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M.Sc ZOOLOGY

TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME PROGRAMME

(Four-Semester Course)

COURSE CONTENTS

(Effective from 2016 admission)

Midnapore College (Autonomous)

Govt. Sponsored :: Affiliated to Vidyasagar University

Re-Accredited by NAAC in 2012

Grade: A :: CGPA – 3.58 (4-point scale)

Midnapore – 721 101 :: West Bengal :: India

Website : www.midnaporecollege.org

Phone/Fax : ( 03222 ) 275847 / 267315 E-mail : [email protected]

M.Sc. Zoology Syllabus 2016

|| Midnapore College (Autonomous) 2

COURSE STRUCTURE

Year Semester

Papers (50 marks each )

Theory Courses Laboratory

Courses

1

1

ZOOPG101

A: Nonchordates B: Chordates ZOOPG105

ZOOPG102

A: Cytology B: Histology and histochemistry

ZOOPG103

A: Ecology

B: Environmental biology and Toxicology ZOOPG106

ZOOPG104

A: Parasitology B: Immunology

2

ZOOPG201

A: Cytogenetics B: Molecular Biology ZOOPG205

ZOOPG202

A: Insect biology B: Fish Biology

ZOOPG203

A: Comparative Animal Physiology

B: Environmental Physiology ZOOPG206

ZOOPG204

A: Endocrinology

B: Biochemistry

2

3

ZOOPG301

A: Biostatistics B: Biophysics and Bioinformatics

ZOOPG305

ZOOPG302

A: Genetics

B: Evolution

ZOOPG303

A: Biodiversity and their conservation

B: Biosystematics

ZOOPG304*

ZOOPG306*

Elective-I : Cell and molecular

biology Elective-II: Endocrinology

A: Architecture of the cells

B: Molecular biology

A: Endocrine organs: Structure and

functions

B: Hormones and Hormone action

4

ZOOPG401

A: Developmental biology

B: Biotechniques and Biotechnology ZOOPG404

ZOOPG402

A: Neurobiology and animal behaviour

B: Applied Biology

ZOOPG403*

ZOOPG405*

Elective-I : Cell and molecular

biology Elective-II : Endocrinology

A: Cell physiology

B: Genomics and proteomics

A: Comparative endocrinology

B: Reproductive endocrinology and

Endocrine Disorders

ZOOPG406*

Dissertation



Semester-I

Paper: ZOOPG101

A: Nonchordates Lecture

Hours

1. Organization, salient features and evolutionary significance of: Pogonophora, Rotifera and Tardigrada.

2. Locomotion: in Cnidaria and Echinodermata.

3. Nutrition: Feeding in Cnidaria and Nematoda.

4. Nervous system of Mollusca.

5. Respiration in Arthropoda.

6. Evolutionary significance of larval forms of Invertebrates.

7. Animal architecture: Coral, silk cocoon, spider web, honey comb, termite mound, mollusk shell etc.

6

3

4

3

4

3

2

B: Chordates

1. Origin and evolution of Vertebrates: Earliest Vertebrates: Jawless Ostracoderms, Early Jawed

Vertebrates, Evolution of Modern Fishes, Coelacanth and Tetrapods.

2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of digestive and urinogenital systems in vertebrates.

3. Comparative account of Skeletal system :

i. Form, function, body size and skeletal elements of the body

ii. Comparative account of axial and appendicular skeleton

4. Comparative account of Sense organs: Olfaction and taste, hearing and balance, Lateral line system;

Electroreception.

8

5

4

8

Paper: ZOOPG102

A: Cytology

1. Biological membrane: Structure, dynamic nature and function.

2. Cell organelles:

i. Nucleus: overview of ultrastructure and nuclear transport, Cajal bodies.

ii. Mitochondria: overview of ultrastructure, respiratory complexes and ATP Synthesis.

iii. Golgi Complex and Endoplasmic Reticulum: overview of ultrastructure and functions (viz. glycosylation,

detoxification etc.)

iv. Lysosome and peroxisome: overview of ultrastructure and function.

v. Overview of other organelles: Cytoplasmic inclusions, Vacuoles, Microbodies, Weibel–Palade body, P-

bodies, Vault, Proteasome.

3. Cellular adhesion and the Extracellular Matrix: Extracellular Matrix Molecules, Cellular Adhesion, Intercellular

Junctions.

4. Cytoskeleton and Cellular Motility: Organization of Microtubules, Microfilaments and Intermediary filaments;

Movements along Microtubules, Movement of cytoplasm driven by Actin and Myosin.

5. Cellular Trafficking: mechanism of sorting and regulation of intracellular transport.

6. Cell cycle: Cytological and molecular events, checkpoints and regulation.

5

10

3

3

2

2

B: Histology and histochemistry

1. Recognizing cells and extracellular matrix in sections, Magnification and Section Thickness, Interpreting

histological sections in three dimensions, Planes of Section. Interpreting the colors seen in sections, Localization

of specific tissue constituents.

2. Tools in histology: Principles, design and functioning of microtomes, automated microtomes, ultra-microtome,

cryostat.

3. Epithelial tissue: Characteristics and basic functions of epithelial tissue, polarity, epithelial cell surface

modifications. Epithelial glands.

4. Connective tissue: Types and functions connective tissues (Connective Tissue Proper, reticular Tissue, Mucoid

Tissue).

5. Bone and cartilage: Structure and functions of bone cells, bone matrix, periosteum and endosteum; Types of

bone; bone growth, remodeling and repair. Types of cartilage, cartilage formation, growth, and repair.

6. Histology of organs: Thymus, Stomach, Kidney, Adrenal, Spleen.

7. Principles and methods of histochemical localization of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleoproteins and lipids in

tissues; General consideration of enzyme histochemistry-principles and methods.

3

3

3

3

4

5

4



Paper: ZOOPG103

A: Ecology

1. System Ecology: Biosphere and Ecosphere; Concept of ecosystem: components of ecosystem, Types of food

web : Connectedness, energy and functional webs; Features of food web – nodes, links, linkage density,

connectance, chain length; reciprocal predatory cycle, cannibalism, omnivory. Cybernetic nature of ecosystem;

stability through feedback control and through redundancy of components; resistance and resilience stability,

Gaia hypothesis.

2. Community Ecology: Structure of biotic community. Abundance, frequency, relative abundance, dominance;

Species richness, diversity, evenness indices and dominance indices. Species diversity hypotheses. Community

patterns: diversity and stability. Community boundary: ecotone and edge types, edge effect and edge species,

Edge/Area ratio in relation to size, shape and fragmentation of habitat. Basic concepts of Biological invasion,

Invasive species and their impact. Community Dynamics - different modes of succession and their comparison.

3. Habitat Ecology: Habitat and niche: spatial, trophic and multi-dimensional niche concepts, fundamental and

realized niche, niche breadth and niche overlap. Resource partitioning and character displacement.

Competitive exclusion: experimental and natural evidences. Keystone species. Foundation species. Species

abundance hypotheses: Random niche, niche preemption, log normal. Ecological guilds and ecological

equivalents. Island Biogeography.

4. Population Ecology: Reproductive strategies: semelparity, iteroparity, r- & k- selection, Species interactions-

direct and indirect, positive and negative. Competition: interference, exploitation and apparent. Lotka-Voltera

model of competition and predator-prey interaction. Concept of metapopulation: Levin’s model and Hanski’s

theory; demes and dispersal, interdemic extinctions, age structured populations.

5. Restoration Ecology: Goal of restoration, Basic approaches, methods, and limits of restoration; general

principles and processes of restoration ecology.

