NDA Examination General Science and Biology (General Ability Test) Syllabus

General Science and Biology (General Ability Test) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Science and Biology (General Ability Test) in NDA Examination, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   The Cell and Life Processes

   4 topics

   • Basis of Life
     • Cell structure and protoplasm
     • Cell division
   • Living and Non-Living Differences
   • Nutrition in Plants and Animals
     • Photosynthesis
     • Balanced diet and constituents of food
   • Respiration and Circulation
     • Human respiratory system
     • Circulatory system and blood groups
2. 2

   Human Body and Health

   3 topics

   • Human Body Systems
     • Digestive and excretory systems
     • Nervous and reproductive systems
   • Common Diseases and Prevention
     • Communicable and non-communicable diseases
     • Vaccines and immunity
   • Deficiency Diseases and Vitamins
     • Vitamins, minerals and their sources
3. 3

   Reproduction and Evolution

   3 topics

   • Reproduction in Plants and Animals
     • Asexual and sexual reproduction
   • Heredity and Genetics
     • Basics of inheritance
   • Theories of Evolution
     • Lamarck and Darwin
4. 4

   Science, Technology and Achievements

   4 topics

   • Great Scientists and Their Achievements
   • Solar System and Universe
     • Sun, planets and satellites
     • Eclipses and movement of Earth
   • Space and Defence Technology
     • Indian space programme and ISRO milestones
     • Indigenous defence systems
   • Recent Developments in Science

General Science and Biology (General Ability Test) flashcards for NDA Examination

23 of 51 cards from the General Science and Biology (General Ability Test) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms?

   The cell. Robert Hooke first observed cells (in cork) in 1665; the Cell Theory was proposed by Schleiden and Schwann.

2. Which biomolecule is called the 'blueprint of life' and carries hereditary information?

   DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), made of nucleotides containing a sugar (deoxyribose), phosphate, and one of four bases: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine.

3. List the key characteristics that distinguish living things from non-living things.

   Living things show growth, reproduction, metabolism, respiration, response to stimuli (irritability), movement, excretion, nutrition, and are made of cells. Non-living things lack these and do not show organized metabolism.

4. What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

   Prokaryotic cells (bacteria) lack a true membrane-bound nucleus and organelles; eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, fungi) have a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles like mitochondria.

5. Why is the mitochondrion called the 'powerhouse of the cell'?

   It is the site of aerobic respiration, producing ATP (energy currency of the cell) through oxidation of glucose.

6. What is the process by which green plants make their own food, and what is its word equation?

   Photosynthesis. Equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O --(sunlight, chlorophyll)--> C6H12O6 + 6O2 (glucose + oxygen).

7. What pigment is essential for photosynthesis and where is it located?

   Chlorophyll, a green pigment located in the chloroplasts of plant cells.

8. What is the mode of nutrition in green plants versus animals?

   Plants are autotrophs (make their own food via photosynthesis); animals are heterotrophs (depend on other organisms for food).

9. Name the type of nutrition where an organism feeds on dead and decaying matter, with an example.

   Saprophytic (saprotrophic) nutrition; examples include fungi like mushrooms and bread mould (Rhizopus).

10. What is the chemical equation for aerobic respiration in cells?

    C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (ATP). Glucose is oxidized using oxygen to release energy.

11. How does anaerobic respiration in muscle cells differ from that in yeast?

    In muscles, glucose breaks down to lactic acid (causing cramps); in yeast, glucose breaks down to ethanol + CO2 (fermentation). Both occur without oxygen and release less energy.

12. What are the components of human blood?

    Plasma (liquid, ~55%), Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes, carry oxygen via haemoglobin), White Blood Cells (leucocytes, immunity), and Platelets (thrombocytes, clotting).

13. What is the function of haemoglobin and which metal does it contain?

    Haemoglobin carries oxygen (and some CO2) in red blood cells; it contains iron (Fe).

14. Name the four chambers of the human heart.

    Two upper chambers (right and left atria) and two lower chambers (right and left ventricles).

15. What is the difference between arteries and veins?

    Arteries carry blood away from the heart (usually oxygenated, except pulmonary artery) under high pressure; veins carry blood toward the heart (usually deoxygenated, except pulmonary vein) and have valves.

16. Who discovered the circulation of blood?

    William Harvey (1628) described the systemic circulation and the pumping action of the heart.

17. What is the largest organ of the human body and what is the largest internal organ?

    The skin is the largest organ overall; the liver is the largest internal organ.

18. Name the main components of the human digestive system in order.

    Mouth -> oesophagus -> stomach -> small intestine -> large intestine -> rectum -> anus, aided by liver, pancreas, and salivary glands.

19. What is the functional unit of the kidney?

    The nephron; the human kidney filters blood to form urine and maintains water and salt balance.

20. Which gland is called the 'master gland' of the body and why?

    The pituitary gland, because it controls and regulates the secretions of other endocrine glands.

21. What hormone regulates blood sugar and which organ secretes it?

    Insulin, secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas; it lowers blood glucose.

22. What are the main parts of the human nervous system?

    Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) and Peripheral Nervous System (nerves). The functional unit is the neuron.

23. Which pathogen causes Malaria and how is it transmitted?

    The protozoan Plasmodium, transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito.

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