Know The CSIR NET Life Science Important Topics To Score Well

Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

Biomolecules-

• Amino acids and protein structures
• Carbohydrates
• Nucleic acid structure & biosynthesis
• Lipid biosynthesis and oxidation

Enzymes-

• Kinetics and inhibition
• Enzyme cofactor and vitamins

Metabolism

• Glycolysis TCA cycle regulatory step enzymes
• Electron transport chain
• Cholesterol biosynthesis
• Fatty acid oxidation

Cellular Organization

Cell cycle regulation-

• Different CDKs and cyclins
• Regulation of CDKs
• CDK inhibitors
• DNA damage and cell cycle

Membrane potential-

• Different pumps
• Action potential generation
• Techniques

Protein translocation

• Secretory and cytosolic pathway
• Different signals for translocation

Cell Signalling and junction

• GPCR, RTK
• Cell ECM and cytoskeleton component

Fundamental Processes

DNA Replication -

• Enzymes and proteins involved in DNA replication
• Mechanism of DNA pol enzyme
• Role of Mg++ ions
• Leading and lagging strand synthesis
• Comparisons between PK and EK replication

Transcription -

• Different RNA polymerase and their promoter
• (PK and EK)
• Post Transcriptional modification

Translation -

• Comparison between initiation of translation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms
• Antibiotics effecting translation

DNA Damage and Repair

• Different types of DNA damage and repair mechanism

Cell Communication and Cell Signaling 

Innate Immunity -

• Cells of innate immune cells
• PAMPS and PRR ( TLRs)
• Inflammation

Adaptive immunity -

• B cell and T cells development and receptors
• Humoral immune response and antibody
• Cell-mediated immunity

Other topics -

• Complement system
• Antigen processing and presentation
• Autoimmunity and Hypersensitivity
• Immune response to various pathogen

Development Biology

• Commitment
• Potency
• Vulva formation
• Eye lens induction
• Regeneration
• Limb development

System Physiology: Plants

Photosynthesis -

• Pigment system
• Cyclic and noncyclic photophosphorylation
• C3 cycle ( Rubisco main)
• C2, CAM C4 cycle

Movement via Xylem & Phloem -

• Phloem loading and unloading
• Transpiration (stomata opening and closing)

Other topics -

• Nitrogen metabolism
• Photoperiodism
• Secondary metabolites
• Plant hormones

System Physiology: Animals

Endocrinology -

• Hormones synthesis and action
• Hormone cycle

Other Topics -

• Excretory system
• Respiratory system
• Nervous system

Inheritance Biology

• Linkage
• Recombination
• Non-allelic gene interaction
• Lod score
• Mutation
• Pedigree analysis

Diversity of Life Forms

• Rare, endangered species.
• Conservation strategies
• Common Indian mammals, and birds.
• Taxonomy of plants, animals and microorganisms

Ecological Principles

• Lotka Volterra model
• Island biogeography
• Species diversity
• Population density calculation
• Community ecology

Evolution and Behaviour

• Lamarck; Darwin–concepts of variation
• Experiment of Miller
• Eras, periods and epoch
• Molecular tools in phylogeny
• Convergent and divergent evolution
• Altruism and evolution-Group selection
• Kin selection
• Migration, orientation, and navigation

Applied Biology

• Microbial fermentation
• Tissue and cell culture methods for plants and animals.
• Transgenic animals and plants
• Bioremediation and phytoremediation

Methods in Biology

• Genetic engineering
• Gel electrophoresis
• Microscopy
• Statistics
• Histochemical analysis
• Various interactions between biomolecules and their analysis

Mode of examination

Computer Based Test

Duration of examination

3 hours (180 minutes)

Language of examination

English and Hindi

Total number of questions 

145

Total marks 

200

Type of questions 

Objective Type Questions

Negative marking 

25%