PART – IV- BIOLOGY
1. Taxonomy
Need for classification; three domains of life. Linnaean, Whittaker, Bentham and Hooker systems of classification. Salient features of non-chordates up to phyla levels and chordates up to class levels.
2. Cell and Molecular Biology
Cell theory. Prokaryotic cell and it’s ultrastructure. Eukaryotic cell- cell wall, cell membrane, cytoskeleton, nucleus, chloroplast, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, ribosomes, lysosomes, vacuoles and centrosomes. Cell cycle and division – amitosis, mitosis and meiosis. Search for genetic material; structure of DNA and RNA; replication, transcription, genetic code, translation, splicing, gene expression and regulation (lac operon) and DNA repair.
3. Reproduction
Asexual reproduction – binary fission, sporulation, budding, gemmule formation and fragmentation. Vegetative propagation in plants, sexual reproduction in flowering plants and structure of flowers. Pollination, fertilization, development of seeds and fruits, seed dispersal, apomixis, parthenocarpy and polyembryony. Human reproductive system. Gametogenesis, menstrual cycle, ferti lization, implantation, embryo development upto blastocyst formation, pregnancy, parturition and lactation. Assisted reproductive technologies.
4. Genetics and evolution
Chromosomes – structure and types, linkage and crossing over, recombination of chromosomes, mutation and chromosomal aberrations. Mendelian inheritance, chromosomal theory of inheritance, deviation from Mendelian ratio (incomplete dominance, co-dominance, multiple allelism, pleiotrophy), sex linked inheritance and sex determination in humans. Darwinism, neo Darwinism, Hardy and Weinberg’s principle and factors affecting the equilibrium: selection, mutation, migration and random genetic drift.
5. Human health and diseases
Pathogens, parasites causing human diseases (malaria, dengue, chickengunia, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ring worm) and their control. Basic concepts of immunology, vaccines, antibiotics, cancer, HIV and AIDS. Adolescence, drug and alcohol abuse.
6. Biochemistry
Structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Enzymes – types, properties and enzyme action. Metabolism – glycolysis, Kreb’s cycle and pentose phosphate pathway.
7. Plant physiology
Movement of water, food, nutrients, gases and minerals. Passive diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and active transport. Imbibition, osmosis, apoplast and symplast transport and guttation. Transpiration, photosynthesis (light and dark reactions) and electron transport chain. Hormones and growth regulators, photo-periodism and vernalization. Nitrogen cycle and biological nitrogen fixation.
8. Human physiology
Digestion and absorption, breathing and respiration, body fluids and circulation, excretory system, endocrine system, nervous system, skeletal and muscular systems. Locomotion and movement, growth, aging and death. Hormones – types of hormones, functions and disorders.
9. Biotechnology and its applications
Recombinant DNA technology, applications in health, agriculture and industries; genetically modified organisms; Human insulin, vaccine and antibiotic production. Stem cell technology and gene therapy. Apiculture and animal husbandry. Plant breeding, tissue culture, single cell protein, fortification, Bt crops and transgenic animals. Microbes in food processing, sewage treatment, waste management and energy generation. Biocontrol agents and biofertilizers. Bio-safety issues, biopiracy and patents.
10. Biodiversity, ecology and environment
Ecosystems: components, types, pyramids, nutrient cycles (carbon and phosphorous), ecological succession and energy flow in an ecosystem; Biodiversity – concepts, patterns, importance, conservation, hot spots, endangered organisms, extinction, Red data book, botanical gardens, national parks, sanctuaries, museums, biosphere reserves and Ramsar sites. Environmental issues: pollution and its control. Population attributes – growth, birth and death rate and age distribution.