General Science_Biology_Last mile

For

69 th
BPSC Prelims
To be held on 30.09.2023

Topic: Essential and Non-essential amino acids

 Amino acids are essential for the functioning of a healthy body.

 The human body can synthesize 10 out of 20 amino acids. They are called non-
essential amino acids.
 To make up for the deficiency of rest we must include them in our diet.
 These 10 amino acids which the body cannot synthesize on its own and must
be taken from external sources are called essential amino acids

The 10 essential amino acids are-

 Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Methionine, Tryptophan,

Threonine, Lysine, Arginine, and Histidine.

The non-essential amino acids are

 Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Arginine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid,

Cysteine, Tyrosine, Glutamic acid, Glutamine, and Serine.

Hence, the essential amino acid is Lycine.

 Amino acids are organic compounds containing both amino and carboxylic
groups in their molecules.
 They also contain a side chain that varies and is specific to each amino acid.
 While there are over 500 amino acids occurring in nature, only 20 are
required by our body..

Acidic, basic, and neutral amino acids.

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  Whether an amino acid is basic or neutral depends on the relative number of
amino and carboxylic groups in the molecule.
o When Carboxylic group > amino group, the molecule is acidic.
o When amino group > carboxylic group, the amino acid is basic.
o When amino group = acid group, the molecule is neutral.

Topic: Marasmus

 Marasmus is caused by a severe deficiency of mostly all the vital nutrients

like carbohydrates, protein, and lipids.
 It is seen in children between 6 months to 3 years.
 Symptoms: Chronic diarrhea.
o Stunt growth.
o Intellectual disability.

Important Points

 The gross calorific values of Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats are 4.1 kcal/g,
5.65 kcal/g, and 9.45 kcal/g.
 Physiologic values of Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats are 4.0 kcal/g, 4.0
kcal/g, and 9.0 kcal/g, respectively.

Additional Information

 Kwashiorkor is a disease caused due to deficiency of protein.

 It is also known as protein malnutrition.
 It is seen in infants under the age of 1 year.
 Symptoms: Pot Belly.
o Loss of muscle mass.
o Long-lasting infections.
o Hair fall and loss of hair color.
o Stunt height, and underweight.
o Anemia.
 Scurvy is caused due to deficiency of Vitamin C.
 The symptoms of vitamin C deficiencies are:-
o Weakness
o Feeling fatigue
o Sore arms or legs

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 o Gum diseases
o Easy bleeding
o Myalgia due to carnitine production
o Roughness of the skin
o Petechiae
o Poor wound healing

Topic: Hormones

 Hormones are non-nutrient chemicals.

 A physical change occurs in the body by certain chemical substances are
called hormones.
 There are various organs in the human body that produce specific substances like
hormones.
 These are known as glands, which can be endocrine or exocrine.

Exocrine glands:

 Glands that have ducts are called exocrine glands.

 They secrete their secretions into the ducts.
 Example: Sweat and oily glands (of skin) and salivary glands .

Endocrine glands:

 These are ductless glands i.e., lack ducts. Hormones are secreted by these glands.
 They secrete hormones directly into the blood.
 Example: Adrenal gland, Pituitary gland, Thyroid gland

Adrenal gland

 Our body has a pair of adrenal glands. Each located at the anterior part of each
kidney.
 When the pituitary gland sends instructions to the adrenals via its
hormones, the adrenals release hormones.
 The adrenal gland is the endocrine gland responsible for the production and
secretion of aldosterone hormones.
 The major mineralocorticoid hormone, aldosterone (Salt-retaining Hormone), is a
steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex's zona glomerulosa in the
adrenal gland.

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  This hormone helps in the maintenance of the body's salt and water levels, which
regulates blood pressure.
 Aldosterone has an impact on the body's ability to regulate blood pressure.
 It sends the signal to organs like the kidney and colon, which may raise the
quantity of salt in the bloodstream or the amount of potassium in the urine.
 The hormone also causes the body to reabsorb water and sodium in order to
raise blood volume.
 All of these actions are necessary for increasing and lowering blood arteries.
 Indirectly, the hormone helps in the maintenance of blood salt and
electrolyte levels.

