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CSS Zoology Syllabus
Zoology is a 100-mark Group V optional subject in the CSS written exam, examined in one three-hour paper. Below is FPSC's official syllabus, word for word: every section, topics and suggested readings.
- Marks
- 100
- Papers
- 1
- Time
- 3 hours a paper
- Group
- Group V
- Subject code
- 35
The paper
100 marks- I.Animal Diversity-Invertebrates
- •Architectural pattern of an animal, Taxonomy and phylogeny, Major subdivisions of animal kingdom.
- •Animal-Like Protists: The Protozoa: evolutionary perspective, locomotion and reproduction, Protozoa of veterinary and medical importance.
- •Porifera: Body wall, skeleton and water currents system. Coelenterates: Reproduction plan and alteration of generation (Polymorphism), Coral reefs.
- •Platyhelminthes and Nematodes: Parasitic adaptations and medical importance. Annelids: Metamerism and ecological importance.
- •Molluscs: Modification of foot, Feeding and their role in the shell fishery.
- •Arthropods: Modification in their mouth parts, Role of arthropods as vectors in the transmission in microbial infection. Arthropods and their ecological importance.
- •Echinoderms: Characteristics, Evolutionary perspective, Relationships to other animals; echinoderm characteristics.
- II.Animal Diversity-Chordata
- •Hemichordates and Invertebrate Chordates: Evolutionary Perspective: Phylogenetic Relationships and considerations.
- •Fishes: Structural and functional adaptations of fishes.
- •Amphibians: Movement onto land and early evolution of terrestrial vertebrates.
- •Reptiles: Characteristics of reptiles, adaptations in reptilians.
- •Birds: Migration and navigation, adaptations.
- •Mammals: Structural and functional adaptations of mammals.
- III.Principles of Animal Life
- •The chemical basis of animal life: Brief introduction to bio-molecules; carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.
- •Cell concept and cell theory, Organization of cellular organelle (their structure and functions), Central dogma of cell biology (Transcription and Translation), Meiosis and Mitosis
- •Protozoa: Reproduction pattern in protozoan, Parasitism in protozoan
- •Mesozoza and Parazoa: Porifera: Cells types, body wall and skeleton and water currents system, Coelenterata: Reproduction plan and alteration of generation (Polymorphism)
- •Tissues Types: epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous tissues; organs and organ systems.
- •Enzymes function and factors affecting their activity, cofactors and coenzymes. Energy Harvesting: Aerobic and anaerobic respiration the major source of ATP.
- •Mendel’s law of inheritance, Chromosomal basis of inheritance, Multiple alleles, Eukaryotic chromosomes: Mutations and chromosomal aberrations.
- •
- Ecological Concepts: Interactions
- Concepts and components of ecosystem
- Food chain
- Food web
- Biogeochemical cycles
- Forests
- Biomes
- Wildlife conservation and management
- Environmental pollution
- Green house effect
- Acid rain
- Global warming and climate change
- •Evolution: Darwinian evolutionary theory based on natural selection and the evidence, Microevolution: Genetic variation and change within species, Macroevolution: Species and speciation (Allopatric, Parapatric and Sympatric speciation)
- IV.Animal Form and Function
- •Protection, Support and Movement: Integumentary system of invertebrates and vertebrates; Animal muscles: the muscular system of invertebrates and vertebrates.
- •Digestion and Nutrition: Feeding mechanism, Digestion, Organization and regional function of alimentary canal, Regulation of food intake, Nutritional requirements
- •Internal Fluids and Respiration: Internal fluid environment, Composition of blood, Circulation and respiration mechanisms
- •Homeostasis: Excretion, Vertebrate kidney mechanisms, Temperature regulation
- •Nervous Coordination: Nervous system and Senses: Functional units of nervous system, Synapses junctions between nerves.
- •Chemical Coordination: Endocrine System; Vertebrate endocrine glands and types of hormones, Mechanism of hormones action,
- •Animal Behavior: Learning, Habituation, Insight learning, latent learning, classical learning: Control of Behavior; social behavior
Suggested readings
- 1.Integrated Principles of Zoology.Hickman, Jr. C.P., Keen, S. L, Larson, and Eisenhour, D.J.
- 2.ZoologyMiller, S. A. and Harley, J. B.
- 3.BiologyCampbell, N.A.
- 4.Evolution. 2nd EditionDouglas Futuyma
- 5.Animal behavior:- An Evolutionary Approach, (9th Edition)John Alcock
Past papers
FPSC's Zoology papers from 2016 to 2026, as text. Open a year, or see them all.