KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

SYLLABUS FOR THE POST OF

RANGE FOREST OFFICER IN
KERALA FOREST & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Optional subject- Zoology

Module I: Diversity of Animals (Weightage: 10 marks)

Lower Metazoans: Porifera, Cnidaria-Polymorphism, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes,
Nemathelminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca and Echinoderms: Classification with
examples. Hemichordates: Position in the animal kingdom, Chordates: Cephalochordates and
Urochordates. Vertebrate Phylogeny-Agnatha, Ostracoderms and Gnathostomes Placoderms,
Acanthodians, Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes. Structural and Functional adaptations of
fishes. Terrestrial Vertebrates: Tetrapod phylogeny - modern Amphibians, diversity,
distribution, status and threats. Reptiles- diversity, Birds and Mammals: diversity. Class
Mammalia: Prototheria, Metatheria and Eutheria. Phylogeny of Mammalian orders. Scientific
names and common names of organisms under all phylums.

Module II: Wildlife Biology and Conservation (Weightage: 25 marks)

Definition of Wildlife, Values of Wildlife. Need of Wildlife Conservation. Wildlife habitats -
Forest Habitat (eg: Shola forest of Western Ghat); Desert Habitat (eg: Thar Desert); Aquatic
habitat (eg: Vembanad lake); Wetland habitat (eg: Sunderbans delta); Mangrove habitat (eg:
Pichavaram mangrove forest). Mention Biodiversity Hotspots in India. Ecological
significance of Keystone species, Edge species and Umbrella species. In-situ conservation
-National Parks, Biosphere reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Mangrove forests with examples in
India and Kerala (Brief description). Ex-situ conservation- Zoological Parks with examples in
India and Kerala, Captive breeding (Brief description with examples). IUCN Red Data Book
Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Cheetah, Project Rhino and Project Crocodile.
Wildlife conservation organizations, agencies and schemes - WWF, Nagar Van Yojana
(NVY), BNHS, Wildlife Conservation Society(WCS), IUCN, ASEAN-WEN. Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972; Biological Diversity Act of 2002.
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Major threats to Wildlife: Habitat loss and fragmentation, Over exploitation, Climate change,
Poaching, Pollution. Invasive species. Man-animal conflict and its management. Wildlife
monitoring (Brief account) –- Direct count (Block count, Transect methods, Point counts,
Visual encounter survey, Waterhole survey), Indirect count (Call count, track and signs, pellet
count, pugmark, camera trap, M-stripe). Wildlife Research Institutes- KFRI, KSBB, IIFM,
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON).

Module III: Wildlife Ecology (Weightage: 25 marks)

Definition and scope of wildlife ecology, Different types of forests. Ecological Principles:
Population dynamics: growth, regulation, and interactions; Community ecology: species
interactions, trophic levels, and biodiversity. Ecological Principles: Population dynamics:
growth, regulation, and interactions; Community ecology: species interactions, trophic levels,
and biodiversity. Wildlife Adaptations; Behavioural and physiological adaptations of wildlife
species; Adaptations to different habitats and environmental conditions. Population
Monitoring Techniques: Sampling methods: Direct count, (Block count, Transect methods,
Point count, Visual encounter survey, Waterhole survey), Indirect count (Cell count, Track
and signs, Pellet count, Pug mark and Camera count) and remote sensing and GIS
applications in wildlife research. Migration and Dispersal: Causes and patterns of migration;
Ecological significance of dispersal in wildlife populations. Communication and Social
Organization: Types of communication in wildlife; Social structure and organization in
wildlife populations. Territoriality and Home Range: Concepts of territoriality and home
range, Factors influencing territory size and shape. Human-Wildlife Interactions:
Understanding human-wildlife interactions; Impacts of human activities on wildlife
behaviour and ecology. Conservation Strategies: Protected areas: types, design, and
management; Habitat conservation: restoration, enhancement, and creation (In-situ and Ex-
situ Conservation strategies). Community-Based Conservation: Principles and approaches of
community-based conservation –in India and Kerala. Wildlife Laws and Policies: Overview
of wildlife laws and policies in India; IWPA 1972 and its ramifications; Role of international
conventions and treaties in wildlife conservation (Brief Account only) Gadgil Commission &
Kasturirangan Commission. Threatened Species Conservation; Conservation status and
threats to endangered species; Conservation efforts for flagship and keystone species; Control
of Invasive species in forests with special reference to Kerala Forests. Wildlife Management
Techniques: Population control methods: culling, contraception, and translocation; Disease
management in wildlife populations. Human-Wildlife Conflict Management: Causes and
mitigation strategies for human-wildlife conflicts. Conflict resolution through stakeholder
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engagement and conflict-sensitive conservation. Environmental Impact Assessment:
Principles and procedures of EIA; Role of wildlife ecology in EIA for development projects.
Research Techniques in Wildlife Ecology: Field research methods: trapping, tracking, and
observation techniques; Non-invasive studieseDNA, Photogrammetry and AI. Data analysis
and interpretation for wildlife ecology research.

