VITEEE Biology (Alternative to Mathematics) Syllabus

Biology (Alternative to Mathematics) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

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

1. 1

   Cell and Molecular Biology

   3 topics

   • Cell Structure and Function
     • Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
     • Cell organelles and their functions
     • Cell cycle and cell division (mitosis and meiosis)
   • Biomolecules
     • Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids
     • Enzymes: classification and mechanism of action
   • Molecular Basis of Inheritance
     • DNA structure, replication and the central dogma
     • Transcription, translation and gene regulation
2. 2

   Genetics and Evolution

   3 topics

   • Principles of Inheritance
     • Mendel's laws and deviations
     • Chromosomal theory and linkage
     • Sex determination and genetic disorders
   • Evolution
     • Theories of origin of life
     • Evidences and mechanisms of evolution
     • Hardy-Weinberg principle
   • Mutation and Variation
     • Types of mutations and mutagens
     • Sources of variation in populations
3. 3

   Plant and Human Physiology

   3 topics

   • Plant Physiology
     • Photosynthesis and respiration
     • Transport in plants and mineral nutrition
     • Plant growth and development
   • Human Physiology
     • Digestion, respiration and circulation
     • Excretion, locomotion and movement
     • Neural and chemical coordination
   • Body Fluids and Homeostasis
     • Blood composition and clotting
     • Thermoregulation and osmoregulation
4. 4

   Reproduction and Health

   3 topics

   • Reproduction in Organisms
     • Sexual and asexual reproduction
     • Reproduction in flowering plants
     • Human reproductive system and reproductive health
   • Human Health and Disease
     • Pathogens and immunity
     • Common diseases and prevention
   • Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production
     • Animal husbandry and plant breeding
     • Tissue culture and single cell protein
5. 5

   Biotechnology and Microbiology

   3 topics

   • Biotechnology Principles
     • Recombinant DNA technology and tools
     • Cloning vectors and gene transfer
   • Biotechnology Applications
     • Applications in agriculture and medicine
     • Transgenic organisms and ethical issues
   • Microbiology and Biochemical Techniques
     • Microbes in human welfare
     • Chromatography and electrophoresis basics
6. 6

   Ecology and Environment

   3 topics

   • Ecosystem
     • Energy flow and ecological pyramids
     • Nutrient cycling and ecological succession
   • Biodiversity and Conservation
     • Levels and patterns of biodiversity
     • Conservation strategies and protected areas
   • Environmental Issues
     • Pollution: air, water and soil
     • Global warming, ozone depletion and waste management

Biology (Alternative to Mathematics) flashcards for VITEEE

21 of 59 cards from the Biology (Alternative to Mathematics) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane?

   A model (Singer & Nicolson, 1972) describing the membrane as a phospholipid bilayer with proteins embedded or attached, where lipids and proteins can move laterally, giving the membrane a quasi-fluid, mosaic-like appearance.

2. Name the membrane-bound organelle that is the site of aerobic respiration and ATP synthesis, and state why it is called semi-autonomous.

   The mitochondrion. It is semi-autonomous because it contains its own circular DNA and 70S ribosomes, allowing it to synthesize some of its own proteins and self-replicate.

3. List the three key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

   (1) Prokaryotes lack a true membrane-bound nucleus; eukaryotes have one. (2) Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes possess them. (3) Prokaryotes have 70S ribosomes; eukaryotes have 80S ribosomes (70S in organelles).

4. What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum versus the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

   Rough ER (with ribosomes) synthesizes and processes proteins for secretion; smooth ER (no ribosomes) synthesizes lipids and steroids and helps in detoxification.

5. In biomolecules, what type of bond links amino acids in a protein, and what bond links monosaccharides in a polysaccharide?

   Amino acids are linked by peptide bonds; monosaccharides are linked by glycosidic bonds.

6. What are the four levels of protein structure?

   Primary (amino acid sequence), secondary (α-helix and β-pleated sheet from hydrogen bonding), tertiary (3D folding of a polypeptide), and quaternary (assembly of multiple polypeptide subunits).

7. Define an enzyme and state the key feature of its active site.

   An enzyme is a biological catalyst (mostly protein) that speeds up a reaction by lowering activation energy. Its active site is a specific region whose shape is complementary to the substrate, conferring substrate specificity.

8. What is the difference between competitive and non-competitive enzyme inhibition?

   In competitive inhibition the inhibitor resembles the substrate and binds the active site (overcome by raising substrate concentration); in non-competitive inhibition the inhibitor binds elsewhere (allosteric site), changing enzyme shape and is not overcome by more substrate.

9. What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

   The flow of genetic information: DNA → (transcription) → RNA → (translation) → Protein. In retroviruses, reverse transcription (RNA → DNA) also occurs.

10. State Chargaff's rule for DNA base composition.

    In double-stranded DNA the amount of adenine equals thymine (A = T) and guanine equals cytosine (G = C); therefore purines = pyrimidines (A + G = T + C).

11. Describe the Meselson and Stahl experiment's conclusion.

    Using ¹⁵N/¹⁴N density-gradient centrifugation in E. coli, they showed DNA replication is semiconservative — each new DNA molecule has one parental and one newly synthesized strand.

12. What is the role of DNA polymerase, helicase, and ligase in replication?

    Helicase unwinds the double helix; DNA polymerase adds new nucleotides (5'→3'); DNA ligase joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand.

13. What is a codon, and how many codons code for amino acids versus stop signals?

    A codon is a triplet of mRNA bases coding for one amino acid. Of the 64 codons, 61 code for amino acids and 3 (UAA, UAG, UGA) are stop codons; AUG is the start codon (methionine).

14. Explain the lac operon's regulation in E. coli.

    The lac operon is an inducible system. In absence of lactose, a repressor binds the operator, blocking transcription. Lactose (allolactose) acts as an inducer, binding the repressor and releasing it, so RNA polymerase transcribes the structural genes (z, y, a).

15. State Mendel's Law of Segregation.

    During gamete formation, the two alleles of a gene separate so that each gamete receives only one allele; alleles reunite randomly at fertilization.

16. State Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment.

    Alleles of different genes (on different chromosomes) assort into gametes independently of one another, producing new allele combinations.

17. What phenotypic ratio results from a dihybrid cross between two heterozygotes (AaBb × AaBb) with complete dominance?

    9:3:3:1.

18. Define incomplete dominance and give an example.

    Incomplete dominance is when the heterozygote shows an intermediate phenotype between the two homozygotes. Example: snapdragon (Antirrhinum) — red × white gives pink flowers.

19. What is co-dominance? Give a human example.

    Co-dominance is when both alleles are fully and simultaneously expressed in the heterozygote. Example: human AB blood group, where both A and B antigens are present.

20. How is colour blindness inherited and why is it more common in males?

    It is an X-linked recessive trait. Males (XY) need only one recessive allele on their single X to be affected, whereas females (XX) need two copies, so males are affected more frequently.

21. What is pleiotropy?

    A condition where a single gene affects multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits (e.g., the gene for sickle-cell anaemia affecting blood, spleen, and other organs).

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