IIS University - International College for Girls - ICG Courses

M.Sc. (Botany)

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Duration: 2 Years

Eligibility: Graduation

Course Structure

 

Course Code	Course Title
Semester I
BOT 121	Cell and Molecular Biology
BOT 122	Cytology, Genetics and Cytogenetics
BOT 123	Hierarchy of Lower Plants
BOT 124	Microbiology, Fungi & Plant Pathology
BOT 125	Practicals based on BOT 121- 124
BOT 126	Seminar
Semester II
BOT 221	Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms & Palaeobotany
BOT 222	Environmental Science
BOT 223	Plant Physiology & Biochemistry I
BOT 224	Plant Physiology & Biochemistry II
BOT 225	Practicals based on BOT 221- 224
BOT 226	Seminar
Semester- III
BOT 321	Plant Systematics
BOT 322	Developmental and Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms
BOT 323	Tools and Techniques of Modern Research
BOT 324	Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
BOT 325	Practicals based on BOT 321 - 324
BOT 326	Seminar
Semester- IV
BOT 421A	Elective 1a Advanced Biotechnology I
BOT 422A	Elective 1b Advanced Biotechnology II
BOT 423A	Practicals related to BOT 421A and BOT 422A
BOT 421B	Elective 2a Ethnobotany I
BOT 422B	Elective 2b Ethnobotany II
BOT 423B	Practicals based on BOT 421B and BOT 422B
BOT 424	Dissertation / Project

 

Course Syllabus

Semester - I

BOT 121   Cell and Molecular Biology

Objectives To provide knowledge about the intricacies of life processes at the molecular and cellular level.

Unit I

• Fundamentals of Cell : Structural organization of cell, difference between plant and animal cell; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell, types of bonds and specialized plant cell types.
• Cell wall : Basic architecture of cell wall and biogenesis.
• Plasma membrane : Structure, models, functions; ion carriers, channels and pumps.

Unit II

• Chloroplast :Structure, biogenesis, genome organization and nucleochloroplastic interactions
• Mitochondria : Structure, genome organization and biogenesis.
• Plasmodesmata : Structure, functions, comparision with gap junctions.
• Plant vacuole : Tonoplast membrane, vacuoles as multifunctional compartments, vacuoles as storage organelle.
• Ribosomes : Structure, functions and biosynthesis.

Unit III

• Nucleus :Structure, nuclear pore complex, nucleolus, packaging of DNA (nucleosome organization, solenoid model).
• DNA :Structure, types (A, B and Z forms), replication, damage and repair mechanisms.
• RNA :Structure and types of RNA, transcription, RNA splicing, RNA editing.

Unit IV

• Other cellular organelles :Structure and functions of Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, microbodies.
• The cytoskeleton :organization of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments, cytoskeletal accessory proteins.
• Protein sorting :Targeting of proteins into endoplasmic reticulum and chloroplast.

Unit V

• Cell cycle :Regulation of cell cycle, role of cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases.
• Apoptosis and Programmed Cell Death :Cytokinesis and cell plate formation and Programmed Cell Death.

 

BOT 122 Cytology, Genetics and Cytogenetics

Objectives To study the Mendelian as well as modern aspects of genetics with Cytogenetics.

Unit I

Chromatin organization:  Chromosome structure, molecular organization of centromere and telomere, SMC proteins-Cohesin and Condensin proteins, cot curve, Repetitive DNA, DNA methylation, specialized types of chromosomes polytene and lampbrush, Bchromosomes, molecular mechanism of recombination role of RecA and Rec B,C,D enzymes .

Unit II

Genome anatomies:  Eukaryotic nuclear genomes, Genomes of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotic organisms, virus genomes and mobile genetic elements, Mapping the bacteriophage genome, genetic transformation, conjugation and transduction in bacteria, genetics of mitochondria and chloroplast, cytoplasmic male sterility, Structural and numerical alternations in chromosomes , Robertsonian translocations, B-A translocations, Alien gene transfer-examples from Triticum, Arachis and Brassica

Unit III

Gene structure and expression  :Fine structure of gene, translation, Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, significance of introns, Panoply of operon, catabolic repression , attenuation and antitermination , Gene silencing  RNAi, Antisense RNA.

Unit IV

Mutations : Spontaneous and induced mutations, physical and chemical mutagens, molecular basis of gene mutations, transposons, site-directed mutagenesis , protooncogenes and oncogenes , Sex determination, Sex linked inheritence, Sex limited characters

Unit V

Molecular Cytogenetics :Genetic and physical mapping, genetic markers-RFLP, SNPs.,in situ hybridization, computer assisted chromosome analysis, chromosome microdissection and microcloning (9 Hours)

 

BOT 123 Hierarchy of Lower Plants

Objectives To understand the evolution of different groups of plants and their economic importance.

