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Syllabus for the post of PGT -Biology
The Living World
Biodiversity; Need for classification; three domains of life; taxonomy and systematics; concept of
species and taxonomical hierarchy; binomial nomenclature
Biological Classification
Five kingdom classification; Salient features and classification of Monera, Protista and Fungi into
major groups; Lichens, Viruses and Viroids.
Plant Kingdom
Classification of plants into major groups; Salient and distinguishing features and a few examples of
Algae, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae (Topics excluded – Angiosperms, Plant Life Cycle
and Alternation of Generations)
Animal Kingdom
Salient features and classification of animals, non-chordates up to phyla level and chordates up to
class level (salient features and at a few examples of each category).
Morphology of Flowering Plants
Morphology of different parts of flowering plants: root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, flower, fruit and
seed. Description of families: Solanaceae
Anatomy of Flowering Plants
Anatomy and functions of tissue systems in dicots and monocots.
Structural Organisation in Animals
Morphology, Anatomy and functions of different systems (digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous
and reproductive) of frog.
Cell-The Unit of Life
Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life, structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Plant cell
and animal cell; cell envelope; cell membrane, cell wall; cell organelles - structure and function;
endomembrane system- endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles;
mitochondria, plastids, microbodies; cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles (ultrastructure and
function); nucleus.
Biomolecules
Chemical constituents of living cells: biomolecules, structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates,
lipids, nucleic acids; Enzymes - properties, enzyme action.
Cell Cycle and Cell Division
Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis and their significance
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
Photosynthesis as a means of autotrophic nutrition; site of photosynthesis, pigments involved in
photosynthesis (elementary idea); photochemical and biosynthetic phases of photosynthesis; cyclic
and non-cyclic photophosphorylation; chemiosmotic hypothesis; photorespiration; C3 and C4
pathways; factors affecting photosynthesis.
Subject specific syllabus includes the concepts of NCERT/CBSE syllabus and Text Books (Classes
XI & XII), however, the questions will be testing the depth of understanding and application of
these concepts at the level of Post- Graduation.
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Page 2
Syllabus for the post of PGT -Biology
The Living World
Biodiversity; Need for classification; three domains of life; taxonomy and systematics; concept of
species and taxonomical hierarchy; binomial nomenclature
Biological Classification
Five kingdom classification; Salient features and classification of Monera, Protista and Fungi into
major groups; Lichens, Viruses and Viroids.
Plant Kingdom
Classification of plants into major groups; Salient and distinguishing features and a few examples of
Algae, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae (Topics excluded – Angiosperms, Plant Life Cycle
and Alternation of Generations)
Animal Kingdom
Salient features and classification of animals, non-chordates up to phyla level and chordates up to
class level (salient features and at a few examples of each category).
Morphology of Flowering Plants
Morphology of different parts of flowering plants: root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, flower, fruit and
seed. Description of families: Solanaceae
Anatomy of Flowering Plants
Anatomy and functions of tissue systems in dicots and monocots.
Structural Organisation in Animals
Morphology, Anatomy and functions of different systems (digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous
and reproductive) of frog.
Cell-The Unit of Life
Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life, structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Plant cell
and animal cell; cell envelope; cell membrane, cell wall; cell organelles - structure and function;
endomembrane system- endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles;
mitochondria, plastids, microbodies; cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles (ultrastructure and
function); nucleus.
Biomolecules
Chemical constituents of living cells: biomolecules, structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates,
lipids, nucleic acids; Enzymes - properties, enzyme action.
Cell Cycle and Cell Division
Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis and their significance
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
Photosynthesis as a means of autotrophic nutrition; site of photosynthesis, pigments involved in
photosynthesis (elementary idea); photochemical and biosynthetic phases of photosynthesis; cyclic
and non-cyclic photophosphorylation; chemiosmotic hypothesis; photorespiration; C3 and C4
pathways; factors affecting photosynthesis.
Subject specific syllabus includes the concepts of NCERT/CBSE syllabus and Text Books (Classes
XI & XII), however, the questions will be testing the depth of understanding and application of
these concepts at the level of Post- Graduation.
13
Respiration in Plants
Exchange of gases; cellular respiration - glycolysis, fermentation (anaerobic), TCA cycle and electron
transport system (aerobic); energy relations - number of ATP molecules generated; amphibolic
pathways; respiratory quotient.
Plant - Growth and Development
Seed germination; phases of plant growth and plant growth rate; conditions for growth;
differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; sequence of developmental processes in a
plant cell; growth regulators - auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA.
Breathing and Exchange of Gases
Introduction to respiratory organs in animals; Respiratory system in humans; mechanism of
breathing and its regulation in humans - exchange of gases, transport of gases and regulation of
respiration, respiratory volumes; disorders related to respiration - asthma, emphysema, occupational
respiratory disorders.
