Unit 1. Science of Systematic Zoology (05 Hrs)
Concept of Biosystematics, Terms used in systematic biology, Historical review of taxonomic philosophies, Strategies and stages in taxonomy, Tasks of taxonomy, Strategies of taxonomic studies, Systematics as a profession
Unit 2. Species concept (06 Hrs)
Historical prospective of species concept (typological, nominalist, biological) polytypic and monotypic species, ring species. Intraspecific groups (Variety, morphs, geographical subspecies, temporal subspecies, Race, clines) Models and mechanisms of speciation- sympatric, allopatric , stasipatric
Unit 3. Taxonomic Collection and post collection processes (07 Hrs)
Collection: Purpose, Value, Scope of collection, Content of Collection, significance of museum collections, legal aspects of collecting animals. Preparation and packaging of specimen for posting
Preservation - methods, taxidermy, factors responsible for the deterioration of museum specimens. Curating of collections- museum collection policy, Preparation of material for study, Housing & Cataloging, Exchangeable and expendable materials, loans
Identification: Systematic process of sorting & labelling, Procedure of Identification; Identifications services.
Unit 4. Trends and approaches in taxonomy (10 Hrs)
Morphological- General external structures, anatomy, special structures, embryological & Cytogenetic, Ecological – Habitats & hosts, food, parasitism, seasonal variations. Behavioural – Ethological isolating mechanisms courtship, behavioural patterns Biochemical - Serological, proteins, metabolic factors. Molecular – Major rRNA genes, Cytochrome b, Cytochome C, Cytochrome C Oxidase & Other conserved sequences. Numerical approaches.
Unit 5 Classification and Phylogenetic analysis (10 Hrs)
Components of classification; Procedure of Classification (Phenetic, Cladistic, inferring relationship by similarities), Presentation of classification - Linnaean/Taxonomic hierarchy, possible ways of constructing a phylogenetic tree. Phylogenetic analysis- Purpose, terminology, methods of phylogenetic analysis (Phonetic method, dendrogram method, pairwise distance; cladistics method, parsimony, maximum likelihood) phylogenetic lineages
Unit 6. Application of Zoological nomenclature (10 Hrs)
Taxonomic Keys and their significance, taxonomic publications, International rules of nomenclature – Historical and contemporary situation; International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN); DNA bar coding, the taxonomic bottle neck, digitization of taxonomic data/ bioinformatics
Unit 1. Functional morphology (05 Hrs)
Strategies and approaches in functional morphology of non-chordates, Colonial protozoans and theories on the Origin of Metazoa
Unit 2. Body Cavity (05 Hrs)
Organization of Acoelomates, Psedocoelomates, Coelomates. Theories for the origin of coelom, advantages of the coelom. Protostomes and deuterostomes.
Unit 3. Movements (06 Hrs)
Amoeboid, ciliary and flagellar movements in protozoa (ultrastructural aspects); Hydrostatic movement in Cnidaria, Annelida and Echinodermata. Significance of Metamerism and arthropodization
Unit 4 Nutrition (04 Hrs)
Nutrition in Protozoa and lower metazoan; Filter feeding in polychaeta, mollusca and echinodermata; feeding pattern in insects
Unit 5. Respiration (04 Hrs)
Organs of respiration – gills, lungs, and trachea; Respiratory pigments; Mechanism of respiration
Unit 6 Circulation (04 Hrs)
Patterns of circulation in Protozoa, Canal system in porifera and circulatory patterns in lower and higher metazoa; role of body fluids
Unit 7. Excretion and osmoregulation (04 Hrs)
Excretory organs – coelomoducts, Nephidia, and malphigian tubules, Excretory mechanisms in protozoa, parazoa, lower and higher metazoans. Mechanism of nitrogen excretion
Osmoregulation in marine and fresh water protozoa & metazoan. Transition from water to land
Unit 7. Nervous Coordination & Sense Organs (05 Hrs)
Sources of Information, Trends in neural evolution, Primitive nervous system in coelenterate & Echinodermata; advanced nervous system in Nematodes, Annelida, Arthropoda, mollusca; Brief review of sense organs in different phyla
Unit 8. Strategies of Reproduction (04 Hrs)
Patterns, Protostome & Deuterostome larval forms and their evolutionary significance
Unit 9. Minor phyla (05 Hrs)
Salient features and systematic position of Mesozoa, Ctenophora, Entoprocta, Ectoprocta, Sipunclida, Onycophoa, Rotifers, Pogonophore.
