Botany Preparation Strategy for UPSC CSE – Syllabus, Exam Strategy , Books to Read

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Botany Preparation Strategy for UPSC CSE

Botany is one of the optional subjects in UPSC CSE Mains Examination. Botany is a highly scoring subject if you prepare well. Very fewer candidates opt botany as their optional subject as it is a specialized subject. But still, there are few candidates who choose botany as an optional subject and cleared the exam.

So our article will tell you about the botany as an optional subject and strategy for the preparation of botany.

What is Botany?

Botany, also called plant science, plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. Botany is the scientific study of plant life, including the life of some things, such as fungus, which isn’t really considered plants anymore. The structure, properties, life processes, classifications, diseases, and environmental impacts and interactions are all included in botanical science. Botany is a branch of biology, which is the study of living organisms.

Syllabus of Botany

Paper 1

1. Microbiology & Plant Pathology
2. Cryptograms
3. Phanerogams
4. Angiosperms
5. Anatomy
6. Embryology
7. Systematics
8. Phylogeny
9. Palynology
10. Plant Resource Development
11. Morphogenesis

Paper 2

1. Cell Biology
2. Genetics
3. Evolution
4. Molecular Biology
5. Plant Breeding
6. Biotechnology
7. Biostatics
8. Physiology
9. Biochemistry
10. Ecology
11. Plant Geography

Advantages of Botany

• Botany is totally a science subject, so it will be most beneficial for science students. As being a science subject makes botany a scoring subject also.
• It will be easy for anyone to score well in botany by using some diagrams. If you draw diagrams properly there will be more chances that you will get the good marks.
• As this is scientific subject so nothing on this subject related to interpretation or the point of view of the examiner.
• Botany is the more static subject rather than dynamic.
• The questions on this subject are direct & more fundamental base.
• If you want to write good answers then you do not have to write long answer you just have to clear the concepts.

Tips for Botany

• The time duration of the preparation of botany usually takes 4-5 months.
• You should have a deep knowledge of the syllabus of botany for optional.
• You have to focus on some basic concepts of botany.
• You should solve some previous year question papers. This will give you an idea about exam pattern, trends & marking scheme.
• Candidates should also focus on sustainability & economic dimensions.
• You should remain up to date with all the government reports related to botany. As anything can be asked in the exam.

Tips for Paper 1

• The first paper is very scoring and simple. Focus on Indian species when you will prepare for this paper. Write your answer in simpler words & make diagrams, this will help you to fetch good marks.
• The important topic for Section I is Microbiology. You have to write short notes on microbiology topics so prepare according to it. In the plant pathology does not forget to study about physiological aspects.
• The next important topic is Cryptograms. For this paper study the structure of plant group & reproduction with the evolutionary viewpoint.
• Another topic is Phanerogams which is divided into subparts such as Gymnosperms, Angiosperms, and Anatomy & Embryology.

Tips for Paper 2

• This paper focuses on colored illustrations and applications.
• This paper includes Cell Biology in which you should focus on molecular aspect.
• The highest scoring area in this paper is Genetics, Molecular Biology, and evolution. Your focus should be on making proper notes and writing relevant answers.
• From the last previous years the questions on Plant Breeding, Biotechnology & Biostatics are also getting important.
• Another important topic is Physiology &Biochemistry. In this area, you should focus on biochemical physiology, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism & respiration. You should also focus on hormones & development physiology in flowering & seed germination.
• You can prepare short notes on Ecology & Plant Geography.

Books for Botany

The recommended books for botany as an optional are:

Cell Biology- De Robertis & Ambrose and Easy or Powar
Botany for Degree Students; Pteridophyta (Vascular Cryptogams) – P.C. Vashishta
Cryptograms – B.R. Vasista
Ecology, Microbiology, Animal Behaviour, Pollution and Toxicology For B. Sc. Part III,
Genetics – Strickberger
Embryology Of Angiosperms- S P Bhatnagar
Economic botany in the tropics- S. L. Kochhar
Microbiology- Powar
Genetics – Dr. Veer Bala Rastogi
Physiology and Biochemistry – Salisbury and Ross or Fritz and Noggle
Plant Anatomy – Esau
Taxonomy – R Nair; Datta
Plant Anatomy – B.P. Pandey

Disadvantage of Botany

As botany is science subject which creates the limitations for the candidates to opt botany as an optional subject. Botany is recommended only for those students who have studied it before. Any candidate who has studied botany at the graduation or post-graduation level can opt botany. You should have a background in biotechnology to study the subject.

Previous Year Questions

1. Briefly describe the role of microbes in mining & pharmaceuticals.
2. Discuss the role of the ultrastructure of flagella in algae.
3. Discuss the role of soil solarization in disease control.
4. Describe lytic cycle of bacteriophage.
5. Describe the physiological relationship of two partners in Lichens.
6. How polyteny differs from polyploidy?
7. Explain factors affecting recombination frequencies.
8. Explain chi-square test as a test of goodness of fit.
9. Explain c-value paradox.
10. Explain chemical mutagens.
11. Explain the molecular basis of infection & disease resistance in plants.
12. Describe the characteristics features of Cyanobacteria & mention its role in nitrogen fixation.
13. Write down the characters of pteridophytes resembling bryophytes & gymnosperms.
14. Discuss the evolution of Sporophyte in Bryophytes.
15. Trace the transition from multi sporangia to conidia in Mucorales with illustrations & suitable examples.
16. Explain & describe the tools & techniques of FISH.
17. Describe the basic structure of nucleosome.
18. Citing suitable evidence, explain plastid inheritance in four o’clock plant.
19. Discuss Inbreeding depression versus heterosis.
20. How does the Ins P3/DAG pathway participate in the process of translocation of cellular signals?
21. Explain backcross method.
22. Describe the different stages in the development of female gametophyte within the ovule in Cycas.
23. Describe the forensic application of palynology.
24. How soil salinity also restricts the growth of plants?
25. “The pyramid of energy always takes a true upright shape.” Why?

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