Unit I

• Bacteria, Virus, Mycoplasma, Lichens, Algae and Bryophytes: A general account along with classification, structure, function, reproduction, economic importance and evolutionary history.
• Palaeobotany :Indian contributors in the field of Algal and Bryophytic palaeobotany.

Unit II

Applications of Bacteria, Virus, Mycoplasma and Lichens

• Applications of microbes in industry and medicine, Bt cotton, edible vaccines, role in improving soil fertility.
• Microbial ecology of soil, air, water, food and industry.
• Bacteria and viruses in genetic engineering.
• Role of lichens in succession, anti-microbial properties of lichens, lichens as bio indicators of air pollution, economic importance of lichens.

Unit III

Algae  General characters, classification, life history and economic importance of Prochlorophyta  Prochloron Chlorophyta  Chlorella, Coleochaete Xanthophyta  Vaucheria Phaeophyta  Laminaria Rhodophyta  Ceramium

Unit IV

Bryophytes General characters,classification, life history and economic importance of Hepaticopsida  Plagiochasma, Takakia Anthocerotopsida  Notothylus Bryopsida  Polytrichum

Unit V

Recent treds in Phycology and Bryology- Algae as a rich source of protein (SCP), algae in space, algae as biofertilizers, algal blooms, algae in food and industry, algae in pharmaceuticals and parasitic algae. Benthic macroalgae and factors affecting their environment Economic Importance of Bryophytes with special reference to Ecology, as pollution indicators and in monitoring pollution, anti microbial properties of bryophytes, geobotanical prospects.

 

BOT 124 Microbiology, Fungi and Plant Pathology

Objective The objective of the course is to provide an insight into the basic life processes of fungi and their disease causing ability along with their economic implications.

Unit I

• Microbiology :Important landmarks in the history of microbiology, general account, growth, ultrastructure, reproduction and nutrition of Cyanobacteria, Archaebacteria, Eubacteria and Virus and their economic importance.
• Phytoplasma: General characters and role in plant diseases. 
• Contributors: Eminent scientists with their contribution in the field of microbiology, mycology and plant pathology.

Unit II

Fungi I General characters of Fungi, cell ultra structure, unicellular and multicellular organization, cell wall composition, nutrition (saprotrophic, biotrophic, symbiotic), reproduction (vegetative, asexual, sexual), heterothallism, heterokaryosis, parasexuality, recent trends in classification, fungi in industry, medicine and food, fungi as biocontrol agents.

Unit III

Fungi II General characters, classification, economic importance and life history of-Mastigomycotina, Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina, Basidiomycotina, Deuteromycotina with special reference to Sclerospora, Pilobolus, , Morchella, Peziza, Ustilago, Puccinia and Cercospora.

Unit IV

Plant Pathology I History and scope of plant pathology, general account of diseases caused by plant pathogens, pathogen attack and defense mechanisms physical, biochemical and molecular aspects, plant disease management chemical and biological, IPM systems. Symptomatology, identification, causal organism, disease cycle and control of following plant diseases-

• Viral diseases Tobacco mosaic.
• Phytoplasma diseases Little leaf of brinjal
• Nematode diseases Root knot of vegetables

Unit V

Plant Pathology II Symptomatology, identification, causal organism, disease cycle and control of following plant diseases-

• Fungal diseases Wheat (Rust, Smut, Bunt), Bajra (Green ear, Ergot); Paddy (Paddy blast), Cotton (Wilt), Grapes (Downy and Powdery mildew)
• Bacterial diseases Wheat (Tundu), Sesamum phyllody.

 

BOT 125 Practical Exercises based on BOT 121- 124

BOT 121 Cell & Molecular Biology

• Isolation of RNA from Yeast
• Restriction Digestion
• Agarose – Gel Electrophoresis
• SDS- PAGE
• Isolation of DNA from plant material

BOT 122 Cytology & Cytogenetics

• Study of general cytological techniques
• Study of various stages of mitosis in Onion root tips
• Study of various stages of meiosis in Onion flower bud
• Calculation of mitotic index
• To study B chromosomes in plants
• Study of pollen viability
• To measure different types of plant cells using Stage micrometer and Ocular micrometer
• Induction of polyploidy in plants by treating shoot apical meristem with colchicines solution

BOT 123 Hierarchy of Plant Kingdom

• Preparation of report on Indian contributors in the field of algal, fungal, bryophytic, gymnospermic and angiospermic paleobotany
• Microscopic examination of stained cell preparation of bacteria by various staining methods
• Study of role of bacteria in transformation of milk to milk products and in carbohydrate fermentation
• Determination of Biological Oxygen Demand in pure water and water with algal growth to various degrees
• Estimation of protein content in Spirulina, the Single Cell Protein
• Study of mushroom cultivation
• Study of moisture retaining capacity of peat moss
• Study of economic importance of Gymnosperms
• Study of different types of lichen thalli and their role in succession