Unit 10. Hemichordates (02 Hrs)
Connecting link between non-chordates & Chordates, salient features, adaptive radiations
Unit 1. Introduction (02 Hrs)
Geological time scale- origin of chordates
Unit 2. Protochordates (03 Hrs)
General organization, phylogeny and systematic position of Urochordates and cephlochordates, Retrogressive metamorphosis.
Unit 3. Agnathans (03 Hrs)
Origin, evolution and adaptive radiation in Ostracoderms
Unit 4. Ancient Fishes (03 Hrs)
Origin and development of jaw; Origin, evolution, adaptive radiations and decline of earlier Fishes
Unit 5 Masters of water (04 Hrs)
Success of modern fishes, Origin, evolution and adaptive radiations in modern fishes
Unit 6. Transition from water to land (02 Hrs)
Air breathing fishes, circumstances favouring transition, Problems to live on land,
Basic design for life on land
Unit 7. Amphibians (04 Hrs)
Problems to live on land Origin, evolution and diversification of extinct and extant Amphibians
Unit 8 Reptiles (06 Hrs)
The amniotic egg, Skull in reptiles, Origin, evolution and diversification of extinct and extant Reptiles
Unit 9 Aves (04 Hrs)
Origin, evolution and diversification of Aves
Unit 10 Mammals (06 Hrs)
Zoogeography, Establishment of mammalian characters, origin and evolution of Monotremata, Marsupials and placentae; adaptive radiations in Marsupials; Dentition in mammals
Unit 11. Comparative anatomy (06 Hrs)
Integument and its derivatives; Heart and aortic arches; Brain and kidney
Unit 12. Skeletal system (02 Hrs)
Mammalian Endoskeleton – Axial and appendicular (Any one example)
Unit 13. Adaptations (03 Hrs)
Aquatic, terrestrial, aerial; Aerodynamics and Mechanism of flight in birds (wings as flight surface)
Unit 1. Introduction (01 Hrs)
Central dogma of molecular biology, Information pathways
Unit 2. Mendelian Genetics (02 Hrs)
Overview of Mendelian and post mendelian genetics; concept of alleles, complementation test.
Unit 3. Chromosomal basis of Mendelism (04 Hrs)
Experimental evidence to link inheritance of genes to chromosomes, Sex linked genes in Humans, Sex chromosomes and sex determination in humans & Drosophila, Dosage compensation of X- linked genes, Genome imprinting
Unit 4. DNA structure and replication (10 Hrs)
DNA as the genetic material- Experiments to prove; Watson-Crick model, Modes of DNA replication, Experiment to prove mode of replication, Enzymes and proteins of replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, Mechanism of replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes (initiation, elongation and termination) regulation of replication.
Unit 5. Mutations, DNA repair and recombination (06 Hrs)
Molecular basis of Mutations, repair mechanisms and genetic recombination
Unit 6. Genetic recombination in Bacteria (03 Hrs)
Transformation, transduction and conjugation in bacteria and life cycles of bacteriophage
Unit 7. Transcription (04 Hrs)
Genetic code, RNA Polymerases in Prokaryotes and eukaryotes, Mechanism of Transcription, Major types of RNAs, post transcriptional modifications.
Unit 8 Translation (04 Hrs)
Components of protein biosynthesis (ribosomes, aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, tRNA); mechanism of translation, post translational modifications.
Unit 9. Regulation of gene expression (05 Hrs)
Positive and negative regulations, regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes, Operon concept in prokaryotes (Lac Operon and Tryptophan Operon), regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.
