Biology for Trained Graduate Teachers

Study Notes

Unit I: Life Processes

Nutrition is essential for the survival of living organisms, with various modes present in animals and plants.
Photosynthesis involves two photo-systems (I and II) and includes light (dependent) and dark (independent) reactions.
C3, C4, and CAM plants have different photosynthetic pathways adapted to their environments.
Aerobic respiration is a multi-stage process impacting energy production, while fermentation occurs in anaerobic conditions resulting in by-products.
The respiratory quotient (RQ) measures the ratio of CO2 produced to O2 consumed, affected by nutrient uptake.
Human body fluids include blood and lymph, crucial for transportation within the circulatory and respiratory systems.
Plant transportation mechanisms involve ascent of sap, water absorption, transpiration, and translocation.
Excretion in animals and plants serves to eliminate waste and maintain homeostasis.

Unit II: Control and Coordination

The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord, facilitating coordination via neurons and nerve impulses.
Reflex actions and sensory organs (eye and ear) have distinct structures and functions, with common defects and corrective measures.
Plant movements exhibit responses such as geotropism, phototropism, and turgor pressure influenced by growth regulators like Auxins and Gibberellins.
Human body features both endocrine and exocrine glands that secrete hormones, essential for various bodily functions.

Unit III: The Fundamental Unit of Life

Cells are the basic building blocks of life, containing essential organelles each performing specific functions.
Mitosis and meiosis are two types of cell division critical for growth and reproduction.
Plant tissues are categorized as meristematic (growth) and permanent (function-oriented).
Anatomy of roots, stems, and leaves varies between dicots and monocots, with secondary growth notable in many plants.
Animal tissues include epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues, each with unique structures and roles.

Unit IV: Diversity of Living Organisms

Systematics aims to classify organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
Taxonomical hierarchy organizes species into categories for easier identification, using binomial nomenclature for naming.
Bentham and Hooker's classification outlines the framework for plant taxonomy, whereas animal classification separates non-chordates and chordates.

Unit V: Reproduction

Reproduction modes vary among organisms, notably in single-celled organisms and in sexual reproduction among plants.
Key reproductive processes include pollination, double fertilization, and embryo development.
Human reproductive systems involve gametogenesis, fertilization, and embryonic development including placenta functions and parturition.
Reproductive health covers issues like family planning and strategies to address reproductive health challenges.

Unit VI: Heredity and Evolution

Mendel's laws of inheritance define dominant, recessive traits, and complex patterns like sex-linked inheritance and polygenic traits.
Heritable genetic variations arise from mutations and gene expression, impacting evolution.
Theories of evolution include Lamarckism, Darwinism, and the modern synthetic theory, tracing human evolution through various interrelationships.

Unit VII: Health and Diseases

Health is influenced by various factors, overseeing both infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Disease prevention methods include immunization, addressing inherited conditions and genetic counseling related to genetic incompatibilities.

Unit VIII: Natural Resources

Ecosystems consist of biotic and abiotic components, with energy flow and ecological succession impacting environment dynamics.
Environmental issues such as pollution, global warming, and the depletion of the ozone layer necessitate awareness and action.
Biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur) play critical roles in nutrient circulation.
Biodiversity loss poses significant threats, underlining the need for conservation strategies.

Unit IX: Improvement in Food Resources

Enhancing crop yields through agricultural practices, animal husbandry, intercropping, plant breeding, and using bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides contributes to food security.

Description

This quiz covers essential biology concepts specifically tailored for the requirements of Trained Graduate Teachers. Explore topics such as nutrition, photosynthesis, respiration mechanisms, and transportation in humans. Test your knowledge on life processes and their importance in the biological sciences.