Biology Notes & Flashcards for BPSC & UPPCS Prelims: 19 chapters · 235 sections · 1,424 cards. These notes and flashcards need JavaScript; please enable it to read them.
- Cell: Structure & Function
- What Is a Cell?
- History & Discovery of the Cell
- The Cell Theory
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells
- Plant Cell vs Animal Cell
- Cell Membrane & Cell Wall
- Fluid Mosaic Model of the Membrane
- The Nucleus – Control Centre
- Cytoplasm & Energy Organelles
- Other Cell Organelles
- Viruses – Living or Non-living?
- Quick Facts & Exam Points
- Biomolecules & DNA/RNA
- What are Biomolecules?
- Elements in the Living Body
- Carbohydrates & Polysaccharides
- Proteins – Workhorses of the Cell
- Essential vs Non-essential Amino Acids
- Four Levels of Protein Structure
- Enzymes – Biological Catalysts
- Nucleic Acids – DNA & RNA
- Nitrogen Bases & Base Pairing
- Structure of DNA & Key Discoveries
- Types of RNA, Codons & Protein Synthesis
- Plant Kingdom & Classification
- Plant Kingdom & Classification Basics
- The Five Plant Groups Compared
- Algae and Bryophytes in Detail
- Gymnosperms – Naked-Seed Plants
- Angiosperms – Dicots vs Monocots
- The Root System
- The Stem
- The Leaf – Food Factory
- True vs False Fruits & Plant Products
- Fungi, Lichens & Spore-formers
- Insectivorous Plants & Special Adaptations
- Plant Tissues & Anatomy
- What is a Tissue?
- History – Classifying Plants by Tissue
- Meristematic Tissue – the Growth Zones
- Lateral Meristem & Secondary Growth
- Permanent Tissue – Simple vs Complex
- Sclerenchyma
- Xylem – Water Pipeline
- Phloem – Food Pipeline
- Tissue Systems & Plant Body Plan
- Dicot vs Monocot Anatomy
- Stem vs Root & Stem Modifications
- Edible Plant Parts (Quick Facts)
- Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis, Respiration & Nutrition
- What Plant Physiology Studies
- Photosynthesis – Making Food from Light
- Chlorophyll and Photosynthetic Pigments
- Light Reaction and Dark Reaction
- Factors Affecting Rate of Photosynthesis
- Respiration – Releasing Energy from Food
- Why Not Sleep Under Trees at Night
- Plant Nutrition and Mineral Nutrients
- Nitrogen and Special Feeding Relationships
- Transport: Xylem and Phloem
- Transpiration and Stomata
- Stomatal Opening Mechanism
- Plant Hormones (Phytohormones)
- Fruit Ripening and Cold Storage
- Animal Kingdom, Morphology & Classification
- Why and How We Classify Life
- History of Classification – Scientists
- Whittaker's Five Kingdoms
- Smallest Organisms (Exam Favourites)
- Features of Kingdom Animalia
- Levels of Organisation
- Body Symmetry
- Germ Layers – Diploblastic vs Triploblastic
- Body Cavity (Coelom)
- Invertebrate Phyla – Quick Map
- Vertebrate Classes – Quick Map
- Mammals – Special Facts
- Apes and Human Relatives
- Insects and Useful Products
- Mosquitoes and Disease Vectors
- Survival Adaptations
- Nutrition & Digestive System
- What is Nutrition?
- Components of Food (Nutrients)
- Energy Storage & Milk Facts
- Vitamins & Deficiency Diseases
- Enzymes – Helpers of Digestion
- Human Digestive System – Overview
- Mouth (Buccal Cavity)
- Oesophagus & Peristalsis
- Stomach – Protein Digestion Begins
- Liver, Bile & Pancreas
- Small Intestine – Final Digestion & Absorption
- Large Intestine & Egestion
- Circulatory System & Body Fluids
- Why We Need a Circulatory System
- Open vs Closed Circulation
- Heart Chambers Across Animals
- Structure of the Human Heart
- Heart Valves – One-Way Doors
- Heartbeat, Pacemaker & Cardiac Cycle
- Cardiac Output & Key Heart Values
- Double Circulation – Two Loops
- Blood Vessels – Arteries, Veins, Capillaries
- Composition of Blood
- Haemoglobin & Special Blood Facts
- Blood Groups & Transfusion
- Respiratory System
- What is Respiration?
- Respiratory Organs in Different Animals
- Human Respiratory System – Pathway of Air
- Lungs and the Thoracic Chamber
- Mechanism of Breathing
- Breathing Rate and Lung Measurement
- Exchange and Transport of Gases
- Transport of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide in Blood
- Special Cases and Common Facts
- Respiratory Disorders and First Aid
- Excretory System
- What Is Excretion?
