Basic Biology:

• Spontaneous generation theory, prokaryotes vs eukaryotes, functional anatomy, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and amino acids, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, glycolysis, TCA cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, ETC and oxidative phosphorylation, secondary metabolites – occurrence, classification, functions and applications.

Ecology:

• Physical environment, biotic environment, biotic and abiotic interactions, habitat and niche concepts, population characteristics, types of interactions, community structure, succession, ecosystem structure and function, biogeographical zones of India.

Plant Biology:

• Photosynthesis: Light harvesting complexes, electron transport mechanisms, C3, C4 and CAM pathways
• Plant hormones: Biosynthesis, storage, breakdown and transport
• Solute transport and photoassimilate translocation
• Secondary metabolites and their roles
• Plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses
• Plant tissue culture and applications, transgenic technology

Microscopic Techniques:

• Light microscopy, scanning and transmission microscopes, fixation and staining techniques, image processing methods in microscopy.

Horticulture Fundamentals:

• Scope and importance
• Global scenario of horticultural crops
• Classification and nutritive value
• Horticultural zones of India
• Systematic botany and terminology
• Flowering mechanisms and pollination
• Asexual/vegetative reproduction
• Floral biology and fertilization

Landscaping and Gardening:

• Importance and scope
• Garden types and styles (Hindu, Mughal, English, Italian, Persian, Japanese)
• Ornamental landscaping
• Environmental protection through landscaping

Food Technology:

• Food processing industries and institutions
• Food spoilage and preservation methods
• Post-harvest storage of fruits and vegetables
• Processing technology
• Technology of foods of animal origin