Introduction
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Life Sciences exam has grown in popularity as a gateway for students aspiring to excel in the field of biological sciences. Designed to test comprehensive understanding, this exam opens doors to various research opportunities, scholarships, and advanced studies across India and beyond.
WHAT IS GATE LIFE SCIENCES
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the most prestigious exams in India, opening doors to advanced education and promising career opportunities. The GATE Life Sciences exam, in particular, is designed for students with a background in biological sciences, aiming to test their understanding and knowledge in various related disciplines. This GATE Life Sciences exam is crucial for those seeking admission to postgraduate programs or aspiring for jobs in public sector companies. For students focused on GATE Life Sciences, thorough preparation in biological concepts is key to success, as this exam covers an array of life science topics essential for advancing in this field.
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Prepare for GATE Life Sciences 2024 with our all-encompassing guide! In this video, we’ll dive into the GATE Life Sciences 2024 exam date, syllabus, and preparation techniques. Gain insights into the GATE Life Sciences 2024 question paper, answer key, and response sheet, and stay up-to-date with the GATE Life Sciences 2024 cut-off and result date to track your performance and plan future steps. We’ll also review the GATE Life Sciences 2023 question paper to provide insight into exam patterns and question difficulty.
Learn from the GATE Life Sciences 2024 topper’s strategies and build motivation to reach your goals. Don’t miss essential updates about the GATE Life Sciences 2024 result. Whether you’re preparing for the first time or looking to improve your score, our comprehensive overview will guide you every step of the way. Subscribe to our channel for more expert tips to stay ahead in your GATE Life Sciences 2024 preparation!
Exam Structure and Pattern
Overview of GATE Exam
The GATE exam is conducted annually by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). It evaluates the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering, technology, and science.
GATE Life Sciences Paper Structure
The Life Sciences (XL) paper is divided into three sections:
- General Aptitude (GA)
- Chemistry (Section P)
- Life Sciences Subjects (Sections Q to U)
Marking Scheme
The exam comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical answer type (NAT) questions. The total marks for the paper are 100, with the following distribution:
- General Aptitude: 15 marks
- Chemistry: 25 marks
- Life Sciences Subjects: 60 marks
Types of Questions
- MCQs: Each question has four choices, with one correct answer.
- NATs: Requires numerical answers entered via the virtual keyboard.
What is the GATE Life Sciences Exam?
The GATE Life Sciences exam, part of the broader GATE examination, focuses specifically on testing knowledge across a range of life sciences topics, such as biochemistry, microbiology, and botany. It assesses candidates’ understanding and readiness for advanced research or teaching positions.
Why Choose GATE Life Sciences?
For life sciences graduates, GATE serves as a stepping stone into higher education, research fields, and lucrative jobs in sectors like biotechnology and environmental sciences. Qualifying in GATE Life Sciences can also offer eligibility for financial assistance through various scholarships and fellowships.
Eligibility Criteria for GATE Life Sciences
To apply for GATE Life Sciences, candidates typically need a bachelor’s degree in relevant science fields. There is no upper age limit, allowing flexibility for those pursuing life sciences at any stage in their career.
Exam Structure and Format
The GATE Life Sciences exam comprises three sections: General Aptitude, Chemistry, and a specialized Life Sciences section. Questions are a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
Understanding the Syllabus
The GATE Life Sciences syllabus is broad, covering key subjects like Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, and Food Technology. It’s vital to have a well-rounded understanding of these core areas to succeed.
Preparation Strategy for GATE Life Sciences
A solid strategy involves dividing study time based on the syllabus, dedicating more time to core areas, and reinforcing learning through practice papers. Setting achievable goals and regularly reviewing topics is key.
Recommended Books and Resources
Here’s a list of essential books:
- Biochemistry by Stryer
- Microbiology by Pelczar and Reid
- Concepts of Genetics by Klug and Cummings For online resources, platforms like NPTEL and EdX offer valuable lectures and materials.
Tips for Each Section of GATE Life Sciences
Each section demands a different approach. In Biochemistry, focus on metabolic pathways and molecular biology. For Zoology and Botany, prioritize taxonomic classifications, anatomy, and physiology.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid over-relying on memorization. Instead, focus on understanding concepts and practicing sample questions. Managing exam stress and maintaining a positive mindset also go a long way.
Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers
Practicing with mock tests simulates the exam environment, helping improve timing and confidence. Previous year’s papers are invaluable for understanding question patterns and difficulty levels.
