Overview of Zoology Optional Subject
Zoology Optional Syllabus :Zoology is a popular optional subject for candidates with a background in life sciences, particularly those who have studied biology or related subjects at the undergraduate level. The subject covers various aspects of animal biology, including anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, and genetics. Due to its scientific nature, Zoology offers a clear and objective approach to learning, making it a favorable choice for many aspirants.
Why Choose Zoology as an Optional?
Strong Foundation for Life Science Graduates: Zoology is an ideal choice for candidates with a background in biology, life sciences, or related fields. The syllabus builds on concepts that are familiar to these candidates, making the subject easier to grasp and score well.
Scientific and Objective Approach: Zoology is a scientific discipline with clear, objective answers. This allows candidates to write precise and well-structured answers, which can be advantageous in scoring.
Relevance to General Studies: Zoology overlaps with topics in General Studies, particularly in environmental science, ecology, and biodiversity. This overlap can help candidates in their overall UPSC preparation.
Who Should Take Zoology Optional?
Candidates with a Background in Biology: If you have studied biology, zoology, or related subjects at the undergraduate level, this optional will leverage your existing knowledge and interest.
Aspirants Interested in Animal Biology: If you are passionate about understanding animal life, their physiological processes, and ecological interactions, Zoology will be a fulfilling subject to study.
Candidates Looking for an Objective Subject: Zoology’s scientific nature makes it less subjective compared to some other optional subjects. This can be beneficial for candidates who prefer clear, definitive answers.
Zoology Optional Syllabus Paper-I
This paper focuses on the fundamentals of animal biology. It includes topics like non-chordata and chordata, cell biology, genetics, and evolution. The paper also covers the study of vertebrates, including their classification, structure, and function, as well as embryology.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Non-chordata and Chordata |
(a) Classification and relationship of various phyla up to subclasses: Acoelomate and Coelomate, Protostomes and Deuterostomes, Bilateria and Radiata; Status of Protista, Parazoa, Onychophora, and Hemichordata; Symmetry. (b) Protozoa: Locomotion, nutrition, reproduction, sex; General features and life history of Paramaecium, Monocystis, Plasmodium, and Leishmania. (c) Porifera: Skeleton, canal system, and reproduction. (d) Cnidaria: Polymorphism, defensive structures, and their mechanism; coral reefs and their formation; metagenesis; general features and life history of Obelia and Aurelia. (e) Platyhelminthes: Parasitic adaptation; general features and life history of Fasciola and Taenia and their pathogenic symptoms. (f) Nemathelminthes: General features, life history, parasitic adaptation of Ascaris and Wuchereria. (g) Annelida: Coelom and metamerism; modes of life in polychaetes; general features and life history of Nereis, earthworm, and leech. (h) Arthropoda: Larval forms and parasitism in Crustacea; vision and respiration in arthropods (Prawn, cockroach, and scorpion); modification of mouthparts in insects (cockroach, mosquito, housefly, honeybee and butterfly), metamorphosis in insects and hormonal regulation; social behaviour of Apis and termites. (i) Mollusca: Feeding, respiration, locomotion, general features and life history of Lamellidens, Pila, and Sepia; torsion and detorsion in gastropods. (j) Echinodermata: Feeding, respiration, locomotion, larval forms, general features and life history of Asterias. (k) Protochordata: Origin of chordates; general features and life history of Branchiostoma and Herdmania. (l) Pisces: Respiration, locomotion, and migration. (m) Amphibia: Origin of tetrapods, parental care, paedomorphosis. (n) Reptilia: Origin of reptiles, skull types, status of Sphenodon and crocodiles. (o) Aves: Origin of birds, flight adaptation, migration. (p) Mammalia: Origin of mammals, dentition, general features of egg-laying mammals, pouched mammals, aquatic mammals, and primates; endocrine glands (pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads) and their interrelationships. |
| 2. Ecology |
(a) Biosphere: concept of biosphere; biomes, biogeochemical cycles, human-induced changes in the atmosphere including the greenhouse effect, ecological succession, biomes and ecotones, community ecology. (b) Concept of ecosystem; structure and function of ecosystem, types of ecosystem, ecological succession, ecological adaptation. (c) Population; characteristics, population dynamics, population stabilization. (d) Biodiversity and diversity conservation of natural resources. (e) Wildlife of India. (f) Remote sensing for sustainable development. (g) Environmental biodegradation; pollution and its impact on the biosphere and its prevention. |
| 3. Ethology |
(a) Behaviour: Sensory filtering, responsiveness, sign stimuli, learning, and memory, instinct, habituation, conditioning, imprinting. (b) Role of hormones in drive; role of pheromones in alarm spreading; crypsis, predator detection, predator tactics, social hierarchies in primates, social organization in insects. (c) Orientation, navigation, homing; biological rhythms: biological clock, biological rhythms, tidal, seasonal, and circadian rhythms. (d) Methods of studying animal behaviour including sexual conflict, selfishness, kinship and altruism. |
