Introduction to Biotechnology
(a) Historical background and the future of Biotechnology: definition and a brief introduction of the traditional techniques which are now covered under the heading Biotechnology. Different ways in which traditional principles of Biotechnology are being used for the betterment of mankind.
(b) Basic concepts of Biochemical technology: What does biochemical technology mean? An understanding of various principles and statistical methods involved in research under the umbrella of biotechnology.
(c) Scope and importance of biotechnology: different branches of biotechnology and different regulatory, social, ethical and legal issues that a biotechnologist comes across while doing the work.
Cell Biology
(a) Cell, basic unit of life: justification of cell as a basic unit of life. A brief note on the cell components with special reference to nucleus and its components. Various cytological techniques used in counting and identifying the cell and chromosomes.
(b) Cell Division and cell cycle: necessity for a cell to divide. Types of cell division and various other activities of cell such as biochemical transformations.
(c) Errors in cell division: what happens if the cell does not divide normally? An understanding of different numerical and structural abnormalities which can be detected with the help of a microscope.
Growth and Development in Living beings
(a) Multicellularity among plants and animals: an understanding of unicellular and multi-cellular organisms. Concept of histology. An account of various types of tissues, organs and organ systems in both plants and animals.
(b) Animal and plant development: development of a complete organism from zygotic cell in both plants and animals. An understanding of defence strategies in all types of living organisms.
(c) Biodiversity and evolution of populations: an understanding of biodiversity in both plants and animals and the concept of population. A brief account of ethnology with respect to population and its importance.
Genetics
(a) Laws of Inheritance: how can one establish if a trait/disease is genetic or environmental? An account of Mendel’s experiments. Different types of genetic inheritance and various
complicating factors in genetic research.
(b) Gene Mapping: mapping of genes on chromosomes using linkage analysis. An understanding of mutations and Cancer genetics.
(c) Genes in populations: how do genes behave in populations from generation to generation? Various ways of studying population genetics.
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