Time Management During the Exam
Divide your time based on the sections, and avoid spending too long on any one question. It’s essential to stay calm and efficient to maximize your score.
Result and Scoring System
The GATE Life Sciences score is calculated based on the candidate’s performance, with a normalized scoring method. Achieving a score above the cutoff is crucial for qualifying and accessing post-GATE opportunities.
Career Options After Qualifying GATE Life Sciences
After qualifying, options include roles in research labs, biotech firms, and academic institutions. Successful candidates can also pursue further studies with scholarships or fellowships.
Understanding the GATE Life Sciences Question Paper
The GATE Life Sciences question paper is designed to test knowledge in several core subjects with optional sections. It’s essential to know the paper’s structure to develop a targeted study plan. The paper includes:
- General Aptitude (GA): Common to all GATE papers.
- Core Topics: Covering disciplines like Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology.
- Optional Subjects: Candidates choose one from multiple options.
Key Sections in GATE Life Sciences
General Aptitude
This section tests basic verbal, quantitative, and logical reasoning skills, contributing 15% to the overall score. Mastery in this area can significantly boost your score.
Life Sciences Core Topics
The life sciences core subjects cover essential topics such as Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. A strong understanding of these areas is critical.
Optional Sections
Candidates can choose from specialized topics based on their strengths, which helps in maximizing scores by focusing on familiar subjects.
Detailed Breakdown of Life Sciences Core Topics
Botany
Focuses on plant biology, physiology, and ecology. Common question patterns include multiple-choice and application-based questions. Critical areas include:
- Plant anatomy and morphology
- Photosynthesis and plant nutrition
- Genetics and plant breeding
Zoology
Topics here revolve around animal physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Expect questions on:
- Animal structure and function
- Comparative anatomy
- Environmental adaptations
Biochemistry
This section tests knowledge of cellular processes and biomolecules. Key areas include:
- Enzyme mechanisms and kinetics
- Cellular respiration
- Protein structure and function
Microbiology
Covers microorganisms’ role in health, environment, and industry. Important topics are:
- Pathogenicity and immune response
- Microbial genetics
- Industrial applications
Understanding General Aptitude Section
In the GA section, questions focus on:
- Verbal Ability: Vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
- Quantitative Ability: Basic math skills.
- Logical Reasoning: Pattern recognition and problem-solving.
Regular practice can enhance speed and accuracy here, making this a scoring section with proper preparation.
Optional Sections in GATE Life Sciences
Optional sections let you choose a subject best suited to your background. Common choices include environmental science, which covers ecosystem interactions, or biotechnology, focusing on genetics and molecular biology.
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
GATE Life Sciences follows a structured marking scheme:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): Negative marking for incorrect answers.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT): No negative marking but requires precision.
Understanding the weightage helps prioritize study efforts across sections.
GATE 2025 XL-P Chemistry Syllabus (Compulsory)
Section 1: Atomic Structure and Periodicity
Planck’s quantum theory, wave particle duality, uncertainty principle, comparison between Bohr’s model and quantum mechanical model of hydrogen atom, electronic configuration of atoms and ions. Hund’s rule and Pauli’s exclusion principle.
Periodic table and periodic properties: ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity and atomic size.
Section 2: Structure and Bonding
Ionic and covalent bonding, MO and VB approaches for diatomic molecules, VSEPR theory and shape of molecules, hybridization, resonance, dipole moment, structure parameters such as bond length, bond angle and bond energy, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions. Ionic solids, ionic radii and lattice energy (Born‐Haber cycle). HSAB principle.
Section 3: s, p and d Block Elements
Oxides, halides and hydrides of alkali, alkaline earth metals, B, Al, Si, N, P, and S. General characteristics of 3d elements. Coordination complexes: valence bond and crystal field theory, color, geometry, magnetic properties and isomerism.
Section 4: Chemical Equilibria
Osmotic pressure, elevation of boiling point and depression of freezing point, ionic equilibria in solution, solubility product, common ion effect, hydrolysis of salts, pH, buffer and their applications. Equilibrium constants (Kc, Kp and Kx) for homogeneous reactions.
Section 5: Electrochemistry
Conductance, Kohlrausch law, cell potentials, EMF, Nernst equation, thermodynamic aspects and their applications.