6. Structure and function of some unique ecosystems: Coral-reef, estuary, tropical rain forest, mangrove forests.

5

5

4

5

2

4

B: Environmental biology and toxicology

1. Micro- and macro-environment. Homeostasis and physiological integration of animals in different

environmental conditions. Modification of ambient environment by animals.

2. Major biomes of the Earth.

3. Environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan- Definition, history, Aim, principles,

concept and scope. Concept of Eco-terrorism and biopiracy.

4. Bioindicators and biomarkers of environmental health. Biodegradation and bioremediation of chemicals.

5. Basic concept of toxicology: Scope, division, toxicants and toxicity, factors, dose- response relationship, routes

of exposure. Toxicity testing: Bioassays, LC50, LD50, ED50, Synergism, Antagonism, Additive Effect. Toxicants of

public health hazards: Pesticides, Heavy metals, Radiation, food additives, Endocrine disruptors.

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

6. Mode of action: chronic, natural poisons, Absorption of toxin, Mechanism, Rate of penetration, Routes of

absorption, Metabolism of toxin: Phase I and II reactions.

7. Genetic Toxicology: mutagens, clastogens, teratogenesis and mutagenesis; antimutagenesis.

3

3

4

4

5

4

2

Paper: ZOOPG104

A: Parasitology

1. Vector biology: Types, Ecology and transmission of parasitic diseases.

2. Morphology, lifecycle, mode of infection of Plasmodium, Leishmania and Schistosoma, molecular biology –

drug targets, mechanism of drug resistance.

3. Immune evasion and biochemical adaptations of parasites; Antigenic variation in Trypanosomes.

4. Immunity against Plasmodium, Trypanosoma and Ascaris.

5. Parasite treatment and control: Importance of understanding parasite life cycles for effective treatment and

control, Properties of an ‘ideal’ antiparasitic drug or treatment regime, Vaccines against parasitic diseases.

3

9

3

6

4

B: Immunology

1. Overview of the Immune System: Cells, Organs, and Microenvironments of the immune system.

2. Innate and Adaptive Immunity: Overview and features. Neutrophil and macrophage function. Inflammation.

NK cell, dendritic cell, Cross-talk between innate and adaptive immune system.

3. Antigen and Antibody: Immunogenicity versus antigenicity, factors influencing immunogenicity. Antigen

presenting molecule (MHC) and antigen presenting cells. Antigen processing and presentation.

1

2

7



Immunoglobulin structure and properties. Overview of antigen-antibody interactions, Immunotechniques.

4. Humoral Immunity: General features, Overview of B-cell development, activation and differentiation.

Complement system: Pathways, regulation, biological consequences of complement activation.

5. Cell Mediated Immunity: General features, Overview of T-cell development, activation and differentiation.

Peptide recognition, adhesion and co-stimulation. Cell mediated immune response (TH, Tc). T-Cell Memory.

6. The Organization and Expression of Lymphocyte Receptor Genes: Organization of Ig gene loci and TCR gene

loci. Genetic basis of antibody and TCR diversity.

7. Effector Responses: Antibody-mediated effector functions. Cell-mediated effector responses. Cytokines and

chemokines.

8. Immune disorders and Immunization: Hypersensitivity, Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiency. Active and

passive immunization, Vaccines.

4

3

3

2

3

Paper: ZOOPG105 (Laboratory course)

Based on ZOOPG101 (A: Nonchordates B: Chordates )

and

ZOOPG102 (A: Cytology B: Histology and histochemistry)

1. Identification (specimen and or photograph) of the members of representative phyla (based on theory).

2. Identification of common invertebrate larvae (specimen and or photograph).

3. Mounting of pectin of Gallus.

4. Skull and lower jaw of Tortoise/Turtle, Bird and Carnivore mammal (dog).

5. Compartive account of Procoelus, Opisthocoelous, Amphicoelous, Heterocoelous; Axis and atlas vertebrae.

6. Display of visceral organs in fish.

7. Quantification of cell viability by Trypan blue exclusion.

8. Preparation of somatic chromosome (untreated and treated) from mouse/rat: Identification of chromosomes and

determination of mitotic index.

9. Preparation of polytene chromosomes from Chironomid/Drosophila/mosquito larvae: Identification of various land

marks.

10. Fixation, dehydration, embedding, section cutting, staining (Haematoxylin and Eosin) and mounting of different

animal tissues.

11. Identification of histological preparations of different animal tissues.

12. Demonstration SEM and TEM.

13. Histochemical reactions for: Carbohydrates, Protein, Lipid, DNA/RNA.

14. Submission of permanent slides prepared for histological and histochemical studies of different tissues.

Laboratory records

Viva-voce

Paper: ZOOPG106 (Laboratory course)

Based on ZOOPG103 (A: Ecology B: Environmental biology)

And

ZOOPG104 (A: Parasitology B: Immunology)

1. Ecological sampling using Quadrat method.

2. Study of community structure in community map.

3. Determination Turbidity, Salinity and Hardness of water sample.

4. Estimation of BOD and COD of polluted water.

5. Toxicity Analysis of Water: For Chlorine, H2S and Arsenic.

6. Determination of LC50 using Probit analysis.

7. Study of histopathological changes in any two of the mammalian tissues using chemicals.

8. Identification of selected parasites of medical importance (five museum specimen).

9. Smear preparation and staining of rectal content of Cockroach/Toad.

10. Preparation and staining of endoparasite(s) from goat intestine.

11. Identification of ecto parasites (flea, bug, lice, ticks and mites).

12. Demonstration of routes of entry of antigens (parenteral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous,

intraperitoneal etc.)

13. Study of Phagocytosis.



14. Antibody detection, Immunodiffusion- Ouchterlony technique, Agglutination, Precipitation (demonstration).

15. Preparation of serum and Isolation of Spleen, Thymus and Bone marrow cells from mice/rat (demonstration).

16. Histology of immune organs (Thymus, Spleen, Liver and Bursa).

Laboratory records

Viva-voce



Semester-2

ZOOPG201

A: Cytogenetics

1. Organisation of genes and chromosomes:

a. Organization of chromatin - Nucleosome, molecular anatomy of eukaryotic chromosomes,

chromatin domains and boundary function; Heterochromatin and Euchromatin, Structural

organization and significance of Centromere, Kinetochore, Telomere and its maintenance

b. Giant chromosomes: Polytene and lampbrush chromosomes.

2. Nature of the gene and its functions: evolution of the concept of the gene, fine structure of gene (rII

locus).

3. Somatic cell genetics : Cell fusion and hybrids-agents and mechanism of fusion, Heterokaryon -

Selecting hybrids and chromosome segregation, Radiation hybrids, hybrid panels and gene mapping

4. Linkage map, cytogenetic mapping: Physical maps and molecular maps, Strategies of different levels

of genome mapping

5. Cytogenetic implications and consequences of structural changes and numerical alterations of

chromosomes.

6. Human Cytogenetics:

a. Techniques in human chromosome analysis-molecular cytogenetic approach.

b. Human Karyotype -banding -nomenclature

c. Numerical and structural abnormalities of human chromosomes -syndromes.

d. Mendelian and chromosome based heritable diseases in humans.

7. Molecular cytogenetic techniques: FISH, GISH; DNA finger printing; Automated karyotyping,

Chromosome painting.

8. Recombination: Types and mechanism in eukaryotes. Holliday Model.

5

3

3

4

2

4

2

2


1. DNA replication : Prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA replication, Detail enzymology and accessory proteins

involved, mechanism of DNA replication, Speed, Processivity and accuracy of DNA Polymerases.