Body Fluids and Circulation
Composition of blood, blood groups, coagulation of blood; composition of lymph and its function;
human circulatory system - Structure of human heart and blood vessels; cardiac cycle, cardiac output,
ECG; double circulation; regulation of cardiac activity; disorders of circulatory system - hypertension,
coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, heart failure.
Excretory Products and their Elimination
Modes of excretion - ammonotelism, ureotelism, uricotelism; human excretory system – structure and
function; urine formation, osmoregulation; regulation of kidney function - renin - angiotensin, atrial
natriuretic factor, ADH, diabetes insipidus; micturition; role of other organs in excretion; disorders -
uremia, renal failure, renal calculi, nephritis; dialysis and artificial kidney, kidney transplant.
Locomotion and Movement
Types of movement – amoeboid, ciliary, flagellar, muscular; skeletal muscle, contractile proteins and
muscle contraction; skeletal system and its functions; joints; disorders of muscular and skeletal
systems - myasthenia gravis, tetany, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, osteoporosis, gout.
Neural Control and Coordination
Neuron and nerves; Nervous system in humans - central nervous system and peripheral nervous
system; generation and conduction of nerve impulse; visceral nervous system.
Chemical Coordination and Integration
Endocrine glands and hormones; human endocrine system - hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid,
parathyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, gonads; hormones of heart, kidney and gastrointestinal tract;
mechanism of hormone action (elementary idea); role of hormones as messengers and regulators,
hypo - and hyperactivity and related disorders; dwarfism, acromegaly, cretinism, goiter,
exophthalmic goiter, diabetes, Addison's disease.
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Flower structure; development of male and female gametophytes; pollination - types, agencies and
examples; outbreeding devices; pollen-pistil interaction; double fertilization; post fertilization events -
development of endosperm and embryo, development of seed and formation of fruit; special modes-
apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony; Significance of seed dispersal and fruit formation.
Human Reproduction
Male and female reproductive systems; microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; gametogenesis -
spermatogenesis and oogenesis; menstrual cycle; fertilisation, embryo development upto blastocyst
formation, implantation; pregnancy and placenta formation ; parturition ; lactation .
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Page 3
Syllabus for the post of PGT -Biology
The Living World
Biodiversity; Need for classification; three domains of life; taxonomy and systematics; concept of
species and taxonomical hierarchy; binomial nomenclature
Biological Classification
Five kingdom classification; Salient features and classification of Monera, Protista and Fungi into
major groups; Lichens, Viruses and Viroids.
Plant Kingdom
Classification of plants into major groups; Salient and distinguishing features and a few examples of
Algae, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae (Topics excluded – Angiosperms, Plant Life Cycle
and Alternation of Generations)
Animal Kingdom
Salient features and classification of animals, non-chordates up to phyla level and chordates up to
class level (salient features and at a few examples of each category).
Morphology of Flowering Plants
Morphology of different parts of flowering plants: root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, flower, fruit and
seed. Description of families: Solanaceae
Anatomy of Flowering Plants
Anatomy and functions of tissue systems in dicots and monocots.
Structural Organisation in Animals
Morphology, Anatomy and functions of different systems (digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous
and reproductive) of frog.
Cell-The Unit of Life
Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life, structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Plant cell
and animal cell; cell envelope; cell membrane, cell wall; cell organelles - structure and function;
endomembrane system- endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles;
mitochondria, plastids, microbodies; cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles (ultrastructure and
function); nucleus.
Biomolecules
Chemical constituents of living cells: biomolecules, structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates,
lipids, nucleic acids; Enzymes - properties, enzyme action.
Cell Cycle and Cell Division
Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis and their significance
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
Photosynthesis as a means of autotrophic nutrition; site of photosynthesis, pigments involved in
photosynthesis (elementary idea); photochemical and biosynthetic phases of photosynthesis; cyclic
and non-cyclic photophosphorylation; chemiosmotic hypothesis; photorespiration; C3 and C4
pathways; factors affecting photosynthesis.
Subject specific syllabus includes the concepts of NCERT/CBSE syllabus and Text Books (Classes
XI & XII), however, the questions will be testing the depth of understanding and application of
these concepts at the level of Post- Graduation.
13
Respiration in Plants
Exchange of gases; cellular respiration - glycolysis, fermentation (anaerobic), TCA cycle and electron
transport system (aerobic); energy relations - number of ATP molecules generated; amphibolic
pathways; respiratory quotient.
Plant - Growth and Development
Seed germination; phases of plant growth and plant growth rate; conditions for growth;
differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; sequence of developmental processes in a
plant cell; growth regulators - auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA.
