Need for classification; taxonomy and systematics; concept of species and taxonomical hierarchy; binomial nomenclature.
Biological Classification
Three domains of life; Five kingdom classification; salient features and classification of Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Lichens, Viruses, Viroids and Prions.
Plant Kingdom
Algae, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms.
Animal Kingdom
Levels of organisation, body plan, symmetry, organisation, coelom, segmentation, Non-chordata, Chordata.
Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life: Structure of eukaryotic cells; Plant cell and animal cell; cell envelope; cell membrane, cell wall; cell organelles, endomembrane system, mitochondria, ribosomes, plastids, microbodies; cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles; nucleus.
Photosynthesis as a mean of autotrophic nutrition; site of photosynthesis, pigments involved in photosynthesis; photochemical and biosynthetic phases of photosynthesis; cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation; chemiosmotic hypothesis; photorespiration; C3 and C4 pathways; factors affecting photosynthesis.
Respiration in Plants
Exchange of gases; cellular respiration - glycolysis, fermentation (anaerobic), TCA cycle and electron transport system (aerobic); energy relations; amphibolic pathways; respiratory quotient.
Plant Growth and Development
Seed germination; phases of plant growth; plant growth rate; differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; sequence of developmental processes in a plant cell; growth regulators.
Respiratory organs in animals; Respiratory system in humans; mechanism of breathing; exchange of gases, transport of gases and regulation of breathing, respiratory volumes; disorders related to respiration.
Body fluids and circulation.
Composition of blood, blood groups, coagulation of blood; composition of lymph and its functions; human circulatory system; cardiac cycle, cardiac output, ECG; double circulation; regulation of cardiac activity; disorders of circulatory system.
Excretory products and their elimination.
Modes of excretion; human excretory system; urine formation, osmoregulation; regulation of kidney function; role of other organs in excretion; disorders of the excretory system.
Locomotion and Movement
Types of movement; skeletal muscles; skeletal system and its functions; joints; disorders of muscular and skeletal system.
Neural Control and Coordination
Neuron and nerves; nervous system in humans; generation and conduction of nerve impulse.
Chemical Co-ordination and Integration
Human endocrine system; mechanism of hormone action; role of hormones as messengers and regulators, hypo and hyperactivity and related disorders.