2. DNA damage and repair: Endogenous and exogenous causes, types of DNA damage, Repair pathways in

prokaryotes and eukaryotes , damage specificity, a. Direct reversal: photoreactivation, adaptive response, b.

Excision repair, transcription-coupled repair, c. Mismatch repair , d. SOS repair and mutagenesis e. Post-

replication retrieval: recombination repair, trans-lesion synthesis, f. Double-strand break repair: non-

homologous end-joining, homologous recombination repair

3. Transcription : Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic transcription, Regulatory elements and different RNA pol

promotors, General and specific transcription factors, Transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene

silencing.

4. Post-transcriptional Modifications in RNA : 5' -Cap formation, Transcription termination, 3'-end

processing and polyadenylation, Splicing of mRNA, tRNA and rRNA, RNA Editing, Nuclear export of

mRNA, mRNA stability

5. Translation: Nature and Properties of Genetic code, Wobble; Prokaryotic and eukaryotic translation - The

translational machinery, Mechanisms of initiation, elongation and termination; Regulation of translation,

Co-and post-translational modifications of proteins

6

4

5

5

5

ZOOPG202

A: Insect biology

1. Introduction to Insects

a. Scopes and Opportunities in Entomolology

b. Overview of living insect orders

2. Insect morphology: a. Integument: molecular structure, moulting and sclerotization.

b. Morphology of head, thorax and abdomen.

c. Appendages: antennae, legs and genitalia, Mouth parts: type, morphology

3. Insect Anatomy and physiology:

a. The gut, digestion, and nutrition,

5

7

13



b. Respiratory system: tracheal, aquatic and plastron respiratory mechanism.

c. Insect vision

d. Muscles and locomotion

e. The endocrine system and the function of hormones

f. The nervous system and co-ordination

B: Fish biology

1. Introduction to fishes

a. Scopes and Opportunities in Ichthyology

b. How and why fish are studied

c. Review of Major groups of living fishes

2. Form and locomotion

3. Fins: Types of fins , Origin of fins

4. Respiratory organs: Water breathing, Air – breathing

5. Osmoregulation and Ion Balance

6. Reproduction and Life Histories: Types of Life History, Fecundity and Egg Size, Maturation, Intersexes,

and Unisexual Species, Fertilization to Hatching (Incubation).

7. Unique features: Swim bladder, Electric organs, Bioluminescent organs, Sound producing organs,

Poisonous and Venomous fishes, Fish migration.

8. Fisheries

a. Definition and classification and brief outline

b. Economic importance and nutritional value of fishes

3

2

1

3

2

3

6

5

ZOOPG203

A: Comparative Animal Physiology

1. Circulation: Comparative account of blood cells and respiratory pigments. Open and closed

circulation, Hearts: neurogenic and myogenic, Cardiac cycle. Lymph: composition and dynamics.

2. Respiration:

a. Comparison of respiration in different groups, anatomical considerations.

i. Aquatic: Gill architecture; ram ventilation, dual pump, gas exchange (counter

current mechanism)

ii. Terrestrial: Lung ventilation (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals),

b. Transport of gases, exchange of gases, Neural and chemical regulation of respiration.

3. Animal Nutrition: Physiological roles of Vitamins ( Water and lipid-soluble vitamins, biological

functioning of –Vit- A, C, D) and minerals ( Na, K, Ca and P).

4. Excretion:

a. Comparative physiology of excretion in Crustaceans, molluscs, fishes and mammals

b. Kidney, urine formation, urine concentration, waste elimination, micturition

5. Sensory:

a. Gross neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system.

b. Neuron: types; synapse (excitatory and inhibitory post synaptic potential)

c. Genesis of membrane potential

d. Neurotransmitters (Acetylcholine, GABA), chemical transmission through synapse.

e. Vision, hearing and tactile responses

6. Muscles and animal movement:

a. Structural basis of muscle contraction, Energetics of muscle contraction.

b. Regulation and control of muscle contraction.

5

5

3

4

5

3

B: Environmental Physiology

1. Structure-Function Relationships, Adaptation, Acclimatization and Acclimation.

2. Homeostasis: Feedback-Control Systems, conformity and Regulation

3. The Nature and Levels of Adaptation: Physiological response on different scales, phenotypic or

developmental plasticity, Avoiders, Conformers and Regulators.

4. Basic concept of environmental stress and strain; concept of elastic and plastic strain; stress resistance,

stress avoidance and stress tolerance.

5. Ionic and osmotic balance: problems of osmoregulation, osmoregulation in aqueous and terrestrial

environments, Costs and energetics of regulating water and ion balance, Roles of nervous systems and

hormones.

2

1

2

2

4



6. Temperature and its Effects: Biochemical and physiological effects of temperature, Regulating heat

gain and loss, nerves and hormones; Evolution and advantages of varying thermal strategies.

7. Physiological response to oxygen deficient stress. Classification and generation and effects of free

radicals, Biological antioxidants.

8. Coping With The Environment:

a. Hot and dry habitats: deserts

b. High-altitude habitats

c. Aerial habitats

d. Thermally extreme waters (Deep-sea thermal vents, Hot springs)

e. Osmotically peculiar habitats (High-salinity aquatic bodies)

f. Deep Sea Diving

4

4

6

ZOOPG204

A: Endocrinology

1. Introduction

a. General classes of hormones, chemical nature of hormones

b. Hormone Secretions (apocrine, holocrine, and merocrine)

c. Hormone Delivery

d. Hormonal feedback in homeostasis

2. Overview of endocrine organs in vertebrates.

3. Mechanism of hormone action : concept of receptors and second messenger

a. Peptide Hormones

i. Membrane receptors : Seven-helix, RTK, Guanylyl Cyclase receptor

ii. Protein Hardware for Signaling

iii. Second messenger : cyclic nucleotides, Ca2+, lipid-derivatives, NO

iv. Integration of Signals

b. Steroid hormones-cytosolic and nuclear receptors, Hormonal regulation through differential

gene expression

4. Neuroendocrine integration.

5

6

11

3

B: Biochemistry

1. Carbohydrates: Structure of heteropolysaccharides, lectins. Overview of carbohydrate metabolism.

2. Amino acids and proteins: Model protein structure: hemoglobin and Collagen. Amino acid degradation,

ketone body metabolism, overview of protein metabolism

3. Lipid: Fatty acid oxidation and synthesis. Metabolism of eikasonoids, Steroid synthesis.

4. Nucleotide: Synthesis of purine and pyrimidine-de novo and salvage pathway, overview of degradation

of nucleotides.

5. Overview of enzyme action: Activation energy, Derivation of Michaelis-Menten Equation, Michaelis-

Menten plot and Lineweaver Burk plot, Enzyme and related kinetics, Isozymes, Allosteric Enzymes

6. Catalytic mechanism: Acid–base catalysis, Covalent catalysis, Metal ion catalysis, Electrostatic catalysis,

Proximity and orientation effects, Preferential binding of the transition state complex

7. Metabolic pathways: Overview of Pentose phosphate pathway, glyoxylate cycle, C3, C4 and CAM

Pathway.

8. Integration of metabolism: overview of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism and interrelation

among them. Energy Metabolism and Organ Specialization: Brain, muscle, liver, adipocytes.

2

4

4

2

3

3

3

4



ZOOPG205

Based on ZOOPG201 (A: Cytogenetics B: Molecular Biology)

and

ZOOPG202 (A: Insect biology B: Fish Biology)

1. Handling of Drosophila, Study of mutant phenotypes of Drosophila and genetic crosses.

2. Preparation and study of polytene chromosomes

3. Preparation and study of metaphase chromosomes:

a. Chromosome banding (C, G, H banding).

b. Study the differences in number, shape and size of chromosomes in normal vs. tumor cells, or normal

vs. irradiated cells.

c. Preparation of human karyotype and study of chromosomal aberrations with respect to number,

translocation, deletion etc. from the pictures provided.