Section 6: Reaction Kinetics
Rate constant, order of reaction, molecularity, activation energy, zero, first and second order kinetics, catalysis and elementary enzyme reactions. Reversible and irreversible inhibition of enzymes.
Section 7: Thermodynamics
Qualitative treatment of state and path functions, First law, reversible and irreversible processes, internal energy, enthalpy, Kirchoff equation, heat of reaction, Hess’s law, heat of formation. Second law, entropy and free energy. Gibbs‐Helmholtz equation, free energy change and spontaneity, Free energy changes from equilibrium constant.
Section 8: Structure-Reactivity Correlations and Organic Reaction Mechanisms
Acids and bases, electronic and steric effects, Stereochemistry, optical and geometrical isomerism, tautomerism, conformers and concept of aromaticity. Elementary treatment of SN1, SN2, E1, E2 and radical reactions, Hoffmann/Saytzeff rules, addition reactions, Markownikoff rule and Kharasch effect. Elementary hydroboration reactions. Grignard’s reagents and their uses. Aromatic electrophilic substitutions, orientation effect as exemplified by various functional groups. Identification of common functional groups by chemical tests.
Section 9: Chemistry of Biomolecules
Amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids and nucleotides. Peptide sequencing by chemical and enzymatic proteolytic methods. DNA sequencing by chemical and enzymatic methods. Carbohydrates (upto hexoses only). Lipids (triglycerides only). Principles of biomolecule purification-Ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Identification of these biomolecules and Beer-Lambert’s law.
GATE 2025 XL-Q Biochemistry Syllabus
Section 1 – Organization of life; Importance of water; Structure and function of biomolecules: Amino acids, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins and Nucleic acids; Protein structure, folding and function: Myoglobin, Hemoglobin, Lysozyme, Ribonuclease A, Carboxypeptidase and Chymotrypsin.
Section 2 – Enzyme kinetics including its regulation and inhibition, Vitamins and Coenzymes; Metabolism and bioenergetics; Generation and utilization of ATP; Metabolic pathways and their regulation: glycolysis, TCA cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, gluconeogenesis, glycogen and fatty acid metabolism; Metabolism of Nitrogen containing compounds: nitrogen fixation, amino acids and nucleotides. Photosynthesis: Calvin cycle.
Section 3 – Biochemical separation techniques: ion exchange, size exclusion and affinity chromatography, Characterization of biomolecules by electrophoresis, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy and Mass spectrometry.
Section 4 – Cell structure and organelles; Biological membranes; Action potential; Transport across membranes; Membrane assembly and Protein targeting; Signal transduction; Receptor-ligand interaction; Hormones and neurotransmitters.
Section 5 – DNA replication, transcription and translation; Biochemical regulation of gene expression; Recombinant DNA technology and applications: PCR, site directed mutagenesis and DNA-microarray, Next generation sequencing; Gene silencing and editing.
Section 6 – Immune system: Innate and adaptive; Cell of the immune system; Active and passive immunity; Complement system; Antibody structure, function and diversity; B cell and T Cell receptors; B cell and T cell activation; Major histocompatibilty complex; Immunological techniques: Immuno diffusion, immune-electrophoresis, RIA and ELISA, flow cytometry; monoclonal antibodies and their applications.
GATE 2025 XL-R Botany Syllabus
Section 1: Plant Systematics- Botanical nomenclature, history of plant taxonomy, diversity and classification of plants, APG system of plant classification; phylogenetics and cladistics, molecular taxonomy and DNA barcoding; Centers for plant taxonomy and herbaria in India.
Section 2: Plant Anatomy- Anatomy of root, stem and leaves, floral organs, embryo and young seedlings, Primary and secondary meristems, stellar organization, vascular system and their ontogeny, xylem and phloem structure, secondary growth in plants and wood anatomy, plant cell structure and differences from animal cells.
Section 3: Plant development; cell and tissue morphogenesis- Life cycle of an angiosperm, development of male and female gametophyte; cell fate determination and tissue patterning; spacing mechanisms in trichomes and stomata. Embryogenesis, organization and function of shoot and root apical meristems. Transition to flowering: photoperiodism and vernalization, ABC model of floral organ patterning, pollen germination, double fertilization, seed development; Xylem and phloem cell differentiation, photomorphogenesis; phytochrome, cryptochrome, phototropin. Role of auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, and brassinosteroids on plant development.