Module IV: Biochemistry (Weightage: 10 marks)

Carbohydrates: Structure, classification monosaccharides (trioses, tetroses, pentoses, hexoses,
aldoses, ketoses), Disaccharides, polysaccharides, (homo and heteropolysaccharides) and
biological importance of carbohydrates. Proteins: Structure, classification of amino acids and
protein, structure levels of proteins, Primary, Secondary (α-helix, sheet, random coil,
Ramachandran plot), Tertiary and Quaternary structures of proteins., haemoglobin as atypical
protein, Denaturation, Renaturation and biological functions of proteins Lipids:
classification- simple lipids, (neutral fats and waxes), conjugated lipids (phospholipids,
sphingolipids, glycolipids, lecithin, cephalins, cerebrosides, gangliosides), derived lipids
(fatty acids, steroids, prostaglandins), biological functions of lipids. : Carbohydrate
metabolism – glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, hexose monophosphate shunt,
metabolic pathway of glucose- glycolysis, Krebs cycle, Electron transport series,
chemiosmotic theory, energetics: hormonal control of carbohydrate metabolism. :
Carbohydrate metabolism – glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, hexose
monophosphate shunt, metabolic pathway of glucose- glycolysis, Krebs cycle, Electron
transport series, chemiosmotic theory, energetics: hormonal control of carbohydrate
metabolism. Lipid metabolism: Lipid metabolism – hydrolysis of lipid, beta-oxidation,
mention alpha and omega oxidation of fatty acids, hormonal control of lipid metabolism.
Nomenclature and classification of enzymes; Cofactors; Specificity of enzyme action. Iso
enzymes, Clinical uses of Isoenzymes, co-enzyme, enzyme activation and inhibition. Enzyme
kinetics; Chemical nature, mechanism of enzyme action Equation of Michaelis-Menten.
Factors affecting rate of enzyme catalyzed reactions; Concept of Km and V max.

Module V: Evolution, Ethology and Chronobiology (Weightage: 15 marks)

Evolution: The First Cell. Evolution of Prokaryotes- origin of eukaryotic cells- evolution of
unicellular eukaryotes, genome evolution. Geological Timescale. Major events in
evolutionary timescale. Tools and techniques in estimating evolutionary time scale. Mass
extinction and its consequences. Fossils- fossilization and its significance, Types of
fossilization. Population Genetics. Gene pool, gene frequency, Hardy-Weinberg Law. Rate of
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change in gene frequency through natural selection, migration and random genetic drift.
Founder effect. Cytogenetic and molecular basis of origin of Man-African origin of modern
man- Mitochondrial Eve, Y chromosomal Adam
Ethology: Definition; Importance of studying animal behaviour, Ethology - Origin and
history (Brief description); Ethologists: Karl Von Frisch, Ivan Pavlov, Konrad Lorenz,
Nikolaas Tinbergen. Types of Behaviour – Stereotyped behaviours (Orientation, Reflexes);
Individual behavioural patterns; Instinct vs learned behaviour, Associative learning –
classical, operant conditioning. Habituation and imprinting. Social organization of vertebrates
(example-Primates). Types of reproductive Behaviour (Brief account), Mate choice, Intra and
inter sexual selection (male rivalry and female choice). Sexual conflicts during parental care
Chronobiology: Biological oscillation (concept of average, amplitude, phase and period).
Biological rhythm – characteristics; types – short- and long-term rhythms, circadian rhythms,
tidal rhythms and lunar rhythms; Circannual. Biological clock. Concept of synchronisation
and masking; Zeitgeber, photic and nonphotic zeitgebers. Photoperiod and regulation of
seasonal reproduction of vertebrates; mention role of melatonin. Relevance of Biological
clock in Chrono-pharmacology; Chronomedicine and Chronotherapy.