| 4. Economic Zoology |
(a) Apiculture, sericulture, lac culture, carp culture, pearl culture, prawn culture, vermiculture. (b) Major infectious and communicable diseases (malaria, filaria, tuberculosis, cholera and AIDS) their vectors, pathogens, and prevention. (c) Cattle and livestock diseases, their pathogens (helminths) and vectors (ticks, mites, Tabanus, Stomoxys). (d) Pests of sugar cane (Pyrilla perpusilla), oil seed (Achaea janata) and rice (Sitophilus oryzae). (e) Transgenic animals. (f) Medical biotechnology, human genetic diseases and genetic counselling, gene therapy. (g) Forensic biotechnology. |
| 5. Biostatistics | Designing of experiments; null hypothesis; correlation, regression, distribution and measure of central tendency, chi square, student-test, F-test (one-way & two-way F-test). |
| 6. Instrumentation methods |
(a) Spectrophotometer, phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy, radioactive tracer, ultra centrifuge, gel electrophoresis, PCR, ELISA, FISH and chromosome painting. (b) Electron microscopy (TEM, SEM). |
Zoology Optional Syllabus Paper-II
Zoology Optional Syllabus Paper-II: This paper delves into applied aspects of zoology. It covers topics such as ecology, economic zoology, biostatistics, and environmental science. The paper also explores physiology, biochemistry, and human genetics, with an emphasis on practical applications and recent advancements in the field.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Cell Biology | Structure and function of cell and its organelles (nucleus, plasma membrane, mitochondria, Golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes and lysosomes), cell division (mitosis and meiosis), mitotic spindle and mitotic apparatus, chromosome movement, chromosome type ploytene and lambrush, organization of chromatin, heterochromatin, Cell cycle regulation. |
| 2. Genetics |
(a) Modern concept of gene, split gene, genetic regulation, genetic code. (b) Sex chromosomes and their evolution, sex determination in Drosophila and human. (c) Mendel’s laws of inheritance, recombination, linkage, multiple alleles, genetics of blood groups, pedigree analysis, hereditary diseases in human. (d) Mutations and mutagenesis. (e) Recombinant DNA technology, plasmid, cosmid, artificial chromosomes as vectors, transgenics, DNA cloning and whole animal cloning (principles and methods). (f) Gene regulation and expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. (g) Signal molecules, cell death, defects in signaling pathway and consequences. (h) RFLP, RAPD and AFLP and application of RFLP in DNA finger-printing, ribozyme technologies, human genome project, genomics and protomics. |
| 3. Evolution |
(a) Theories of origin of life. (b) Theories of evolution; Natural selection, role of mutation in evolution, evolutionary patterns, molecular drive, mimicry, variation, isolation and speciation. (c) Evolution of horse, elephant and human using fossil data. (d) Hardy-Weinberg Law. (e) Continental drift and distribution of animals. |
| 4. Systematics | Zoological nomenclature; international code, cladistics, molecular taxonomy and biodiversity. |
| 5. Biochemistry |
(a) Structure and role of carbohydrates, fats, fatty acids, cholesterol, proteins and amino-acids, nucleic acids. Bioenergetics. (b) Glycolysis and Krebs cycle, oxidation and reduction, oxidative phosphorylation; energy conservation and release, ATP, cycl cyclic AMP-its structure and role. (c) Hormone classification (steroid and peptide hormones), biosynthesis and functions. (d) Enzymes: types and mechanisms of action. (e) Vitamins and co-enzymes. (f) Immunoglobulin and immunity. |
| 6. Physiology (with special reference to mammals) |
(a) Composition and constituents of blood; blood groups and Rh factor in human; factors and mechanism of coagulation; iron metabolism, acid-base balance, thermo regulation, anticoagulants. (b) Haemoglobin: Composition, types and role in transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. (c) Digestion and absorption: Role of salivary glands, liver, pancreas and intestinal glands. (d) Excretion: nephron and regulation of urine formation; osmo-regulation and excretory product. (e) Muscles: Types, mechanism of contraction of skeletal muscles, effects of exercise on muscles. (f) Neuron: nerve impulse—its conduction and synaptic transmission; neurotransmitters. (g) Vision, hearing and olfaction in human. (h) Physiology of reproduction puberty and menopause in human. |
| 7. Developmental Biology |
(a) Gametogenesis; spermatogenesis, composition of semen, in vitro and in vivo capacitation of mammalian sperm, Oogenesis, totipotency; fertilization, morphogenesis and morphogen; blastogenesis, establishment of body axes formation, fate map, gestulation in frog and chick; genes in development in chick homeotic genes, development of eye and heart, placenta in mammals. (b) Cell lineage, cell to cell interaction, Genetic and induced teratogenesis, role of thyroxine in control of metamorphosis in amphibia, paedogenesis and neoteny, cell death, aging. (c) Developmental genes in human, in vitro fertilization; and embryo transfer; cloning. (d) Stem cells: Sources, types and their use in human welfare. (e) Biogenetic law. |
Preparation Strategy for Zoology Optional
Understand the Syllabus: Start by thoroughly reviewing the Zoology Optional Syllabus. Break it down into manageable sections, focusing on areas like animal diversity, physiology, and applied zoology.
