Name of the Organisation : National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar
Type of Announcement : Syllabus
Entrance Exam Name : National Entrance Screening Test NEST 2015
Syllabus : https://www.entrance.net.in/uploads/129-NEST2015-Brochure-Syllabus.pdf
Home Page : http://www.nestexam.in/
Syllabus for NEST
General Section:
There is no specific syllabus for the General section. The aim is to test candidate’s aptitude for a career in science. Questions are designed to test the candidate’s familiarity with (and not a detailed understanding of) major historical milestones in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, computer science and environment.
Related : UM–DAE CEBS NISER NEST National Entrance Screening Test : www.entrance.net.in/13131.html
There will be some questions designed to test the grasp of mathematics up to 10th standard and application capabilities of the same to simple problems. Some questions in this section aim to test the candidate’s general ability to comprehend qualitative and quantitative aspects of a given scientific passage. This is done by giving a passage on some scientific topic and questions based on the concepts elaborated in the passage will be asked. Some questions aim to find whether the candidates can interpret graphical representation of information.
Biology :
Cell Biology :
Cell theory and cells as unit of life. Basic concepts of biomolecules – Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic acids. Tools and techniques of cell studies – use of microscope and calibration (microscopy), elements of microscope. Biomembranes – transport mechanism, cellular respiration. Cell organelles – structure and functions. Discovery and structure of DNA, processes of replication, transcription, genetic code and translation. Principles of the basic techniques in molecular biology. Enzymes- catalysis, kinetics, activation energy, competitive and non-competitive inhibition.
Genetics and Evolution :
Fundamentals of genetics and evolution. Evidences and theories of organic evolution. Organization of the heredity material in chromosomes. Equational division. Reduction division. Mitosis and meiosis compared and contrasted. Significance of meiosis. Mendel’s laws of inheritance. Discovery of linkage, sex-linked inheritance. Crossing-over, stage at which crossing-over occurs. Neurospora genetics. Mutation – discovery, types of Mutation and Mutations in diploids. Role of mutations in evolution. Elaboration of Mendel’s laws of inheritance. Monohybrid or Dihybrid crosses. Human genetics – human chromosomes, sex-determination, sex-linked inheritance.
Ecology :
Physical and biological factors influencing organisms. Food chains, pyramids of numbers and biomass. Biological equilibrium. Interspecific associations. Bio-diversity. Flora and fauna. Basics of microbial systems, Ecosystems.
Humans and Environment :
Soil, rainfall and temperature with reference to natural resources. Our natural resources – their uses and abuses. Environmental pollution and preventive measures. Biodiversity and conservation.
Biotechnology :
Principles of recombinant DNA technology. Applications of biotechnology.
Biology of Animal systems :
Digestive System – Modes of nutrition. Different vitamin compounds and their deficiencies. Structure of alimentary canal and associated glands, digestive enzymes and gastrointestinal hormones. Absorption of products of digestion, peristalsis, balanced diet.
Respiratory System – Gaseous exchange in animals. Structure of respiratory organs, mechanism of breathing, gaseous transport, tissue respiration.
Circulatory System – Open and closed systems. Functions of blood and 1ymph. Microscopic structure of blood and blood vessels. Structures and working of heart. Distribution of arteries and veins. Circulation of blood coagulation. Blood groups.
Excretory System – Elimination of nitrogenous waste. Osmoconformers and osmoregulators. Structure and function of kidney tubules. Arrangement of excretory organs.
Nervous System – General account of brain, spinal cord and nerves. Reflex actions (simple and conditioned). Sense organs (eye and ear).
Reproductive System – Sexual and asexual reproduction. General arrangement and functions of reproductive organs.
Developmental Biology – Basic features of development in animals. Types of eggs, fertilization, cleavage, blastula. Stem cells- definition, types, uses, advantages and disadvantages, induced pluripotent stem cells. Different hormones and their roles.
Diversity of Animal Life — Principles of classification, binomial nomenclature. General classification of animal phyla up to classes (invertebrates) and upto sub-classes / order (vertebrates), General characters of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Immunology – Basics of immune mechanisms and diseases- active and passive immunity, T and B cell responses, antigen presentation, principles of vaccination, monoclonal antibodies and their uses, immunology of AIDS.
Biology of Plant systems :
Anatomy and Physiology of Plants – Meristems. Plant growth and development. Internal and external regulators of growth and development in plant. Plant reproduction. Internal structure of root, stem, secondary growth and leaves. Xylem and Phloem – their cell elements and functions. Internal structure of dicot and monocot leaves. Photosynthesis – history, importance, factors and mechanism, stomatal mechanism, transpiration and respiration. Comparative study of dicot and monocot anatomy. Absorption and cellwater relations, transport of water and minerals, tropic and turgor movements. Significance of life-cycles with special reference to alternation of generations as exemplified in Funaria, Selaginella and Pinus (no structural details). Plant hormones.
Systematics – Principles of classical and new systematics. Binomial nomenclature.Familiarity with taxa. Plant breeding and tissue culture.