RUHS / State Nursing Entrance Botany Syllabus

Botany syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Botany in RUHS / State Nursing Entrance, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Cell Biology and Diversity of Plants

   3 topics

   • Cell Structure and Function
     • Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
     • Cell organelles and their functions
     • Cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis
   • Biological Classification
     • Five kingdom classification
     • Monera, Protista and Fungi
   • Plant Kingdom
     • Algae and bryophytes
     • Pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms
2. 2

   Plant Morphology and Anatomy

   3 topics

   • Morphology of Flowering Plants
     • Root, stem and leaf modifications
     • Inflorescence, flower and fruit
   • Plant Tissues and Anatomy
     • Meristematic and permanent tissues
     • Internal structure of root, stem and leaf
   • Plant Taxonomy
     • Families: Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Liliaceae
3. 3

   Plant Physiology

   4 topics

   • Transport in Plants
     • Diffusion, osmosis and water potential
     • Ascent of sap and transpiration
   • Photosynthesis
     • Light and dark reactions
     • C3, C4 and CAM pathways
   • Respiration in Plants
     • Glycolysis, Krebs cycle and ETC
   • Plant Growth and Development
     • Plant hormones
     • Photoperiodism and vernalization
4. 4

   Genetics, Ecology and Plant Reproduction

   3 topics

   • Genetics and Heredity
     • Mendel's laws of inheritance
     • Chromosomal theory and linkage
     • DNA, RNA and gene expression
   • Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
     • Pollination and fertilization
     • Seed and fruit development
   • Ecology and Environment
     • Ecosystem structure and function
     • Biodiversity and conservation
     • Environmental pollution

Botany flashcards for RUHS / State Nursing Entrance

18 of 51 cards from the Botany deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the cell theory and who proposed it?

   All living organisms are made of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells. Proposed by Schleiden and Schwann; the last part added by Rudolf Virchow.

2. What distinguishes a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell?

   Prokaryotes lack a true membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; their genetic material lies free in the cytoplasm (nucleoid). Eukaryotes have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

3. What is the function of mitochondria in a plant cell?

   Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell; they carry out aerobic respiration and produce ATP (energy) through oxidative phosphorylation.

4. What is the role of chloroplasts and what pigment do they contain?

   Chloroplasts are the site of photosynthesis; they contain the green pigment chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy.

5. What is the main chemical component of the plant cell wall?

   Cellulose, a polysaccharide of glucose units, forms the primary structural component of the plant cell wall.

6. What is the function of the ribosomes?

   Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis (translation); they are made of rRNA and proteins and can be free or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

7. What organelle is called the 'suicide bag' of the cell and why?

   Lysosomes, because they contain hydrolytic (digestive) enzymes that can break down worn-out organelles and, on rupture, the cell itself (autolysis).

8. What are the five kingdoms in Whittaker's classification?

   Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

9. On what basis did R.H. Whittaker classify organisms into five kingdoms?

   On the basis of cell structure (prokaryote/eukaryote), body organization, mode of nutrition, reproduction, and phylogenetic relationships.

10. Which kingdom contains all prokaryotic organisms?

    Kingdom Monera, which includes bacteria, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and mycoplasma.

11. What is the mode of nutrition in fungi?

    Fungi are heterotrophic and absorptive; most are saprophytic (decomposers) or parasitic, absorbing dissolved organic matter through their cell walls.

12. What are lichens and what type of relationship do they represent?

    Lichens are a symbiotic (mutualistic) association between a fungus (mycobiont) and an alga or cyanobacterium (phycobiont).

13. What are the main groups (divisions) of the Plant Kingdom?

    Algae (Thallophyta), Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.

14. Why are bryophytes called the 'amphibians of the plant kingdom'?

    Because they live on land but require water for sexual reproduction (the flagellated sperm need water to reach the egg).

15. What is the dominant generation in bryophytes?

    The gametophyte (haploid) generation is dominant; the sporophyte is dependent on the gametophyte.

16. What feature distinguishes pteridophytes from bryophytes?

    Pteridophytes have well-differentiated vascular tissue (xylem and phloem); they are the first true vascular plants, and their sporophyte is dominant.

17. How do gymnosperms differ from angiosperms in seed structure?

    Gymnosperms bear naked (uncovered) seeds not enclosed in an ovary/fruit, while angiosperms have seeds enclosed within a fruit developed from the ovary.

18. What is the difference between monocots and dicots in number of cotyledons?

    Monocots have one cotyledon in the seed; dicots have two cotyledons.

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