BOT 124 Microbiology, Fungi & Plant Pathology

• Cleaning of glassware
• To study different methods of sterilization and disinfection by physical agents.
• Instrumentation
• To study various types of culture media
• To determine the growth curve in bacteria (E, coli)
• To study the bacteria by Gram staining
• To become acquainted with Kirby-Baur procedure
• Wine production by fermentative activities of Yeast cells
• Isolation of micro organisms from the mixed culture by spread plate methods
• Isolation of micro organism by pour plate method
• To study ecological relationship between micro organisms of soil by Wino Gradsky Column
• To study the presence of faecal contamination in the given water sample
• Survey of dermatological diseases caused by Fungi
• Inventry preparations of antibiotics procured from Fungi
• Morphological study of representative members of Fungi- Pilobolus, Chaetomium, Morchella, Melampsora, Poly[porus, Dreschlera, Phoma, Peziza, Puccinia
• Symptomatology, identification, causal organism of the following diseases White rust, bunt, smut, green ear, smut and ergot of Bajra, rust and smut of wheat, paddy blast, cotton wilt, downy mildew and powdery mildew of grapes, , tundu, tobacco mosaic virus, little leaf of brinjal, root knot of vegetables
• Report on eminent contributors in Mycology, Plant pathology and important related institutes

 

Semester - II

BOT 221 Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Palaeobotany

Objectives This course aims at providing relevant information about  Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms along with their evolutionary history, their phylogenetic relationships and fossil wealth of the world.

Unit I

PteridophytesI General characters, classification, telome theory, stelar system and evolution of stele, apogamy, apospory, origin of seed habit and heterospory.

Unit II

PteridophytesII General characters, classification, structure, economic importance and life history of- Psilopsida Tmesipteris Lycopsida Lycopodium, Isoetes Sphenopsida Equisetum Pteropsida Ophioglossum, Dryopteris

Unit III

Gymnosperm I Introduction, general characters, classification, evolution of gymnosperms, distribution of gymnosperms in India, affinities of gymnosperms with angiosperms, pteridophytes and pteridosperms.

Unit IV

Gymnosperm II Important characters, classification, structure, economic importance and life history of Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Coniferales, Ephedrales, Welwitschiales and Gnetales.

Unit V

Palaeobotany Types of fossils, geological time scale. Brief account of Rhynia and Psilophyton.  Pteridospermales (Glossopteridaceae), Cycadeoidales, Cordaitales and Pentoxylales. Contribution of Birbal Sahani in Palaeobotany.

 

BOT 222 Environmental Science

Objective The objective of the course is to provide an insight into the basic knowledge of biodiversity of various plant species found in India and in different parts of the world. This course also aims at providing an idea of endangered and extinct plant species and emphasize on the role of environment in plant life.

Unit I

Ecology and Environment Basic concepts and scope of Ecology. Ecology and its relation with other branches of Science. Environmental complex climatic, edaphic and biotic factors. Ecological niche. Microclimate. Ecology in Biodiversity. Threats to Biodiversity. IUCN categories of endangered species. Red Data Book.

Unit II

Community and Population Ecology Characteristics of population and community, Autecological and synecological levels, analytical and synthetic characters used in study of a community, Physiognomic and phytosociological classification, community dyanamics, Clementsian’s categories, concept of continuum, ordination, development of vegetation

Unit III

Ecosystem Structure of ecosystem, food chain, food web, ecological pyramids, functional aspects of an ecosystem, ecological energetics, biogeochemical cycles carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulphur, oxygen.Productivity of different ecosyetems primary and secondary productivity.

Unit IV

Environmental Pollution Environmental pollutants, costs and kinds of pollution. Air pollution air quality, sources and pollutants, measurement of air quality, green house effect, acid rains, ozone layer depletion, threat to ozone protection, global efforts towards ozone layer protection Water pollution kinds and sources, measurement of water quality. Noise pollution Sources and properties, pollution control through law. Soil pollution effects of heavy metals on green canopy, bioremediation.

Unit V

Ecosystem stability Concept of resistance and resilience, ecological perturbations (natural and anthropogenic), and their impact on plants and ecosystems, ecology of plant invasions, environmental impact assessments and ecosystem restoration. Ecological management Concept, sustainable development and sustainability indicators.

 

BOT 223 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry I

Objectives To study the vital activites in plant and study of various metabolic activities in plants

Unit I

• Plant-Water relations and Membrane transport: Water potential and its relations, Soil Plant Atmosphere Continuum (SPAC), transpiration.
• Mineral Nutrition :Role of micro and macro elements, chelating reagents, mechanism of phloem transport, translocation of sugars.

