Detailed Syllabus May 2013 Wild Life Assistant Grade

CATEGORY NO. 444/2011

Syllabus

1. ZOOLOGY

Animal diversity

General characters, zoological importance and systematic positions of animals in all phyla 

giving special importance to wild life.

Animal Physiology

Nutrition & digestion, Metabolism -Carbohydrate, protein & lipid metabolism

Circulatory system - structure and working of heart, pacemaker, composition of

blood, blood groups, blood clotting.

Respiratory system -Gas exchange, respiratory pigments, transport of C02 Ss O2

Excretory system - types of excretion, structure of nephron, urine formation,

osmoregulation.

Muscle physiology -types of muscle, ultra structure of striated muscle, mechanism of

muscle contraction, muscle twitch, tetanus, summation, tonus, fatigue, oxygen debt,

rigor mortis.

Nervous system - structure & types of neuron, nerve impulse transmission, synapse

& synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters, reflex action.

Endocrine system - endocrine glands & hormones produced functions of hormones,

role of hypothalamus and their secretions, mechanism of hormone action.

Reproductive system - male and female reproductive organs, reproductive cycles,

pregnancy, parturition, lactation, birth control methods.

Cell biology & Molecular biology

Cell - cell theory, structure & functions of ceE membrane and organelles

Cell division - mitosis, meiosis Biology of cancer Nature of Genetic material - Griffith's expt., 

Contributions of Avery, Mac Leod and Mac Carthy, Hershey & Chase's expt., transformation, 

transduction. Structure DNA, types of DNA & RNA, DNA replication, Genetic code

DNA sequencing, DNA finger printing Genomic library, cDNA library, PCR and its 

applications Blotting techniques - southern blotting, western blotting, northern blotting.

Genetics & Embryology

Mendel 85 his experiments Gene, interaction of genes Sex determination, linkage, crossing over 

& recombination Types of mutations, molecular basis of mutation, cytoplasmic inheritance

Fertilization, types cleavage, gastrulation Type of placenta in mammals. Fundamentals of wild life

Zoogeographical realms Biogeographic classification of India Protected area network - 

sanctuaries, National parks, tiger reserves, biosphere reserve Endangered and endemic animals

Wild life census and monitoring methods. 

2. BOTANY

Anatomy: Anatomy: Simple & complex tissues - Components of vascular tissues - types of vascular bundles -

Primary structure of dicot & monocot stems & roots -Normal secondary growth in thickness in dicot 

stems & roots -cambium: fusiform & ray initials -storied & nonstoried cambium- radial & 

longitudinal system - periderm- lenticels- annual rings- dendrochronology- tyloses. Wood: spring 

wood/ autumn wood - porous/non porous wood - ring porous/diffuse porous wood - hard wood/soft 

wood, heart wood/sap wood- tension wood, reaction wood, compression wood. 

2.... Physiology Physiology: Importance of water to plants - absorption & translocation of water - transpiration -

nutrition: photosynthesis- autotrophs & heterotrophs - special modes of nutrition- nutrient cycling 

in nature - plant growth hormones - plant movements

3.... Taxonomy Taxonomy: Herbs/shrubs/trees. Climbers/creepers/stragglers/lianas. Classification of plants: 

Artificial/natural/phylogenetic systems. Species concept- Taxon- Binomial nomenclature -ICBNherbarium technique- botanical gardens. Dendrology.

4.... Plants & human welfare Plants & human welfare: Food plants (Cereals, millets, pulses, tuber/starch/sugar/oil yielding 

plants, spices & condiments, beverages) - Plants yielding resins/dyes/tannins/ gums/mucilages - Timber

yielding plants - Medicinal & aromatic plants. Pharmacognosy: Definition- scope - sources of crude 

drugs (Roots/ rhkomes/leaves/flowers/fruits/seeds). Ethnobotany: Importance-methods of collection 

of ethno-botanical data - tribals of Kerala - common plants used by tribals. 

5.... Environmental Science Environmental Science: Concept of ecosystem - components of ecosystem - different types 

(Aquatic & terrestrial). Major terrestrial biomes- Pond, grassland, desert & forest ecosystems - 

myristica swamps - mangroves. Food chain - food web - ecological pyramids - energy flow in an 

ecosystem. Ecological groups (Hydrophytes, xerophytes, mesophytes, parasites, epiphytes, 

insectivores). Vegetational types in India. Ecological succession: Causes-mechanisms-seral stagespioneer & climax communities-hydrosere-xerosere. Concept of biodiversity- significance - threats - in 

situ & ex situ conservation - biodiversity hotspots - megadiversity centres-IUCN, MAB, Red data 

book, UNEP. Natural resources: renewable & nonrenewable. Sustainable development- Organic 

farming- biofertilizers- bioremediation-biopesticides/bioinsecticides-alternate energy sources. 