4. Isolations of genomic DNA from bacteria and mouse/rat liver.

5. Measurement of absorption-spectrum of DNA, RNA, and nucleotides.

6. Studies on denaturation of DNA and determination of Tm and calculation of G:C content

7. Method of collection and preservation of insects

8. Study of the behavioural modification of legs in honey bee.

9. Mounting: Types of antenna, genitalia, wings, legs, mouth parts, of available insects

10. Identification of common insect up to order level.

11. Entomological comments on common Pests, Aquatic insects, Insects of medical and economic importance.

12. Mounting of sting apparatus of Honey bee.

11. Fish morphometry.

12. Identification of eggs, spawn, fry and fingerlings of cultivable fishes of India

13. Study of feeding habits of fishes by gut content analysis.

14. Identification of common local fishes.

15. Visit to freshwater/ marine fish farm.

Excursion and Field Report

Laboratory records

Viva-voce

ZOOPG206

Based on ZOOPG203 (A: Comparative Animal Physiology B: Environmental Physiology )

and

ZOOPG204 (A: Endocrinology B: Biochemistry )

1. Appearance of Heat shock proteins-demonstration using electrophoresis.

2. Comparison of RBC and WBC number in different groups of vertebrates under different environmental

conditions.

3. Oxygen consumption in aquatic animals under stress.

4. Determination and respiratory quotient in a terrestrial animal effect and temperature.

5. Blood pressure and pulse rate – Effect of exercise.

6. Estimation of rate of O2 consumption, CO2 release and RQ in cockroach/mice

7. Determination of activity of amylase.

8. Separation of proteins on SDS-PAGE.

9. Determination of molecular weights of proteins by SDS-PAGE and densitometeric scanning.

10. Separation of amino acids by paper chromatography and TLC.

11. Demonstration of Ovariectomy/ adrenalectomy in albino mice

12. Demonstration ELISA for any hormone or second messenger.

13. Flow chart for purification of any protein hormone.

14. Flow chart for Assay of steroid dehydrogenase.

15. Flow chart for Gel retardation assay for transcription factor like protein (e.g. steroid hormone receptor).

16. Quantitative estimation of blood glucose by Folin-Wu/Anthrone /DNS/O-Toluidine/Enzymatic method.

17. Estimation of proteins by Biuret/ Lowry et al. method.

18. Quantitative estimation of blood urea/ creatine/ uric acid.

19. Quantitative estimation of cholesterol in the blood.

20. Estimation of alkaline and acid phosphatases.

Laboratory records



Viva-voce

Semester-3

ZOOPG301

A: Biostatistics

1. Overview of population, sample, variable, parameter, primary and secondary data, screening and

representation of data (frequency distribution, tabulation, bar diagram, histograms, pie diagram)

2. Overview of mean, median, mode; Computation of quantiles.

3. Computation of variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation;

4. Probability: definition of probability (frequency approach), independent events. Addition and

multiplication theorem,

5. Testing of hypotheses: Concepts of Normal, Binomial and Poisson distribution; Student’s t- distribution;

Concepts of Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis, degrees of freedom; Level of significance, confidence

interval, errors of inference; Significance of P-value.

6. Parametric and non-parametric statistics: difference between parametric and non-parametric statistics, One-

tail and two-tail t-test; chi-square test-types and applications. F-test for comparing variance.

7. Correlation coefficient (r), properties (without proof), interpretation of r, linear regression: Fitting of

lines of regression, regression coefficient

8. One-way ANOVA – applications in biology.

3

2

1

3

5

5

3

3

B: Biophysics and Bioinformatics

1. Biochemical Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, free energy, entropy, enthalpy, exergonic and

endergonic reactions. High energy compounds: ATP, ADP, ATP‐ADP cycle, ATP‐AMP ratio.

2. Electrophysiological methods: Single neuron recording, patch-clamp recording, ECG, PET, MRI, fMRI, CAT.

3. Biophysical methods: Analysis of biomolecules using UV/visible, fluorescence spectrophotometry, circular

dichroism, NMR and ESR spectroscopy, structure determination using X-ray diffraction and NMR; analysis

using light scattering, different types of mass spectrometry and surface plasma resonance methods.

4. Overview of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics gateways: NCBI, EXPASY.

5. Biological Databases: Classification, Literature database, Sequence Databases- Nucleotide and protein

Sequence Databases (including common sequence formats), Genome Databases

6. Tools for Analysis of Primary Structures: pairwise and multiple alignment, BLAST, Clustal W, Predicting

Secondary Structure –domain and motifs, Identifying Protein Families.

7. Protein Databank (PDB), Programs for Analysis and Visualization of Tertiary Structure Databases: Ras Mol.

8. Oligo designing and analyzing tools, Restriction map construction tools, Tools for construction of

phylogenetic tree.

3

3

5

2

3

5

2

2

ZOOPG302

A: Genetics

1. Overview of Prokaryote and Eukaryotic genome: Unique and repetitive DNA, Pseudogenes , Gene

families, Gene clusters, Super-families; Euchromatin and Heterochromatin, Constitutive and facultative

heterochromatin, C–value paradox. DNA reassociation kinetics, Cot curves, Tm values.

2. Sex-determination (molecular aspect) and dosage compensation in C. elegans, Drosophila and Human

3. Extra chromosomal inheritance: Inheritance of mitochondrial and chloroplast genes, maternal inheritance.

4. Quantitative genetics: Polygenic inheritance, heritability and its measurements, QTL mapping.

5. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes-overview, arabinose operon

6. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes:

a. Regulation at transcriptional level: Transcription factors, leucine zipper, helix turn helix, helix loop

helix, enhancers and silencers, Chromatin-remodelling complexes, RNA interference (RNAi).

b. Regulation at translational level

c. Regulation at chromosomal level: chromatin remodeling, histone modification.

7. Genetic Imprinting: Imprinting of genes, Epigenetic regulation by DNA methylation, Epigenetic control of

gene expression

8. Transposable elements in Prokaryote and eukaryote: Transposable elements in bacteria, IS elements,

composite transposons, replicative, non-replicative transposons, Transposable Elements in Eukaryotes,

SINES and LINES. Retroviruses and retrotransposon. Evolutionary significance of Transposition.

9. Human genetics: Pedigree analysis, lod score for linkage testing, genetic disorders.

2

3

2

2

3

3

2

4

4



B: Evolution

1. Natural Selection and Adaptation

a. The concept of stabilizing directional and disruptive selection, Frequency dependent selection,

Balancing selection, Density dependent selection, Group and kin selection, Selection coefficient,

Selective value.

b. The Neutral theory of molecular evolution.

2. Polpulation genetics: The Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium and affecting factors, Calculation related to HW

equilibrium.