Unit II

• Photosynthesis Photosynthetic pigments , absorption and action spectrum, photooxidation, non-cyclic and cyclic transportation of electrons, proton gradient and  photophosphorylation, Calvin cycle, structure of RUBISCO and regulation of its activity,control of Calvin cycle , C4 pathway and its significance, CAM pathway, differences between C3 and C4 plants and photorespiration.

Unit III

• Respiration :Anaerobic and aerobic respiration, fermentation, Respiratory Quotients, glycolysis, regulation of glycolysis, regulation of TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, glyoxylate pathway, gluconeogenesis.
• Nitrogen Metabolism : Nitrogen cycle, Nitrogen fixation, importance of nitrate reductase and its regulation , Nod factor, nif and nod genes, glutamate D dehydrogenase reaction

Unit IV

• Signal transduction: Receptors ion channel , G-proteins and enzyme linked, calciumcalmodulin cascade, signal transduction mechanisms with special reference to plant growth regulators.
• Stress physiology :Plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, plant defense mechanisms against water stress, salinity stress, metal toxicity, freezing and heat stress

Unit V

• Growth and Development : Plant growth regulators- Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic acid, Ethylene, – chemistry, biosynthesis, bioassay, mechanism of action and their physiological roles.
• Photobiology:P Phytochromes and Cryptochromes – their discovery,physiological roles and mechanism of action, Physiology of flowering  Photoperiodism and Vernalization, Circadian rhythms in plants.

 

BOT 224 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry II

Objectives To study the various biochemical pathways in plants and to study the structure of various biomolecules.

Unit I

Carbohydrates Classification, catabolism and anabolism of carbohydrates, Chemistry, conformation and functions of monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and glycoproteins including starch, cellulose and pectins.

Unit II

Proteins Structure of protein primary , secondary ,tertiary, quaternary, Ramachandran  plot, techniques of protein purification, ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, protein folding, chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of protein to peptides, composition and sequence analysis of proteins N and C terminal analysis.

Unit III

• Fat metabolism :Introduction, classes of lipids, lipid structure, metabolism of lipids, and function of derived lipids phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol, plasmalogens and glycerolipids.
• Vitamins :Biochemistry and function of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12, ascorbic acid, vitamin A , vitamin D vitamin E and vitamin K, clinical aspect of vitamin deficiency.

Unit IV

Enzymes: Introduction to enzyme, classification, regulation of enzyme activity, mechanism of action, enzyme kinetics, Michaelis-Menten equation, coenzymes, isozymes, ribozymes and abzymes.

Unit V

Secondary metabolites Biosynthesis and functions of secondary metabolites with special reference to alkaloids, tannins, lignins, sapogenins, coumarins.

 

BOT 225 Practical Exercises based on BOT 221-224

BOT 221 Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Palaeobotany

• Study of vegetative and reproductive structures of the following genera Psilotum, Lycopodium, Selaginella , Isoetes , Equisetum ,Ophioglossum , Marsilea, Pteris
• Study of vegetative and reproductive structures of the following genera Cycas, Ginkgo , Abies, Pinus, Picea , Taxus, Cryptomeria, Araucaria , Cephalotaxus, Cupressus, Podocarpus, Ephedra, Welwitschia, Gnetum
• Study of the following genera  Rhynia, Horneophyton, Lyginopteris, Medullosa, Neuropteris, Glossopteris.

BOT 222 Environmental Science

• To determine minimum number of quadrats required for reliable estimate of biomass in grasslands.
• To study the frequency of herbacious species in grassland and to compare the frequency distribution with Raunkaier’s standard frequency diagram/
• To estimate importance value index for grassland species on the basis of relative frequency, relative density and relative biomass in protected and grazed grassland.
• To measure the vegetation cover of grassland through point frame method.
• To measure the above ground plant biomass in a grassland.
• To determine Kemps constant for dicot and monocot leaves and to estimate the leaf area index of a grassland community.
• To determine diversity indices (richness, Simpson, Shannon weinner) in grazed and protected grassland.
• To estimate bulk density and particle density of grassland and woodland soils.
• To determine moisture content and water holding capacity of grassland and woodland soil.
• To study the vegetation structure through profile diagram.
• To estimate transparency, pH, and temperature of different water bodies.
• To measure dissolved oxygen content in polluted and unpolluted water samples.
• To estimate salinity of different water samples.
• To determine the percent leaf area injury of different leaf samples collected around polluted sites.
• To estimate dust holding capacity of the leaves of different plant species

