MHT CET Biology (Botany) Syllabus

Biology (Botany) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Biology (Botany) in MHT CET, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Plant Physiology

   3 topics

   • Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
     • Light and dark reactions
     • C3, C4 pathways and photorespiration
   • Respiration in Plants
     • Glycolysis, Krebs cycle and ETC
     • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
   • Plant Growth and Development
     • Plant growth regulators
     • Photoperiodism and vernalisation
2. 2

   Plant Reproduction and Genetics

   3 topics

   • Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
     • Microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis
     • Pollination, fertilisation and embryo development
   • Principles of Inheritance and Variation
     • Mendelian inheritance and deviations
     • Linkage, recombination and chromosomal disorders
   • Molecular Basis of Inheritance
     • DNA structure, replication and the central dogma
     • Transcription, translation and gene regulation
3. 3

   Biotechnology and Ecology

   3 topics

   • Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
     • Tools of recombinant DNA technology
     • Cloning vectors and gene transfer methods
   • Organisms and Populations
     • Population attributes and growth models
     • Adaptations and ecological interactions
   • Ecosystems and Biodiversity
     • Energy flow and ecological pyramids
     • Biodiversity, conservation and nutrient cycling

Biology (Botany) flashcards for MHT CET

20 of 52 cards from the Biology (Botany) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In photosynthesis, what is the primary photochemical reaction that occurs at the reaction centre of Photosystem II (P680)?

   Light energy excites P680, which loses an electron (gets oxidized); the electron enters the electron transport chain. The lost electron is replaced by electrons from photolysis (splitting) of water.

2. Where does the splitting of water (photolysis) occur during the light reaction, and what are its products?

   It occurs on the inner side of the thylakoid membrane (lumen side), associated with Photosystem II. Products: O2, protons (H+), and electrons. Equation: 2H2O -> 4H+ + O2 + 4e-.

3. What is the net ATP and NADPH requirement to fix one molecule of CO2 in the Calvin cycle?

   Fixing one CO2 needs 3 ATP and 2 NADPH. To make one glucose (6 CO2), 18 ATP and 12 NADPH are required.

4. Name the primary CO2 acceptor and the first stable product in the C3 (Calvin) cycle.

   Primary acceptor: RuBP (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, a 5-carbon molecule). First stable product: 3-PGA (3-phosphoglyceric acid), a 3-carbon compound. Enzyme: RuBisCO.

5. In the C4 pathway, what is the primary CO2 acceptor, the first product, and the enzyme involved?

   Primary acceptor: PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate, 3-C) in mesophyll cells. First product: OAA (oxaloacetic acid, 4-C). Enzyme: PEP carboxylase (PEPcase).

6. What is Kranz anatomy and which plants exhibit it?

   Kranz anatomy is the wreath-like arrangement of large, chloroplast-rich bundle sheath cells around vascular bundles in C4 plants (e.g., maize, sugarcane, sorghum). Bundle sheath chloroplasts lack grana.

7. Define photorespiration and state why it is considered wasteful.

   Photorespiration is the light-dependent uptake of O2 and release of CO2 when RuBisCO fixes O2 instead of CO2. It is wasteful because it produces no sugar, no ATP, and no NADPH, and consumes energy.

8. Why do C4 plants lack photorespiration?

   C4 plants concentrate CO2 in bundle sheath cells (via the C4 acid shuttle), keeping CO2 high around RuBisCO. This minimizes RuBisCO's oxygenase activity, so photorespiration is negligible.

9. What are the two main phases of photosynthesis and where does each occur in the chloroplast?

   Light reactions (photochemical phase) occur in the thylakoid membranes; dark reactions (Calvin cycle / biosynthetic phase) occur in the stroma.

10. Distinguish between cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation.

    Non-cyclic: involves both PS I and PS II, produces ATP + NADPH + O2, electrons flow from water to NADP+. Cyclic: involves only PS I, produces only ATP (no NADPH, no O2); electrons cycle back to PS I.

11. Define respiratory quotient (RQ) and give its value for carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

    RQ = volume of CO2 evolved / volume of O2 consumed. Carbohydrates: RQ = 1; Fats: RQ < 1 (about 0.7); Proteins: RQ about 0.9. For organic acids RQ > 1.

12. Where does glycolysis occur and what are its net products per glucose molecule?

    Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm. Net products per glucose: 2 pyruvate, 2 ATP (net), and 2 NADH.

13. What is the role of the Krebs cycle (TCA cycle) and where does it occur?

    It occurs in the mitochondrial matrix. It oxidizes acetyl-CoA completely to CO2, generating reducing equivalents (NADH, FADH2) and GTP/ATP for the electron transport chain.

14. How many ATP molecules are produced by complete aerobic oxidation of one glucose molecule?

    Net 36 ATP (in plants/some texts) to 38 ATP total. Standard NCERT count: 38 ATP gross, 36 net after accounting for transport of cytoplasmic NADH.

15. What is the final electron acceptor in the aerobic electron transport chain, and what is formed?

    The final electron acceptor is molecular oxygen (O2), which combines with electrons and protons to form water (H2O). Catalyzed by cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV).

16. Compare aerobic respiration and fermentation in terms of ATP yield and end products.

    Aerobic respiration: complete oxidation, ~36-38 ATP, products CO2 + H2O. Fermentation: incomplete oxidation, only 2 ATP, products ethanol + CO2 (alcoholic) or lactic acid.

17. What is the role of the amphibolic pathway concept in respiration?

    The respiratory pathway is amphibolic because it is involved in both catabolism (breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and anabolism (intermediates used to synthesize fatty acids, amino acids, etc.).

18. Define the chemiosmotic hypothesis of ATP synthesis.

    ATP synthesis is driven by a proton gradient (proton motive force) across the inner mitochondrial/thylakoid membrane. Protons flow back through ATP synthase (F0-F1), powering ADP + Pi -> ATP.

19. Define growth, differentiation, and dedifferentiation in plants.

    Growth: irreversible increase in size/mass. Differentiation: cells from meristems mature to perform specific functions. Dedifferentiation: mature cells regain the capacity to divide (e.g., forming cork cambium).

20. What is the mathematical expression of geometric (exponential) growth, and what does it represent?

    W1 = W0 e^(rt), where W1 = final size, W0 = initial size, r = growth rate (efficiency index), t = time, e = base of natural log. It represents exponential growth where both daughter cells keep dividing.

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