3. Major Transitions in evolution: Overview of major transitions, The evolution of the eukaryotic cell, The

evolution of multicellularity, The evolution of individuality, Solitary to group living

4. Extinction and Evolutionary Trends- the concept of extinction, background extinction, mass extinction,

factors correlated with extinction, rates of evolutionary change and evolutionary trends, Punctuated

equilibrium

5. Evolution of sex: Asexual and Sexual reproduction, The Costs of Sexual reproduction, The Benefits of Sexual

reproduction, The origin of Sexual reproduction

6. Sexual Selection: overview of sexual selection, intersexual and intrasexual selection, postcopulatory sexual

selection, conflicts of interest between males and females

7. Coevolution : Coevolution and mutualism, Antagonistic Coevolution, Mosaic Coevolution, Gene–Culture

Coevolution

8. Molecular phylogenetics :

a. Construction of phylogenetic trees,

b. Phylogenetic inference-Distance methods, parsimony methods, maximum likelihood method

c. Immunological techniques

d. Amino acid sequences and phylogeny

e. Nucleic acid phylogeny-DNA-DNA hybridizations, Restriction Enzyme sites, Nucleotide

sequence comparisons and homologies

f. Molecular clocks

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3

4

2

3

3

2

3

ZOOPG303

A: Biodiversity and their conservation

1. Biodiversity-concept and patterns. Hierarchic pattern, Wild, cultivated and domesticated biodiversity.

Values of biodiversity, Ecosystem goods and services. Biodiversity loss: types, causes and rates.

2. Mega-biodiversity countries, Biodiversity hotspots and their characteristics, global distribution,

endemism; CBD, biodiversity profile in India.

3. Red list categories and threat categories of IUCN, Critically endangered vertebrates of India.

4. Tools and techniques for biodiversity estimation- biodiversity indices.

5. Strategies for biodiversity conservation- In-situ conservation: IUCN categories of protected areas,

Concept of biospheres reserve; Ex-situ conservation: zoological gardens; In-vitro Conservation:

germplasm and gene bank; DNA bank. GEF-World Bank initiatives.

6. Bioresources : Forest resources : Forest scenario of India. Terrestrial and Aquatic bioresources; Wetlands,

its importance and conservation, Ramsar sites.

7. Conservation : Objectives and significance of conservation; World Conservation Strategy(1980), Biopiracy,

Wildlife (Protection) Act. Peoples' Biodiversity Register (PBR), Wild life trade and crime.

8. Biology, distribution and conservation of Bengal Tiger and Asian Elephant.

9. Wildlife census: common methods, telemetry and GPS.

2

3

2

1

5

4

3

3

2

B: Biosystematics

1. Trends in biosystematics -concepts of different conventional and newer aspects

a. Chemotaxonomy

b. Cytotaxonomy

c. Molecular taxonomy

2. Mechanisms of speciation in panmictic and apomictic species.

3. Species concepts - species category, different species concepts; sub-species and other infra-specific

categories.

4. Theories of biological classification; hierarchy of categories.

5. Procedure keys in taxonomy

a. Taxonomic procedures-taxonomic collections, preservation, curetting process of identification.

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a. Taxonomic keys-different kinds of taxonomic keys, their merits and demerits.

b. Process of typification and different Zoological types.

c. International code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) - its operative principles, interpretation

and application of important rules, Zoological nomenclature; formation of scientific names of

various taxa.

ZOOPG304*

Elective-I: Cell and Molecular Biology

A: Architecture of the cells

1. Membrane Structure and Dynamics:

a. Overview of membrane structure and its components.

b. Regulation of fluidity

c. Various mode of attachment of membrane proteins

d. Membrane Pumps - Diversity of Membrane Pumps.

e. Membrane Carriers - Diversity of Carrier Proteins, Carrier Physiology and Mechanisms- Uniporters,

Antiporters, Symporters

f. Membrane Channels - Channel Diversity and Evolution, Channel Structure, Channel Activity.

2. Structural characteristics of Glycocalyx

3. Organisation of plant cell wall and vacuole

4. Cytoskeleton and Cellular Motility: Microtubules- structure and composition, microtubule-associated

proteins, dynamic properties of microtubules. Microfilaments- and intermediary filaments- intermediate

filament assembly and disassembly, Types and Functions of Intermediate Filaments; Movements along

Microtubules, Movement of Cytoplasm Driven by Actin and Myosin

5. Extracellular matrix: Basal membrane and laminin, Collagen, Proteoglycan, Fibronectin. Interaction of cells with

extracellular matrix: Integrins. Focal adhesion and hemidesmosomes. Interaction of cells with other cells:

Selectins, Immunoglobulins, Cadherins, Adherens Junctions and desmosomes. Tight junctions, Gap junctions

and Plasmodesmata.

6. Tissue Maintenance and Renewal: tissues as organized mixtures of many cell types, differential rate of tissue

renewal, stem cells as continuous supply of terminally differentiated cells, specific signals that maintain stem-

cell populations, uses of stem cells.

5

1

2

6

6

5


1. Regulation of Gene expression in prokaryotes: Mode of action of transcriptional regulators-Cooperative

binding of proteins to DNA, Allosteric modifications and DNA binding, DNA looping, Control of gene

expression by RNA- Differential folding of RNA: attenuator, Riboswitches, Riboswitch ribozymes.

2. Regulation of Gene expression in eukaryotes: RNA processing and post-transcriptional gene regulation-

Group I and group II self-splicing introns, Archaeal and nuclear transfer RNA introns; Cotranscriptional

processing of nuclear pre-mRNA, Alternative splicing, Trans-splicing, RNA editing, Base modification guided

by small nucleolar RNA molecules, Post-transcriptional gene regulation by microRNA, RNA turnover in the

nucleus and cytoplasm

3. Recombination: recombination types: Homologous, site- specific, transpositional. Recombination models:

Holliday structure & resolution, model involving single strand & double strand breaks, rolling circle model;

FLP/FRT and Cre/lox recombination,

4. Oncogenes & cancer: Fundamental concepts: dysplasia, neoplasia, metastasis, tumor suppressor genes, tumor

cells- immortalized and transformed, Oncogenes & proto-oncogenes, retroviral oncogenes, origin of

oncogenes, Philadelphia translocation, Cell cycle & cancer; oncogenes & signal transduction cascades. p53, p21

& oncogenes; oncogenes & ageing, Cancer & telomere.

5. Molecular biology of ageing: Aging genes, Pleiotropy in aging, Longevity-assurance genes, Somatic damage

and the aging genome, Premature aging.

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6

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3

ZOOPG304*

Elective-II: Endocrinology

A : Endocrine organs: structure and functions

1. The Hypothalamus & Posterior Pituitary Gland: Functional anatomy, Hormones of the Posterior Pituitary

and their functions

2. Anterior Pituitary Gland: Functional Anatomy, Hypothalamic Control of Anterior Pituitary Hormone

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2



Release, Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary and their functions

3. Pineal Organ: Pineal Complex in Vertebrates, Release Mechanism and functions of Pineal Hormone

4. Thyroid Gland: Functional Anatomy, Regulation of Biosynthesis, Storage, & Secretion of Thyroid Hormones

and their functions,

5. Parathyroid Gland and Ca2+ and PO4– Regulation: Functional Anatomy, PTH Biosynthesis & Transport, PTH

Target Organs and Physiologic Effects, Calcium Homeostasis.

6. Adrenal Gland: Functional Anatomy and Zonation, Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex and the Adrenal

Medulla and their functions.

7. Endocrine Pancreas: Functional Anatomy, Pancreatic Hormones and their functions.

8. Male Reproductive System: Functional Anatomy, Gonadotropin Regulation of Gonadal Function, Gonadal

Function, Physiologic Effects of Androgens at Target Organs, Neuroendocrine & Vascular Control of

Erection & Ejaculation.