BOT 223 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry-I

• Demonstration of phenomenon of osmosis by using potato osmometer.
• Demonstration of phenomenon of imbibition.
• Demonstration of the stomatal transpiration by four leaves method.
• To demonstrate that oxygen is evolved during photosynthesis by inverted funnel method.
• To demonstrate that CO2 , water, light and chlorophyll are essential for photosynthesis by ‘Moll’s half leaf’ experiment.
• To determine the chlorophyll a / chlorophyll b ratio in C3 and C4 plants.
• Isolation of intact chloroplasts and estimation of chloroplast proteins by spot protein assay.
• Extraction of chloroplast pigments from leaves and preparation of the
• absorption spectrum of chlorophylls and carotenoids.
• To demonstrate photophosphorylation in intact chloroplasts, resolve the
• phosphoproteins by SDS-PAGE and perform autoradiography.
• To determine the value of RQ of different respiratory substrates using
• Ganong’s respirometer.
• Demonstration of respiratory enzymes in plant tissues.
• Demonstration of the substrate inducibility of the enzyme nitrate reductase.
• Measurement of growth using auxanometer.
• To study the effect of plant growth regulators on plant growth.

BOT 224 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry - II

• To separate the given mixture of dyes using paper chromatography.
• To separate the given mixture of amino acids using thin - layer chromatography.
• To separate the given mixture of pigments using thin – layer chromatography.
• Principles of colorimetry and spectrophotometry.
• To estimate the conc. of protein using Folin’s reagent.
• To estimate the conc. of protein using Biuret reagent.
• Desalting of proteins by gel filtration chromatography , employing SephadexG-25.
• Preparation of the standard curve of protein (BSA) and estimation of the protein content in extracts of plant material by Lowry’s or Bradford’s method.
• Effect of time and enzyme concentration on the rate of reaction of enzyme(e.g. acid phosphatase).
• Effect of substrate concentration on activity of any enzyme and determination of its Km value.
• Microchemical tests for the following – Cellulose, Cutin, Suberin, Lignin, Latex, Glucose, Sucrose, Proteins, Fats, Starch.
• Phytochemical tests for – Alkaloids, Terpenes, Tannins and Anthocyanins
  

 

Semester - III   

BOT 321 Plant Systematics

Objective The objective of this course is to identify thrust areas of modern taxonomy without shifting focus from the traditional ones.

Unit I

Systematics Goal and essence of taxonomy; systems of classification – artificial, natural and phylogenetic; Current systems of classification – Takhatajan, Hutchinson, Cronquist, Dahlgren and Thorne.

Unit II

• Botanical nomenclature :The international code of Botanical nomenclature –Principles, rules and recommendations. Principle of priority; typification; rule of valid and effective publication; author citation; retention of names; change of rank; nomenclature of fossils, lichens, fungi and hybrid & cultivated plants.
• Taxonomic hierarchy: Concept of genus and family, primitive vs Advanced characters,homology, analogy, parallelism, convergence, horizontal and vertical classification, monophylly and polyphylly.

Unit III

Taxonomic literature Floras, Monographs, Manuals, Bibliographies, Catalogues, Taxonomic index, Keys for identification. Introduction to flora of India, endemic & endangered species, Red data Book, role of botanical survey of India. Herbaria, botanical garden.

Unit IV

Diagnostic features, systematics, phylogeny and economic importance of Ranunculaceae, Magnoliaceae, Fabaceae (Papillionaceae, Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae), Rosaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Apiaceae, Apocyanaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Convolvulaceae,Solanaceae, Acanthaceae, Lamiaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Orchidiaceae, Liliaceae, Araceae and Poaceae.

Unit V

• Modern trends in Taxonomy
• Chemotaxonomy: Application of phytochemistry to taxonomy.
• Numerical taxonomy: Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU’s), selection of characters, data processing, clusters analysis.
• Biosystematics: Concept and categories, methods in experimental taxonomy.
• Computerised systematics: GIS, Data banking and use of computers in taxonomy.
• Molecular approaches to Plant Taxonomy: Applications of DNA markers in plant taxonomy.

 

BOT 322   Developmental and Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms

Objective The course aims at studying not only morphology, structure and development of flowering plants but at their practical and experimental aspects they are most sought after the areas of modern research.

Unit I

• Root: Organisation of root apical meristem; development and differentiation of tissues; origin of lateral roots; root hair; associations between microbes & roots.
• Shoot: Histological organisation of shoot apical meristem; root-stem transition, rhytidome; branching and it’s patterns, development of wood in relation to environmental factors, nodal anatomy.

Unit II

• Leaf; Origin and development of leaf, leaf buttress, plastochron and plastochron index; monocot and dicot leaf; abscission of leaf, development of flower and its structure; floral organ differentiation; homeotic mutants in Arabidopsis, Antirrhinum etc. origin and development of stomata.
• Seed: Structure of monocot and dicot seed and seed development.

