Overview of Important Biology Topics for IAT Exam

Structure of Biology Syllabus

• Biology is divided into two parts:
  • Factual Topics
    • Classification
    • Microbes in Human Welfare
    • Morphology and Anatomy of Plants and Animals
    • Plant Growth and Development
    • Human Physiology
  • Conceptual Topics
    • Cell Biology
    • Biomolecules
    • Photosynthesis
    • Respiration
    • Genetics
    • Molecular Basis of Inheritance
    • Evolution
    • Biotechnology
    • Ecology

Cell Biology

• Cell Structure

  • Nucleus: Contains DNA, RNA synthesis in nucleolus, double membrane
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse, respiration, double membrane
  • Chloroplast: Photosynthesis, double membrane
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis, no membrane
  • Golgi Body: Packaging, secretion, sorting, single membrane
  • Lysosomes: Digestion, single membrane, apoptosis
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum:
    • Smooth ER: Lipid metabolism
    • Rough ER: Protein synthesis (ribosomes attached)
  • Vacuole: Storage, single membrane
  • Centrioles and Centrosomes: Spindle formation in cell division

• Cell Cycle and Cell Division

  • Interphase: Preparation phase (G1, S, G2)
  • M Phase: Division phase
    • Mitosis: Somatic cells
    • Meiosis: Germ cells

Biomolecules

• Types of Biomolecules

  • Sugars: Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), Disaccharides (e.g., lactose)
  • Proteins: Made from amino acids, types include primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary
  • Lipids: Not detailed here

• Enzyme Activity

  • Specific to substrates, not degraded in reaction
  • Competitive Inhibition: Inhibitors similar to substrates

Photosynthesis

• Light Reaction

  • Occurs in thylakoid membrane
  • Photosystems (PS1, PS2)
  • ATP and NADPH production

• Dark Reaction (Calvin Cycle)

  • Occurs in stroma
  • Produces glucose
  • Involves RUBP and Rubisco enzyme

Respiration

• Stages

  • Glycolysis: Glucose to pyruvate
  • Krebs Cycle: Acetyl-CoA breakdown
  • Electron Transport Chain: ATP production

• Types of Respiration

  • Aerobic: With oxygen
  • Anaerobic: Without oxygen (e.g., fermentation)

Genetics

• Mendelian Genetics

  • Law of Dominance, Segregation, Independent Assortment
  • Monohybrid and Dihybrid Crosses

• Linkage and Recombination

  • Linked genes and recombination frequency

Molecular Basis of Inheritance

• DNA Replication

  • Process, enzymes involved

• Transcription and Translation

  • mRNA synthesis and protein production

• Gene Regulation

  • Lac operon model in bacteria

Evolution

• Darwin’s Theory

  • Natural selection, survival of the fittest

• Adaptive Radiation

  • Divergence of species from a common ancestor

• Hardy-Weinberg Principle

  • Allele frequencies in non-evolving populations

Biotechnology

• Recombinant DNA Technology

  • Process of inserting a gene of interest into a plasmid

• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

  • Amplifies DNA

Ecology

• Population Dynamics

  • Exponential and logistic growth models

• Biosphere and Ecosystems

  • Food chains: Grazing and detritus
  • Biotic interactions: Mutualism, parasitism, etc.
  • Biodiversity types and conservation methods

Conclusion

• Emphasis on understanding both the factual and conceptual parts of biology
• Regular revision of factual topics is crucial
• Practice and understanding of conceptual topics needed for exam preparation