9. Female Reproductive System: Functional Anatomy, Gonadotropin Regulation of Ovarian Function, Ovarian

Hormone Synthesis, Ovarian Cycle, Endometrial Cycle, Physiologic Effects of Ovarian Hormones, Age-

Related Changes in the Female Reproductive System

10. Placenta: Structure and Endocrine Function of the Human Placenta.

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B : Hormones and Hormone action

1. Endocrine, paracrine and autocrine system. Prohormones and Antihormones.

2. Classification, chemical nature of hormones

3. Biosynthesis of (a) protein and peptide hormones (Growth Hormone, and Insulin), Post-translational

event and release. (b). Biosynthesis of steroid hormones and (c). Biosynthesis of T3 and T4

4. Signal transduction :

a. Signaling through intracellular receptors: Lipophilic hormones.

b. Signaling through cell surface receptors: G protein linked receptors; signaling via cAMP,

PKA, IP3, Ca2+/calmodulin, PKC, Ca-MK, ion channels (exemplified by vision), Detection of

odors by the olfactory System,

c. Enzyme linked receptors

i. Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), signaling of growth factors,

ii. Tyrosine kinase associated receptors, Cytokine receptor, JAK-STAT signaling

pathway

iii. Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)

iv. Receptor serine/threonine kinase

v. Receptor guanyl cyclase, cGMP, PKG

vi. Histidine kinase associated receptors, bacterial chemotaxis

d. Signaling by gases (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide).

5. Signaling in Apoptosis:

a. Necrosis and programmed & induced cell death

b. Process of apoptosis: Initiation, Execution: cytochrome C, caspases , Phagocytosis

c. Regulation of apoptosis: Extracellular, Intracellular control.

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14

5

ZOOPG305

Based on

ZOOPG301 (A: Biostatistics B: Biophysics and Bioinformatics)

ZOOPG302 (A: Genetics B: Evolution)

ZOOPG303 (A: Biodiversity and their conservation B: Biosystematics)

1. Graphical presentation of the data

2. Computation of Probability and probability distribution (Binomial, Poisson)

3. Application of Students t-test and Chi square test

4. Computation of Correlation coefficient and its application

5. Statistical software and data analysis

6. Determination of macromolecular concentration in solution with UV/Vis Spectrophotometry

7. Use of search engines like Scopus, Science direct for reference material collection and management.

8. Access and retrieval of data from Nucleic acid and protein sequence databases.

9. Web– based tools for sequence searches and homology screening.

10. Pairwise and multiple alignment



11. Analysis of various chemical and physical properties of peptide sequence

12. Detection of CpG Island for Nucleotide Sequence

13. Primer designing for gene amplification and gene cloning.

14. Construction of phylogenetic trees for DNA and proteins.

15. Study of Hardy– Weinberg equilibrium in human population by taking the example of blood group

system (ABO).

16. Sampling and census technique for wild life study

17. Preparation of dichotomous key of 4 specimens up to family/order (insects/ fishes)

18. Preparation of Cladogram based on the specimens provided (at least five museum specimen).

Laboratory records

Viva-voce

ZOOPG306*

Based on ZOOPG304*

Elective-I : Cell and molecular biology

A: Architecture of the cells B: Molecular biology

1. Micrometry.

2. Cell fractionation and Differential Centrifugation.

3. Determination of mitotic index from photomicrograph.

4. Chromosome preparation and Karyotype preparation from mouse bone marrow/human lymphocyte culture.

Banding technique (NOR, CG).

5. Basic principle of experimental animal handling and ethical issues and biosafety for molecular biology work.

6. Identification of different embryonic stages of Drosophila, Preparation of Drosophila food.

7. Extraction of DNA from animal tissue/blood.

8. Preparation of culture media, E. coli culture preparation and plasmid isolation.

9. Agarose gel electrophoresis for plasmid, genomic DNA and RNA.

10. PCR

11. Separation of protein from mouse/rat tissue on native and /denaturation gel(PAGE) and western blotting.

12. Isolation of genomic DNA using Agarose gel electrophoresis

13. Isolation of Plasmid DNA

14. Virtual Practical developed by the Ministry of Human Resources, Govt.of India and available in the web site:

http://www.vlab.co.in can be availed for demonstration.

Visit to Laboratory of suitable Institution.

Assignment: The assignment must be a written or typed 4-6 page document with proper introduction

pertaining to the topic, a thoroughly referred subject matter, conclusion and all cited references in the

bibliography. While assigning grade take into account the five point’s viz., introduction, content, conclusion,

language and references

Seminar- The grading of seminar shall be based on content, style of presentation and response to questions

Laboratory records

Viva-voce

ZOOPG306*

Based on ZOOPG304*


A: Endocrine organs: structure and functions B: Hormones and Hormone action

1. Demonstration of pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas and gonads in any one suitable Vertebrate.

2. Dissection of reproductive system in any one suitable vertebrate.

3. Dissection of neuroendocrine complex in insects.

4. Dissection of reproductive system in insects.

5. Histology of pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, testis and ovary.

6. Fixation, embedding, sectioning and staining of the endocrine gland.

7. Electron micrograph study of structure of endocrine gland.

i. Identification of pituitary cell type.

ii. Identification of α, β, γ, cells of Islets of Langerhans.



Visit to Laboratory of suitable Institution

Assignment: The assignment must be a written or typed 4-6 page document with proper introduction

pertaining to the topic, a thoroughly referred subject matter, conclusion and all cited references in the

bibliography. While assigning grade take into account the five point’s viz., introduction, content,

conclusion, language and references

Seminar- The grading of seminar shall be based on content, style of presentation and response to questions

Laboratory records

Viva-voce



Semester-4

ZOOPG401

A: Developmental biology

1. Basic Concepts of Development: Potency of embryonic cells, Commitment, Specification (Autonomous and

Conditional), Induction, Competence, Determination and Differentiation, Morphogenetic gradients, Cell fate

and cell lineages. Genomic equivalence and Cytoplasmic determinants.

2. Gametogenesis, Fertilization and Early development: Spermatogenesis, Oogenesis. Fertilization-(biochemical

and molecular aspects), problems and prevention of polyspermy. Mechanisms and significance of cleavage.

Blastulation and Gastrulation, Parthenogenesis.

3. Early Development of Model organisms: Early development and axis specification in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Early development and axis specification in Drosophila (cleavage, midblastula transition, gastrulation).

4. Axis and Pattern Formation in Animals: Anterior-posterior patterning in Drosophila (Maternal effect genes,

zygotic genes, gap genes, pair rule genes, segment polarity genes; homeotic selector genes, realisator

genes),Dorsal-ventral patterning and left right patterning, Dorsal protein gradient. Axis formation in

amphibia -Anterior-posterior patterning in Amphibia. Hox code hypothesis.

5. Cellular Interactions in Development: Nieuwkoop centre and mesodermal polarity. Molecular basis of

mesoderm induction. Transcription factors induced in the organizer. Neural induction, Regional specificity

of induction, Genetic specificity of induction (Paracrine factors - Hedgehog family, Wnt family, TGF, BMP).

Surface receptors and signal transduction pathway - RTK pathway, Smad pathway, Wnt pathway, Hedgehog

pathway and cell death pathway.

6. Metamorphosis and Regeneration: Metamorphosis of Amphibians and Insects; Hormonal control of

metamorphosis. Heterochrony- neoteny, progenesis (Brief accounts); regeneration - different types of

regeneration; Histological processes during regeneration; Polarity and Metaplasia in regeneration; Lens

regeneration in amphibia; Bone and neural regeneration.

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5

4

B: Biotechniques and Biotechnology

1. Microscopic techniques: Basic principles of microscopy, Types of microscopes and their biological

applications; Bright-field microscope, numerical aperture, limit of resolution, types of objectives, ocular &

stage micrometers; Dark-field microscope; Phase-contrast microscope; Differential interference contrast

microscope, Fluorescence microscope, Confocal microscope, Atomic force microscope, Transmission and

scanning electron microscopes, Photomicrography and image processing.