Build a Strong Foundation: Strengthen your understanding of basic biological concepts, as these form the foundation for more complex topics in zoology.
Use Diagrams and Illustrations: Zoology often involves the study of structures and processes that are best explained through diagrams. Practice drawing and labeling diagrams accurately, as these can enhance your answers in the exam.
Focus on Core Topics: Prioritize key topics like cell biology, genetics, and ecology. These areas are frequently tested and form the backbone of the syllabus.
Regular Revision and Practice: Schedule regular revisions to retain concepts and theories. Practice writing answers to past exam questions to improve your ability to articulate information clearly and concisely.
Refer to Standard Textbooks: Use standard textbooks that cover the syllabus comprehensively. These books provide detailed explanations and illustrations, which are essential for mastering the subject.
Solve Previous Year Papers: Practicing previous years’ UPSC Zoology Optional question papers will help you understand the exam pattern and refine your answer-writing skills.
Recommended Books and Study Materials
Animal Diversity and Classification:
- “Invertebrate Zoology” by R.L. Kotpal
- “Chordate Zoology” by E.L. Jordan and P.S. Verma
Cell Biology and Genetics:
- “Cell Biology” by C.B. Powar
- “Genetics” by P.S. Verma and V.K. Agarwal
Ecology and Environmental Biology:
- “Ecology and Environment” by P.D. Sharma
- “Environmental Biology” by Arvind Kumar
Physiology and Biochemistry:
- “Animal Physiology” by A.K. Berry
- “Biochemistry” by U. Satyanarayana
Previous Year Papers:
- Regularly solve previous years’ UPSC Zoology Optional question papers to familiarize yourself with the types of questions and the level of detail required in answers.
Final Thoughts
Zoology is a rewarding optional subject that offers deep insights into the biological world. With a clear understanding of the Zoology Optional Syllabus, a structured study plan, and consistent practice, you can excel in this subject and enhance your chances in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Check out other UPSC Civil Services Examination Optional Subjects
| Subject | Link |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Check Syllabus |
| Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | Check Syllabus |
| Anthropology | Check Syllabus |
| Botany | Check Syllabus |
| Chemistry | Check Syllabus |
| Civil Engineering | Check Syllabus |
| Commerce & Accountancy | Check Syllabus |
| Economics | Check Syllabus |
| Electrical Engineering | Check Syllabus |
| Geography | Check Syllabus |
| Geology | Check Syllabus |
| History | Check Syllabus |
| Law | Check Syllabus |
| Management | Check Syllabus |
| Mathematics | Check Syllabus |
| Mechanical Engineering | Check Syllabus |
| Medical Science | Check Syllabus |
| Philosophy | Check Syllabus |
| Physics | Check Syllabus |
| Political Science & International Relations | Check Syllabus |
| Psychology | Check Syllabus |
| Public Administration | Check Syllabus |
| Sociology | Check Syllabus |
| Statistics | Check Syllabus |
| Zoology | Check Syllabus |
| Assamese (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Bengali (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Bodo (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Dogri (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| English (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Gujarati (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Hindi (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Kannada (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Kashmiri (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Konkani (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Maithili (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Malayalam (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Manipuri (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Marathi (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Nepali (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Odia (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Punjabi (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Sanskrit (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Santhali (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Sindhi (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Tamil (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Telugu (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
| Urdu (Literature) | Check Syllabus |
Stay updated with the latest notifications on the UPSC official website.