Parathyroid glands

 The parathyroid glands secrete a peptide hormone called parathyroid hormone

(PTH) or Parathormone.
 The secretion of PTH is regulated by the circulating levels of calcium ions.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases the Ca2+ levels in the blood.
 PTH acts on bones and stimulates the process of bone resorption (dissolution/
demineralization).
 PTH also stimulates reabsorption of Ca2+ by the renal tubules and increases
Ca2+ absorption from the digested food. It is, thus, clear that PTH is
a hypercalcemia hormone, i.e., it increases the blood Ca2+ levels. Along with
TCT, it plays a significant role in calcium balance in the body.

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 Glands Hormones Functions
Pituitary Growth hormone Regulates growth.
Plays an important role in regulating
Thyroid Thyroxine
weight, body.
Parathyroid Parathormone Controls calcium balance.
Prepares the body for an
Adrenal Adrenaline
emergency.
Pancreas Insulin Controls glucose level.
Thymus Thymosin Growth of genitalia in childhood.
Growth of the male reproductive
Testes Testosterone
system.
Growth of the female reproductive
Ovaries Oestrogen, Progesterone
system.
Oxytocin acts on the smooth
muscles of our body and stimulates
their contraction.

Hypothalamus Oxytocin In females, it stimulates a vigorous

contraction of the uterus at the time
of childbirth, and milk ejection from
the mammary gland.

Topic: Essential Nutrients in The Human Diet

 Carbohydrates are one of the essential nutrients in the human diet.

 There are two types of carbohydrates that can be digested by the human
digestive system: sugar and starch.

NUTRIENT FUNCTION SOURCES DIGESTION

PROVIDES  The mouth or the buccal cavity is
Bajra, rice,
ENERGY the beginning of carbohydrate
maize, mango,
CARBOHYDRATES (Instant source digestion.
sugarcane,
of energy to the  Salivary amylase breaks down the
potato, etc.
body) carbohydrates (starch) into sugars

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 with the help of the grinding
action by the teeth.
 Pancreatic amylase digests the
further carbohydrates in the small
intestine.

 The
chewed and partly digested
food enters from the mouth to
the stomach.
 Here the pepsin released by it
digests protein present in the
food. The hydrochloric acid
GROWTH and Milk, eggs, fish,
creates an acidic environment for
PROTEINS REPAIR of our pulses,
the action of pepsin.
body soybean, meat
 Trypsin released in the small
intestine, from the pancreas,
digests the proteins which are
then absorbed after the action of
some intestinal enzymes.

 The digestion of fats starts from

the small intestine.
 Bile from the liver makes the
situation alkaline and breaks
down the big fat globules into
Oil, nuts, milk, smaller ones.
PROVIDES
FATS ghee, eggs,  Lipase from the pancreas breaks
ENERGY
cream, cheese down the fats further in the small
intestine.
 Intestinal juice completes the
process of digestion of fats and is
absorbed.

 Fibre, unlike other food

Whole grain
FIBRES components such as fats,
products,
(Also called Helps maintain proteins, and carbohydrates, is
vegetables,
ROUGHAGE or bowel health not broken down and absorbed
fruits, nuts,
BULK) by your body.
legumes

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 Topic: Photosynthesis

o Photosynthesis definition states that the process exclusively takes place

in the chloroplasts through photosynthetic pigments such as
chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotene, and xanthophyll.
o All green plants and a few other autotrophic organisms utilize
photosynthesis is to synthesize nutrients by using carbon dioxide,
water, and sunlight.
o The by-product of the photosynthesis process is oxygen.
o Photosynthesis occurs when plants use light energy to convert carbon
dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
o Leaves contain microscopic cellular organelles known as chloroplasts.
o Each chloroplast contains a green-colored pigment called chlorophyll.
o Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules whereas carbon
dioxide and oxygen enter through the tiny pores of stomata located
in the epidermis of leaves.
o Another by-product of photosynthesis is sugars such as glucose and
fructose.
o These sugars are used by the plants as an energy source, which helps
them to grow.
o Photosynthesis also applies to other organisms besides green plants.
o These include several prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria, purple
bacteria, and green sulfur bacteria.
o These organisms exhibit photosynthesis just like green plants.
o The glucose produced during photosynthesis is then used to fuel
various cellular activities.
o The by-product of this physio-chemical process is oxygen.

Topic: Transport system in Plants

 Xylem
o It is a type of tissue in vascular plants that transports water and some
nutrients from the roots to the leaves.
o The tissue consists of a variety of specialized, water-conducting cells
known as tracheary elements.

