The cell, a unit of life, protoplasm, basic difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell; differences between an animal and a plant cell.
A basic understanding of the cell theory, structure of plant and animal cell with functions of various cell organelles. (Protoplasm, Cytoplasm, Cell Wall, Cell Membrane, Nucleus, Nucleolus, Mitochondria, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Ribosome, Golgi bodies, Plastids, Lysosomes, Centrosome and Vacuole).
Major differences between a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.
Differences between a plant cell and an animal cell should be mainly discussed with respect to cell wall, centrosome, vacuoles and plastids.
Tissues: Types of plant and animal tissues.
A brief understanding of their location, basic structure and functions with examples.
A brief understanding of their role in different physiological processes in plants and animals.
A brief outline of the five Kingdom classification.
Main characteristics of each kingdom with suitable examples:
Monera, Protista, Fungi.
Plantae - Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta.
Animalia - non-chordates from Porifera to Echinodermata and Chordates - all five Classes.
Economic importance of Bacteria.
Useful role of bacteria:
Medicine: antibiotics, serums and vaccines
Agriculture: nitrogen cycle (role of nitrogen fixing, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria)
Industry -curing of tea, tanning of leather.
Harmful role of bacteria - spoilage of food, diseases in plants and animals, bio-weapons.
Economic importance of Fungi.
A brief idea of the useful role of Fungi in breweries, bakeries, cheese processing, and mushroom cultivation. (Processes of manufacture are not required).
Classes of food; balanced diet. Malnutrition and deficiency diseases.
Functions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, mineral salts (calcium, iodine, iron and sodium), vitamins and water in proper functioning of the body.
Sources of vitamins, their functions and deficiency diseases.
Meaning and importance of a 'Balanced Diet'.
Role of cellulose in our diet.
Causes, symptoms and prevention of Kwashiorkor and Marasmus.
The structure of a tooth, different types of teeth.
Structure of a tooth to be discussed with the help of a diagram.
Functions of different types of teeth.
Dental formula of an adult.
Digestive System: Organs, digestive glands and their functions (including enzymes and their functions in digestion, absorption and assimilation of digested food).
Organs and glands of the digestive system and their functions with reference to digestion, absorption and assimilation.
Municipal sewage: Sewage, degradable and non-degradable waste from offices, etc.
e-waste: brief idea about e-waste.
Methods of safe disposal of waste.
Segregation, dumping, composting, drainage, treatment of effluents before discharge, incineration, use of scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators.
Segregation of domestic waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable by households: garden waste to be converted to compost; sewage treatment plants.