotized in cold … Read more
PYR test (Pyrrolidonyl Arylamidase test) is a rapid colorimetric biochemical test used in clinical microbiology. It is done for detection of enzyme pyrrolidonyl arylamidase (pyrrolidonyl aminopeptidase) in bacteria. In this test the bacteria is exposed to a synthetic substrate L-pyrrolidonyl-β-naphthylamide. If the enzyme is present the substrate is hydrolyzed and β-naphthylamine is released which is … Read more
Urease test is a biochemical assay used in microbiology to detect whether microorganism produces urease enzyme or not. It is the process in which urea is broken down into ammonia and carbon dioxide by urease enzyme. When urease producing organism is inoculated in urease broth or agar the ammonia is rapidly accumulated and pH is … Read more
Nitrite Reduction Test is a biochemical test, which is used to determine that bacteria can reduce nitrite (NO2−) into other nitrogenous compounds. The nitrite is further reduced to nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen gas (N2) or ammonia (NH3). This test mainly indicates the ability of organism to remove nitrite from medium. In this … Read more
Paul Ehrlich Paul Ehrlich (1854–1915) was a German physician, biochemist and scientist. He is regarded as one of the founders of modern hematology, immunology and chemotherapy. His work was mainly concerned with immunity, staining techniques and chemical treatment of diseases. In 1908, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Élie … Read more
1. Julius Wagner-Jauregg Julius Wagner-Jauregg was an Austrian psychiatrist. He was the first psychiatrist who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He is mainly known for introducing malarial therapy for the treatment of neurosyphilis. It is considered as one of the earliest biological treatment in psychiatry. Key Contributions of Julius Wagner-Jauregg Development of … Read more
1. Ignaz Semmelweis Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian physician and obstetrician (1818–1865). He is regarded as the “savior of mothers”. He worked in a maternity clinic in Vienna where high maternal deaths were observed after childbirth. It was during this period that he studied the cause of puerperal fever. Key Contributions of Ignaz Semmelweis Some … Read more
1. Joseph Lister Joseph Lister was a British surgeon and medical scientist. He was born in Essex, England in 1827 in a Quaker family. He is regarded as the father of modern surgery and father of antiseptic surgery. He obtained the degree of Bachelor of Medicine from University College London in 1852. His main work … Read more
Who was Antonie van Leeuwenhoek? Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch scientist who is regarded as the Father of Microbiology. He was born in 1632 in Delft, Netherlands. He did not receive formal higher education and he spoke only Dutch. He started his career as a linen draper. In this work he used small magnifying … Read more
Who Was Louis Pasteur? Louis Pasteur was a French chemist and microbiologist who is regarded as one of the founder of modern bacteriology and microbiology. He was born in 1822 at Dole in France. His work is considered as the foundation of microbiology and immunology. In the early period of his career, he studied chemistry, … Read more