Unit 10. Genome Organization (03 Hrs)
Organization of Eukaryotic genome; salient features of Yeast, Drosophila and Human genome.
Unit 11 Genome rearrangements (06 Hrs)
Cytogenic implications of duplication, deletion, inversion and translocation; Transposons in Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes – Cut & Paste transposons, Replicative Transposons and Retrotranspons.
Unit 1. Micoscopy (4 Hrs)
Phase contrast, Fluorescence, Electron and laser Confocal microscopes.
Unit 2. Molecular organisation of Biological membranes (05 Hrs)
Molecular composition and organization; Membrane asymmetry and transmembrane membrane transport of gases, ions, water and solutes; Membrane junctions.
Unit 3. Molecular organisation and functions of cell organelles (05 Hrs)
Ribosomes – Protein biosynthesis and folding, Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus- Modification, secretion and storage of proteins; Phospholipid synthesis, Mitochondria – Oxidative phosphorylation, peoxisomes and lysosomes.
Unit 4. Protein structure and functions (08 Hrs)
Amino acids, Classification of Amino acids, Peptide bond formation; Primary and seconadary structure of Polypeptides- Hydrogen bonds and covalent Linkages; Polypeptide folding- Random coil, Alpha helix, Beta sheet; Protien modifications ; Glycoproteins, Proteoglycans and lipoproteins.
Unit 5. Cytoskeleton (03 Hrs)
Molecular Organization and role in cell architecture
Unit 6. Chromatin biology (05 Hrs)
Molecular Structure of Chromosomes: Euchromatin and Heterochromatin: Organization of chromatin – Nucleosomes, Role of histones in Packaging DNA, Nonhistone proteins, C- Value Paradox.
Unit 7. Cell Cycle and apoptosis (03 Hrs)
Concepts of cell cycle, Cyclins and cyclin dependent protein Kinases, Commitment of the cells for division, CDK target
Unit 8. Apoptosis (03 Hrs)
Proteins involved in apoptosis, signalling pathways and their integration in apoptosis.
Unit 9. Cancer biology (08 Hrs)
Benign and Malignant tumors, Features of malignant cells, carcinogens and cancer development, Oncoviruses, Oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, Metastasis, misregulation of growth regulatory pathways, loss of cell division and check point regulators, Treatment options.
Unit 10. Integrating cells (04 Hrs)
Extracellular matrix (ECM), Cell-Cell adhesion, Cell-Extracellular matrix adhesion, C-C & C-ECM junctions
Unit 1. Respiration (04 Hrs)
Solubility of Gases, Respiratory mechanisms in Air Breathing fishes, birds and mammals; respiration in eggs; Blood – Facilitated diffusion, Bohr’s effect, Acid- base balance Regulation.
Unit 2. Blood (04 Hrs)
Composition, transportation of O2 and CO2 & other functions of blood; vertebrate circulation, Blood Clotting - .Clotting factors, Intrinsic and Extrinsic Pathways of clotting
Unit 3. Circulation (04 Hrs)
General principle of circulation, Heart as a pump, Cardiac cycle, cardiac function assessment, peripheral vascular system, venous return.
Unit 4. Excretion & Osmoregulation (04 Hrs)
Renal blood flow & Glomerular filtration, tubular transport mechanisms, Problems of osmoregulation, regulation of electrolytes and water in the body, Osmoregulation in aqueous and terrestrial animals
Unit 5. Feeding and Digestion (04 Hrs)
Feeding methods and motility of the elementary canal; Digestion and gastrointestinal secretions; Absorption and nutritional requirements
Unit 6. Temperature Regulation (04 Hrs)
Classification of animals based on thermal biology; mechanism of thermoregulation; Neuronal mechanism of temperature control; thermoregulation and specialized metabolic states.
Unit 7. Movement (04 Hrs)
Muscle proteins – Actin, Myosin, Troponin, Tropomyosin, Tittin, Nebulin, Cap Z Tropomodulin Molecular mechanism of muscle contraction; adaptations of muscle for various activities. Molecular organization of Neuromuscular junction.
