2. Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology : Laws of inheritance. Concept of gene and allelomorph. Linkage, crossing over and gene mapping. Structural and numerical changes in chromosomes and gene mutations. Sex determination and differentiation. Structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. Genetic code. Regulation of gene expression. Genetic engineering and crop improvement. Protoplast, cell, tissue and organ cultures. Somatic hybridization. Biofertilizers and biopesticides. Biotechnology in agri-horticulture, medicine and industry.

3. Tissue Systems : Origin, development, structure and function of primary and secondary tissues.

4. Plant Diversity and Systematics : Structure and function of plant forms from evolutionary aspects (viruses to Angiosperms including fossils). Principles of nomenclature, classification and identification of plants. Modern approaches in plant taxonomy. Recent classification of living organism into three groups (bacteria, archaea and eukarya).

5. Plant Physiology: Water relations. Mineral nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Nitrogen metabolism. Enzymes and coenzymes. Dynamics of growth, growth movements, growth substances, photomorphogenesis. Secondary metabolites. Isotopes in biological studies. Physiology of flowering.

6. Methods of Reproduction and Seed Biology : Vegetative, asexual and sexual methods of reproduction. Pollination and fertilization. Sexual incompatibility. Development, structure, dormancy and germination of seed.

7. Plant Pathology : Diseases of rice, wheat, sugarcane, potato, mustard, groundnut and cotton crops. Factors affecting infection (host factors, pathogen factors, biotic factors like rhizosphere and phyllosphere organisms). Chemical, biological and genetic methods of disease control (including transgenic plants).

8. Plant and Environment : Biotic and abiotic components. Ecological adaptation. Types of vegetational zones and forests of India. Deforestation, afforestation, social forestry and plant introduction. Soil erosion, wasteland, reclamation. Environmental pollution and its control (including phytoremediation). Bioindicators. Global warming.

9. Biodiversity, Plant Genetic Resources: Methods of conservation of plant genetic resources and its importance. Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). Endangered, threatened and endemic taxa. Role of cell/tissue culture in propagation and enrichment of genetic diversity. Plants as sources of food, fodder, forage, fibres, oils, drugs, wood and timber, paper, rubber, beverages, spices, essential oils and resins, gums, dyes, insecticides, pesticides and ornamentation. Biomass as a source of energy.

10. Origin of Life and Evolution: Basic concepts of origin of earth and origin of life. Theories of organic evolution, molecular basis of evolution.

Examination Syllabus – Subject : ZOOLOGY
1. Cell structure and function :
a. Prokaryote and eukaryote.
b. Structure of animal cell, structure and functions of cell organelles.
c. Cell cycle-mitosis, meiosis.
d. Structure and contents of nucleus including nuclear membrane, structure of chromosome and gene, chemistry of genetic components.
e. Mendel’s laws of inheritance, linkage and genetic recombination; cytoplasmic inheritance.
f. Function of gene: replication, transcription and translation; mutations (spontaneous and artificial); Recombinant DNA: principle and application.
g. sex determination in Drosophila and man; sex linkage in man.
2. Systematics :
a. Classification of non-chordates (up to sub-classes) and chordates (up to orders) giving general features and evolutionary relationship of the following phyla: Protozoa, Porifera, Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Nematheliminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Minor Phyla (Bryozoa, Phoronida and Chaetognatha) and Hemichordata.
b. Structure reprodcution and life history of the following types: Amoeba, Monocystis, Plasmodium, Paramaecium, Sycon, Hydra, Obelia, Fasciola, Taenia, Ascaris, Neanthes, Pheretima, Hirudinia, Palaemon, Buthus, Periplaneta, Lamellidens, Pila, Asterias and Balanoglossus.
c. Classification of chordates (up to orders), giving general features and evolutionary relationship of the following: Protochordata; Agnatha; Gnathostomata – Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia.
d. Comparative functional anatomy of the following based on type animals (Scoliodon, Rana, Calotes, Columba and Oryctolagus): integrument and its derivatives, endoskeleton, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system including heart and aortic arches, urinogenital system; brain and sense organs (eye and ear); endocrine glands and other hormone producing structures, (Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads) their function.
3. Vertebrate Physiology and Biochemistry :
a. Chemical composition of protoplasm; nature and function of enzymes; vitamins, their sources and role; colloids and hydrogen ion concentration; biological oxidation, electron transport and role of ATP, energetic, glycolysis, citric acid cycle; vertebrate hormones: their type, sources and functions; pheromones and their role.
b. Neuron and nerve impulse-conduction and transmission across synapses; neurotransmitters and their role, including acetyl cholinesterase activity.
c. Homeostasis; osmoregulation; active transport and ion pump.
d. Composition of carbohydrates, fats, lipids and proteins; steroids.
4. Embryology :
a. Gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage; gastrulation in frog and chick
b. Metamorphosis in frog and retrogressive metamorphosis in ascidian; extra-embryonic membranes in chick and mammal; placentation in mammals; Biogenetic law.
5. Evolution :
a. Origin of life; principles, theories and evidences of evolution; species concept.
b. Zoogeographical realms, insular fauna; geological eras.
c. Evolution of man; evolutionary status of man.
6. Ecology, Wildlife and Ethology :
a. Abiotic and biotic factors; concept of ecosystem, food chain and energy flow; adaptation of aquatic, terrestrial and aerial fauna; intra-and inter-specific animal relationships; environmental pollution: Types, sources, causes, control and prevention.
b. Wildlife of India; endangered species of India; sanctuaries and national parks of India.
c. Biological rhythms.
7. Economic Zoology :
a. Beneficial and harmful insects including insect vectors of human diseases.
b. Industrial fish, prawn and molluscs of India.
c. Non-poisonous and poisonous snakes of India.
d. Venomous animals-centipede, wasp, honey bee.
e. Diseases caused by aberrant chromosomes/genes in man; genetic counseling; DNA as a tool for forensic investigation.

