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Glossary Terms
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Prokaryote | Cell without membrane-bound nucleus (e.g., bacteria) | Cell biology |
| Eukaryote | Cell with membrane-bound nucleus and organelles | Cell biology |
| Chloroplast | Plant organelle for photosynthesis; contains chlorophyll | Photosynthesis |
| Mitochondria | Organelle for aerobic respiration; ATP production | Cell energy |
| Rhizobium | Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legume root nodules | Plant nutrition |
| Blood Group O | No antigens; both antibodies; universal donor | Transfusion |
| Blood Group AB | Both antigens; no antibodies; universal recipient | Transfusion |
| Innate Immunity | Non-specific inborn immunity — skin, phagocytes, fever | Immunity |
| Adaptive Immunity | Specific immunity involving B and T lymphocytes | Vaccines, HIV |
| Memory Cells | Long-lived immune cells enabling rapid re-exposure response | Vaccination basis |
| Fermentation | Anaerobic microbial breakdown of organic matter | Bioethanol, curd, antibiotics |
| Recombinant DNA | DNA from two different organisms joined artificially | Genetic engineering |
| Restriction enzyme | Molecular scissors cutting DNA at specific sequences | rDNA technology |
| PCR | Polymerase Chain Reaction; DNA amplification in vitro | COVID-19 diagnosis |
| CRISPR-Cas9 | Gene editing using guide RNA + Cas9 enzyme; Nobel 2020 | CRISPR 5-mark |
| mRNA vaccine | Vaccine delivering mRNA to produce antigen in host cells | COVID-19 vaccines |
| Bt cotton | GM cotton with Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal gene; India 2002 | GMO policy |
| GEAC | Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee; GMO approval body | GMO regulation India |
| Cochlear implant | Electronic device restoring hearing by stimulating auditory nerve | Artificial organs |
| Jaipur Foot | Low-cost prosthetic; 1968; Dr. P.K. Sethi; 1.3 million users | Artificial organs, Rajasthan |
| Hemodialysis | Artificial kidney function — blood filtration via membrane | Artificial organs |
| Bioprinting | 3D printing of living tissue using bio-inks | Artificial organs |
| ZyCoV-D | World's first approved DNA vaccine (India, Zydus Cadila, 2021) | Vaccine milestone |
| CASGEVY | First CRISPR-based drug; FDA 2023; sickle cell disease | CRISPR application |
| FelUDA | India's CRISPR-Cas9-based COVID-19 diagnostic test (CSIR-IGIB, 2021) | India biotech |
Sources: NCERT Biology (Class 11–12); DBT Annual Reports; GEAC India; WHO Vaccine Advisory Committee; FDA CASGEVY approval (Dec 2023); Nobel Prize announcements 2020, 2023; CSIR-IGIB FelUDA documentation; Bhimrao Ambedkar University Jaipur Foot research; RPSC Mains PYQ 2013–2024; RPSC 2026 Official Syllabus.