MPSC Assistant Professor Posts Botany Syllabus (2025)
Higher and Technical Education Department
1. Molecules and their interaction relevant to Biology
A. Structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonds.
B. Composition, structure and function of biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic
acids and vitamins).
C. Stabilizing interactions (Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction,
etc.).
D. Principles of biophysical chemistry (pH, buffer, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, colligative
properties).
E. Bioenergetics, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, coupled reaction, group transfer, biological
energy transducers.
F. Principles of catalysis, enzymes and enzyme kinetics, enzyme regulation, mechanism of enzyme
catalysis, isozymes.
G. Conformation of nucleic acids (helix (A, B, Z), t-RNA, micro-RNA). Stability of proteins and
nucleic acids.
H. Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides and vitamins.
2. Cellular organization
A. Membrane structure and function :- Structure of model membrane, lipid bilayer and
membrane protein diffusion, osmosis, ion channels, active transport, membrane pumps,
mechanism of sorting and regulation of intracellular transport, electrical properties of membranes.
B. Structural organization and function of intracellular organelles :- Cell wall, nucleus,
mitochondria, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, plastids, vacuoles,
chloroplast, structure & function of cytoskeleton and its role in motility.
C. Organization of genes and chromosomes :- Operon, unique and repetitive DNA, interrupted
genes, gene families, structure of chromatin and chromosomes, heterochromatin, euchromatin,
transposons.
D. Cell division and cell cycle: - Mitosis and meiosis, their regulation, steps in cell cycle,
regulation and control of cell cycle.
E. Microbial Physiology: - Growth yield and characteristics, strategies of cell division, stress
response.
3. Fundamental processes
A. DNA replication, repair and recombination :- Unit of replication, enzymes involved
replication origin and replication fork, fidelity of replication, extrachromosomal replicons, DNA
damage and repair mechanisms, homologous and site-specific recombination.
B. RNA synthesis and processing : - transcription factors and machinery, formation of initiation
complex, transcription activator and repressor, RNA polymerases, capping, elongation, and
termination, RNA processing, RNA editing, splicing and polyadenylation, structure and function
of different types of RNA, RNA transport.
C. Protein synthesis and processing :- Ribosome, formation of initiation complex, initiation factors
and their regulation, elongation and elongation factors, termination, genetic code, aminoacylation
of tRNA, tRNA-identity, aminoacyl tRNA synthetase, and translational proof-reading,
translational inhibitors, Post- translational modification of proteins.
D. Control of gene expression at transcription and translation level :- regulating the expression
of phages, viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes, role of chromatin in gene expression and
gene silencing.
4. Cell communication and Cell signaling
A. Host parasite interaction :- Recognition and entry processes of different pathogens like
bacteria, viruses into animal and plant host cells, alteration of host cell behavior by pathogens,
virus-induced cell transformation, pathogen-induced diseases in animals and plants, cell-cell
fusion in both normal and abnormal cells.
B. Cell signaling :- Hormones and their receptors, cell surface receptor, signaling through Gprotein
coupled receptors, signal transduction pathways, second messengers, regulation of
signaling pathways, bacterial and plant two- component systems, light signaling in plants,
bacterial chemotaxis and quorum sensing.
C. Cellular communication :- Regulation of hematopoiesis, general principles of cell
communication, cell adhesion and roles of different adhesion molecules, gap junctions,
extracellular matrix, integrin’s, neurotransmission and its regulation.
D. Cancer :- Genetic rearrangements in progenitor cells, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cancer
and the cell cycle, virus-induced cancer, metastasis, interaction of cancer cells with normal cells,
apoptosis, therapeutic interventions of uncontrolled cell growth.
5. Developmental Biology
A. Basic concepts of Plant development :- Potency, commitment, specification, induction,
competence, determination and differentiation; morphogenetic gradients; cell fate and cell
lineages; Polarity and symmetry, Juvenility and transition to adult phase. Cytoplasmic
determinants; imprinting; mutants and transgenics in analysis of development.
B. Vegetative development: - Meristems types and activities of meristems. Organization of shoot
and root apical meristems. Regulation of meristem size, lateral organ initiation from root and
shoot meristems. Leaf development, plastochron, phyllotaxy, development of trichrome and
stomata. Development of Vascular elements, Secondary growth and Secretory tissues – Nectaries,
laticifers, resin ducts.
C. Reproductive development :- Transition from vegetative to reproductive phase in shoot apex,
floral meristems and floral development. Male Gametophyte - Development of stamen, anther
structure, tapetum, microsporogenesis, pollen and male gametophyte. Female Gametophyte-
Development of carpel, ovule, placenta, sporogenous tissue, integuments, megasporogenesis,
female gametophyte. Pollen and pistil interaction - Structure of pollen, Pollen wall proteins,
Structure of stigma and style, Chemotropism, Stigma surface proteins, pollen germination,
pollen tube guidance, self- incompatibility. Post fertilization events- double fertilization and
triple fusion, role of synergids, endosperm development.
D. Morphogenesis and organogenesis in plants :- Organization of shoot and root apical
meristem; shoot and root development; transition to flowering, floral meristems and floral
development in Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum.