Unit III

Embryology I  A modified reproductive shoot; microsporangium, morphology and development of male gametophyte; megasporangium, megasporogenesis and formation of female gametophyte; pollination; fertilization (in vivo & in vitro).

Unit IV

Embryology II Structural, genetic and biochemical aspects; biological significance of incompatibility; development and types of endosperm; ruminate endosperm; nutritional behavior of endosperm; monocot & dicot embryo; types of embryogenesis.

Unit V

Parthenocarpy, Polyembryony and Apomixis Types and practical applications; haploid production; embryo culture, culture of differentiated and mature embryos; nucellus, ovule, endosperm and seed culture.

 

BOT 323 Tools and Techniques of Modern Research

Objectives To develop an understanding of tools and techniques related to the field of plant sciences in the modern era. To increase the awareness of young learners about the various equipments and their uses to the fullest.

Unit  I

Biostatistics Scope of Biostastistics, exploring and presenting data scales of measurement (nominal and ordinal), tables and graphs for nominal, ordinal and numerical data, summarizing data measure of central tendency and dispersion

Unit  II

Microscopy Magnifiers and microscopes, simple and compound microscopes, bright field and dark field microscopy, confocal and deconvolution microscopy, microscopic measurements, phase contrast, fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy – SEM, TEM.

Unit  III

Histology of Tissues Selection of material, chemical fixation – types of fixatives, mechanism of fixation, tissue dehydration – general protocol, rapid dehydration and dehydration using a graded solvent series of ethanol or acetone, infiltrating and embedding tissues, sectioning, mounting and staining, alternate methods of microtomy (cryotome, cryostat and vibratome).

Unit IV

Recombinant DNA technology and PCR Restriction digestion, gel electro-phoresis, isolation of genomic DNA, DNA purification from gel, ligation of foreign gene into vector (cloning), SDS page, HPLC.

Unit V

Microbiological and Immunotechniques Sterilization and disinfection Preparation of media, sterilization, culture and transfer instruments, cultivation chambers, culture transfer techniques, pure culture techniques streak plate, pour plate and spread plate  method, media preparation-solid and liquid media, simple and complex media, nutrient agar stabs, slants and plates, staining techniques, simple and differential staining, enumeration using haemocytometer, bio chemical characterization – TSI test, IMViC test, ELISA, Radio Immunoassay (RIA), Ouchterlony, latex agglutination test, monoclonal and polyclonal antibody production

 

BOT 324 Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Objectives To study the various tools and techniques used to improve the plant productivity and to make aware the various aspects of bioinformatics.

Unit I

Basic concepts, principles and scope of Biotechnology

• Plant tissue culture: General introduction, history and scope of plant tissue culture, comparision of different plant tissue culture media, concept of totipotency, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis (direct & indirect), callus culture and suspension culture, somaclonal variation, hardening and acclimatization of plants.
• Protoplast culture: Isolation and culture of protoplast, somatic hybridization, hybrid selection and regeneration, concept of hybrid and cybrid, achievements and limitations of protoplast culture.

Unit II

Transgenic plants Concept and history of transgenesis in plants, principles and techniques of gene cloning direct DNA transfer to plant cells, Agrobacterium mediated transformation Ti plasmid, process of T- DNA transfer and integration, vectors, promoter, terminator, marker and reporter genes, ethical and ecological issues of transgenesis, terminator technology (GURT)

Unit III

Intellectual Property Rights History and evolution of IPR, forms of IPR patent, design and copyright, distinction among various forms of IPR, rights/ protection, infringement or violation remedies against infringement (civil and criminal), Indian Patent Act 1970.

Unit IV

Genetic engineering Molecular tools and their applications Restriction enzymes, c DNA and genomic library, DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, DNA fingerprinting, genetic markers-RFLP analysis, isolation and purification of DNA.

Unit V

Bioinformatics Gene bank sequence database, structure database, sequence analysis, information retrieval from biological database, NCBI data model, sequence alignment and database searching and practical aspects of multiple sequence alignment.

 

325 Practical Exercises based on BOT 321-324

BOT 321 Plant Systematics

• Field visit to identify various life forms & species constituting the local flora.
• Study of representative / available members of the families mentioned in the syllabus.
• Collection and drying of specimen to prepare herbaria.
• To study problems in numerical taxonomy.
• To retrieve literature using GIS

BOT 322 Developmental and Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms

• L-S root and shoot tip to study cytohistological zonation.
• Anatomy of primary and secondary growth in monocot and dicot root & stem.
• Study of growth rings in wood. Microscopic study of wood in T.S, T.L.S and R.L.S.
• Anatomy of monocot and dicot leaf.
• Study of various types of stomata in leaf epidermal peels.
• Study of different pollination mechanism in flowers.
• Test of self incompatibility using field pollinations.
• Emasculation and bagging technique to prevent self fertilization.
• Structure of anther and pollen grains with special reference to microsporangium wall features.
• Pollen viability using in vitro pollen germination.
• Structure of different types of ovules and embryo sacs.
• Study of endosperm and embryo.
• To study germination of seeds, both dormant and non-dormant.

