# GATE Life Sciences (XL) syllabus

> Number of testsOnce in a yearFellowship/ AssistantshipSubject to fulfilling the admission criteria of the admitting institutes.Administering institutesIISc...

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Number of testsOnce in a yearFellowship/ AssistantshipSubject to fulfilling the admission criteria of the admitting institutes.Administering institutesIISc Bangalore and 7 IITsOrganizing Institute of ExamOne of the administering institutesMedium of examinationEnglishMode of examinationComputer based test (CBT)Subject papers allowedMaximum TWO Paper combinationsCombination of TWO Papers AllowedBM (Biomedical Engineering), BT (Biotechnology), CY (Chemistry), EY (Ecology and Evolution): Allowed as the Second Paper, if primary paper is Life SciencesTime duration3 hoursMaximum marks100Paper SectionsGeneral Aptitude (GA) + Chemistry (Compulsory)Any TWO optional Sections: Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Food TechnologyType of questionsMultiple Choice Questions (MCQ)Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)Numerical Answer Type (NAT) QuestionsNumber of questions10 (GA) + 55 (subject) = 65 QuestionsPattern of questionsGA : 5 x 1 + 5 x 2 =15 : 5 questions carrying 1-mark each and 5 questions carrying 2-marks each.Subject: Chemistry (Compulsory): 9 x 1 + 8 x 2 =25 marks : 9 questions carrying 1-mark each and 8 questions carrying 2-marks each. Only TWO optional sections can be answered at a time.Each of the optional sections of the XL paper (Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Food Technology) contains 19 questions carrying a total of 30 marks: 8 questions carrying 1-mark each (sub-total 8 marks) and 11 questions carrying 2-marks each (sub-total 22 marks).Distribution of MarksGeneral Aptitude: 15 Marks + Chemistry: 25 Marks + Optional TWO Subjects: 60 Marks , Total: 100 MarksMarking SchemeQuestions carry 1 mark and 2 marksNegative MarkingFor a wrong answer chosen in a MCQ, there will be negative marking. For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.Eligibility3rd Year or higher years of any undergraduate degree program OR Currently in the first year or higher or already completed Master’s degree in any relevant science subjectAge limitNO age limitSyllabus[Click here](https://gate2024.iisc.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/xl.pdf)Validity of Score CardThree yearsRelevant website[https://gate2024.iisc.ac.in/](https://gate2024.iisc.ac.in/)

## Chemistry (Compulsory for all XL candidates)

SectionTopicsSection 1 - Atomic Structure and Periodicity- Planck’s quantum theory
- Wave-particle duality
- Uncertainty principle
- Comparison between Bohr’s model and quantum mechanical model of hydrogen atom
- Electronic configuration of atoms and ions
- Hund’s rule
- Pauli’s exclusion principle
- Periodic table and periodic properties: ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, and atomic sizeSection 2 - Structure and Bonding- Ionic and covalent bonding
- MO and VB approaches for diatomic molecules
- VSEPR theory and shape of molecules
- Hybridization
- Resonance
- Dipole moment
- Structure parameters: bond length, bond angle, and bond energy
- Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions
- Ionic solids, ionic radii, and lattice energy (Born‐Haber cycle)
- HSAB principleSection 3 - s, p, and d Block Elements- Oxides, halides, and hydrides of alkali, alkaline earth metals, B, Al, Si, N, P, and S
- General characteristics of 3d elements
- Coordination complexes: valence bond and crystal field theory, color, geometry, magnetic properties, and isomerismSection 4 - Chemical Equilibria- Osmotic pressure
- Elevation of boiling point and depression of freezing point
- Ionic equilibria in solution
- Solubility product
- Common ion effect
- Hydrolysis of salts
- pH, buffer, and their applications
- Equilibrium constants (Kc, Kp, Kx) for homogeneous reactionsSection 5 - Electrochemistry- Conductance
- Kohlrausch law
- Cell potentials
- EMF
- Nernst equation
- Thermodynamic aspects and their applicationsSection 6 - Reaction Kinetics- Rate constant
- Order of reaction
- Molecularity
- Activation energy
- Zero, first, and second-order kinetics
- Catalysis
- Elementary enzyme reactions
- Reversible and irreversible inhibition of enzymesSection 7 - Thermodynamics- Qualitative treatment of state and path functions
- First law: reversible and irreversible processes
- Internal energy and enthalpy
- Kirchoff equation
- Heat of reaction, Hess’s law, and heat of formation
- Second law: entropy and free energy
- Gibbs‐Helmholtz equation
- Free energy change and spontaneity
- Free energy changes from equilibrium constantSection 8 - Structure-Reactivity Correlations and Organic Reaction Mechanisms- Acids and bases
- Electronic and steric effects
- Stereochemistry: optical and geometrical isomerism
- Tautomerism and conformers
- Concept of aromaticity
- Elementary treatment of SN1, SN2, E1, E2, and radical reactions
- Hoffmann/Saytzeff rules
- Addition reactions: Markownikoff rule and Kharasch effect
- Elementary hydroboration reactions
- Grignard’s reagents and their uses
- Aromatic electrophilic substitutions: orientation effect as exemplified by various functional groups
- Identification of common functional groups by chemical testsSection 9 - Chemistry of Biomolecules- Amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, and nucleotides
- Peptide sequencing by chemical and enzymatic proteolytic methods
- DNA sequencing by chemical and enzymatic methods
- Carbohydrates (up to hexoses only)
- Lipids (triglycerides only)
- Principles of biomolecule purification: ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography
- Identification of these biomolecules
- Beer-Lambert’s law

