PAPER-II
- CellBiology:
Techniques of cell biology. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells—structural and ultrastructural details;Structure and function of extracellular matrix (cell wall) and membranes-cell adhesion, membrane transportandvesiculartransport;Structureandfunctionofcellorganelles(chloroplasts,mitochondria,ER,dictyosomesribosomes,endosomes,lysosomes,peroxisomes;Cytoskelatonandmicrotubules;Nucleus,nucleolus, nuclear pore complex; Chromatin and nucleosome; Cell signalling and cell receptors; SignaltransductionMitosis and meiosis; molecular basis of cell cycle. Numerical and structural variations inchromosomesandtheirsignificance;Chromatinorganizationandpackagingofgenome;Polytenechromosomes;B-chromosomes—structure,behaviourandsignificance.
2. Genetics,MolecularBiologyandEvolution:
Development of genetics, and gene versus allele concepts (Pseudoalleles); Quantitative genetics andmultiple factors; Incomplete dominance, polygenic inheritance, multiple alleles; Linkage and crossing overof gene mapping including molecular maps (idea of mapping, function); Sex chromosomes and sex-linkedinheritance;sexdeterminationandmolecularbasisofsexdifferentiation;Mutations(biochemicalandmolecularbasis);Cytoplasmicinheritanceandcytoplasmicgenes(includinggeneticsofmalesterility).
Structureandsynthesisofnucleicacidsandproteins;Geneticcodeandregulationofgeneexpression;Genesilencing;Multigenefamilies;Organicevolution-evidences,mechanismandtheories.
RoleofRNAinoriginandevolution.
3. PlantBreeding,Biotechnology andBiostatistics :
Methodsofplantbreeding—introduction,selectionandhybridization(pedigree,backcross,massselection,bulkmethod);Mutation,polyploidy,malesterilityand heterosis breeding. Use of apomixes inplant breeding; DNA sequencing; Genetic engineering—methods of transfer of genes; Transgenic crops andbiosafetyaspects;Developmentanduseofmolecular markersinplantbreeding;Toolsand techniques—probe, southern blotting, DNA fingerprinting, PCR and FISH. Standard deviation and coefficient of variation(CV).Testsofsignificance(Z-test,t-testandchi-square tests). Probability and distributions (normal,binomialandPoisson).Correlationandregression.
4. Physiologyand Biochemistry:
Waterrelations,mineralnutritionandiontransport,mineraldeficiencies.Photosynthesis—photochemical reactions, photophosphorylation and carbon fixation pathways; C3, C4 and CAMpathways;Mechanismofpholemtransport,Respiration(anerobicandaerobic,includingfermentation)—electrontransport chain and oxidative phosphorylation; Photorespiration; Chemiosmotic theory and ATP synthesis;Lipidmetabolism;Nitrogenfixationandnitrogenmetabolism.Enzymes,coenzymes;Energytransferandenergyconservation.Importanceofsecondarymetabolites.Pigmentsasphotoreceptors(plastidialpigments
and phytochrome). Plant movements; Photoperiodism and flowering, vernalization, senescence; Growthsubstances—theirchemicalnature,roleandapplicationsinagri-horticulture;growthindices,growthmovements. Stress physiology (heat, water, salinity, metal); Fruit and seed physiology. Dormancy, storageandgerminationofseed.Fruitripening—itsmolecularbasisandmanipulation.
5. EcologyandPlantGeography:
Conceptofecosystem;Ecologicalfactors.Conceptsanddynamicsofcommunity;Plantsuccession.Concepts of biosphere; Ecosystems;Conservation; Pollution and its control (including phytoreme-diation);Plantindicators;Environment(Protection)Act.
Forest types of India—‘Ecological andecomomic importance of forests, afforestation, deforestationandsocial forestry;Endangeredplants,endemismIUCNcategories,Red DataBooks;Biodiversityanditsconservation; Protected Area Network; Convention of Biological Diversity, Farmers’ Rights; and IntellectualProperty Rights; Concept of Sustainable Development; Biogeochemical cycles. Global warming and climaticchange;Invasivespecies;EnvironmetalImpactAssessment;PhytogeographicalregionsofIndia.