Science · X-Factor Notes
Subdivision of biology, Evolution of life, Taxonomy revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
25 revision facts
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Term Origin | The term 'biology' was introduced independently in the modern sense by Lamarck and Treviranus in 1802. | |
| Zoology | The detailed study of both living and extinct animals. Aristotle is known as the 'Father of Zoology'. | UPPCS (Pre) 1995 |
| Environment Study | The study of the relation of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings is Ecology. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998 |
| Inheritance Study | The study of heredity (how characteristics are transmitted) is Genetics. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998 |
| Viticulture | The science, production, and study of grapes. It deals with events in the vineyard. | UPPCS (Mains) 2003 |
| Pisciculture | Related to the fish hatchery (rearing/breeding of fish). | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004 |
| Vermiculture | The process of managing and cultivating earthworms (raising worms). The worm used in vermiculture is the earthworm. | UPPCS (Mains) 2005 |
| Hydroponics | A method of growing plants without soil using mineral nutrient solutions in water. | UPPCS (Mains) 2009; UPPCS RO-ARO 2023 Prelims Re-Exam |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Primitive Earth Atmosphere | The gas that was absent in the atmosphere of the primitive Earth was Oxygen. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016 |
| Oldest Organism | Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) are the oldest organisms on Earth. | UPPCS (Spl.) (Mains) 2008 |
| Theory of Evolution (Lamarck) | French biologist Lamarck was the first person to explain the theory of evolution to the public (Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characters). | |
| Main Factor of Evolution | Natural selection is the main factor of evolution. Gene and chromosomal mutations are the ultimate source or raw material of evolution. |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Father of Modern Taxonomy | Carl (Carolus) Linnaeus formalized binomial nomenclature and is known as the 'father of modern taxonomy'. | |
| Hierarchy (Plant Species) | The correct hierarchical order from higher to lower is Plant Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order. | UPPCS (Pre) 2024 |
| Bacteria Visibility | Bacteria are microscopic organisms (0.5 to 5.0 micron). They can be seen by a Compound microscope. | UPPCS (Pre) 1995 |
| Mammals | Whales and Dolphins are highly intelligent aquatic mammals. The Bat is a flying mammal. | UPPCS (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015; UPPCS (Mains) 2011 |
| White Blood | Cockroaches have white or colourless blood because they lack haemoglobin. Oxygen exchange occurs via the tracheal system. | UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Turmeric (Rhizome) | Turmeric powder is obtained from the modified stem called a rhizome. Its botanical name is Curcuma longa. | UPPCS (Pre) 2006; U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2021 |
| Modified Root | Sweet potato is a modified root, while potato, ginger, and sugarcane are modified stems. | UPPCS (Mains) 2005; U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010 |
| Ginger (Stem Identification) | Ginger is a stem, not a root, because it has nodes and internodes. | UPPCS (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015 |
| Clove (Spice) | Cloves are dried flower buds. | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2021; UPPCS (Mains) 2011 |
| Sweetness in Fruits | The sweet taste in fruits is due to Fructose (fruit sugar). | UPPCS (Pre) 2017 |
| Hydrophyte | A hydrophyte is an aquatic plant. Nepenthes (Pitcher plant) is a carnivorous plant and is not a hydrophyte. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017; UPPCS (Pre) 1994 |
| Producers | Producers or autotrophs (like plants) work as intermediaries between biotic and abiotic components of the environment. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017 |
| Mushroom | Mushroom used for vegetable is a Fungus. | UPPCS (Mains) 2008 |