Unit 8. Neuronal functions (04 Hrs)
Structure, Organization and functions of nervous system; Electrochemical, resting and action potential; transmission of information within and between neurons; Neurotransmitters; synapse and postsynaptic neurons.
Unit 9. Enzymes (04 Hrs)
Enzymes as catalyst of biochemical reactions, active sites of enzymes, Enzyme – substrate interactions, Free energy and thermodynamics, kinetics properties of Enzyme - Michaelis - Menten equation, enzyme inhibition (Competitive, uncompetitive, noncompetitive)
Unit 10. Metabolism (12 Hrs)
Concept of metabolic pathways, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, glycogenesis and glycogenolysis, citric acid cycle, β – Oxidation, Amino acid Oxidation, Oxidative phosphorylation, General properties, regulation of metabolic reactions, metabolic production of ATP; Efficiency of energy metabolism.
Unit 1. Introduction (03 Hrs)
History, Aims and Scope of endocrinology; Techniques in Endocrinology; Classification of Hormones.
Unit 2. Hormones and Homeostasis (04 Hrs)
Concept of Homeostasis; Feedback systems; Calcium, sodium and glucose homeostasis; Hormones and behavior.
Unit 3. Comparative anatomy of Endocrine Glands (10 Hrs)
Endocrine hypothalamus, Pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, hypothalamo-Hypophysial portal system, Neurovascular hypothesis.
Unit 4. Structures and Biological actions of Hormones (05 Hrs)
Hormones of Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Pineal, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, pancreas, Gastrointestinal Hormones and Secondary endocrine glands.
Unit 5. Dysfunction and Pathophysiology of Endocrine glands (04 Hrs)
Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, pancreas,
Unit 6. Mechanism of Hormone Action (06 Hrs)
Hormone receptors – Types, structure and regulation. Mechanism of Hormone action – Peptide hormones (Signal transduction, G protein, Protein kinase C); Steroid & thyroid hormones; calmodulin: Termination of hormone action.
Unit 7. Biosynthesis of Hormones (04 Hrs)
Steroid hormones, melatonin, catecholamines, Thyroid hormones, Peptide hormones; Insulin. Hormone inactivation.
Unit 8. Growth factors (04 Hrs)
Placental lactogen, Neurotropic growth factor, Haemopiotic growth factor, Epidermal growth factor, Transforming growth factor; Fibroblast growth factor; cytokines, chalones
Unit 9. Immuno- Endocrinology (04 Hrs)
Effect of endocrine ablation and replacement on immune responses; sexual dimorphic immune response and its mechanism; effect of pregnancy on immune response; hormonal regulation of immune response
Unit 10. Invertebrate Endocrine System (04 Hrs)
Survey of Endocrine glands, Homones & Neuotransmitters and their functional consequences
Unit 1. Introduction (04 Hrs)
An Overview of Reproduction, Differentiation of Gonads, Gonadal ducts and their hormonal regulation
Unit 2. Male Reproductive System (08 Hrs)
Histo-architecture of testis, Spermatogenesis, functions of sertoli and Leydig cells; seminiferous epithelial cycle and wave, stem cell renewal. hormonal control of spermatogenesis.
Unit 3. Male Accessory Reproductive glands (08 Hrs)
Functional morphology and hormonal regulation of epididymis, Vas deference, prostate gland, seminal vesicle, coagulating and Cowper’s glands; Biology of spermatozoa, and biochemistry of semen; iological actions of androgens.
Unit 4. Female Reproductive System (08 Hrs)
Anatomy of female reproductive system; Histo-architecture of Ovary, folliculogenesis, follicular atresia, ovulation, corpus luteum; Hormonal regulation of Estrous and menstrual cycle; Biological actions of estrogens.