Module VI: Animal Physiology (Weightage: 25 marks)

Nutrition: Constituents of normal diet and their daily requirements. Physiological calorie
value of food stuffs. Mechanism of Digestion. Mechanism of absorption of monosaccarides,
amino acids and lipids and vitamins. The role of hormones and neurotransmitters in the
control of gastrointestinal Motility. Energy balance and obesity- causes and consequences.
BMR and its significance.
Excretory System: Introduction: Brief description of different types of excretory organs in
different animal groups (flame cells, green glands, malpighian tubules). Functional anatomy
of mammalian kidney, nephron and juxtaglomerular apparatus- structure, parts and function.
Urine formation (glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion) Regulation
of water balance -Mechanism of concentration of urine – Counter Current system. Renal
regulation of acid- base balance & electrolyte balance. Micturition reflex.
Respiratory system: Introduction: Brief description of major respiratory organs (tracheal
system, book lungs, gills and ctenidia). Physiological anatomy and histology of respiratory
passage and lungs. Mechanism of pulmonary ventilation (inspiration & expiration). Alveolar
ventilation. Role of surfactant in alveolar expansion. Pulmonary volumes and capacities –
definition & normal values (tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve
volume, residual volume, functional residual capacity, inspiratory capacity, vital capacity,
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total lung capacity). Exchange of gases- partial pressures involved-lung and tissues. Oxygen
dissociation curve – factors affecting binding of oxygen to haemoglobin (PO2, PCO2, CO, pH,
body temperature, diphosphoglyceric acid level, foetal haemoglobin and also myoglobin).
Neural and chemical regulation of respiration: Respiratory centres & factors regulating
respiration.
Nervous system: Organisation of human brain. Cerebrum and cerebral lobe. Cerebral cortex
and its functional areas. Cortical white matter. Brain stem, Cerebellum, Diencephalon.
Functional brain systems - Limbic system and reticular formation. Protection of brain –
Meninges, cerebrospinal fluid- formation and function, blood brain barrier and its function.
Diseased states of brain - schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Senile dementia & Parkinson’s
disease. Memory- types of memory- somatosensory, short term, intermediate long term and
Long term memory, consolidation of memory. PNS and Autonomic nervous system. Spinal
cord – structure. Reflex action, reflex arc.
Special senses: Vision: Structure of eyeball, Fluid systems of the eye, Layers of Retina and
photoreceptors (rods & cones). Neuronal cell types and neural circuitry of the retina and
visual pathways from retina to visual cortex Image formation. Hearing: Structure of Ear,
Mechanism of hearing, Mechanism of balance. Taste: Primary sensations of taste. Taste buds,
Physiology of taste, Smell: Olfactory membrane and receptor cells Physiology of olfaction,
Tactile response: Mechanoreceptor, Pain receptors, Thermal receptors.
Cardiovascular system: Structural organization of myogenic heart (in human beings).
Physiological anatomy of cardiac muscle – specialized tissue. Cardiac cycle. Neural and
chemical regulation of heart function. Blood volume and blood pressure. Physiological
anatomy of coronary blood flow, Ischemic heart disease. Lymphatic System. Lymph channels
of the body. Composition and formation of lymph. Functions of lymph and lymphatic system
including.
Muscle physiology: Skeletal, Smooth and Cardiac muscles, physiology of muscle
contraction, muscle proteins, molecular mechanism of muscle contraction, muscle twitch,
rigor mortis, summation.
Endocrinology: Vertebrate endocrine system. Endocrine glands. Synthesis, physiologic role,
control and mechanisms of hormone action. Neuro-endocrine regulation of hormone action.
Disorders of hormonal imbalance in Man.
Reproductive physiology: Anatomy and histology of adult testis and ovary. Reproductive
cycles of mammals and their hormonal control. Physiology of implantation, pregnancy,
parturition, and lactation.