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IAS SAMPLE PAPER LIFE SCIENCE – BOTANY SECTION

1. In Pinus roxburghii, the common pine tree, microsporophyll have :
(a) 2 microsporangia on abaxial side of microsporophyll
(b) 4 microsporangia on adaxial side of microsporophyll
(c) 2 microsporangia on adaxial side of microsporophyll
(d) 4 microsporangia on abaxial side of microsporophyll.

2. Megasporophylls which are arranged spirally and acropetaly on the central axis of the female cone of Pinus bear:
(a) 4 megasporangia on dorsal surface
(b) 2 megasporangia on ventral surface
(c) 2 megasporangia on dorsal surface
(d) 4 megasporangia on ventral surface.

3. In a vast marine ecosystem, certain sea developed colouration. This red colour is due to the presence of large population of -which one of the following organisms :
(a) certain members of Rhodophyta
(b) Physarium
(c) dinoflagellates
(d) diatoms and members of red algae.

4. Like angiospermic parasite such as Cuscuta, there are some parasitic forms of Rhodophyta, which are colourless, heterotrophic and grow on other members of Rhodophyta. Select which one is a parasitic form of red algae :
(a) Gelidium
(b) Harveyella
(c) Choridras
(d) both (a) & (b).

5. If sporangia are developed from a single initial cell, the development of sporangia is designated as
(a) eusporangiate
(b) leptosporangiate
(c) monosporangiate
(d) polysporangiate.

6. The neck of archegonium of Pinus roxburghii is made up of :
(a) 8 cells arranged in 4 tiers of 2 cells each
(b) 8 cells arranged in 2 tiers of 4 cells each
(c) 4 cells arranged in 2 tiers of 2 cells each
(d) none of the above.

7. It is matter of common observation that monocots and dicots have one and two cotyledons respectively but in gymnosperms the numer of cotyledons are:
(a) always 3
(b) 3-18
(c) 2-5
(d) variable 1-2.

8. Oenothera type of female gametophyte is always:
(a) 8 nucleate and 7 celled
(b) 16 nucleate and 13 celled
(c) 8 nucleate and 8 celled
(d) 4 nucleate and 4 celled.

9. Which one of the following is the most common types of embryo sac:
(a) allium type
(b) oenothera type
(c) polygonum type
(d) adoxa type

10. If the chromosome number of cells of nucellus of megasporangium of Pinus is 16 what would be the chromosome number of endosperm cells:
(a) 32
(b) 16
(c) 48
(d) 08.

11. lf Ca of 2-celled proembryo divides longitudinally and the Ca and Cb transversely both contribute to the development of embryo, this type of the embryogeny would be :
(a) onagrad
(b) astrad
(c) solanad
(d) both a and b

12. lf Ca of 2-celled proembryo divides transversly the embryogeny would be
(a) solanad and Asterad type
(b) chenopodiad and Onagrad type
(c) caryophyllad and Onagrad type
(d) solanad and Chenopodiad type.