Unit 5. Pregnancy, parturition and Lactation (08 Hrs)
Capacitation of spermatozoa, molecular events during fertilization, types of implantation, sequential events and hormonal regulation, delayed implantation; Placenta – histophysiology and endocrine function, types of placenta; Endocrine regulation of pregnancy and parturition; Lactation – Development of mammary glands, endocrine regulation of lactation; Biochemistry of milk and its role in nursing the neonate.
Unit 6. Contraceptive methods and Sterility (06 Hrs)
Fertility control in male and females – Natural methods, barrier methods, intrauterine devices, hormonal contraceptives, surgical & immunological approaches; Amniocentesis; ARTs – Induction of Ovulation, IVF, gamete intrafallopian tube transfer, ZIFT, surrogate pregnancy, gestational Carrier.
Unit 7. Non-mammalian Reproductive strategies (06 Hrs)
Structure of gonads and reproductive cycles of non-mammalian vertebrates of India.
Unit 1. Introduction (03 Hrs)
History, Aims and Scope of endocrinology; Techniques in Endocrinology; Classification of Hormones.
Unit 2. Hormones and Homeostasis (04 Hrs)
Concept of Homeostasis; Feedback systems; Calcium, sodium and glucose homeostasis; Hormones and behavior.
Unit 3. Comparative anatomy of Endocrine Glands (10 Hrs)
Endocrine hypothalamus, Pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, hypothalamo-Hypophysial portal system, Neurovascular hypothesis.
Unit 4. Structures and Biological actions of Hormones (05 Hrs)
Hormones of Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Pineal, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, pancreas, Gastrointestinal Hormones and Secondary endocrine glands.
Unit 5. Dysfunction and Pathophysiology of Endocrine glands (04 Hrs)
Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, pancreas,
Unit 6. Mechanism of Hormone Action (06 Hrs)
Hormone receptors – Types, structure and regulation. Mechanism of Hormone action – Peptide hormones (Signal transduction, G protein, Protein kinase C); Steroid & thyroid hormones; calmodulin: Termination of hormone action.
Unit 7. Biosynthesis of Hormones (04 Hrs)
Steroid hormones, melatonin, catecholamines, Thyroid hormones, Peptide hormones; Insulin. Hormone inactivation.
Unit 8. Growth factors (04 Hrs)
Placental lactogen, Neurotropic growth factor, Haemopiotic growth factor, Epidermal growth factor, Transforming growth factor; Fibroblast growth factor; cytokines, chalones
Unit 9. Immuno- Endocrinology (04 Hrs)
Effect of endocrine ablation and replacement on immune responses; sexual dimorphic immune response and its mechanism; effect of pregnancy on immune response; hormonal regulation of immune response
Unit 10. Invertebrate Endocrine System (04 Hrs)
Survey of Endocrine glands, Homones & Neuotransmitters and their functional consequences
Unit 1. Innate and adaptive Immunity (12 Hrs)
Innate Immunity – Barriers; Adaptive immunity – attributes, Cells of Immunity; Lymphoid organs
Cell mediated Immunity – T – Lymphocytes (TH, TC & T Reg), molecular markers and maturation, T- Cell receptors (classes, Structure and roles), cytokines and their roles
Major Histocompatibility Complex – Class I, II & III
Complement System – Components, Activation, Functions
Humoral Immunity – B – Lymphocytes (Structure & functions)
Unit 2. Antigens and Antibody (08 Hrs)
Antigens Vs Immunogens; Properties of Immunogens & Antigens; Immunoglobulin – Structure, Types and function; Epitopes and paratopes; Antigen-antibody interaction Genetic Basis of antibody diversity.
Unit 3. Autoimmunity and Transplantation Immunology (03 Hrs)
Autoimmune Diseases, Causes of Autoimmunity; Types of grafts, Basis of graft rejection, manifestation of graft rejection, immunosuppression.
Unit 4. Vaccination & Hypersensitivity Reactions (05 Hrs)
Vaccination stratergies, Passive and active immunization, vaccines against communicable & infectious diseases: Hypersensitivity, types of hypersensitive responses.