2. Molecular Separation Techniques:

a. Electrophoresis: Agarose- and polyacrylamide gel, Two-dimensional gel, Isoelectrofocussing,

b. Chromatography: Paper and Thin layer chromatography; Column chromatography: a. Gel

filtration, b. Ion-exchange, c. Affinity; overview of FPLC and HPLC.

3. Cell separation by flow cytometry, density gradient centrifugation, unit gravity centrifugation, affinity

adsorption, anchorage based techniques

4. Radio-tracer techniques : Unit of radioactivity and half life, Measurement of radioactivity (β and γ

emission), Applications of radioisotopes –(a) Autoradiography, (b) Metabolic labelling, (c) Magnetic

Resonance Imaging; Safety measures.

5. Recombinant DNA Technology:

a. Vectors: cloning and expression vectors - Plasmids, Ti and Ri plasmids, cosmids, phasmids,

phagemids, bacteriophage, SV40, vectors with combination features; PUC19 and Bluescript

vectors, shuttle vectors, viral vectors, BAC and YAC vectors. Restriction enzymes and DNA

modifying enzymes.

b. Polymerase chain Reaction- different types and applications.

c. Chromosome walking, chromosome jumping, DNA footprinting. Molecular Markers and

Probes-SNP, VNTR, RAPD, RFLP, SSR, STMS, FISH and GISH.

d. DNA sequencing methods- Maxam and Gilbert’s method, Sanger and Coulson method,

Automated DNA sequencers.

e. Site directed mutagenesis, molecular chimeras.

f. Cloning Methodologies - Gene isolation: Shot gun method, Genome libraries, cDNA libraries,

Chemical synthesis. Splicing and integration of isolated gene- cohesive end ligation,

homopolymer tailing, extending linkers. Methods of rDNA transfer to host cells- CaCl2

treatment, Virus delivery. Selection and screening of the transformed cells, Blue-white screening,

Colony hybridization methods, Reporter genes, Fusion proteins.

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6. Transfection Methods: CaPO4 precipitation, Short Gun, Electroporation, Lipofection, Microinjection,

Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer. Somatic cell nuclear transfer- reproductive cloning and

therapeutic cloning. Gene knockout and knock in technology.

7. Environmental Biotechnology: Sewage treatment. Solid waste management. Biodegradation of xenobiotic

compounds. Bioremediation and Biorestoration. Microbial leaching and mining. Biofuels. Transgenics

and environment.

3

3

ZOOPG402

A: Neurobiology and animal behaviour

1. Electrical properties of nerve cells: General organization of neuron, Neuronal cytoskeletons, Molecular

aspect of development of action potential and conduction

2. Overview of synaptic function: Inotropic and metabotropic receptors and neurotransmission, Mechanism of

neurotransmitter release.

3. Neuromuscular Junction: Organization and properties of neuromuscular junction, Neurotransmitters,

neurohormones and neuromodulators

4. Aspects of neuronal disorders: Strokes and exicotoxicity and NMDA receptors, Epilepsy, Parkinson's

disease, Alzheimer's disease.

5. Neural and hormonal control of behaviour: Neural basis of learning, memory, cognition, sleep and arousal.

6. Approaches and methods in study of behavior: Observational, experimental and ethological. proximate and

ultimate causation.

7. Learning and memory: Habituation, Conditioning, Insight learning, Association learning, Social learning.

8. Genetic and environmental components in the development of behavior.

9. Communication : Types of signal, channels and functions of communication; Species specificity of songs;

Social communication.

10. Social dominance and hierarchy, territoriality and home range, Types of territoriality.

11. Social behaviour: Aggressive behaviour, Primary and Secondary Defence, Group selection, kin selection,

altriusm, reciprocal altruism, inclusive fitness. Social organization in insects and primates.

12. Habitat selection, optimal foraging theory, Game theory, Evolutionary stable strategy.

13. Reproductive behaviour: Evolution of sex and reproductive strategies; mating systems and mating types;

Sexual selection, intra- and intersexual selection.

14. Orientation and navigation: Echolocation; Migration of Monarch butterfly.

15. Domestication and behavioral changes.

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2

2

2

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1

2

2

2

2

1

B: Applied Biology

1. Microbial fermentation and production of small and macro molecules.

2. Cell and Tissue culture: Basic techniques of mammalian cell culture, disaggregation of tissue and primary

culture, maintenance of cell culture and cell separation. Growth media: Physicochemical properties, natural

and artificial, Balanced salt solutions, Complete Media, Serum, Serum-Free Media and protein free media

and their applications. Biology and characterization of cultured cells, measurement of viability and

cytotoxicity.

3. Transgenic animals and plants, molecular approaches to diagnosis and strain identification.

4. Production and application of rDNA products (viz. insulin, GH).

5. Genomics and its application to health, gene therapy.

6. Bioresources and uses of biodiversity.

7. Breeding in animals, marker – assisted selection.

8. Developmental Biology and Human Welfare: Infertility-Test tube babies (In vitro fertilization and embryo

transfer).

9. Stem cells and their applications, ethical issues.

10. Bioremediation and phytoremediation.

11. Nanotechnology: Introduction to Nanobiology. Nanosensors and nanomedicines.

12. Applied Biotechnology:

a. Disease prevention – DNA vaccines.

b. Disease diagnosis - Probes, Monoclonal antibodies, detection of genetic disorders.

c. Disease treatment - Therapeutic proteins, hormones and growth factors. RNAi, Drug targeting, Gene

therapy.

d. Biosensors-different types, applications - medical and non medical.

e. Introduction to Biochips and their application in modern sciences.

1

4

1

2

1

1

2

1

1

2

2

7



ZOOPG403*


A: Cell physiology

1. Membrane Physiology- Chemiosmotic Cycles, Epithelial Transport, Cellular Volume Regulation.

2. Membrane Trafficking

a. Posttranslational Targeting of Proteins: Transport of Proteins into Mitochondria, Nucleus, Peroxisome.

Targeting to the Surfaces of the Plasma Membrane

b. Secretory Membrane System and Golgi Apparatus

c. Endocytosis and the Endosomal Membrane System.

d. Types of Vesicle Transport and their Functions

3. Glycosylation in the Golgi Complex; Autophagy and lysosome.

4. Protein folding and processing: Chaperones and folding; enzymes and protein folding, protein cleavage,

glycosylation, attachment of lipids.

5. Degradation of Cellular Components- Characteristics of Constitutive Protein Turnover, Degradation in

Lysosomes and Proteasomes, Lipid Turnover and Degradation.

6. Aerobic Respiration in the Mitochondrion and cytoplasm and Photosynthesis in the Chloroplast

7. Cellular Movement: Motility and Contractility- intracellular microtubule-based movement: kinesin and

dynein, microtubule-based motility: cilia and flagella, actin-based cell movement: the myosins, filament-

based movement in muscle, actin-based motility in nonmuscle cells

8. Cell death: programmed cell death pathways, signaling pathways that promote cell survival.

2

4

2

2

3

3

6

3


1. Genome organization of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes: size, complexity, gene-complexity, virus and

bacterial genomes, organelle genome, architecture of mitochondrial genome, conserved chloroplast DNA;

organization and nature of nuclear DNA in eukaryotes; transposable elements, retro-transposons, SINE,

LINE, Alu and other repeat elements, pseudogenes, segmental duplications, organization of active

chromatin and assembly of chromatin during replication.

2. Mapping genomes - physical maps, EST, SNPs as physical markers, radiation hybrids, FISH, optical

mapping, gene maps, integration of physical and genetic maps; sequencing genomes: high-throughput

sequencing, strategies of sequencing, recognition of coding and non-coding regions and annotation of

genes, quality of genome-sequence data, base calling and sequence accuracy.

