Botany Syllabus of TNPSC

Botany - (Code - 020)

UNIT I - Phycology, Mycology & Lichenology - Phycology - Fritsch's classification of Algae - pigmentation - Thallus organization - Life - cycles pattern of Algae - Evolutionary trends in the Sexulity of algae - Economic importance - Algea as food, feed fodder, fetilizer and medicines - phytoplankton and their role. Mycology - classification of fungi by Alexopoulos - structure, reproduction and economic importance of phycomycetes, Ascomyates, Basidiomycetes and Deuteromyates. Lichenology - structure, reproduction and economic importance of lichens.

UNIT II - Bryology and Pteridology Byrophytes - general characteristics, structure; reproduction and alternation of generations. Pteridophytes - general characteristics - Psilopsida, Lycopsida, Spenopsida and Pteropsida - Stelar organisation - origin of heterospory and seed habit.

UNIT III - Gymnosperms and Paleobotany - A comparative account of vegetative and reproductive structure of Cycadales, Conifierales and Gnetales - Structure of wood in Gymnosperm - Economic importance of Gymnosperm - Paleo Botany Geological Time Scale - Fossilization methods - Fossil types.

UNIT IV - Angiosperm Morphology, Taxonomy and Economic Botany - Root and Stem modification in relation to habitat. Infloresence: Raceme, Cyme and special types Pollination - contrivances for cross pollination. Taxonomy - Angiosperm Classification - Bentham and Hooker's system - International code of Botanical Nomenclature (outline). Family characteristics and economic importance of the following:-

Magnoliaceae
Rutaceae
Anacardiaceae
Leguminosae
Asteraceae
Apiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Arecaceae
Poaceae
Economic Botany of plants yielding wood timber fibre, Oil and medicines.

UNIT V - Anatomy and Embryology - Anatomy:- Meristems and its types. Permanent tissues simple and complex tissues - normal and abnormal secondary thickening Embryology:- Micro sporogenesis, Megasporogenesis - types of embryo sacs (Mono-bi-and tetrasparic). Double fertilization and Triple fusion, Types of endosperm - Embrys development in Dicots and Monocots. Apomixis and Polyembryony Culture techniques - anther and embryo.

UNIT VI - General Microbiology and Plant Pathology - Morphology, reproduction and economic importance of Bacteria. Viruses - Bacteriephages, cyanophages, Mycophages. Their general structure and multiplication. Mycoplagma - structure. Fermentation and antibiotic production. Plant Pathology:- Name of the causative organism, etiology and control measures of the following plant diseases:-

Paddy Blast
Cotton wilt
Citrus canker
Powdery mildew
Red rot of sugarcane
Little leaf of Brinjal
Bunchy Top of Banana
Early and late Blights of Potato
Rust and smut diseases.

UNIT VII - Physiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics - Physiology:- Water relations of plants - absorption and tanslocation of water and minerals - mineral nutrition - Photosynthesis, Photochemical reactions and carbon fixation pathways - Respiratory metabolism - aerobic and anearobis. Enzymes - Role as biocatalysts - Nitrogen Metabolism - Nitrogen cycle - Nitrogen fixation - Nitrate reduction. Plant growth substances chemical nature and physiological functions of auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene and abscissic acid. Biochemistry and Biophysics Biopolymers:- A brief account of Carbohydrates, lipids,Proteins and nucleic acids and their monomers. An elementary account of thermodynamic - defination of energy - structure and role of ATP.

UNIT VIII - Cytology, Genetics and Evolution - Cytology:- Organization of procaryotic and enkaryotic cells. Cell organells - structure and function. Chromosomes - morphology structure and role. Cell division - Mitosis and Meiosis. Genetics:- Medelism - Interaction of factors - linkage and crossing over, multiple, alleles, mutation, structure replication and role of nucleic acids. Evolution:- Origin of life: Theories of evolution Darwin - Lamarck and de Vries.

UNIT IX - Ecology, Environment and Conservation Biology - Ecology:- Ecosystem concept - plant communities - Hydrophytes, Xerophytes, Mangroves. Plant sucession primary and secondary - climax formation. Environment:- Pollution of water, air and land, Garbage disposal, Environmental Protection Agencies, Pollution monitoring and control. Conservation Biology:- Conservation and sustainable development/ Productivity of Soil, forests and natural resources.

UNIT X - Horticulture and Plant breeding - Horticulture:- Importance and scope of Horticulture Classification of horticultural plants - fruits, vegetables and ornamentals. Garden design and types:- Rockery, Bonsal, Kitchen garden, Lawn making, Floriculture. Cultivation of Commercial Flowers - Jasmine - plant propagation methods - cutting, grafting, layening (Rose) budding, stock - scion relations, in Mango, Plant Breeding:- Hybridization techniques Plant breeding methods employed in the following:-
Cotton
Sugarcane
Paddy