E. Programmed cell death, aging and senescence :- Types of cell death observed in plants.
Overview of senescence, pigment and protein metabolism during senescence. Impact of
senescence on Photosynthesis and oxidative metabolism. Degradation of nucleic acid during
senescence. Endogenous plant growth regulators and senescence, Environmental influence on
senescence.
6. System Physiology – Plant
A. Photosynthesis - Light harvesting complexes; mechanisms of electron transport;
photoprotective mechanisms; CO2 fixation-C3, C4 and CAM pathways
B. Respiration and photorespiration – Citric acid cycle; plant mitochondrial electron transport
and ATP synthesis; alternate oxidase; photo respiratory pathway.
C. Nitrogen metabolism -Nitrate and ammonium assimilation; amino acid biosynthesis.
D. Plant hormones – Biosynthesis, storage, breakdown and transport; physiological effects
and mechanisms of action.
E. Sensory photobiology - Structure, function and mechanisms of action of phytochromes,
cryptochromes and phototropins; stomatal movement; photoperiodism and biological clocks.
F. Solute transport and photoassimilate translocation – uptake, transport and translocation of
water, ions, solutes and macromolecules from soil, through cells, across membranes, through
xylem and phloem; transpiration; mechanisms of loading and unloading of photoassimilates.
G. Secondary metabolites - Biosynthesis of terpenes, phenols and nitrogenous compounds and their
roles.
H. Stress physiology – Responses of plants to biotic (pathogen and insects) and abiotic (water,
temperature and salt) stresses.
7. Inheritance Biology
A. Mendelian principles: Dominance, segregation, independent assortment.
B. Concept of gene: Allele, multiple alleles, pseudoallele, complementation tests.
C. Extensions of Mendelian principles: Codominance, incomplete dominance, gene interactions,
pleiotropy, genomic imprinting, penetrance and expressivity, phenocopy, linkage and crossing
over, sex linkage, sex limited and sex influenced characters.
D. Gene mapping methods: Linkage maps, tetrad analysis, mapping with molecular markers,
mapping by using somatic cell hybrids, development of mapping population in plants.
E. Extra chromosomal inheritance: Inheritance of Mitochondrial and chloroplast genes, maternal
inheritance.
F. Microbial genetics: Methods of genetic transfers – transformation, conjugation, transduction and
sex-duction, mapping genes by interrupted mating, fine structure analysis of genes.
G. Human genetics: Pedigree analysis, lod score for linkage testing, karyotypes, genetic disorders.
H. Quantitative genetics: Polygenic inheritance, heritability and its measurements, QTL
mapping.
I. Mutation: Types, causes and detection, mutant types – lethal, conditional, biochemical, loss of
function, gain of function, germinal verses somatic mutants, insertional mutagenesis.
J. Structural and numerical alterations of chromosomes: Deletion, duplication, inversion,
translocation, ploidy and their genetic implications.
K. Recombination: Homologous and non-homologous recombination including transposition.
8. Diversity of life forms:
A. Principles & methods of taxonomy: Concepts of species and hierarchical taxa, biological
nomenclature, classical & quantitative methods of taxonomy of plants.
B. Levels of structural organization: Unicellular, colonial and multicellular forms. Levels of
organization of tissues, organs & systems.
C. Outline classification of plants: Important criteria used for classification in each taxon.
Classification of plants. Phases of taxonomy. Evolutionary relationships among taxa.
D. Botanical nomenclature: Apomorphies of Angiosperms, Taxonomic hierarchy, Taxonomic tools
and literature, causes of variations in population, population and environment.
E. Biosystematics: Concepts and categories, scope and limitations. Taxometrics: Principles,
methodology, merits and demerits. Cladistics: Principles, cladistic approach in plant
classification, merits and demerits.
F. Endemism, hotspots, IUCN categories, biodiversity strategy and systematics agenda for 2020.
G. Organisms of conservation concern: Rare, endangered species. Conservation strategies.
9. Ecological Principles:
A. The Environment: Physical environment; biotic environment; biotic and abiotic
interactions.
B. Habitat and Niche: Concept of habitat and niche; niche width and overlap; fundamental and
realized niche; resource partitioning; character displacement.
C. Population Ecology: Characteristics of a population; population growth curves; population
regulation; life history strategies (r and K selection); concept of metapopulation –
demes and dispersal, interdemic extinctions, age structured populations.
D. Species Interactions: Types of interactions, interspecific competition, herbivory, carnivory,
pollination, symbiosis.
E. Community Ecology: Nature of communities; community structure and attributes; levels
of species diversity and its measurement; edges and ecotones.
F. Ecological Succession: Types; mechanisms; changes involved in succession; concept of climax.
G. Ecosystem Ecology: Ecosystem structure; ecosystem function; energy flow and mineral
cycling (C,N,P); primary production and decomposition; structure and function of some
Indian ecosystems: terrestrial (forest, grassland) and aquatic (fresh water, marine, estuarine).
H. Biogeography: Major terrestrial biomes; theory of island biogeography;
biogeographical zones of India.
