Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, known commonly as HPPSC, is a government agency and topmost constitutional body of Government of Himachal Pradesh. Here is a detailed syllabus for HPAS Main Exam Optional Paper 4.
Optional Paper – BOTANY
PAPER-I
- Biology and diversity of lower plants or Cryptogams [(Algae, Fungi, Lichens, Bryophytes and Pteridophytes], Microbes/Microbiology, Plant Pathology and Palaeobotany: Algae and Fungi: Classification, Distribution in West Himalayas and India, Economic importance, Structure and Reproduction of algae and fungi. Life histories of Nostoc, Chlamydomonas, Volvox, Oedogonium, Spirogyra, Chara, Vaucheria, Dictyota, Batrachospermum, Synchytrium, Pythium, Phytophthora, Albugo, Rhizopus, Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, Penicillum, Morchella, Ustilago, Puccinia, Agaricus and Alternaria. Comparison between algae and fungi. Lichens: General account of lichens and their economic importance.
- Biology and diversity of Phanerogams or Spermatophytes (Gymnosperms and Angiosperms): Comparison among Tracheophytes. Distribution of Gymnosperms and Angiosperms in West Himalayas and India. Life histories of Cycas, Pinus and Gnetum. Morphology and Anatomy: Tissues and Tissue systems. Meristems. Morphology and anatomy of root, stem and leaf. Structure of Vascular Cambium and its role in wood and bark formation. Normal and anomalous secondary growth (Dracaena, Tinospora, Boerrhavia and Nyctanthes).
- Plant Resources Utilization, Economic and Ethno Botany, Plant Breeding and Biostatistics: Plants as sources of Food, Fibers, Wood/Timber, Drugs, Oils, Latex/Rubber, Paper, Starch, Beverages, Spices and Condiments, Gums and Resins, Tannins and Dyes, Insecticides. Ornamental plants. Biomass as a source of energy. Energy plantations. Importance of Ethno-botany in Indian context.
PAPER-II
- Environmental Biology (Plant Ecology, Plant geography, Principles of Biodiversity and Conservation): Scope of Ecology. Biotic and abiotic components. Plant Communities. Plant Succession. Ecological adaptations. Biogeochemical cycles. Vegetation and Forest Types of India with particular reference to Himachal Pradesh. Deforestation, Aforestation and Social forestry. Soil erosion, wastelands and reclamation. Environmental pollution and its control including phytoremediation. Bioindicators. Global warming.
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry: Absorption and Conduction of Water. Mineral Absorption. Role of elements and mineral deficiencies. Transpiration. Mechanisms of stomatal movements. Respiration. Photorespiration. Photosynthesis. Anatomy of C3 and C4 plants. Nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen metabolism. Enzymes and coenzymes. Plant Growth and Movements.
- Cell Biology, Genetics, Evolution, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: Techniques of cell biology, Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Cell theory. Cell as a unit of structure and function, ultra-structure of cell and its various organelles (chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic, reticulum, ribosomes, endosomes, vacuoles, lysosomes, peroxysomes). Extracellular matrix or ECM. Cell wall and plasma membrane. Nucleus, Nucleolus, Nuclear pore complex (NPC), Chromatin and Nucleosome
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