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Module VII: Immunology (Weightage: 10marks)
Types of immunity: Innate and Acquired immunity, Active immunity and Passive immunity,
Cell-mediated immunity and Humoral immunity. Cells involved in Immunity (B cell and T
cells): Types and functions. Interferons and MHCs: Organisation of MHC locus in mice and
humans. Lymphoid Organs: Primary and Secondary. Immunoglobulins: Structure, Types and
functions. Complement system: Classical, Alternate and Lectin pathways. Active and Passive
Immunisation: Types of vaccines (Inactivated vaccines, Attenuated vaccines, DNA vaccines,
mRNA vaccines, and Conjugate vaccines). Types of Hypersensitivity: Gell and Coombs
classification. Autoimmunity: Rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus erythematosus (Brief account).
Immunodeficiency diseases: Types of immunodeficiency diseases (DiGeorge syndrome,
Selective IgA deficiency and AIDS). Transplantation Immunity: Types of grafts,
Immunological basis of transplantation reactions, and Immunosuppression. Immunological
techniques for infectious disease diagnosis: Widal test, ELISA, FISH and GISH.
Hematopoiesis and its regulation. Monoclonal Antibodies. Production of Monoclonal
Antibodies (Hybridoma technology). Clinical uses of Monoclonal Antibodies.

Module VIII: Developmental Biology (Weightage: 10 marks)

Gametogenesis, fertilization and early development: Production of gametes- Spermatogenesis
and Oogenesis, Ultrastructure of gametes, Cell surface molecules in sperm-egg recognition in
animals (sea urchin and mammals) Zygote formation-Encounter of sperm and egg,
Capacitation, Acrosome reaction, Activation of ovum, Amphimixis, Prevention of
Polyspermy, Cleavage and blastula formation; Gastrulation in humans. Morphogenetic
movements: Epiboly and Emboly (Invagination, Involution, Infiltration, Ingression,
Delamination, Convergence, Divergence). Cell fate and cell lineages. The stem cell concept-
Progenitor cells, Adult stem cells, Mesenchymal stem cells, Multipotent adult stem cells,
Pluripotent Embryonic stem cells. Significance of organizer and embryonic induction.
Assisted Reproductive Techniques: GIFT, ZIFT, TET, ICSI.

Module IX: Genetics (Weightage: 10 marks)

Mendel’s experiments: Law of inheritance, Law of segregation and Law of independent
assortment. Gene concept, Different types of genes, One gene - one enzyme concept.
Interaction of genes, Allelic-incomplete dominance, Lethal genes and Codominance,
Epistasis - dominant and recessive, Lethal alleles, Polygenic inheritance (Skin colour in
humans), Pleiotropism and Multiple alleles, ABO Blood group system. Cytogenetics;
Linkage (Complete and Incomplete linkage), Significance of linkage. Crossing over -
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Mechanism and its importance. Chromosome mapping, Pedigree Analysis (Brief account
only). Sex-linked, Sex-limited, and Sex-influenced inheritance in animals. Mutation:
Spontaneous and induced mutation. Structural chromosomal aberrations (Duplications,
Deletions, Inversions and Translocations) and Numerical chromosomal aberrations
(Aneuploidy, Euploidy and Polyploidy). Chromosomal anomalies in man: Autosomal (e.g.
Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome) and autosomal (e.g. Klinefelters syndrome, Turner’s
syndrome). Sex determining mechanism - Sex chromosomal mechanism (XX-XY, XX-XO,
ZZ-ZW). Genic balance theory, Environmental factors on sex determination, Hormonal
control of sex differentiation. Mention Barr bodies, Dosage compensation and Lyon
hypothesis, Sex mosaicism, Gynandromorph and Intersex.

