Unit 4 Important Topics

Introduction To Unit 4 - Important Topics To Study

Unit 4: A very important topic of the syllabus, highly scoring from Section C perspective and hence is not a very good idea to skip.

UNIT 4. Cell communication and cell signaling

A) Host parasite interaction Recognition and entry processes of different pathogens like bacteria, viruses into animal and plant host cells, alteration of host cell behavior by pathogens, virus-induced cell transformation, pathogen-induced diseases in animals and plants, cell-cell fusion in both normal and abnormal cells.

B) Cell signaling Hormones and their receptors, cell surface receptor, signaling through G-protein coupled receptors, signal transduction pathways, second messengers, regulation of signaling pathways, bacterial and plant twocomponent systems, light signaling in plants, bacterial chemotaxis and quorum sensing.

C) Cellular communication Regulation of hematopoiesis, general principles of cell communication, cell adhesion and roles of different adhesion molecules, gap junctions, extracellular matrix, integrins, neurotransmission and its regulation.

D) Cancer : Genetic rearrangements in progenitor cells, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cancer and the cell cycle, virus-induced cancer, metastasis, interaction of cancer cells with normal cells, apoptosis, therapeutic interventions of uncontrolled cell growth.

E) Innate and adaptive immune system Cells and molecules involved in innate and adaptive immunity, antigens, antigenicity and immunogenicity. B and T cell epitopes, structure and function of antibody molecules. generation of antibody diversity, monoclonal antibodies, antibody engineering, antigen-antibody interactions, MHC molecules, antigen processing and presentation, activation and differentiation of B and T cells, B and T cell receptors, humoral and cellmediated immune responses, primary and secondary immune modulation, the complement system, Toll-like receptors, cell-mediated effector functions, inflammation, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity, immune response during bacterial (tuberculosis), parasitic (malaria) and viral (HIV) infections, congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, vaccines.

Important Topics to be studied From CSIR NET Unit 4

The 1st subunit mainly will ask about the various bacterial and viral diseases(airborne, waterborne diseases) and their causative agents, pathogens and their host.
The 2nd subunit deals with cell signaling – G-Protein Coupled Receptors, Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, MAP kinase pathway, JAK-STAT pathway, Wnt pathway, Hedgehog pathway, TGF beta pathway, NFKB pathway, notch delta, and ephrin signaling pathways.
All these pathways’ detailed mechanism along with the molecules involved (2nd messengers) and structural changes involved in signaling (phosphorylation), with examples in biological processes where these signaling pathways are involved in. Effect of toxins and inhibitors on these processes.
The 3rd subunit is about cell communication – components of Extra Cellular Matrix, their structure, and function in detail, cell-cell interactions (various junctions and composition), cell-matrix interactions, the adherens junctions, tight junctions, gap junctions, the different type of Cell Adhesion Molecules and their functions. This is the most scoring topic in the entire CSIR syllabus!
4th subunit – talks about the complete process of apoptosis with a detailed mechanism of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, with examples of where they occur. Regulation is very important, proapoptotic and antiapoptotic agents. Cancer: All the types of Tumor Suppressor genes (p53,rB) and oncogenes with specific function and characteristics, mutational effects of these genes, relation with the cell cycle. Anticancer drugs source and mode of action like methotrexate, tamoxifen etc.
The last subunit is immunology. Quite vast, but focus on topics like antibody structure and function, generation of their diversity, the role of different cytokines (very important) involved in antigen processing, presentation, B and T cell maturation and activation. Other topics like complement system, hypersensitivity, MHC molecules and role in histocompatibility, antigens, haptens, adjuvants, Toll-like receptors, are also asked about.

REFERENCE BOOKS For CSIR NET UNIT 4