## Biochemistry

SectionTopicsSection 1 - Organization of Life and Biomolecules- Organization of life
- Importance of water
- Structure and function of biomolecules: Amino acids, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic acids
- Protein structure, folding/misfolding, and function
- Myoglobin, Hemoglobin, Lysozyme, Ribonuclease A, Carboxypeptidase, and ChymotrypsinSection 2 - Enzyme Kinetics and Metabolism- Enzyme kinetics, regulation, and inhibition
- Vitamins and Coenzymes
- Bioenergetics and metabolism
- Generation and utilization of ATP
- Metabolic pathways and their regulation: Glycolysis, TCA cycle, Pentose phosphate pathway, Oxidative phosphorylation, Gluconeogenesis, Glycogen and fatty acid metabolism
- Metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds: Nitrogen fixation, Amino acids, and Nucleotides
- Photosynthesis and Calvin cycleSection 3 - Biochemical Techniques- Biochemical separation techniques: Ion exchange, Size exclusion, and Affinity chromatography
- Centrifugation
- Characterization of biomolecules by electrophoresis
- DNA-protein and Protein-protein interactions
- UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy
- Mass spectrometrySection 4 - Cell Structure and Membranes- Cell structure and organelles
- Biological membranes
- Action potential
- Transport across membranes
- Membrane assembly and protein targeting
- Signal transduction
- Receptor-ligand interaction
- Hormones and neurotransmittersSection 5 - DNA and Gene Expression- DNA replication, transcription, and translation
- DNA damage and repair
- Biochemical regulation of gene expression
- Recombinant DNA technology and applications: PCR, Site-directed mutagenesis, DNA microarray
- Next-generation sequencing
- Gene silencing and editingSection 6 - Immune System- Immune system: Innate and adaptive
- Cells of the immune system
- Active and passive immunity
- Complement system
- Antibody structure, function, and diversity
- B cell and T cell receptors
- B cell and T cell activation
- Major histocompatibility complex
- Immunological techniques: Immunodiffusion, Immune-electrophoresis, RIA, ELISA, Flow cytometry
- Monoclonal antibodies and their applications