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  Phloem
o It is the complex tissue that acts as a transport system for soluble organic
compounds within vascular plants.
o It transports the food made in leaves to other parts of plants.
o It is made up of living tissue, which uses turgor pressure and energy in the
form of ATP to actively transport sugars to the plant organs
 Root hairs
o These are cylindrical extensions of root epidermal cells.
o The primary function is to collect water and mineral nutrients from
the soil. It takes the solution up by the roots to the rest of the plant.
 Epiblema
o Epidermis with root hairs is called epiblema.
o It is composed of one layer of compactly arranged parenchymatous cells.
o It is usually located between the epidermis and cortex in the root or stem
of a plant.
o The root hairs and thin-walled epiblema cells absorb water and minerals
salts from the soil.

Topic: Name for scientific study

 Phycology is the scientific study of algae.

 Also known as algology, phycology is a branch of life science.
 Algae are important as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems.
 Most algae are eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms that live in a wet
environment.

The study of Fungi Mycology

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The study of Virus Virology
The study of Bacteria Microbiology

Topic: Perishable/semi perishable/non-perishable foods

Perishable foods:

 Perishable foods are those likely to spoil, decay, or become unsafe to consume if
not kept refrigerated at 40 °F or below, or frozen at 0 °F or below.
 Examples of foods that must be kept refrigerated for safety include meat,
poultry, fish, dairy products, and all cooked leftovers.
 Refrigeration slows bacterial growth.

Semi perishable foods:

 Semi-perishable foods can last for 1–2 weeks.

 It takes longer to spoil and may or may not need immediate refrigeration.
 Examples are fruits and vegetables.
 Root crops like onions and potatoes last for 2–4 weeks.

Non-perishable foods:

 Non-perishable food items are those with a much longer shelf life and don't
require refrigeration.
 The fantastic thing about non-perishables is that you can buy these well in
advance and store them for long periods of time.
 They can generally last for one year.
 Examples are grains like rice, wheat, pulses and dals, oilseeds.

Topic: Nervous System

 Central Nervous System is also known as the central processing unit of the
body.
 The CNS includes the Brain and the Spinal cord and is the site of information
processing and control.
 The brain is an organ that's made up of large mass of nerve tissue that's
protected within the skull.

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  Some of its main functions include - processing sensory information,
regulating blood pressure and breathing, releasing hormones, etc.

Additional Information

 The human brain is composed of three major parts:

o Fore-brain - consists of Cerebrum, Hypothalamus, and Thalamus.
o Mid-brain - consists of Tectum and Tegmentum.
o Hind- brain - consists of Cerebellum, Medulla, and Pons.
 The spinal cord of is a cylindrical bundle of nerve fibres and associated tissues
enclosed within the spine and connects all parts of body to the brain.

Topic: Reproduction
Concept:

 Reproduction helps in the propagation of a species by increasing the total

number of individuals of that species.
 Reproduction can thus be defined as the process by which a plant or an animal
gives rise to a young one or progeny.
 There are two means of reproduction -
o Asexual reproduction - does not involve the fusion of gametes.
E.g.: Hydra (budding), Banana (Parthenocarpy), etc.
o Sexual reproduction - involves the fusion of gametes. E.g.: Mammals,
Angiosperms, etc.

Explanation:

Apospory -

 Apospory refers to the formation of gametophytes from sporophytes that are

non-reproductive cells.
 It does not involve spore formation.
 It is seen in ferns and mosses.

Apomixis -

 Apomixis is an asexual means of reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction.

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  The embryo formed through apomixis develops without the formation of
gametes i.e. without meiotic division.
 The process of fertilization is absent in this process.
 The embryo so formed develops inside the ovule. The ovule develops into
the seed.
 Apomixis is seen in plants like mango, orange, etc.

Apogamy -

 Apogamy refers to the process by which a sporophyte is produced from

the gametophyte.
 Fertilization is absent in this process.
 In the case of a fern, prothallus is the gametophyte.
 Thus, apogamy is the process by which a prothallus gives rise to a fern plant
(sporophyte) without fertilization.

Parthenogenesis -

 Parthenogenesis is a type of asexual reproduction.

 In parthenogenesis, an embryo is formed from the female gamete without
fertilization.
 Offspring developed through parthenogenesis lack any male genetic
components.
 Seen in honeybees, rotifers, ants, etc.