3. Genomic expression profiling : Concepts of various –omes, Microarray technology, 2D-electrophoresis,

protein sequencing, mass spectrometry, Prediction, diversity and multiplicity of protein functions, Sequence

homology and predictions of gene functions, Applications in human disease

4. Epigenetics and genome imprinting - DNA methylation in mammals, genomic imprinting in mammals,

germ line and pluripotent stem cells, epigenetic control of lymphopoiesis, nuclear transplantation and the

reprogramming of the genome. Epigenetics and human disease, epigenetic determinants of cancer.

5. Proteomics: Protein nature and types, structural overview, Post-translational modifications, Separation and

analysis of proteins, Protein structure prediction and modeling, Directed evolution and protein design

6

4

4

6

5

ZOOPG403*

Elective-II : Endocrinology


1. Phylogeny of endocrine glands (Pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenals)

2. Evolution of pituitary and and ontogeny of endocrine glands

3. Concept of Neurosecretion and Neuro-endocrine system in invertebrate groups

a. Neuro-endocrine mechanisms of moulting and growth in crustaceans

b. Hormonal control of reproduction and moulting in insects

c. Hormonal control of reproduction in Mollusca and Echinodermata

4. Hormonal control of growth and reproduction in vertebrates

5. Neuro-endocrine integration in vertebrate

6. Methods of Endocrine Analysis: A. Extirpation-Observation and Replacement-Observation, B. Imaging, C.

Radioimmunoassay, D. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Spectroscopy, E. Immunohistochemistry,

F. Techniques for Determining the Number and Characteristics of Receptors

7. Endocrine Integration of Energy & Electrolyte Balance:

a. Neuroendocrine Regulation of Energy Storage, Mobilization, and Utilization

b. Electrolyte Balance

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c. Neuroendocrine Regulation of the Stress Response

B: Reproductive endocrinology and Endocrine disorders

1. Endocrinology of female sex cycle: Biosynthesis and metabolism of ovarian hormones; Interrelationship

between ovarian hormones and ovarian follicles, corpora lutea, uterus and vagina.

2. Cellular and endocrine events of fertilization and implantation. Endocrine physiology of gestation, parturition

and lactation. Physiological roles of ovarian steroids.

3. Control of testicular functions: Biosynthesis and metabolism of androgens; Spermatogenesis, sertoli-

spermatid interaction. Influence of androgens on sex accessory glands.

4. Modes and methods of male and female fertility control.

5. Photoperiodism and endocrinology of photosexual activity: Responds to different photoperiods. Role of

Extra-retinal photoreceptors.

6. Pheromones and interactions.

7. Endocrine disorders:

a. Diseases of the Anterior Pituitary.

b. Diseases of Thyroid Hormone: Overproduction and Undersecretion, Evaluation of the Hypothalamic-

Pituitary-Thyroid Axis.

c. Diseases of PTH Production.

d. Diseases Associated with Pancreatic Hormones.

e. Diseases of Testosterone Excess or Deficiency, Endocrine malfunction induced male and female

infertility.

f. Diseases of Overproduction & Undersecretion of Ovarian Hormones

3

3

3

2

3

3

8

ZOOPG404

based on

ZOOPG401 (A: Developmental biology B: Biotechniques and Biotechnology)

and

ZOOPG402 (A: Neurobiology and animal behaviour B: Applied Biology)

1. Identification of different developmental stages of frog (egg, blastula, gastrula, neurula).

2. Vital staining of early gastrula of chick – window method.

3. Blastoderm mounting of chick embryo using vital stains.

4. Morphological studies of different types of placenta in mammals (specimen or photograph).

5. Study of serial sections of embryo (chick)

6. Preparation of culture media, E. coli culture preparation and plasmid isolation.

7. Agarose gel electrophoresis for plasmid, genomic DNA and RNA.

8. Demonstration of PCR.

9. Separation of protein from mouse/rat tissue on native and /denaturation gel (PAGE) and western blotting.

10. Isolation of genomic DNA using Agarose gel electrophoresis


12. Designing PCR primer for the given gene sequence and analysis of its quality

13. To study the responses of woodlice to hygrostimuli.

14. To study the geotaxis behaviour of earthworm.

15. To study the orientational responses of insect to photo stimuli.

16. To study the median threshold concentration of sucrose solution in eliciting feeding responses of housefly.

17. Study of Polymorphism (caste differentiation) in any insect (Termites, Honey bees and Ants)

18. Preparation of ethogram of suitable animal species

19. Preparation of flow chart for production of Vaccines

20. Preparation of flow chart for production of rDNA products

Excursion and Field report

Laboratory records

Viva-voce



ZOOPG405*

Based on ZOOPG403*


A: Cell physiology


1. Effect of drugs on cell division (Colchicine or any other inhibitor)

2. Rate of salivary amylase activity on starch (colorimetry)

3. Effect of different pH on salivary amylase activity (colorimetry)

4. Effect of different concentration of NaCl solution (0.1%-2%) on the diameter of RBCs and determination of the

concentration, which is isotonic to the blood from a plot of diameter of RBC against concentration of NaCl


6. Construction of restriction map from given data

7. Sequence determination of polypeptide from given data

8. Sequence determination of Nucleic acid from given chromatogram

9. Native and denaturing gel electrophoresis of serum proteins

Laboratory records

Viva-voce

ZOOPG405*

Based on ZOOPG403*



B: Reproductive endocrinology and Endocrine disorders

1. Dissection of retro-cerebral complex (endocrine system) in insects (e.g., cockroach/any other insect).

2. Dissection of endocrine system in crustaceans (neurohaemal organ).

3. Annelids (Earthworm brain/CNS) and mollusks.

4. Demonstration of Steroid and thyroid hormone assay by ELISA.

5. Histology of testis and ovary of different age groups of rats to understand the sequence of events related to

spermatogenesis and folliculogenesis and ageing effect.

6. Demonstration of the following surgical operations in rat: (a) castration (b) adrenalectomy

7. Hypophysation and induced breeding in carps.

8. Vaginal smear preparation and observation.

9. Sperms count and motility: Role of epididymal proteins, mono- and di-valent cations and pH in control of sperm

motility.

Laboratory records

Viva-voce

ZOOPG406*

Dissertation

PROJECT/DISSERTATION WITH VIVA VOCE

PROJECT/DISSERTATION REPORT: The assignment must be a written or typed document with proper

introduction pertaining to the topic, a thoroughly referred subject matter, conclusion and all cited references in the

bibliography. While assigning grade take into account the five point’s viz., introduction, content, conclusion,

language and references

Seminar including viva voce- The grading of seminar shall be based on content, style of presentation and response

to questions



Question Pattern

Theory Courses

Marks Total

Paper ZOOPG***A

1. Answer 5 questions (2 marks each) out of 8 5 × 2 10

2. Answer 1 question (10 marks each) out of 2 1 × 10 10

Paper ZOOPG***B

1. Answer 5 questions (2 marks each) out of 8 5 × 2 10

2. Answer 1 question (10 marks each) out of 2 1 × 10 10

CIA (Internal Assessment + Attendance component) Group A + Group B 10

Total 50

Practical Courses

Continuous assessment processes [Regular Laboratory bench work throughout the semester including Field work (if any)] CIA (Attendance component)

20

05

ESE 25

Total 50

M.Sc ZOOLOGY - midnaporecollege.ac.in PG.pdf · M.Sc ZOOLOGY TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME PROGRAMME ......

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