Section 4: Plant physiology and biochemistry- Plant water relations, mechanisms of uptake and transport of water, ions, solutes from soil to plants, apoplastic and symplastic transport mechanisms. Mechanism of stomatal movements, nitrogen metabolism, photosynthesis; C3, C4 and CAM cycles, photorespiration, respiration: glycolysis, TCA cycle and electron transport chain. Plant responses and mechanisms of abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, freezing and heat stress, metal toxicity; role of abscisic acid in abiotic stresses. Structure and function of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acid), enzyme. Structure and biosynthesis of major plant secondary metabolites (alkaloids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids). Biosynthesis, mechanism of action and physiological effects of auxin, cytokinin, gibberellic acids, brassinosteroid, ethylene, strigolactone, abscisic acid, salicylic and jasmonic acid. Senescence and programmed cell death.
Section 5: Genetics and Genomics – Cell cycle and cell division. Principles of Mendelian inheritance, linkage, recombination, genetic mapping; extra chromosomal inheritance; Introduction to epigenetics; gene silencing- transgene silencing, post transcriptional gene silencing, miRNA and siRNA; evolution and organization of eukaryotic genome structure, gene expression, gene mutation and repair, chromosomal aberrations (numerical: euploidy and aneuploidy and structural: deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation), transposons. Model organisms for functional genetics and genomics; Introduction to transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics.
Section 6: Plant Breeding, Genetic Modification, Genome Editing- Principles, methods – selection, hybridization, heterosis; male sterility, genetic maps and molecular markers, embryo rescue, haploid and doubled haploids, plant tissue culture: micropropagation, embryo culture and in vitro regeneration, somatic embryogenesis, artificial seed, cryopreservation, somaclonal variation, somatic cell hybridization, marker-assisted selection, gene transfer methods viz. direct and vector-mediated, generation of transgenic plants; Introduction to genome editing:
CRISPR/Cas9, Cre-Lox system to generate chimeras; plastid transformation; chemical mutagenesis.
Section 7: Economic and applied Botany- A general account of economically and medicinally important plants- cereals, pulses, plants yielding fibers, timber, sugar, beverages, oils, rubber, pigments, dyes, gums, drugs and narcotics. Economic importance of algae, fungi, lichen and bacteria. Major Indian cash crops. Effect of industrialization on agricultural botany such as plastic on fiber economy. Genetically modified crops and its regulation eg. Bt cotton, Bt brinjal golden rice etc.
Section 8: Plant Pathology – Nature and classification of plant diseases, diseases of important crops caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses, and their control measures (chemical and biological) mechanism(s) of pathogenesis, resistance: basal, systemic, induced systemic resistance, gene for gene concept. Molecular detection of pathogens; plant-microbe interactions: symbionts and mycorrhiza, pathogens and pests. Signaling pathways in plant defence response; salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in plant-pathogen and plant-herbivore interaction, necrosis; host-parasitic plant interaction (such as Cuscuta).
Section 9: Ecology and Environment- Ecosystems – types, dynamics, degradation, biogeochemical cycles, ecological succession; food webs and energy flow through ecosystem; vegetation types of the world, Indian vegetation types and biogeographical zones, climate and flora endemism; pollution and global climate change, speciation and extinction, biodiversity and conservation strategies, ecological hotspots, afforestation, habitat restoration; plant interactions with other organisms; epiphytes, parasites and endophytes.
GATE 2025 XL-S Microbiology Syllabus
Section 1: Historical Perspective – Discovery of microbial world; Landmark discoveries relevant to the field of microbiology; Controversy over spontaneous generation; Role of microorganisms in transformation of organic matter and in the causation of diseases.
Section 2: Methods in Microbiology- Pure culture techniques; Principles of microbial nutrition; Enrichment culture techniques for isolation of microorganisms; antigen and antibody detection methods for microbial diagnosis; Light-, phase contrast-, fluorescence- and electron-microscopy; PCR, real-time PCR for quantitation of microbes; Next generation sequencing technologies in microbiology.
Section 3: Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity – Bacteria, Archea and their broad classification; Eukaryotic microbes: Yeasts, molds and protozoa; Viruses and their classification; Molecular approaches to microbial taxonomy and phylogeny.
Section 4: Prokaryotic Cells: Structure and Function – Prokaryotic Cells: cell walls, cell membranes and their biosynthesis, mechanisms of solute transport across membranes, Flagella and Pili, Capsules, Cell inclusions like endospores and gas vesicles; Bacterial locomotion, including positive and negative chemotaxis.