13. Parthenium argentatum which is commonly,known as ‘Guayule’ provides which one of the following commercial products:
(a) para-rubber
(b) a product equivalent to para-rubber
(c) chewing gum
(d) Jo-jo-ba oil.

14. Ectomycorrhiza is commonly found in:
(a) Pinus
(b) Quercus
(c) Rhododendron
(d) all of the above.

15. One of the most important raw material for paper and pulp industry comes from our vast forest resources, select the source for paper and pulp
industry extensively used in our country:
(a) Dendrobium
(b) Diospyros
(c) Dendrocalamus
(d) Cedrus.

16. Under the umbrella of social forestry a system has been launched in which agriculture and forestry are involved. Select the name of the system:
(a) block cutting system
(b) jhum cultivation system
(c) taungya system
(d) none of them.

17. Electrostatic precipitators are extensively employed to control:
(a) water pollution
(b) air pollution
(c) radioactive pollution
(d) none of the above.

18. Cyclone collectors are nowadays commonly used to control:
(a) air pollution with special reference to dust particles
(b) radioactive pollution
(c) water pollution in general
(d) water pollution with special reference to Ganga Action Plan,

19. Myrmecophily is a beneficial association between some organisms and some flowering plants such as Cassia. Select the correct organism from the following:
(a) bacteria
(b) mycoplasma
(c) honey bees
(d) ants.

20. Reindeer Moss which is the most important and staple food for Reindeer in Arctic region belongs to which group of plants:
(a) algae
(b) bryophyta
(c) lichens
(d) pteridophyta.

21. Cauliflorous flowers are commonly found in which one of the following plants:
(a) Cassia
(b) Brassica (Cauliflower)
(c) Polyalthia
(d) none of the above.

22. The botanical name of cauliflower is:
(a) Brassica oleracea var. capitata
(b) Brassica oleracea var. gongoloides
(c) Brassica oleracea
(d) none of these

23. Ligulate leaves are found in:
(a) myrtaceae
(b) compositae
(c) poaceae
(d) cyperaceae.

24. The phenomenon of anisophylly where 2 different sizes of leaves are found is exhibited in which one of the following plants:
(a) Ranunculus aquatalis
(b) Limnophila heterophyllum
(c) Cabomba stellaris
(d) none of them.

25. In opposite phyllotaxy, if the leaves are of different size and arranged alternately, the phenomenon is termed as:
(a) distichous
(b) pentastichous
(c) anisophylly
(d) heterophylly.

26. Ligulate flowers are the diagnostic character of which one of the following family:
(a) graminae
(b) asteraceae
(c) brassicaceae
(d) papilionaceae.

27. If an angiospermic plant produces staminate, pistilate and bisexual flowers on the same inflorescence, the condition would be termed as:
(a) dioecious
(b) trioecious
(c) polygamous
(d) andro-gynoecious.

328. There are certain plant species which flower only once in their lifespan. This condition is named as:
(a) polygamous
(b) polycarpic
(c) monocarpic
(d) pericarpic.

29. In order to check the purity of honey and its source, pollen grains are being studied in a sample of honey. Such a study is called as:
(a) aeropalynology
(b) palynology
(c) melittopalynology
(d) latropalynology.

330. If both the anthers and filaments are fused together to form a compact structure with sigmoid in appearance the condition is termed as:
(a) syngenesious
(b) androecious
(c) syngynandrous
(d) synandrous.

31. If the anthers are fused together forming a tubular structure while the filaments remain free, the condition is found in which one of the following family:
(a) malvaceae
(b) cucurbitaceae
(c) solanaceae
(d) asteraceae.

32. If the anthers are fused to form a tubular structure whereas the filaments remain free, the condition is termed as:
(a) epipetalous – syngenesious
(b) epipetalous – synandrous
(c) polyandrous
(d) none of them.

33. Synandrous condition of stamens, where both anthers and filaments are fused to form a compact structure is found in :
(a) Luffa
(b) Lagenaria
(c) Lilium
(d) both a and b.

34. If a fruit is developed from (2G) ovary with parietal placentation, unilocular when young but becoming 2-locular with age and the appearance of the fruit so developed is pod like, the fruit would be grouped under:
(a) lomentum
(b) siliqua
(c) silicula
(d) capsule.