Breathing and Exchange of Gases
Introduction to respiratory organs in animals; Respiratory system in humans; mechanism of
breathing and its regulation in humans - exchange of gases, transport of gases and regulation of
respiration, respiratory volumes; disorders related to respiration - asthma, emphysema, occupational
respiratory disorders.
Body Fluids and Circulation
Composition of blood, blood groups, coagulation of blood; composition of lymph and its function;
human circulatory system - Structure of human heart and blood vessels; cardiac cycle, cardiac output,
ECG; double circulation; regulation of cardiac activity; disorders of circulatory system - hypertension,
coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, heart failure.
Excretory Products and their Elimination
Modes of excretion - ammonotelism, ureotelism, uricotelism; human excretory system – structure and
function; urine formation, osmoregulation; regulation of kidney function - renin - angiotensin, atrial
natriuretic factor, ADH, diabetes insipidus; micturition; role of other organs in excretion; disorders -
uremia, renal failure, renal calculi, nephritis; dialysis and artificial kidney, kidney transplant.
Locomotion and Movement
Types of movement – amoeboid, ciliary, flagellar, muscular; skeletal muscle, contractile proteins and
muscle contraction; skeletal system and its functions; joints; disorders of muscular and skeletal
systems - myasthenia gravis, tetany, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, osteoporosis, gout.
Neural Control and Coordination
Neuron and nerves; Nervous system in humans - central nervous system and peripheral nervous
system; generation and conduction of nerve impulse; visceral nervous system.
Chemical Coordination and Integration
Endocrine glands and hormones; human endocrine system - hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid,
parathyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, gonads; hormones of heart, kidney and gastrointestinal tract;
mechanism of hormone action (elementary idea); role of hormones as messengers and regulators,
hypo - and hyperactivity and related disorders; dwarfism, acromegaly, cretinism, goiter,
exophthalmic goiter, diabetes, Addison's disease.
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Flower structure; development of male and female gametophytes; pollination - types, agencies and
examples; outbreeding devices; pollen-pistil interaction; double fertilization; post fertilization events -
development of endosperm and embryo, development of seed and formation of fruit; special modes-
apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony; Significance of seed dispersal and fruit formation.
Human Reproduction
Male and female reproductive systems; microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; gametogenesis -
spermatogenesis and oogenesis; menstrual cycle; fertilisation, embryo development upto blastocyst
formation, implantation; pregnancy and placenta formation ; parturition ; lactation .
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Reproductive Health
Need for reproductive health and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs); birth control -
need and methods; medical termination of pregnancy (MTP); amniocentesis; infertility and assisted
reproductive technologies - IVF, ZIFT, GIFT
Principles of Inheritance and Variation
Heredity and variation, Mendelian inheritance; deviations from Mendelism – incomplete dominance,
co-dominance, multiple alleles and inheritance of blood groups, pleiotropy; elementary idea of
polygenic inheritance; chromosome theory of inheritance; chromosomes and genes; linkage and
crossing over; Sex determination - in human being, birds and honey bee; sex linked inheritance -
haemophilia, colour blindness; Mendelian disorders in humans –thalassemia; chromosomal disorders
in humans; Down's syndrome, Turner's and Klinefelter's syndromes.
Molecular Basis of Inheritance
Structure of DNA and RNA; DNA packaging; Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic 8
material; DNA replication; Central Dogma; transcription, genetic code, translation; gene expression
and regulation - lac operon; Human genome project; DNA fingerprinting.
Evolution
Origin of life; biological evolution and evidences for biological evolution (paleontology, comparative
anatomy, embryology and molecular evidences); adaptive radiation; Darwin's theory of evolution;
mechanism of evolution - variation (mutation and recombination) and natural selection with
examples, types of natural selection; Gene flow and genetic drift; Hardy - Weinberg's principle;
human evolution
Human Health and Diseases
Pathogens; parasites causing human diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis,
typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ring worm) and their control; Basic concepts of
immunology - vaccines; cancer, HIV and AIDS; Adolescence - drug and alcohol abuse.
Biotechnology - Principles and Processes
Genetic Engineering (Recombinant DNA Technology).
Biotechnology and its Application
Application of biotechnology in health and agriculture: genetically modified organisms - Bt crops;
Human insulin, gene therapy; molecular diagnosis; transgenic animals; biosafety issues, biopiracy
and patents.
Organisms and Populations
Population interactions - mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism, commensalism; population
attributes - growth, birth rate and death rate, age distribution.
Ecosystem
Ecosystem, productivity and decomposition; energy flow; pyramids of number, biomass, energy.
Biodiversity and Conservation
Biodiversity - Concept, levels, patterns, importance; loss of biodiversity; biodiversity conservation;
hotspots, endangered organisms, extinction, Red Data Book, Sacred Groves, biosphere reserves,
national parks, wildlife, sanctuaries and Ramsar sites.
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