Module X: Biotechnology (Weightage: 10 marks)

Genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology, Steps involved in rDNA technology.
Essential tools in recombinant DNA technique: DNA modifying enzymes, Restriction
endonucleases, Ligases, Polymerases, and Alkaline phosphatase. Vectors used for cloning
and their applications: Plasmidvector, Cosmid vector, Phage vector, BACs, YACs, Expression
vectors. Gene transfer techniques: Electroporation, Lipofection, Ultrasonication and
Microinjection (Brief account only). Mention gene gun. Screening of Transformants:
Antibiotic Selection and Blue/White Screening Methods. cDNA library and genomic library
(Brief account only). Techniques in Biotechnology Polymerase Chain Reaction: Basic steps
and applications of PCR. Mention RT-PCR and its diagnostic value. Hybridoma technology
and monoclonal antibodies. Blotting Techniques: Southern, Northern and Western blotting.
Mention DNA fingerprinting. Molecular hybridisation techniques for genome analysis: RFLP,
AFLP, RAPD (Brief account only). Human Genome Project. DNA sequencing (Sanger
method and Automated sequencing). Recent trends in Gene technology: Gene Targeting
(Knock-ins and Knockouts). Targeted Genome Editing (CRISPRs-Cas9). Application of
biotechnology in the industry (Eg. Bioprocess and Fermentation Technology), Environment
(Eg, Bioremediation) and Medical sectors (Eg. Recombinant insulin production). Food and
Agriculture: Application of biotechnology in food (Eg. Single-cell protein) and agriculture
sectors (Eg. Genetically modified crops and transgenic animals).

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Module XI: Ecology and Disaster Management (Weightage: 25 marks)
Concept of an ecosystem. Interrelationships between the living world and the environment.
Structure of an ecosystem: Brief account on abiotic and biotic factors. Primary production
and energy flow in an ecosystem. Pond as a typical ecosystem (Trophic relationships,
producers, consumers and decomposers). Population Ecology: Characteristics of a
population. Ecotypes. A brief account ofmetapopulation. Exponential and logistic growth,
equation and patterns, r and K strategies. Population regulation– density-dependent and
independent factors. Community Ecology: Community characteristics: stratification, species
diversity, species abundance, species dominance community periodicity. Brief accounts on a
niche, trophic level and guild. Ecological succession: Types and different stages. Eg.
Succession in an aquatic ecosystem. Environmental Pollution: Types of pollution (Air, water,
and soil). Sources of pollution, eutrophication, effects of pollution on the ecosystem,
pollution indicators. Control and management (bioremediation, sewage treatment, green
chemistry). Air pollution mapping software (eg. AirNow, IQAir, AirVisual). Sustainable
development, ecosystem approach. Environment ImpactAssessment, pollution sensors, green
audit.
Disaster management: Disaster: Definition. Classification of disasters- human-induced
andnatural. Natural Hazards (Cyclone, Tsunami, Heat Wave, Landslide, Urban Floods, Floods
and Earthquakes). Man-made hazards (Chemical,nuclear and biological). Cause and impact
of disasters Disaster management: Prevention, mitigation strategies, preparedness. Policies
and agencies: National Disaster Management Plan, 2019, Kerala State Disaster Management
Plan, 2016. Kerala State DisasterManagement Authority (KSDMA) and National Disaster
ManagementAuthority (NDMA). Need of Disaster management strategies: A case study on
Kerala flood 2018. Role of Information Technology in Disasters

