| Unit 1: Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology | Structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonds. Composition, structure & function of biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins). Stabilizing interactions (van der Waals, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions). Principles of biophysical chemistry: pH, buffer, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics. Bioenergetics: glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, group transfer, energy transducers. Principles of catalysis: enzymes, enzyme kinetics/regulation, isozymes. Conformation of proteins & nucleic acids (Ramachandran plot, helix forms, tRNA, microRNA). Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides and vitamins.
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| Unit 2: Cellular Organization | Membrane structure & function (model membranes, lipid bilayer, diffusion, ion channels, active transport, pumps). Intracellular organelles (structure & function of nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi, lysosome, ER, peroxisome, plastids, vacuoles, cytoskeleton etc). Organization of genes & chromosomes (operon, repetitive DNA, gene families, chromatin & chromosome structure, transposons). Cell division & cell cycle (mitosis, meiosis, regulation). Microbial physiology (growth, yield, cell division strategies, stress response).
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| Unit 3: Fundamental Processes | DNA replication, repair, recombination (origin, fork, fidelity, extrachromosomal replicons, damage/repair). RNA synthesis & processing (transcription machinery, initiation, elongation, termination, RNA types). Protein synthesis & processing (ribosome, initiation/elongation/termination factors, tRNA aminoacylation, post-translational modifications). Control of gene expression at transcription & translation level (phages/viruses, prokaryotic/eukaryotic regulation, chromatin role, gene silencing)
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| Unit 4: Cell Communication & Cell Signalling | Host-parasite interactions: entry of pathogens (bacteria/viruses) into plant/animal cells, virus-induced transformation. Cell signalling: hormones & their receptors, G-protein coupled receptors, second messengers, bacterial/plant two-component systems, light signalling, chemotaxis/quorum sensing. Cellular communication: hematopoiesis regulztion, cell adhesion molecules, gap junctions, extracellular matrix, integrins, neurotransmission. Cancer: oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, metastasis, virus-induced cancer, apoptosis and interventions. Immunity: Innate & adaptive immune system, antigens, B/T cells, antigen–antibody interactions, vaccines, immunodeficiencies.
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| Unit 5: Developmental Biology | Basic concepts: potency, determination, differentiation, morphogenetic gradients, stem cells, imprinting, transgenics. Gametogenesis, fertilization and early development: gamete production, sperm–egg recognition, embryo sac development, gastrulation, seed germination (plants) etc.
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| Unit 6: System Physiology – Plant | Photosynthesis: light harvesting complexes, electron transport, photoprotection, CO₂ fixation (C3, C4, CAM). Respiration & photorespiration: TCA, mitochondrial electron transport, alternate oxidase, photo-respiratory pathway. Nitrogen metabolism: nitrate/ammonium assimilation, amino acid biosynthesis. Plant hormones: biosynthesis, storage, transport, mechanisms of action
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| Unit 7: System Physiology – Animal | Though less detailed in the unit summary, this covers major organ systems: blood & circulation, nervous system, endocrine system, digestive, respiratory, excretory systems, sense organs, homeostasis etc. (as per syllabus listing) |
| Unit 8: Inheritance Biology | Mendelian genetics, human genetics, gene mapping, pleiotropy, quantitative genetics, mutation, extrachromosomal inheritance, microbial genetics. |
| Unit 9: Diversity of Life Forms | Taxonomy and classification of plants, animals and microorganisms, levels of structural organisation, natural history (Indian subcontinent), organisms of health/agricultural/conservation significance. |
| Unit 10: Ecological Principles | Population ecology, habitats & niches, ecosystem ecology, ecological succession, species interactions, biogeography, conservation biology, origin of cells/unicellular evolution. |
| Unit 11: Evolution & Behaviour | Evolutionary history, Darwinian principles, molecular evolution, brain & behaviour evolution, behavioural ecology |
| Unit 12: Applied Biology | Microbial fermentation, production of small/macromolecules, vaccines & diagnostics, tissue & cell culture (plants & animals), transgenics, genomics in health/agriculture, biodiversity uses, plant/animal breeding including marker-assisted selection. |
| Unit 13: Methods in Biology | Techniques: statistical methods (central tendency, dispersion), fluorescence, immunotechniques, molecular biology & recombinant DNA methods, circular dichroism, histochemical methods, data interpretation etc. |