Topic: Disease-causing pathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms are called pathogens.

Pathogen Disease

Protozoa Malaria

Cholera
Typhoid
Bacteria
Tuberculosis
Plague
Ringworm
Fungi
Tinea

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 AIDS
Common Cold

Virus Hepatitis B
Poilo
Dengue Fever

Topic: Thallophytes:-

o Thallophytes are a polyphyletic group of non-mobile organisms that

are grouped together on the basis of similarity of characteristics but
do not share a common ancestor.
o They were formerly categorized as a sub-kingdom of kingdom Plantae.
o These include lichens, algae, fungus, Bacteria slime molds and
bryophytes.
o Characteristics of Thallophyta -
 They are usually found in moist or wet places.
 They are autotrophic in nature.
 Most members of this group manufacture their own food. But a few
members like fungi are dependent on other sources of food.,
 Reserve food is generally starch.
 They have a cell wall composed of cellulose around their cells.
 Absence of vascular tissue.
 Unlike other plants, xylem and phloem are absent. etc
o The division Thallophyta is classified into two subdivisions: Algae and
Fungi.

Topic: Phylum of animal kingdom

 Hemichordata:
o This phylum includes marine worm-like creatures, such as acorn worms (like
Balanoglossus) and graptolites.
o Hemichordates are characterized by pharyngeal slits, similar to those of
chordates, and a structure known as a stomochord in the collar, which is
similar to the notochord in chordates.

 Arthropoda:

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 o This is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom and includes creatures like
insects, spiders, and crustaceans.
o Arthropods are characterized by their jointed legs (the word "arthropoda"
means "jointed feet" in Greek) and a hard exoskeleton made of chitin.
 Echinodermata:
o This phylum includes marine animals like starfish, sea urchins, and sea
cucumbers.
o Echinoderms are characterized by radial symmetry, spiny skin, and a water
vascular system that aids in locomotion, feeding, and respiration.
 Mollusca:
o This is one of the most diverse phyla and includes animals like snails,
octopuses, and clams.
o Molluscs are characterized by a soft body, which in many species is
protected by a hard shell, and a muscular 'foot' used for movement.

Topic: Cell Division

 DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is a group of molecules, responsible for carrying

and transferring hereditary traits or genetic information from parents to their
offspring.
 Almost every cell of a multicellular organism contains the complete set of
DNA required for that organism.
 The Synthesis phase(S phase) of a cell cycle occurs during interphase, before
mitosis or meiosis.
 It is responsible for the synthesis as well as the replication of DNA.
 The genetic material of a cell is being doubled before it enters mitosis or
meiosis which is allowing it to split DNA into daughter cells.
 Interphase is the resting phase between successive mitotic divisions of a cell, or
between the first and second divisions of meiosis.
 Interphase is the longest stage in the eukaryote cell cycle. During interphase, the
cell acquires nutrients, creates and uses proteins and other molecules, and starts
the process of cell division by replicating the DNA. Interphase is divided into
three distinct stages, Gap 1, Synthesis, and Gap 2.
 During interphase, the cell's DNA is not condensed or properly packed.
 It is loosely distributed.
 This stain also represents the organization of the aligned structure of the
chromosomes during the mitosis process.

Additional Information

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  Anaphase- During anaphase, each pair of chromosomes are separated into
two identical, independent chromosomes.
o The chromosomes may be separated by a structure called the mitotic
spindle.
 Prophase- This is the first phase of mitosis. Identification and separation of
the duplicated genetic material are carried in the nucleus.
 Telophase- During telophase, the newly separated chromosomes reach the
mitotic spindle, and a nuclear membrane forms around each set of
chromosomes, thus creating two separate nuclei inside the same cell.

Topic: Magnetic field

 The area around a magnet where a magnetic force is experienced is called the
magnetic field.
 It is a quantity that has both direction and magnitude, (i.e., Vector quantity).

Explanation:

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 A magnetic field has both magnitude and direction: Correct
o Reason: It is a vector quantity.
 The direction of magnetic field lines inside a bar magnet is from its south pole to
its north pole. Correct
 Magnetic field lines are closed curves. Correct
o Outside the magnet, the direction of the magnetic field line is taken from
the North pole to the South Pole.
o Inside the magnet, the direction of the magnetic field line is taken from
the South pole to the North pole.
o Therefore, magnetic field lines are closed curves.

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