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Module XII: Cell Biology (Weightage: 15 marks)
Cell: Characteristics of a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell. Fluid mosaic model of the
plasma membrane. Cytoskeleton: Microtubules, Microfilaments and intermediatefilaments
Endomembrane Systems: Brief account of structure and functions of endoplasmic reticulum,
Golgi apparatus, Lysosome,and Vacuoles. Ribosomes: Basic structure and function. Mention
types (Prokaryotic ribosomes, Archaeal ribosomes, Eukaryotic ribosomes). Ribosome
locations (Free ribosomes and Membranebound ribosomes).Mitochondria: Structure (Outer
and inner membranes),Functions. Mention mitochondrial diseases. Nucleus: Structure of
interphase nucleus, Chromatin (Euchromatin and Heterochromatin), Nucleolus, Structure of
ametaphase chromosome. Brief accounts of giant chromosomes (Polytene chromosomes,
Lamp brush chromosomes). Cellular Processes (Cell Growth and Division): Cell cycle
-Stages (G1, S, G2 and M phases), Mitosis and meiosis. Cell cycle regulation. Cellular
Transport Mechanisms: Passive and active transport,Endocytosis, Exocytosis, and Vesicle
trafficking. Cell Signalling: Concept of cell communication. Brief accounts on cell signalling
pathways and receptor-ligand interactions. Extracellular (Glucagon), Intracellular (Cyclic
AMP), and Intercellular (Calcium) messengers. Types of Signalling Molecules: Hormones,
Neurotransmitters, Growth factors, Cytokines, and Extracellular matrix components.. Modes
of Cellular Signalling: Mention Endocrine signalling, Paracrine signalling, Autocrine
signalling and Synaptic signalling. Signal Transduction Pathways: Signalling molecules
(ligands), cell surface receptors, intracellular signalling molecules (e.g., kinases, second
messengers), and target proteins (e.g.,transcription factors). Examples of common signalling
pathways - MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway, the PI3K/Akt pathway, and
the cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) pathway.

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Module XIII: Molecular Biology (Weightage: 10 marks)
Nucleic Acids: Nucleic Acids: Molecular composition, Nucleic acid sequences, Types (DNA,
RNA, Mention Artificial nucleic acids). DNA: Typical structure; Alternative forms of DNA
(A DNA, B DNA, Z DNA); Brief account of biological functions. RNA: Structure of tRNA
(Cloverleaf model), Types of RNA(Messenger RNA, Ribosomal RNA, Signal recognition
particle RNA, Transfer RNA, Transfer-Messenger RNA). Biological functions of RNA.
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology: Definition, Central dogma reverse (Teminism), One
gene-one enzyme hypothesis, One gene-one polypeptide hypothesis. DNA Replication: DNA
replication in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes (Proof for Semi-conservative model, Messelson
and Stahl experiment). Transcription: Brief account of transcription in Prokaryotes and
Eukaryotes. Mention reverse transcription and post-transcriptional modifications. Genetic
Code: Concept of genetic code. Mention codons. Characteristics of genetic code (Reading
frame and start and stopcodons). ble hypothesis.Translation: Steps and basic mechanism of
translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Gene Regulation: Operon, Inducible and
repressible Operon system, lac operon, trp operon.

NOTE: - It may be noted that apart from the topics detailed above, questions from other topics
prescribed for the educational qualification of the post may also appear in the question paper.
There is no undertaking that all the topics above may be covered in the question paper.

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 Distribution of Weightage of marks

Module I: Diversity of Animals (Weightage: 10 marks)

Module II: Wildlife Biology and Conservation (Weightage: 25 marks)
Module III: Wildlife Ecology (Weightage: 25 marks)
Module IV: Biochemistry (Weightage: 10 marks)
Module V: Evolution, Ethology and Chronobiology (Weightage: 15 marks)
Module VI: Animal Physiology (Weightage: 25 marks)
Module VII: Immunology (Weightage: 10 marks)
Module VIII: Developmental Biology (Weightage: 10 marks)
Module IX: Genetics (Weightage: 10 marks)
Module X: Biotechnology (Weightage: 10 marks)
Module XI: Ecology and Disaster Management (Weightage: 25 marks)
Module XII: Cell Biology (Weightage: 15 marks)
Module XIII: Molecular Biology (Weightage: 10 marks)

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