I. Applied Ecology: Environmental pollution; global environmental change; biodiversity: status,
monitoring and documentation; major drivers of biodiversity change; biodiversity management
approaches.
J. Conservation Biology: Principles of conservation, major approaches to management, Indian case
studies on conservation/management strategy (Biosphere reserves).
10. Evolution and Behaviour
A. Emergence of evolutionary thoughts Lamarck; Darwin–concepts of variation, adaptation, struggle,
fitness and natural selection; Mendelism; Spontaneity of mutations; The evolutionary synthesis.
B. Origin of cells and unicellular evolution: Origin of basic biological molecules; Abiotic
synthesis of organic monomers and polymers; Concept of Oparin and Haldane; Experiment of
Miller (1953); The first cell; Evolution of prokaryotes; Origin of eukaryotic cells; Evolution of
unicellular eukaryotes; Anaerobic metabolism, photosynthesis and aerobic metabolism.
C. Paleo botany and Evolutionary History: The Geological time scale; Eras, periods and epoch;
Major events in the evolutionary time scale; Fossils, process of fossilization, Types of fossils.
Study of some fossils – Psilopsida, Lycopsida, Lepidodendron, Sphenopsida, Calamitales. Major
groups of plants.
D. Molecular Evolution: Concepts of neutral evolution, molecular divergence and molecular clocks;
Molecular tools in phylogeny, classification and identification; Protein and nucleotide sequence
analysis; origin of new genes and proteins; Gene duplication and divergence.
E. The Mechanisms: Population genetics – Populations, Gene pool, Gene frequency; Hardy-
Weinberg Law; concepts and rate of change in gene frequency through natural selection,
migration and random genetic drift; Adaptive radiation; Isolating mechanisms; Speciation;
Allopatricity and Sympatricity; Convergent evolution; Sexual selection; Co-evolution.
11. Applied Biology:
A. Microbial fermentation: Production of small and macromolecules.
B. Tissue and cell culture methods for plants. Applications of Tissue culture in Agriculture.
C. Transgenic plants. Genomics and its application to health and agriculture, including gene
therapy.
D. Bio resource and uses of biodiversity.
E. Breeding in plants - including marker – assisted selection
F. Bioremediation and phytoremediation
G. Biosensors
12. Methods in Biology :
A. Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA methods: Isolation and purification of RNA, DNA
(genomic and plasmid) and proteins, different separation methods. Analysis of RNA, DNA and
proteins by one and two dimensional gel electrophoresis, Isoelectric-focusing gels. Molecular
cloning of DNA or RNA fragments in bacterial and eukaryotic systems. Expression of
recombinant proteins using bacterial, animal and plant vectors. Isolation of specific nucleic acid
sequences. Generation of genomic and cDNA libraries in plasmid, phage, cosmid, BAC and YAC
vectors. In vitro mutagenesis and deletion techniques, gene knock out in bacterial and eukaryotic
organisms. Protein sequencing methods, detection of post translation modification of proteins.
DNA sequencing methods, strategies for genome sequencing. Methods for analysis of gene
expression at RNA and protein level, large-scale expression, such as micro array based
techniques Isolation, separation and analysis of carbohydrate and lipid molecules RFLP, RAPD
and AFLP techniques
B. Modern cytogenetic techniques- Flow cytometry, Electrostatic cell sorting, in situ localization
by techniques such as FISH and GISH.
C. Biophysical Method: Molecular analysis using UV/visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism,
NMR and ESR spectroscopy Molecular structure determination using X-ray diffraction
and NMR, Molecular analysis using light scattering, different types of mass spectrometry and
surface plasma resonance methods.
D. Statistical Methods: Measures of central tendency and dispersal; probability
distributions (Binomial, Poisson and normal); Sampling distribution; Difference between
parametric and non-parametric statistics; Confidence Interval; Errors; Levels of
significance; Regression and Correlation; t-test; Analysis of variance; X2 test; Basic
introduction to Multivariate statistics.
E. Mutation and radioactive active isotopes for plant improvement techniques: Nature and
classification of mutations: spontaneous and induced mutations, micro and macro mutations, pre
and post adaptive mutations - Detection of mutations in lower and higher organisms -
paramutations. Mutagenic agents: physical -- Radiation types and sources: Ionizing and nonionizing
radiations viz., X rays, y rays, protons, neutrons and UV rays - Radiobiology:
mechanism of action of various radiations (photoelectric absorption, Compton scattering and pair
production) and their biological effects -RBE and LET relationships. Treatment methods using
physical and chemical mutagens. Dose determination, Detection and measurement of different
types of radioisotopes normally used in plant improvement, incorporation of radioisotopes
in biological tissues and cells, molecular imaging of radioactive material, safety guidelines.
F. Microscopic techniques: Visualization of cells and subcellular components by light
microscopy, resolving powers of different microscopes, microscopy of living cells, scanning and
transmission microscopes, different fixation and staining techniques for EM, freeze-etch and
freeze- fracture methods for EM, image processing methods in microscopy.
G. Methods in field biology: Methods of estimating population density of plants, ranging patterns
through direct, indirect and remote observations, sampling methods in the study of behavior,
habitat characterization: ground and remote sensing methods.
