Exploring Biology for Medical Entrance Examinations 2013 (Volume - 1)

Table of Contents

Exploring Biology Part-1

1. Nature and Scope of Biology

• Emergence of Contemporary Biology
• Branches of Biology
• Misuse of Biology

2. The Living World

• Characteristic of Living Beings § Death
• Homeostasis § Diversity in the Living World
• Adaptions § Taxonomical Aids

3. Biological Classification

• Artificial Classification
• Natural Classification
• Phylogenetic Classification
• Kingdoms of Life
• Kingdom–Monera
• Kingdom–Protista
• Kingdom–Fungi
• Kingdom–Plantae
• Kingdom–Animalia

4. Viruses

• Origin of Virus
• Discovery of Viruses
• General Characteristics
• Structure
• Size and Shape
• Classification of Viruses
• Transduction
• Life Cycle of Virus

5. Monera

• Bacteria
• Major Groups of Bacteria

6. Protista

• Photosynthetic Protists
• Slime Moulds
• Protozoan Protists

7. Fungi

• Habitat
• Habits
• Body Structure
• Life Cycle
• Classification of Fungi
• Phycomycetes
• Ascomycetes
• Basidiomycetes
• Deuteromycetes
• Useful Fungi
• Harmful Fungi
• Lichens

8. Plantae

• Classification
• Sub-kingdom–Cryptogamae
• Algae
• Bryophyta
• Division–Pteridophyta
• Division–Gymnosperm
• Angiosperms

9. Classification of Animals

• Basis of Classification
• Classification

10. Phylum–Protozoa

• Characteristic Features
• Classification
• Some Important Protozoa
• Useful Protozoa
• Harmful Protozoa

11. Phylum–Porifera

• Characteristics
• Classification
• Canal System in Sponges

12. Phylum–Cnidaria

• Characteristics of Cnidaria
• Classification
• Ctenophora

13. Phylum–Platyhelminthes

• Characteristic Features
• Classification
• Examples of Platyhelminthes

14. Phylum–Aschelminthes

• Characteristic Features
• Classification
• Examples of Nematodes

15. Phylum–Annelida

• Characteristic Features
• Classification
• Examples of Annelids

16. Phylum–Arthropoda

• Characteristic Features
• Classification
• Common Mosquitoes
• Housefly
• Useful Insects
• Harmful Insects

17. Phylum–Mollusca

• Characteristic Features
• Classification
• Examples of Mollusca

18. Phylum–Echinodermata

• Characteristic Features
• Classification

19. Phylum–Chordata-I

• Classification
• Characteristic Features
• Protochordata
• Vertebrata
• Class–Pisces

20. Phylum–Chordata-II

• Class–Amphibia
• Class–Reptilia

21. Phylum–Chordata-III

• Class–Aves
• Class–Mammalia

22. Morphology of Flowering Plants

• Parts of a Flowering Plant
• The Root
• The Stem
• The Leaf
• Inflorescence
• Flower
• Fruit
• Seed

23. Anatomy of Flowering Plants

• Plant Tissues
• Tissue System
• Internal Structure of Root
• Internal Structure of Stem
• Internal Structure of Leaf
• Secondary Growth

24. Animal Tissues

• Epithelial Tissue
• Connective Tissue
• Muscular Tissue
• Nervous Tissue

25. Structural Organization in Some Animals

• Earthworm
• Cockroach
• Sense Organs
• Frog

26. Tools and Techniques

• Microscope
• Cell Fractionation
• Centrifugation
• Chromatography
• X-Ray Crystallography
• Spectrophotometry
• Electrophoresis
• Autoradiography
• Flow Cytometry

27. Cell : The Unit of Life

• Cell Theory
• Shape and Size
• Types of Cells
• Structural Organization of Cell

28. Chromosomes

• Chromosome Size
• Chromosome Number
• Chromosome Structure
• Types of Chromosomes

29. Cell Cycle and Cell Division

• Cell Cycle
• Mitosis
• Meiosis

30. Biomolecules

• Water
• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Lipids
• Nucleic Acids

31. Enzymes

• Nomenclature of Enzymes
• Structure of Enzymes
• Enzyme Specificity
• Activation Energy of Enzymes
• Isozymes
• Coenzymes

32. Transport in Plants

• Diffusion
• Permeability
• Plasmolysis
• Osmosis
• Imbibition
• Absorption of Water
• Guttation
• Ascent of Sap
• Transpiration
• Translocation

33. Mineral Nutrition

• Essential Elements
• Hydroponics
• Absorption of Elements
• Nitrogen Fixation

34. Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

• Landmarks in Photosynthesis
• Site of Photosynthesis
• Photosynthetic Apparatus
• Photosynthetic Pigments
• Process of Photosynthesis
• Diversity in Photosynthetic Pathway
• Photorespiration (C2-Cycle)
• Bacterial Photosynthesis

35. Respiration in Plants

• Breathing in Plants
• Respiratory Quotient (RQ)
• Aerobic Respiration
• Pentose Phosphate Pathway
• Fermentation
• Compensation Point
• Amphibolic Pathway

36. Plant Growth and Development

• Growth
• Development
• Plant Hormones
• Seed Dormancy
• Photoperiodism
• Photoperiodic Induction
• Vernalization
• Plant Movements
• Abscission

37. Digestion and Absorption

• Alimentary Canal
• Nutrients
• Process of Digestion Disorders
• Absorption
• Nutritional and Digestive

38. Breathing and Exchange of Gases

• Respiratory System
• Mechanism of Breathing
• Exchange of Gases
• Transport of Gases

39. Body Fluid Circulation

• Circulatory System
• Human Heart
• Arterial System
• Venous System
• Cardiac Cycle
• Blood Pressure
• Double Circulation
• Electrocardiogram
• Blood Groups
• Human Lymphatic System
• Cardiovascular Diseases

40. Excretory Products and their Elimination

• Excretion
• Osmoregulation in Human
• Excretory System of Human
• Accessory Excretory Organs
• Disorders of Excretory System

41. Movement and Locomotion

• Skeleton
• Skeletal System of Human
• Joints
• Muscular System

42. Neural Control and Coordination

• Neural System
• Human Neural System
• Reflex Action
• Neurotransmitters
• Sensory Organs

43. Chemical Coordination and Integration

• Endocrine System
• Endocrine Glands
• Mechanism of Hormone Action
• Control of Hormone Action

Appendices

Multicolour Pages