35. lf a fruit is developed from (2G) ovary with parietal placentation, unilocular when young becoming bilocular at maturity and the length of the fruit is less than ifs breadth, the fruit would be called as:
(a) cypsella
(b) silicula
(c) silique
(d) Sorosis

36.If a fruit is developed from(2G), bilocular with one ovule in each locule and pendulously attached and the wall of the ovary possess vittae, the fruitis designated as:
(a) caryopsis
(b) cypsella
(c) cremocarp
(d) capsule.

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IAS SAMPLE PAPER LIFE SCIENCE – ZOOLOGY SECTION

1. Suckling the young by both male and female parents is observed in
(a) Pangolin
(b) Macropus
(c) Loris
(d) Ornithorhynchus

2. The reptilian character of prototherians is
(a) Diaphragm
(b) T-shaped clavicle
(c) Seven cervical vertebrae
(d) only left aortic arch present

3. Endostyle is present in
(a) Ammocoetus larva
(b) Axolotl larva
(c) Asicidian tadpole
(d) Frog’s tadpole

4. In rabbit succus entericus is secreted by
(a) Crypts of Lieberkuhn
(b) Brunner gland
(c) Submaxillary gland
(d) Islet of Langerhans

5. The vitamin which regulates the absorption of calcium from intestine in rabbit?
(a) A
(b) D
(c) K
(d) E

6. Spigelion lobe 1in rabbit is a lobe of the
(a) Pancreas
(b) Kidney
(c) Brain
(d) Liver

7. The dentition in rabbit is heterodont and
(a) Polyphyodont
(b) Diphyodont
(c) Acrodont
(d) Monophyodont

8. Hypoparathyroidism leads to
(a) Myxoedema
(b) Tachycardia
(c) Tetany
(d) Rheumatoid arthritis

9. The joint between atlas and odontoid process of axis in rabbit is
(a) Pivot
(b) Ball and Socket
(c) Hinge
(d) Arthroidal

10. lon essential for muscle contraction is
(a) Mg
(b) Hg
(c) Mn
(d) Ca

11. Gestation period in human beings is
(a) 80 days
(b) 180 days
(c) 270 days
(d) 380 days

12. When the blood group of a person is not known which type of blood can be transfused to him in emergency ?
(a) A
(b) B
(c) 0
(d) AB

13. In an operon a repressor is produced by

(a) Structural gene
(b) regulator gene
(c) inducer
(d) Nonsense codon

14. Consider the following developmental zones seen in intracartilaginous bone formation in long and short bones:
1. Zone of maturation and hypertrophy
2. Zone of proliferation and multiplication
3. Zone of cartilage calcification
4. Zone of cartilage removal and bone deposition
What is the correct sequence of the above zones from the distal ends?
(a) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
(b) 2 – I – 3 – 4
(c) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
(d) 1 – 4 – 3 – 2

15. Which one of the following sensory receptors is found in epidermis?
(a) Merkel disc
(b) Meissner’s corpuscles
(c) Ruffini ending
(d) Pacinian corpuscles

16. Which one of the following cells of germinal epithelium of testis devides by meiosis?
(a) Type A spermatogonium
(b) Primary spermatocyte
(c) Spermatid
(d) Secondary spermatocyte

17. The body of the vertebra develops from
(a) notochord
(b) primitive streak
(c) one sclerotome
(d) cephalic and caudal halves of adjacent sclerotomes

18. Which of the following does not contribute to the development of laryngeal cartilages?
(a) Tuberculum impar
(b) Mesenchyme derived from neural crest
(c) Cartilages of fourth to sixth pairs of pharyngeal arches
(d) Hypobranchial eminence

19. The diaphragm is formed from the following except
(a) septum transversum
(b) paraxial mesoderm
(c) pleuroperitoneal membranes
(d) dorsal mesentery of oesphagus

20. Support of the muscles against gravity is a function of which one of the following?
(a) Reticular nuclei
(b) Hypothalamus
(c) Supplementary motor area
(d) Amygdala

21. The type of synaptic inhibition seen in cerebellum is
(a) pre-synaptic
(b) post-synaptic
(c) feed forward
(d) Renshaw cell

22. The characteristic brown-red colour of faeces is due to the presence of
(a) biliverdin
(b) urobilinogen
(c) stercobilin
(d) bilirubin

23. Consider the following:
1. Electrocardiogram
2. Phonocardiogram
3. Jugular venous pulse tracing
4. Carotid pulse tracing
Which of the above must be recorded simultaneously in order to calculate the duration of total electromechanical systole?
(a) I and 2 (b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 4

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