BOT 323 Tools and Techniques of Modern Research

• Demonstration of simple and compound microscope
• Demonstration of methods of histology of tissue- dehydration, sectioning, mounting
• Demonstration of following immunotechniques- ELISA, RIA, Ouchterlony.
• Demonstration of SDS-PAGE, HPLC
• Demonstration of following Microbiological techniques- Sterilization, Pure culture techniques, Haemocytometer, Staining Techniques.
• Demonstration of gel electrophoresis.

BOT 324 Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

• Media preparation, sterilization and inoculation of given material.
• Growth characteristics of E.coli using plating and turbidimetric methods.
• Isolation of plasmid from E.coli by alkaline lysis method and its quantization spectrophotometrically.
• Restriction digestion of the plasmid and estimation of the size of various DNA fragments.
• Cloning of a DNA fragment in plasmid vector, transformation of the given bacterial population and selection of recombinants.
• Organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis using appropriate explants and preparation of artificial seeds.
• Isolation of protoplast from various plant tissues and testing their viability.
• Effect of physical and chemical factors on protoplast yield.
• Demonstration of protoplast fusion employing PEG.
• Demonstration of DNA sequencing using Sanger’s dideoxy method.
• Demonstration of micro techniques for plant cultures.
• Co-cultivation of the plant material with Agrobacterium and study GUS activity histochemically.

 

Semester - IV

BOT 421A Advanced Biotechnology I

Objectives The objectives of this paper are to study and develop an understanding of latest trends and various tools and techniques of plant Biotechnology for human welfare.

Unit I

• Plant Tissue Culture: PTC lab, media preparation & handling, cell and plant culture, sterile technique and totipotency, culture environment, various plant tissue culture media and their composition.
• Micropropagation: Organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis; developmental pathway of somatic embryogenesis in Daucus and Picea, synthetic seeds and their utility.

Unit II

• Culture types: Protoplast isolation, culture and somatic hybridization, anther culture, mature and immature zygotic embryo culture, ovary culture, somaclonal and gametoclonal variation, triploid production, apical and axillary meristem culture, root & shoot tip culture and their uses.
• Micro techniques for plant cultures: Fixation, infiltration and embedding in paraffin, equipment and histological procedures.

Unit III

Structural Genomics  Introduction to structural genomics, genome of eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Mapping genomes  Genetic mapping –RFLP, RAPD and SNPs. Physical Mapping – Restriction mapping and Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)

Unit IV

Functional genomics Introduction, DNA chips/ microarrays ( oligonucleotide based chips, cDNA based chips),their applications, nucleic acid repair, insertional mutagenesis and gene therapy

Unit  V

Recombinant DNA technology Cutting and joining DNA molecules, cloning vectors plasmids, cosmids, bacteriophage vectors, phagemids, YAC, shuttle vectors, expression vectors, cloning strategies cloning c DNA and genomic DNA, screening strategies, direct DNA transfer and Agrobacterium mediated  transformation of plants, applications of recombinant DNA technology

 

BOT 422A Advanced Biotechnology II

Unit I

Agriculture Biotechnology Bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, role of biotechnology in food and agriculture, ecological impacts of agricultural biotechnology, scientific facts on GM crops, ethical issues related to GM crops.

Unit II

• Medical Biotechnology: Gene therapy Introduction, genetic diagnosis- prenatal diagnosis, embryonic diagnosis and adult diagnosis, treatment of genetic diseases by gene therapy. Gene therapy types of gene therapy, sites of gene therapy, gene therapy against cancer, future prospects of gene therapy.
• Ethical issues: Human cloning, in vitro fertilization and interference with nature.

Unit III

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Biotechnology and biodegradation Biodegradation of herbicides and pesticides.
• Biotechnology and Pollution Detection Biosensors in Environmental Analysis.
• Biotechnology and Pollution Abatement: Biotechnology in reduction of CO2 emission, algal photosynthesis in waste water treatment, metal pollution and its bioabatement, biological phosphorus removal, cell immobilization as a tool in waste treatment.

Unit IV

Microbial Biotechnology Biotransformation, genetic improvement of industrial microbes and nitrogen fixers, microbes in fermentation technologies, microbes in pharmaceutical industry for the production of antibiotics.

Unit V

Vaccine Biotechnology Living organisms as vaccines with attenuated virulence, genetically engineered viruses as vaccines, bacterial vaccines, sub unit vaccine, toxoid preparation, and edible vaccines.

