Basic Biology
(i) Cell Division and structure of chromosomes.
(ii) Genetics: Mendel’s laws of inheritance and sex-linked inheritance of diseases.
Plant Physiology
(The whole of plant physiology should be treated experimentally with sufficient theory to explain the phenomena and importance to the plant).
(i) Absorption by roots; diffusion and osmosis; osmotic pressure; turgidity and flaccidity; plasmolysis and deplasmolysis; the absorption of water and minerals; the
importance of root hair.
(ii) The rise of water up to the xylem; a general idea of the causative forces (questions will not be set on causative forces); demonstration by the use of dyes.
(iii) Transpiration, process and significance; experimental work includes the loss in
weight of a potted plant or a leafy shoot in a test tube, the use of cobalt chloride paper and the effect of external conditions on the rate of water loss; potometer and its limitations should be stressed.
(iv) Photosynthesis: the nature of the process itself and the great importance of
photosynthesis to life in general; experiments to show the necessity of light, carbon dioxide & chlorophyll and also the formation of starch and the output of oxygen; carbon cycle.
Animal Study (with reference to humans only)
(i) Nervous system: a simplified account of the brain (only the external structure of the brain is needed but reference should be made to the distribution of white and gray matter), spinal cord, reflex action and how it differs from voluntary action, the sense organs, their position and functions; structure of the eye and ear simply treated, the use of spectacles for the correction of short and long sight; the ear should be treated as consisting of cochlea sensitive to vibrations and semicircular canal sensitive to position.
(ii) Endocrine System: General study of the following glands: Adrenal, Pancreas, Thyroid and Pituitary.
(iii) The Reproductive System: Organs, fertilisation and a general outline of nutrition
and respiration of the embryo. (Menstrual cycle not to be taught).
(iv) Population: Problems posed by the increase in population in India; population control.
Health: Diseases and Hygiene
(i) Aids to health: an understanding of the use and action of the following - vaccination; immunisation; antitoxin; serum; antiseptics; disinfectants; penicillin; sulphonamide drugs; First Aid.
(ii) Health organisations: Red Cross, WHO (reasons for its formation); common health problems.
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