DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC CORE COURSE – 3 (DSC-3): INTRODUCTORY LIFE SCIENCES
FOR HOME SCIENCE
Credit distribution, Eligibility and Prerequisites of the Course
Course title & Code Credits Credit distribution of the Eligibility Pre-
course criteria requisite
Lecture Tutorial Practical/ of the
Practice course
(if any)
INTRODUCTORY
LIFE SCIENCES Class XII
4 2 - 2 -
FOR HOME pass
SCIENCE
Learning Objectives
The Learning Objectives of this course are as follows:
1. To introduce students to animal and plant diversity, and its significance for human life.
2. To make students aware of the fundamentals of cell structure, physiology and growth.
3. To enable students to appreciate the interdependence of ecosystems and its environmental
underpinnings.
4. To make students aware of basics of immunology, genetics and biotechnological
applications.
Learning outcomes
The Learning Outcomes of this course are as follows:
1. The students would be able to identify animals and plants of human concerns and ecological
importance.
2. The students would be able to appreciate the existential link between plants, microbes,
animals and humans.
3. The students would develop hands-on experience on plant propagation methods along with
a functional understanding of plant physiology.
4. The students would understand the importance of prenatal screening, and biotechnology.
5. The student would be able to make a pedigree chart of a family and identify the inheritance
pattern of a character.
SYLLABUS OF DSC- 3
Section A – Botany
UNIT – I Introduction to the Plants: Cytology, Morphology and Economic Botany (8 Hours)
Fundamentals of Plant diversity, Plant morphology and Plant Resource Utilization
Subtopics
• Introduction to Plant Diversity
• Types of a cell: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
• Plant cell- An Overview, Types, Structure and Function
• Angiosperm plants: Morphology (Parts of plants with modifications and Life cycle)
• Plant Nutrition and Soil: Essential Elements and Functions, Nutrient cycles, Biofertilizers,
Bio-enzymes
• Introduction to Economically important plants: Fibre Crops, Medicinal Plants, Oil Crops,
Timber Plants, Food Crops
UNIT – II Plant Physiology, Propagation of Plants and Gardening (7 Hours)
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Basics of plant physiology, Plant propagation and Gardening
Subtopics
• Important physiological processes (Diffusion, Osmosis and plasmolysis)
• Brief account of transpiration, photosynthesis and respiration in plants
• Seed Propagation
• Vegetative Propagation: Cuttings – stem leaf and root, Layering, Grafting
• Gardening: Concept and Types with example of Kitchen Garden, Community gardens, and
Maintenance of Plants
• Role of Plants in Air pollution Control
• Introduction to Organic farming, Climate smart agriculture
Section B – Zoology
UNIT – III Animal Diversity and Human needs (8 Hours)
Animal diversity and importance in human life
Subtopics
• Types, Structure and Function of Animal Cell and its Components
• Animals and their ecosystem services (role of animals in pollination, seed dispersal, soil
health, food security, domestic animals)
• Animal diversity in human environment: threats and conservation, human-animal conflict
• Economic importance and control of common household pests e.g. cockroach, housefly,
mosquitoes and termites
• Identification and control of important stored grain pests
• Zoonotic disease: Transmission, Prevention and Control (Taeniasis, Ascariasis, Malaria,
COVID-19, Bird flu, Rabies, Tuberculosis)
UNIT – IV Genetics, Immunity and Biotechnology (7 Hours)
Basics of genetics, birth defects, immunity and biotechnology
Subtopics
● Structure and Function of Genes and Chromosome
● Laws of Heredity and sex linked inheritance
● Case Studies: Inheritance of Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Anaemia and Phenylketonuria (PKU)
● Overview of Birth defects: Types and Causes with example like Down’s syndrome etc.
● Basics of Human Immunity
● Introduction to Biotechnology: Application in Animal Improvement and Medicines
Practical component – 30 Hours
SECTION A- BOTANY
1. Study the role of sunlight during photosynthesis
2. Study the rate of transpiration on both the surfaces of leaves
3. Assessment of soil quality: determination of soil pH, test for nitrates, nitrites
4. Preparation of soil mixture, potting and re-potting
5. Raising of healthy seedlings in a nursery bed
6. Propagation of plants through stem cutting , air layering and underground layering
7. Propagation of plants by approach grafting and veneer grafting
8. Identification and classification of economically important Food Crops, Medicinal, Fibre
crops, Timber Plants and Oil Crops
9. Identification, care and maintenance of important plants in controlling air pollution
10. Preparation of temporary mount of onion peel
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11. Preparation of temporary mount of epidermis of Rhoeo plant to study distribution of
stomata on upper and lower surface of leave
SECTION B- ZOOLOGY
1. Study of cell structure through temporary slides: Blood Cells
2. Study of cell structure through temporary slides: Neurons
3. Study of cell cycle stages through permanent slides: Mitosis
4. Study of cell cycle stages through permanent slides: Meiosis
5. Identification of few common animal and birds in the human environment
6. Estimation of species richness and abundance of animal/ birds in the human environment
using point count method
7. Estimation of species richness and abundance of animal/ birds in the human environment
using transect method
8. Identification of life cycle stages of two common household pests: Termite and Mosquito
9. Methods of pest control and its application in houses (through audio/ visual/ seminar/visit)
10. Pedigree chart preparation & analysis
11. Demonstration of vermicomposting: preparation and monitoring of the setup at home
12. Case study of a zoonotic/ parasitic disease: COVID-19 pandemics/ bird flu
Essential readings
1. Jordan E. L. and Verma P. S. 2009. Invertebrate Zoology, S. Chand and Co. Ltd, New Delhi.
2. Raven P. and Johnson G. 2010. Biology. Tata McGraw Hill Publication, New Delhi.
3. Soni N. K. and Soni V. 2010. Fundamentals of Botany. Tata McGraw Hill Publication,
New Delhi.
4. K. Park. 2016. Textbook of preventive and social medicine. Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers.
5. Singh J. S., Singh S. P. and Gupta S. R. 2017. Ecology, Environment Science and Resource
Conservation. S.Chand (G/L) & Company Ltd, India.
Suggestive readings
1. Chadha K. L. 2012. Handbook of Horticulture. ICAR Publication, New Delhi.
2. Gopalaswamiianger K.S. 1991. Complete gardening in India. Messers Nagaraj and Co.,
Madras.
3. Magurran, A.E. 1988. Ecological Diversity and Measurement. Croom Helm Limited,
Australia.
4. Gupta R. 2015. Fundamentals of Zoology: Theory and Practice. Elite Publishing House Pvt.
Ltd., New Delhi.
5. Hartman H. T and Kester D. 1986. Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices Prentice
Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
6. Kotpal, R. L. 2000. Modern Textbook of Zoology. Rastogi Publications, Meerut.
7. Upadhyay R. 2017. Elements of Plant Science. Elite Publishing House, New Delhi.
8. Vij, U and Gupta, R. 2011. Applied Zoology. Phoenix Publishing House, New Delhi.
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