## Botany

SectionTopicsSection 1 - Plant Systematics- Botanical nomenclature
- History of plant taxonomy
- Diversity and classification of plants
- APG system of plant classification
- Phylogenetics and cladistics
- Molecular taxonomy and DNA barcoding
- Centers for plant taxonomy and herbaria in IndiaSection 2 - Plant Anatomy- Anatomy of root, stem, and leaves
- Floral organs, embryo, and young seedlings
- Primary and secondary meristems
- Stellar organization
- Vascular system and their ontogeny
- Xylem and phloem structure
- Secondary growth in plants and wood anatomy
- Plant cell structure and differences from animal cellsSection 3 - Plant Development; Cell and Tissue Morphogenesis- Life cycle of an angiosperm
- Development of male and female gametophyte
- Cell fate determination and tissue patterning
- Spacing mechanisms in trichomes and stomata
- Embryogenesis
- Organization and function of shoot and root apical meristems
- Transition to flowering: photoperiodism and vernalization
- ABC model of floral organ patterning
- Pollen germination and double fertilization
- Seed development
- Xylem and phloem cell differentiation
- Photomorphogenesis: phytochrome, cryptochrome, phototropin
- Role of auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, and brassinosteroids on plant developmentSection 4 - Plant Physiology and Biochemistry- Plant water relations
- Mechanisms of uptake and transport of water, ions, and solutes
- Apoplastic and symplastic transport mechanisms
- Mechanism of stomatal movements
- Nitrogen metabolism
- Photosynthesis: C3, C4, and CAM cycles
- Photorespiration
- Respiration: Glycolysis, TCA cycle, and electron transport chain
- Plant responses to abiotic stresses: drought, salinity, freezing, heat stress, metal toxicity
- Role of abscisic acid in abiotic stresses
- Structure and function of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acid)
- Enzyme kinetics
- Structure and biosynthesis of major plant secondary metabolites (alkaloids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids)
- Biosynthesis, mechanism of action, and physiological effects of auxin, cytokinin, gibberellic acids, brassinosteroid, ethylene, strigolactone, abscisic acid, salicylic and jasmonic acid
- Senescence and programmed cell deathSection 5 - Genetics and Genomics- Cell cycle and cell division
- Principles of Mendelian inheritance
- Linkage, recombination, and genetic mapping
- Extrachromosomal inheritance
- Introduction to epigenetics
- Gene silencing: transgene silencing, post-transcriptional gene silencing, miRNA, and siRNA
- Evolution and organization of eukaryotic genome structure
- Gene expression
- Gene mutation and repair
- Chromosomal aberrations (numerical: euploidy and aneuploidy; structural: deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation)
- Transposons
- Model organisms for functional genetics and genomics
- Introduction to transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomicsSection 6 - Plant Breeding, Genetic Modification, Genome Editing- Principles and methods: selection, hybridization, heterosis
- Male sterility
- Genetic maps and molecular markers
- Embryo rescue, haploid and doubled haploids
- Plant tissue culture: micropropagation, embryo culture, in vitro regeneration
- Somatic embryogenesis
- Artificial seed
- Cryopreservation
- Somaclonal variation
- Somatic cell hybridization
- Marker-assisted selection
- Gene transfer methods: direct and vector-mediated
- Generation of transgenic plants
- Introduction to genome editing: CRISPR/Cas9, Cre-Lox system for chimera generation
- Plastid transformation
- Chemical mutagenesisSection 7 - Economic and Applied Botany- Economically and medicinally important plants: cereals, pulses, plants yielding fibers, timber, sugar, beverages, oils, rubber, pigments, dyes, gums, drugs, and narcotics
- Economic importance of algae, fungi, lichen, and bacteria
- Major Indian cash crops
- Effect of industrialization on agricultural botany (e.g., plastic on fiber economy)
- Genetically modified crops and regulation (e.g., Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, golden rice)Section 8 - Plant Pathology- Nature and classification of plant diseases
- Diseases of important crops caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses
- Control measures: chemical and biological
- Mechanisms of pathogenesis
- Resistance: basal, systemic, induced systemic resistance
- Gene-for-gene concept
- Molecular detection of pathogens
- Plant-microbe interactions: symbionts, mycorrhiza, pathogens, and pests
- Signaling pathways in plant defense response
- Role of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in plant-pathogen and plant-herbivore interactions
- Necrosis
- Host-parasitic plant interaction (e.g., Cuscuta)Section 9 - Ecology and Environment- Ecosystems: types, dynamics, degradation
- Biogeochemical cycles
- Ecological succession
- Food webs and energy flow through ecosystems
- Vegetation types: global and Indian
- Biogeographical zones
- Climate and flora endemism
- Pollution and global climate change
- Speciation and extinction
- Biodiversity and conservation strategies
- Ecological hotspots
- Afforestation and habitat restoration
- Plant interactions with other organisms: epiphytes, parasites, and endophytes

## Microbiology

SectionTopicsSection 1 - Historical Perspective- Discovery of microbial world
- Landmark discoveries in microbiology
- Controversy over spontaneous generation
- Role of microorganisms in organic matter transformation and disease causationSection 2 - Methods in Microbiology- Pure culture techniques
- Principles of microbial nutrition
- Enrichment culture techniques
- Antigen and antibody detection for microbial diagnosis
- Microscopy: Light, phase contrast, fluorescence, electron
- PCR and real-time PCR for quantifying microbes
- Next generation sequencing in microbiologySection 3 - Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity- Broad classification of Bacteria and Archea
- Eukaryotic microbes: Yeasts, molds, protozoa
- Virus classification
- Molecular approaches to microbial taxonomy and phylogenySection 4 - Prokaryotic Cells: Structure and Function- Prokaryotic cell walls and membranes
- Biosynthesis and solute transport across membranes
- Flagella, pili, and capsules
- Cell inclusions: endospores, gas vesicles
- Bacterial locomotion: positive and negative chemotaxisSection 5 - Microbial Growth- Definition of growth
- Growth curve and mathematical expression of exponential phase
- Growth measurement and yields
- Synchronous and continuous culture
- Environmental effects on growth
- Bacterial biofilms and biofoulingSection 6 - Control of Micro-organisms- Disinfection and sterilization principles
- Methods and efficacy assessmentSection 7 - Microbial Metabolism- Energetics: redox reactions, electron carriers
- Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation
- Overview of metabolism
- Glycolysis, Pentose-phosphate, Entner-Doudoroff, Glyoxalate pathway
- Citric acid cycle
- Fermentation, aerobic and anaerobic respiration
- Chemolithotrophy, photosynthesis, Calvin cycle
- Fatty acid biosynthesis
- Regulatory mechanisms in amino acid synthesis
- Regulation of major metabolic pathwaysSection 8 - Microbial Diseases and Host Pathogen Interaction- Normal microbiota
- Infectious disease classification
- Reservoirs of infection
- Nosocomial and opportunistic infections
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Microbial pathogenicity mechanisms
- Host nonspecific defenses
- Antigens, antibodies, humoral and cell-mediated immunity
- Vaccines, passive immunization, immune deficiencies
- Human diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungiSection 9 - Chemotherapy/Antibiotics- Characteristics of antimicrobial drugs
- Antibiotic classification, molecular mechanisms, action and resistance
- Antifungal and antiviral drugsSection 10 - Microbial Genetics- Types of mutations, UV and chemical mutagens
- Mutant selection
- Ames test for mutagenesis
- Bacterial genetic systems: transformation, conjugation, transduction, recombination
- Plasmids, transposons
- DNA repair
- Gene expression regulation: repression, induction, Operon model
- Bacterial genome (E. coli focus)
- Phage λ life cycle
- RNA, virus genome mutations, recombination, reassortment
- Basic concept of microbial genomicsSection 11 - Microbial Ecology- Microbial interactions
- Carbon, sulfur, nitrogen cycles
- Soil microorganisms and vascular plants
- Bioremediation
- Uncultivable microorganisms
- Basic concepts of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics

## Zoology

SectionTopicsSection 1 - Animal Diversity- Distribution, systematics, and classification of animals
- Phylogenetic relationships (classical and molecular tools)Section 2 - Evolution- Origin and history of life on Earth
- Theories of evolution
- Natural selection
- Adaptation and speciationSection 3 - Genetics- Basic principles of inheritance
- Molecular basis of heredity
- Sex determination and sex-linked traits
- Cytoplasmic inheritance
- Linkage, recombination, and gene mapping in eukaryotes
- Population genetics
- Genetic disorders
- Roles of model organisms in genetics researchSection 4 - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology- Nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates
- Replication, transcription, and translation
- Krebs cycle, glycolysis
- Enzyme catalysis
- Hormones and their actions
- Roles of vitamins and mineralsSection 5 - Cell Biology- Principles of cellular microscopy
- Cell structure and cytoskeletal organization
- Cellular organelles: structure and function
- Cell cycle and cell division
- Chromosomes and chromatin structureSection 6 - Gene Expression in Eukaryotes- Eukaryotic genome organization
- Regulation of gene expression
- Transposable elementsSection 7 - Animal Anatomy and Physiology- Comparative physiology
- Respiratory, muscular, circulatory, digestive, nervous, excretory, endocrine, reproductive, and skeletal systemsSection 8 - Parasitology and Immunology- Nature of parasites
- Host-parasite relations
- Protozoan and helminthic parasites
- The immune response: cellular and humoralSection 9 - Development Biology- Gametogenesis and embryonic development
- Cellular differentiation and organogenesis
- Metamorphosis
- Model organisms in developmental biology
- Genetic and molecular basis of development
- Stem cellsSection 10 - Ecology- Ecosystem and animal distribution
- Ecological niche and diversity
- Food chains
- Population dynamics and species diversity
- Zoogeography and biogeochemical cycles
- Conservation biology and ecotoxicologySection 11 - Animal Behaviour- Types of behavior
- Courtship, mating, and territoriality
- Instinct, learning, and memory
- Social behavior across taxa
- Communication and pheromones
- Evolution of behavior in animals

## Food Technology

SectionTopicsSection 1 - Food Chemistry and Nutrition- Carbohydrates: structure and properties of mono-, oligo-, & polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, pectic substances, dietary fibre)
- Gelatinization and retrogradation of starch
- Proteins: classification, structure, post mortem changes, muscle tenderization
- Lipids: classification, structure, rancidity, polymerization, polymorphism
- Pigments: carotenoids, chlorophylls, anthocyanins, tannins, myoglobin
- Food flavours: terpenes, esters, aldehydes, ketones, quinines
- Enzymes: specificity, kinetics, coenzymes, enzymatic/non-enzymatic browning
- Nutrition: balanced diet, essential amino acids/fatty acids, protein efficiency ratio, vitamins, minerals, co-factors, anti-nutrients, nutraceuticals
- Chemical and biochemical changes during food processingSection 2 - Food Microbiology- Characteristics of microorganisms: morphology (bacteria, yeast, mold, actinomycetes), spores, vegetative cells, gram-staining
- Microbial growth and death kinetics, serial dilution technique
- Food spoilage in different products: milk, fish, meat, egg, cereals
- Toxins from microbes: pathogens and non-pathogens (Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Escherichia, Bacillus, Clostridium, Aspergillus)
- Fermented foods and beverages: curd, yoghurt, cheese, pickles, soya-sauce, sauerkraut, idli, dosa, vinegar, alcoholic beverages, sausageSection 3 - Food Products Technology- Processing principles: thermal, chilling, freezing, dehydration, preservatives, additives, irradiation, fermentation, hurdle technology, intermediate moisture foods
- Food packaging and storage: packaging materials, aseptic packaging, controlled/modified atmosphere storage
- Cereal processing: rice, wheat, maize milling, parboiling, bread, biscuits, extruded products, ready-to-eat cereals
- Oil processing: expelling, solvent extraction, refining, hydrogenation
- Fruits and vegetables: juice extraction, clarification, concentration, packaging, jam, jelly, marmalade, squash, candies, tomato products, potato chips, pickles
- Plantation crops: tea, coffee, cocoa, spice processing, extraction of essential oils/oleoresins
- Milk products: pasteurization, sterilization, cream, butter, ghee, ice-cream, cheese, milk powder
- Animal products: drying, canning, freezing of fish, meat, egg powder
- Waste utilization: pectin from fruit wastes, rice milling by-products
- Food standards and quality: FPO, PFA, A-Mark, ISI, HACCP, food plant sanitation, CIPSection 4 - Food Engineering- Mass and energy balance
- Momentum transfer: flow rate, pressure drop for Newtonian fluids, Reynolds number
- Heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation, heat exchangers
- Mass transfer: molecular diffusion, Fick's law, conduction/convective mass transfer, permeability through films
- Mechanical operations: size reduction, high pressure homogenization, filtration, centrifugation, settling, sieving, mixing & agitation of liquids
- Thermal operations: sterilization, evaporation, drying (hot air, spray, freeze), freezing, crystallization
- Mass transfer operations: psychometrics, humidification, dehumidification

## General Aptitude

SectionTopicsVerbal Aptitude- Basic English grammar: tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, other parts of speech
- Basic vocabulary: words, idioms, phrases in context
- Reading comprehension
- Narrative sequencingQuantitative Aptitude- Data interpretation: bar graphs, pie charts, other data graphs, 2D and 3D plots, maps, tables
- Numerical computation and estimation: ratios, percentages, powers, exponents, logarithms, permutations, combinations, series
- Mensuration and geometry
- Elementary statistics and probabilityAnalytical Aptitude- Logic: deduction and induction
- Analogy
- Numerical relations and reasoningSpatial Aptitude- Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, grouping
- Paper folding and cutting
- Patterns in 2D and 3D dimensions