Section 5: Microbial Growth – Definition of growth; Growth curve; Mathematical expression of exponential growth phase; Measurement of growth and growth yields; Synchronous growth; Continuous culture; Effect of environmental factors on growth; Bacterial biofilm and biofouling.
Section 6: Control of Micro-organisms – Disinfection and sterilization: principles, methods and assessment of efficacy.
Section 7: Microbial Metabolism – Energetics: redox reactions and electron carriers; Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation; An overview of metabolism; Glycolysis; Pentose-phosphate pathway; Entner-Doudoroff pathway; Glyoxalate pathway; The citric acid cycle; Fermentation; Aerobic and anaerobic respiration; Chemolithotrophy; Photosynthesis; Calvin cycle; Biosynthetic pathway for fatty acids synthesis; Common regulatory mechanisms in synthesis of amino acids; Regulation of major metabolic pathways.
Section 8: Microbial Diseases and Host Pathogen Interaction – Normal microbiota; Classification of infectious diseases; Reservoirs of infection; Nosocomial infection; Opportunistic infections; Emerging infectious diseases; Mechanism of microbial pathogenicity; Nonspecific defense of host; Antigens and antibodies; Humoral and cell mediated immunity; Vaccines; passive immunization; Immune deficiency; Human diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic fungi.
Section 9: Chemotherapy/Antibiotics – General characteristics of antimicrobial drugs; Antibiotics: Classification molecular mechanism of mode of action and resistance; Antifungal and antiviral drugs.
Section 10: Microbial Genetics – Types of mutation; UV and chemical mutagens; Selection of mutants; Ames test for mutagenesis; Bacterial genetic system: transformation, conjugation, transduction, recombination, plasmids,
transposons; DNA repair; Regulation of gene expression: repression and induction; Operon model; Bacterial genome with special reference to E.coli; Phage λ and its life cycle; RNA ; mutation in virus genomes, virus recombination and reassortment; Basic concept of microbial genomics.
Section 11: Microbial Ecology – Microbial interactions; Carbon, Sulphur and nitrogen cycles; Soil microorganisms associated with vascular plants; Bioremediation; Uncultivable microorganisms; basic concept of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics.
GATE 2025 XL-T Zoology Syllabus
Section 1: Animal Diversity – Distribution, systematics and classification of animals, phylogenetic relationships (based on classical and molecular phylogenetic tools).
Section 2: Evolution – Origin and history of life on earth, theories of evolution, natural selection, adaptation, speciation.
Section 3: Genetics – Basic Principles of inheritance, molecular basis of heredity, sex determination and sex-linked characteristics, cytoplasmic inheritance, linkage, recombination and mapping of genes in eukaryotes, population genetics, genetic disorders, roles of model organisms in understanding genetic principles.
Section 4: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology –Nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates; replication, transcription and translation, Krebs cycle, glycolysis, enzyme catalysis, hormones and their actions, roles of vitamins and minerals.
Section 5: Cell Biology – Basic principles of cellular microscopy, structure of cell, cytoskeletal organization, cellular organelles and their structure and function, cell cycle, cell division, chromosomes and chromatin structure.
Section 6: Gene expression in Eukaryotes – Eukaryotic genome organization and regulation of gene expression, transposable elements.
Section 7: Animal Anatomy and Physiology –Comparative physiology, the respiratory system, Muscular system, circulatory system, digestive system, the nervous system, the excretory system, the endocrine system, the reproductive system, the skeletal system.
Section 8: Parasitology and Immunology- Nature of parasite, host-parasite relation, protozoan and helminthic parasites, the immune response, cellular and humoral immune response.
Section 9: Development Biology – Gametogenesis, Embryonic development, cellular differentiation, organogenesis, metamorphosis, Model organisms used in developmental biology, genetic and molecular basis of development, stem cells.
Section 10: Ecology – The ecosystem, Animal distribution, ecological niche and its contribution to ecological diversity, the food chain, population dynamics, species diversity, zoogeography, biogeochemical cycles, conservation biology, ecotoxicology.
Section 11: Animal Behaviour – Type of behaviours, courtship, mating and territoriality, instinct, learning and memory, social behaviour across the animal taxa, communication, pheromones, evolution of behavior in animals.