 

BOT 422A Ethnobotany I

Objectives To acquaint the student about traditional knowledge of plants and their use, role in curing various human diseases.

Unit I

Ethnobotany and Ethnic Groups Aims, Objectives and scope, methods of study of Ethnobotany. Ethnobotany of Rajasthan and India. Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan. Ethnic groups of Rajasthan. Major tribes – Meena, Bhil, Garasia, Saharia, Dhanka, Kalbelia, Nut, Banjara, Koli, Naika and their life style.

Unit II

Economicethnobotany Jhoom and shifting cultivation, consequential damage to forest eco-system. Traditional use of plants as Food, Fodder, Fencing, Decoration and Adornment, Dyes, Timber, Intoxicants and Masticatories.

Unit III

Medicoethnobotany Plants and their parts used for curing various ailments found in human beings and animals. Detailed study about the mode of use and application of following important medicinal plants  Aloe, Bacoppa, Barleria, Bombax, Calotropis, Catharanthes, Chlorophyton, Cissus, Commiphora, Convolvulus, Datura, Jatropha, Ocimum, Phyllanthes, Plumlbago, Ricinus, Sentella, Terminalia, Thespisia, Thevitia, Tinospora, Tribullus, Tylophora, Withania.

Unit IV

Biodiversity Conservation Efforts and initiatives to conserve biodiversity. Biological production with particular reference to conservation of flora, windbreaks, heltter belt,  afforestation and desert control measures. Unexploited plants of potential economic value with special reference to Rajasthan. Sacred groves. Strategies for conservation in situ and ex-situ Role of Biotechnology in Biodiversity conservation Causes of loss of Biodiversity.

Unit V

Natural resources and their conservation Resources, types, conservation, need for integration of Biodiversity with Science and Technology. Soil conservation, Desertification, Afforestation, World conservation and National Conservation strategies, voluntary agencies and non-government organizations. National research institutes participating in conservation of biodiversity such as CSIR, NBPGR, ICAR, CAZRI, BSI, DBT.

 

BOT 422B Ethnobotany II

Objectives To acquaint the students about latest trends and technologies adopted in the field of Modern Ethnobotany

Unit I

History of Ethnobotany A brief account of interdisciplinary subdivisions of Ethnobotany like Ethnobotany, Ethnopharmacognosy, Ethnomedicobotany, Ethnoagriculture, Ethnoarchaeoculture, Ethnoecology, Ethnogastrology, Ethnohorticulture, Ethnomusicology, Ethnophytotaxonomy, Ethnoveterinary.

Unit II

Ethnography Cultural and social anthropology, techniques and notable Ethnographers.

Unit III

Herbalism Role of herbal medicines in human society, biological background, popularity, types of herbal medicine systems, Herbal administration, examples of herbal medicine, risks and benefits, effectiveness.

Unit IV

Modern Herbalism A brief account of Ayurveda, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, naturopathic medicine, Osteopathy, Traditional Chinese medicine and Unani medicine. Protocol for ethnomedicinal studies.

Unit V

Alternative medical systems Mind body intervention, biological based therapy, manipulative and body based methods, energy therapy.

 

BOT423B Practical Exercises based on BOT 421B & BOT 422B

• Field visit to local tribal area and documentation of data regarding the life style of the tribal folklore.
• Food crops; Morphology, Anatomy and microbiological tests for stored food materials in wheat, rice, maize, chickpea, potato, sweet potato, and sugurcane.
• Fodder crops; study of any five important crops of the locality.
• Study of any three crops used for fencing.
• Study of ornamental plants used by tribals for decoration and adornment.
• Prepare a water extract of dyes such as turmeric, indigo, Butea monosperma, Lawsonia inermis and perform tests to understand their chemical nature.
• Prepare a list of 10 most important sources of timber trees in your locality. Give their local names, scientific names and families to which they belong. Mention their properties.
• Prepare a list of important plants used as intoxicants and masticatories.
• Pharmacognosy of following medicinal plants- Aloe, Baccopa, Barleria, Bombax, Calotropis, Catharanthes, Chlorophyton, Cissus, Commiphora, Convolvulus, Datura, Jatropha, Ocimum, Phyllanthes, Plumbago, Ricinus, Sentella, Terminalia, Thespesia, Thevitia, Tinospora, Tribullus, Tylophora and Withania.
• Plantation of important economical and medicinal plants.
• In Vitro propagation of any one endangered plant of Rajasthan.
• The students should be taken to one of the followinga.
  • Protected area. (biosphere reserve, national park)
  • NBPGR New Delhi, ICAR, CAZRI, BSI, DBT
  • A CSIR laboratory doing research on plants and their utilization and conservation.