Concept of Biodiversity : Definition of Biodiversity ; Genetic diversity; Species diversity and Ecosystem diversity. Five kingdom classification (only distinct characters).Salient features of major animal phyla with common examples, classification of Chordates (up to Sub Class) with distinctive characters only.
Chemistry of Carbon Compounds
Hybridization of carbon δ and π-bonds.
Environmental Chemistry
Common modes of pollution of air, water and soil. Ozone layer, ozone hole – important chemical reactions.
Green House effect; Smog; Pollution of water by domestic and industrial effluents; Pollutants–pesticides, fertilizers and plastics.
Heavy Chemicals : Sulfuric acid (contact process), Ammonia (Haber’s process), Nitric acid (Ostwald’s process), sodium bi-carbonate and sodium carbonate (Solvey process).
Polymers, Polythene, Nylon-66, rubber from natural source, vulcanization.
Chemistry in Industry
Large scale production (including physicochemical principles where applicable omitting technical details and uses of individual items).
Chemistry of Metals :
General principles of metallurgy – occurrence, concentration of ores, production and purification of metals, mineral wealth of India.