3. FORESTRY

Introduction to Forestry: Introduction to Forestry: Forests; definitions, role, benefits; direct and indirect - Tropical and 

temperate forests - Forestry, definitions, divisions and interrelationships, agroforestry, farm 

forestry, social forestry and community forestry - Classification of forests; territorial, 

administrative, types etc. - Global warming, mechanisms to control, carbon sequestration, CDMs, 

Kyoto protocol. National and international organizations in forestry- World forestry day, world 

environment day and Vanamahotsava. Forest conservation movements in India. Fundamentals of Geology and Soil Science Fundamentals of Geology and Soil Science damentals of Geology and Soil Science Composition of earth's crust, soil as a natural body 

- Pedology- Rocks types, Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, classification- Soil forming 

minerals, definition, classification-Weathering of rocks and minerals, weathering factors, 

physical, chemical and biological agents involved- Formation of various soils. Physical and 

chemical properties of soil - Soil organic matter decomposition-pH- Soil nutrients- Soil water 

forms - hygroscopic capillary and gravitational - Infiltration and percolation- Land capability 

classification.

Forest recreation, landscape architecture and urban forestry : Definition and scope - social 

and environmental aspects of recreation- Principles and practices of landscaping- landscape 

designs, formal and informal - landscape components, lawn, pergolas, hedges, edges, topiary, 

baloons, arbours, carpet beds, trees, flower beds, annuals, climbers. Urban forestry - definition 

and scope — uses of urban forests, management of urban forest -Planning and planting 

programmes in institutional and industrial complexes, roads, bridges, parking area etc.

Forest management, policy and legislation : Definition, scope, objective and principles of forest 

management, organization of state forests-. Sustainable forest management - Working plan 

preparations, objectives and uses- Forest maps and their uses. Joint forest management, concept 

and principles - National forest policies, scope and importance- Indian judicial system- Legal 

definitions, application of penal code to forests, General principles of criminal law- Indian 

Forest Act, 1927, general provisions - Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Biological Diversity Act 

2002 and Biological diversity rules 2004.

Wildlife Management : Definition, history of wildlife management and conservation in India- 

Values of wildlife, aesthetic, recreational, scientific, educational, commercial and ecological 

values - Red Data Book and red listing, IUCN revised red list categories - Wildlife (Protection) 

Act, 1972 and amendments - Special projects for wildlife conservation - Project Tiger and Musk 

Deer Project etc. - Introduction and reintroduction of species - Wildlife corridors - Ecotourism, 

definition, evolution and trends in ecotourism- Ecotourism in protected areas - Ecotourism as a 

tool for management of common property resources.

4. VETERINARY SCIENCE

Livestock Production Management: 

Introductory animal husbandry. Common animal husbandry terms. Body conformation and 

identification. Dentition and ageing of animals. Transport of livestock by rail, road, air and on foot. 

Common farm management practices including disinfection, isolation, quarantine and disposal of 

carcass. Introduction to methods of drug administration. Common vices of animals, their prevention 

and care. Breeds and descriptors of important breeds of cattle and buffaloes. General management 

and feeding practices of calves, heifers, pregnant, lactating and dry animals, and bulls and 

working animals. 

Principles of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology

Importance of nutrients in animal production and health. Nutritional terms and their definitions. 

Importance of minerals (major and trace elements) and vitamins in health and production, their 

requirements and supplementation in feed. Common feeds and fodders, their classification, 

availability and importance for livestock production. Veterinary Epidemiology and Zoonoses

Definitions and aims of epidemiology. Surveillance and monitoring of livestock diseases. 

National and International regulations on livestock diseases. Role of OIE and laws on 

international trade on animals and animal products. Definition, history and socio-economic impact 

of zoonotic diseases. Role of domestic, wild, pet and laboratory animals and birds in transmission of 

zoonoses.. Reservoirs, clinical manifestations in animals and the management of the following 

zoonoses: rabies, Japanese encephalitis, Kyasanur forest disease, influenza, anthrax, brucellosis, 

tuberculosis, leptospirosis, listeriosis, plague, rickettsiosis, chlamydiosis and dermatatophytosis. 

Veterinary toxicology

General Toxicology: Definitions, fundamentals and scope of toxicology. General approaches to 

diagnosis and treatment of poisoning. Toxicity caused by metal and non-metals: Arsenic, lead, 

mercury, copper, selenium,molybdenum, phosphorus, nitrates and nitrites, common salt and 

fluoride. Toxicity caused by plants and weeds. Drug toxicity and toxicity caused by 

agrochemicals. Venomous bites and stings: Snake bite, scorpion, spider, wasp stings and toad 

poisoning. 

Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Nutrition, Management and Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Nutrition, Management and Healthcare Healthcare

Population dynamics of wild animals, effective population size of wild animals captivity/zoo/natural 

habitats. Planned breeding of wild animals. Controlled breeding and assisted reproduction. Breeding 

for conservation of wild animals. Feeding habits, feed and feeding schedules of zoo animals. Nutrient 

requirements of wild animals. Restrain, capture, handling, physical examination and transport of wild 

and zoo animals. Acts and Rules related to Zoo and wild animals. National and international 

organizations and institutions interlinked to wild and zoo animals - role and functioning.

NOTE: - It may be noted that apart from the  main topics listed  above, questions  from other topics prescribed for the educational qualification of the post  may also appear in the question paper. There is no undertaking that all the  topics above may be covered in the question paper.

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