UPMSP Intermediate Biology study plan

State and apply Mendel's laws to solve monohybrid and dihybrid cross problems with correct phenotypic ratios

Distinguish incomplete dominance, codominance and multiple allelism using ABO blood group and flower colour examples

Draw and label the stages of meiosis and explain how crossing over and independent assortment generate variation

Define linkage and recombination frequency and calculate map distance from given test-cross data

Explain the molecular basis of inheritance: DNA structure, packaging into nucleosomes, and semi-conservative replication

Describe transcription, translation and the lac operon as a model of gene regulation

Outline the evidence for evolution (fossils, homologous and analogous organs, biochemical similarities) and name major eras of the geological time scale

Explain natural selection, genetic drift, founder effect and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with worked allele-frequency calculations

Describe human evolution trends and the significance of the human genome project and DNA fingerprinting

Describe microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis and label the parts of a mature anther and embryo sac

Explain pollination types, double fertilisation and the fate of each fertilised structure in seed and fruit formation

Compare apomixis, polyembryony and parthenocarpy and give one example of each

Describe gametogenesis in humans and trace the hormonal control of the menstrual cycle

Explain fertilisation, implantation, gestation and the stages of childbirth

List the causative agents, symptoms and prevention of malaria, typhoid, pneumonia, filariasis, ascariasis and ringworm

Explain the structure of HIV and the progression of AIDS, and describe the immune response involving B and T cells

Describe the causes, detection and management of cancer, and distinguish benign from malignant tumours

Explain the physiology of the human heart and the cardiac cycle, and interpret an ECG trace

Describe the mechanism of breathing, gas transport in blood and common respiratory disorders

Explain the production and use of vaccines, antibiotics, interferons and monoclonal antibodies in human welfare

Describe animal husbandry and plant breeding methods, including hybridisation and mutation breeding for disease resistance

Explain tissue culture, somatic hybridisation and the steps of producing transgenic plants and animals

Describe the tools of recombinant DNA technology: restriction enzymes, vectors, ligase and selectable markers

Explain PCR, gel electrophoresis and the principle of DNA fingerprinting

Explain RNA interference and its application in pest-resistant tobacco, and describe Bt cotton and golden rice

Describe gene therapy for ADA deficiency and the ethical issues surrounding human genetic engineering

Define ecosystem structure, food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids, and calculate energy flow between trophic levels

Explain nutrient cycling (carbon and phosphorus cycles) and the concept of ecological succession

Describe biodiversity hotspots, patterns of biodiversity and the major causes of biodiversity loss

Explain pollution types (air, water, soil, noise) and their control measures, and describe global warming, ozone depletion and eutrophication

Describe in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies and Indian conservation projects

Draw and label the ultrastructure of a plant and animal cell, and state the function of each organelle

Explain the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane and the mechanisms of diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Describe the cell cycle, mitosis and cytokinesis, and distinguish the phases of mitosis

Explain photosynthesis: light reactions, photophosphorylation, Calvin cycle and the C3 versus C4 pathway

Describe the mechanism of stomatal opening, transpiration and translocation of food in the phloem

Explain plant growth regulators (auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, ethylene) and their practical uses

Describe the structure and function of the human kidney and the process of urine formation, and explain the role of the liver in excretion

Describe the nerve impulse, synaptic transmission and the human endocrine glands with their hormones