GATE 2025 XL-U Food Technology Syllabus
Section 1: Food Chemistry and Nutrition – Carbohydrates: structure and functional properties of mono-, oligo-, & poly- saccharides including starch, cellulose, pectic substances and dietary fiber, gelatinization and retrogradation of starch. Proteins: classification and structure of proteins in food, biochemical changes in post mortem and tenderization of muscles. Lipids: classification and structure of lipids, rancidity, polymerization and polymorphism. Pigments: carotenoids, chlorophylls, anthocyanins, tannins and myoglobin. Food flavours: terpenes, esters, aldehydes, ketones and quinines. Enzymes: specificity, simple and inhibition kinetics, coenzymes, enzymatic and non- enzymatic browning. Nutrition: balanced diet, essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, protein efficiency ratio, water soluble and fat soluble vitamins, role of minerals in nutrition, co-factors, anti-nutrients, nutraceuticals, nutrient deficiency diseases. Chemical and biochemical changes: changes occur in foods during different processing.
Section 2: Food Microbiology – Characteristics of microorganisms: morphology of bacteria, yeast, mold and actinomycetes, spores and vegetative cells, gram-staining. Microbial growth: growth and death kinetics, serial dilution technique. Food spoilage: spoilage microorganisms in different food products including milk, fish, meat, egg, cereals and their products. Toxins from microbes: pathogens and non-pathogens including Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Shebelle, Escherichia, Bacillus, Clostridium, and Aspergillums genera. Fermented foods and beverages: curd, yoghurt, cheese, pickles, soya-sauce, sauerkraut, idly, dose, vinegar, alcoholic beverages and sausage.
Section 3: Food Products Technology – Processing principles: thermal processing, chilling, freezing, dehydration, addition of preservatives and food additives, irradiation, fermentation, hurdle technology, intermediate moisture foods. Food pack aging and storage: packaging materials, aseptic packaging, controlled and modified atmosphere storage. Cereal processing and products: milling of rice, wheat, and maize, parboiling of paddy, bread, biscuits, extruded products and ready to eat breakfast cereals. Oil processing: expelling, solvent extraction, refining and hydrogenation. Fruits and vegetables processing: extraction, clarification, concentration and packaging of fruit juice, jam, jelly, marmalade, squash, candies, tomato sauce, ketchup, and puree, potato chips, pickles. Plantation crops processing and products: tea, coffee, cocoa, spice, extraction of essential oils and oleoresins from spices. Milk and milk products processing: pasteurization and sterilization, cream, butter, ghee, ice- cream, cheese and milk powder. Processing of animal products: drying, canning, and freezing of fish and meat; production of egg powder. Waste utilization: pectin from fruit astes, uses of by-products from rice milling. Food standards and quality maintenance: FPO, PFA, A-Mark, ISI, HACCP, food plant sanitation and cleaning in place (CIP).
Section 4: Food Engineering – Mass and energy balance: Momentum transfer: Flow rate and pressure drop relationships for Newtonian fluids flowing through pipe, Reynolds number. Heat transfer: heat transfer by conduction, convection, radiation, heat exchangers. Mass transfer: molecular diffusion and Flick’s law, conduction and convective mass transfer, permeability through single and multilayer films. Mechanical operations: size reduction of solids, high pressure homogenization, filtration, centrifugation, settling, sieving, mixing & agitation of liquid. Thermal operations: thermal sterilization, evaporation of liquid foods, hot air drying of solids, spray and freeze-drying, freezing and crystallization. Mass transfer operations: psychometric, humidification and dehumidification operations.
Candidates who endeavor to pursue the exam 2023 are advised to follow the GATE Life Sciences Syllabus 2023 pdf. You can download the pdf from the above links for the individual subject and prepare the best for your examination.
Conclusion
The GATE Life Sciences exam is not just a test but a launchpad to a fulfilling career in life sciences. With dedication and strategic preparation, aspirants can leverage the exam to achieve academic and professional success.
FAQs
- What is the eligibility for GATE Life Sciences?
Candidates must have a relevant science degree with no upper age limit. - How should I start preparing for GATE Life Sciences?
Begin by reviewing the syllabus, gathering resources, and creating a realistic study schedule. - What is the exam pattern for GATE Life Sciences?
The exam includes General Aptitude, Chemistry, and a specialized Life Sciences section. - What career opportunities are available after GATE Life Sciences?
Options include research roles, teaching, and advanced studies with scholarship opportunities. - Can GATE Life Sciences help in getting scholarships for further studies?
Yes, qualifying students can access scholarships for higher studies in reputable institutions.