Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Biology Syllabus

Diversity in Living World

1.1 Biology - its meaning and relevance to mankind

1.2 What is living; Taxonomic categories and aids; Systematics and Binomial system of nomenclature.

1.3 Introductory classification of living organisms (Two-kingdom system, Five-kingdom system);

1.4 Plant kingdom - Salient features of major groups (Algae to Angiosperms);

1.5 Animal kingdom - Salient features of Nonchordates up to phylum, and Chordates up to class level.



2: Cell: The Unit of Life; Structure and Function

2.1 Cell wall; Cell membrane; Endomembrane system (ER, Golgi apparatus/Dictyosome, Lysosomes, Vacuoles); Mitochondria; Plastids; Ribosomes; Cytoskeleton; Cilia and Flagella; Centrosome and Centriole; Nucleus; Microbodies.

2.2 Structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic, and between plant and animal cells.

2.3 Cell cycle (various phases); Mitosis; Meiosis.

2.4 Biomolecules - Structure and function of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic acids.

2.5 Enzymes - Chemical nature, types, properties and mechanism of action.



3: Genetics and Evolution

3.1 Mendelian inheritance; Chromosome theory of inheritance; Gene interaction; Incomplete dominance; Co-dominance; Complementary genes; Multiple alleles;

3.2 Linkage and Crossing over; Inheritance patterns of hemophilia and blood groups in humans.

3.3 DNA -its organization and replication; Transcription and Translation;

3.4 Gene expression and regulation; DNA fingerprinting.

3.5 Theories and evidences of evolution, including modern Darwinism.



4: Structure and Function - Plants

4.1 Morphology of a flowering plant; Tissues and tissue systems in plants; Anatomy and function of root, stem (including modifications), leaf, inflorescence, flower (including position and arrangement of different whorls, placentation), fruit and seed; Types of fruit; Secondary growth;

4.2 Absorption and movement of water (including diffusion, osmosis and water relations of cell) and of nutrients; Translocation of food; Transpiration and gaseous exchange; Mechanism of stomatal movement.

4.3 Mineral nutrition - Macro- and micro-nutrients in plants including deficiency disorders; Biological nitrogen fixation mechanism.

4.4 Photosynthesis - Light reaction, cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation; various pathways of carbon dioxide fixation; Photorespiration; Limiting factors.

4.5 Respiration - Anaerobic, Fermentation, Aerobic; Glycolysis, TCA cycle; Electron transport system; Energy relations.



5: Structure and Function - Animals

5.1 Human Physiology - Digestive system - organs, digestion and absorption; Respiratory system - organs, breathing and exchange and transport of gases.

5.2 Body fluids and circulation - Blood, lymph, double circulation, regulation of cardiac activity; Hypertension, Coronary artery diseases.

5.3 Excretion system - Urine formation, regulation of kidney function

5.4 Locomotion and movement - Skeletal system, joints, muscles, types of movement.

5.5 Control and co-ordination - Central and peripheral nervous systems, structure and function of neuron, reflex action and sensory reception; Role of various types of endocrine glands; Mechanism of hormone action.



6: Reproduction, Growth and Movement in Plants

6.1 Asexual methods of reproduction;

6.2 Sexual Reproduction - Development of male and female gametophytes; Pollination (Types and agents); Fertilization; Development of embryo, endosperm, seed and fruit (including parthenocarpy and elminth).

6.3 Growth and Movement - Growth phases; Types of growth regulators and their role in seed dormancy, germination and movement;

6.4 Apical dominance; Senescence; Abscission; Photo- periodism; Vernalisation;

6.5 Various types of movements.



7: Reproduction and Development in Humans

7.1 Male and female reproductive systems;

7.2 Menstrual cycle; Gamete production; Fertilisation; Implantation;

7.3 Embryo development;

7.4 Pregnancy and parturition;

7.5 Birth control and contraception.



8: Ecology and Environment

8.1 Meaning of ecology, environment, habitat and niche.

8.2 Ecological levels of organization (organism to biosphere); Characteristics of Species, Population, Biotic Community and Ecosystem; Succession and Climax. Ecosystem - Biotic and abiotic components; Ecological pyramids; Food chain and Food web;

8.3 Energy flow; Major types of ecosystems including agroecosystem.