Planets A celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star is known as a planet. The planets of our solar system are divisible in two groups: the planets of the inner circle (as they lie between the sun and the belt of asteroids) or the inner planets or the ‘terrestrial planets’ (meaning … [Read more...]
Sun’s Internal Structure and Atmosphere, Solar Wind
Components of the Solar System Our solar system consists of the sun, eight major planets, dwarf planets (Pluto, Ceres, Eris etc.), satellites and countless minor planets, asteroids, meteors, comets and debris. Components of the Solar System The Sun Age: 4.6 billion years. Diameter: … [Read more...]
Solar System Formation: Nuclear Disc Model (neo-Laplacian model)
Formation of the Solar System: Nuclear Disc Model (neo-Laplacian model) Nebular Theory of Laplace (1796) tried to explain the formation of the solar system. But it had many drawbacks as the theory was based on scientifically erroneous assumptions. But one assumption it got right was that the solar system was … [Read more...]
Star Formation (Stellar Evolution or Life Cycle Of A Star)
Outlined below are the many steps involved in a star’s evolution, from its formation in a nebula, to its death as a white dwarf or a neutron star. Nebula: a star’s birthplace. Protostar: an early stage of a star formation where nuclear fusion is yet to begin. T Tauri Star Main Sequence Star: E.g. Sun – … [Read more...]
The Universe, Big Bang Theory, Dark Energy, Gravitational waves
Cosmos: another word for the universe. Cosmic: relating to the universe or cosmos. Cosmic rays: highly energetic atomic nucleus or other particle travelling through space at speed approaching that of light. Direct exposure to cosmic rays can cause gene mutations resulting in cancer. Cosmology: the scientific … [Read more...]
Phanerozoic Eon: Paleozoic Era, Mesozoic Era & Cenozoic Era
The boundary between the Proterozoic and the Phanerozoic eons was set when the first fossils of animals such as trilobites appeared. Life remained mostly small and microscopic until about 580 million years ago, when complex multicellular life arose, developed over time, and culminated in the Cambrian Explosion about … [Read more...]
Geological Time Scale: Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic & Phanerozoic
The geological time scale (GTS) divides and chronicles earth’s evolutionary history into various periods from the beginning to the present based on definite events that marked a major change in earth’s physical, chemical and biological features. Major changes in earth’s physical and biological history stretch over … [Read more...]
DELP (UJALA) Scheme – Comparison: LED – CFL – Incandescent Bulb
Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) or Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme Bachat Lamp Yojana "Bachat Lamp Yojana" was a launched in 2009 to reduce the cost of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs, i.e., energy saving lights) sold to consumers. Implemented through the Bureau of Energy … [Read more...]
Non-Renewable Sources Of Energy
Non-Renewable Sources Of Energy Fossil fuels represent stored solar energy captured by plants in the past geological times. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are called fossil fuels, as they are the remains of prehistoric plants, animals and microscopic organisms that lived millions of year ago. During the … [Read more...]
Insectivorous Plants of India: Drosera, Pitcher Plant, Utricularia
Insectivorous Plants These plants are specialized in trapping insects and are popularly known as insectivorous plants. They are very different from normal plants in their mode of nutrition. They, however, never prey upon humans or large animals. Insectivorous plants can broadly be divided into active and … [Read more...]
Atomic Theory – Structure of an Atom
Atoms Molecules, John Dalton’s Atomic Theory, Atomic, Molecular mass, Mole concept, Structure of The Atom, Valency, Atomic Number, Mass Number, Isotopes. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Atoms and Molecules Atoms of most elements are not able to exist independently. Atoms form … [Read more...]
Biotechnology | Genetic Engineering – Processess and Applications
Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Cloning, Recombinant DNA, Cloning Vectors, Competent Host, Biotechnology And Its Applications in Medicine & Agriculture. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Basics: Nucleic acids – DNA and RNA | Recombinant DNA Biotechnology … [Read more...]
Human Reproductive System
Sexual Reproduction - Human Reproductive System, Male and Female Reproductive System, Gametogenesis, Menstrual Cycle, Fertilisation. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Reproduction In Animals There are two modes by which animals reproduce. These are: Sexual reproduction, and … [Read more...]
Classification of Vertebrata (Phylum Chordata)
Phylum - Chordata - Division In Vertebrata: Cyclostomata, Pisces, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Phylum - Chordata Animals belonging to phylum Chordata are fundamentally characterised by the presence of a … [Read more...]
Classification of Animal Kingdom (Animalia)
Classification of Animal Kingdom - Porifera, Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Aschelminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Chordata.] Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Basis for Animal Kingdom Classification Classification of Animal Kingdom is based on various fundamental … [Read more...]
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Plants
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Plants – Asexual Reproduction: Vegetative Propagation, Budding, Spores – Sexual Reproduction: Unisexual, Bisexual. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Modes Of Reproduction in Plants There are several ways by which plants produce their offspring. These … [Read more...]
Plant Nutrition – Photosynthesis | Nitrogen Cycle, Fixation
Nutrition in Plants - Photosynthesis, Saprotrophs, Symbiosis, Parasites, Macronutrients - Micronutrients in Plants, Nitrogen Cycle, Nitrogen Fixation. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Nutrition in Plants Nutrition is the mode of taking food by an organism and its utilization by the … [Read more...]
Plant Tissue – