XL - P Chemistry (Compulsory for all XL candidates)
Section 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 and Pauli’s exclusion principle.
Periodic table and periodic properties: ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity and
atomic size.
Section 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 such
as 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 principle.
Section 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 isomerism.
Section 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 and Kx) for homogeneous reactions.
Section 5: Electrochemistry
Conductance, Kohlrausch law, cell potentials, EMF, Nernst equation, thermodynamic aspects
and their applications.
Section 6: Reaction Kinetics
Rate constant, order of reaction, molecularity, activation energy, zero, first and second order
kinetics, catalysis and elementary enzyme reactions. Reversible and irreversible inhibition of
enzymes.
Section 7: Thermodynamics
Qualitative treatment of state and path functions, First law, reversible and irreversible
processes, internal energy, enthalpy, Kirchoff equation, heat of reaction, Hess’s law, heat of
formation. Second law, entropy and free energy. Gibbs‐Helmholtz equation, free energy
change and spontaneity, Free energy changes from equilibrium constant.
Section 8: Structure-Reactivity Correlations and Organic Reaction Mechanisms
Acids and bases, electronic and steric effects, Stereochemistry, optical and geometrical
isomerism, tautomerism, conformers and 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 tests.
Section 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 (upto hexoses only). Lipids (triglycerides only). Principles of biomolecule
purification-Ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Identification of these
biomolecules and Beer-Lambert’s law.
XL - S Microbiology
Section 1: Historical Perspective
Discovery of microbial world; Landmark discoveries relevant to the field of microbiology;
Controversy over spontaneous generation; Role of microorganisms in transformation of
organic matter and in the causation of diseases.
Section 2: Methods in Microbiology
Pure culture techniques; Principles of microbial nutrition; Enrichment culture techniques for
isolation of microorganisms; antigen and antibody detection methods for microbial diagnosis;
Light-, phase contrast-, fluorescence- and electron-microscopy; PCR, real-time PCR for
quantitation of microbes; Next generation sequencing technologies in microbiology.
Section 3: Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity
Bacteria, Archea and their broad classification; Eukaryotic microbes: Yeasts, molds and
protozoa; Viruses and their classification; Molecular approaches to microbial taxonomy and
phylogeny.
Section 4: Prokaryotic Cells: Structure and Function
Prokaryotic Cells: cell walls, cell membranes and their biosynthesis, mechanisms of solute
transport across membranes, Flagella and Pili, Capsules, Cell inclusions like endospores and
gas vesicles; Bacterial locomotion, including positive and negative chemotaxis.
Section 5: Microbial Growth
Definition of growth; Growth curve; Mathematical expression of exponential growth phase;
Measurement of growth and growth yields; Synchronous growth; Continuous culture; Effect of
environmental factors on growth; Bacterial biofilm and biofouling.
Section 6: Control of Micro-organisms
Disinfection and sterilization: principles, methods and assessment of efficacy.
Section 7: Microbial Metabolism
Energetics: redox reactions and electron carriers; Electron transport and oxidative
phosphorylation; An overview of metabolism; Glycolysis; Pentose-phosphate pathway;
Entner-Doudoroff pathway; Glyoxalate pathway; The citric acid cycle; Fermentation; Aerobic
and anaerobic respiration; Chemolithotrophy; Photosynthesis; Calvin cycle; Biosynthetic
pathway for fatty acids synthesis; Common regulatory mechanisms in synthesis of amino
acids; Regulation of major metabolic pathways.
Section 8: Microbial Diseases and Host Pathogen Interaction
Normal microbiota; Classification of infectious diseases; Reservoirs of infection; Nosocomial
infection; Opportunistic infections; Emerging infectious diseases; Mechanism of microbial
pathogenicity; Nonspecific defense of host; Antigens and antibodies; Humoral and cell
mediated immunity; Vaccines; passive immunization; Immune deficiency; Human diseases
caused by viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic fungi.
Section 9: Chemotherapy/Antibiotics
General characteristics of antimicrobial drugs; Antibiotics: Classification molecular mechanism
of mode of action and resistance; Antifungal and antiviral drugs.
Section 10: Microbial Genetics
Types of mutation; UV and chemical mutagens; Selection of mutants; Ames test for
mutagenesis; Bacterial genetic system: transformation, conjugation, transduction,
recombination, plasmids, transposons; DNA repair; Regulation of gene expression: repression
and induction; Operon model; Bacterial genome with special reference to E.coli; Phage λ and
its life cycle; RNA ; mutation in virus genomes, virus recombination and reassortment; Basic
concept of microbial genomics.
Section 11: Microbial Ecology
Microbial interactions; Carbon, sulphur and nitrogen cycles; Soil microorganisms associated
with vascular plants; Bioremediation; Uncultivable microorganisms; basic concept of
metagenomics and metatranscriptomics.