- Three Types of Nitrogenous Waste
- Other Excretory Organs
- Parts of the Human Excretory System
- Position and Size of the Kidney
- Internal Structure of the Kidney
- The Nephron - Functional Unit
- Two Types of Nephrons
- How Urine Is Made - Three Steps
- Key Filtration Values (BPSC Numbers)
- Composition and Passing of Urine
- Kidney Disorders and Treatment
- Nervous System & Sense Organs
- What the Nervous System Does
- The Neuron – Structure
- Types of Neurons
- The Synapse
- Organisation of the Nervous System
- The Brain – Protection
- Parts of the Brain
- Spinal Cord & Reflex Action
- The Eye
- The Ear
- The Tongue, Skin & Nose
- Common Disorders & Exam Facts
- Endocrine System & Hormones
- Two Control Systems of the Body
- What is a Hormone?
- Glands - Exocrine vs Endocrine
- Hypothalamus - Top Control Centre
- Pituitary Gland - The Master Gland
- Anterior Pituitary Hormones
- Posterior Pituitary Hormones
- Pineal Gland
- Thyroid Gland
- Parathyroid Gland & Calcium Balance
- Thymus & Adrenal Glands
- Pancreas - Islets of Langerhans
- Gonads - Sex Hormones
- Hormonal Disorders - Quick Revision
- Skeletal & Muscular System
- Skeleton – Role and Basic Facts
- Connective Tissue – Bone and Cartilage
- Bone vs Cartilage
- Two Divisions of the Skeleton
- Skull and Ear Ossicles
- Vertebral Column (Backbone)
- Rib Cage – Ribs and Sternum
- Appendicular Skeleton – Limbs and Girdles
- Joints
- The Muscular System
- Three Types of Muscle
- Disorders and Medical Terms
- Reproductive System & Reproductive Health
- Why Reproduction Matters
- Asexual vs Sexual Reproduction
- Chromosomes: Haploid & Diploid
- Cell Division & Gamete Formation
- Types of Gametes & Patterns of Fusion
- Human Male Reproductive System
- Spermatogenesis: Making Sperms
- Human Female System & Oogenesis
- Menstrual Cycle & Hormones
- Fertilisation, Pregnancy & Birth
- Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
- Reproductive Health & Adolescence
- Genetics & Evolution
- What is Genetics?
- Basic Terms You Must Know
- Mendel's Monohybrid Cross
- Mendel's Three Laws
- Exceptions to Simple Dominance
- ABO Blood Groups
- Chromosomes – Where Genes Live
- Sex Determination in Humans
- DNA, Genetic Material & Mutation
- Genetic Disorders
- Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology
- Theories of Evolution
- Evidence & Origin of Life
- Human Health, Diseases & Immunity
- Health and Disease: Basics
- Types of Pathogens (Disease-Causing Germs)
- Viruses: Structure and Key Facts
- How Diseases Spread (Transmission)
- Mosquito Vectors (High-Yield Table)
- Important Named Diseases (Exam Tags)
- Disease - Prevention/Treatment Pairs
- AIDS and HIV
- The Immune System and Blood Cells
- Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)
- Vaccines and How They Work
- Vaccine Immune Response Steps
- Deficiency Diseases
- Cancer and Lifestyle Diseases
- Disease Outbreak Terms and Disorders
- Food Preservation and Disease Prevention
- Ecology, Ecosystem & Biodiversity
- What Ecology Studies
- Ecosystem – Structure & Components
- Abiotic Factors & Adaptations
- Producers, Consumers & Decomposers
- Trophic Levels, Food Chains & Food Webs
- Energy Flow & the 10% Law
- Ecological Pyramids
- Nutrient Cycling (Biogeochemical Cycles)
- Biodiversity & Its Levels
- Symbiosis & Species Interactions
- Pollution, Bioaccumulation & Indicators
- Conservation & Endangered Species
- Biology in Everyday Life & Applied Biology
- Microbes – The Big Idea
- Fermentation
- Common Fermented Products & Microbes
- Alcoholic Drinks – Distilled vs Not
- Antibiotics – Medicines from Microbes
- Drugs & Products from Plants
- Vaccines & Immunisation
- Biotechnology
- Microbes in Sewage, Biogas & Biocontrol
- Biodegradable Waste & Vermiculture
- Marine & Other Useful Organisms
- Everyday Body & Plant Facts
- Inventions, Discoveries & Scientists
- Discovery vs Invention
- Pioneers of Biology & Microbiology
- Landmarks in Medicine
- Scientist to Key Contribution (Medicine)
- Discovery of DNA Structure
- Famous Inventions & Their Inventors
- Rays & Waves Used in Medicine
- How Vaccines Work
- COVID-19 Vaccines (India & World)
- Vitamins, Penicillin & Other Quick Facts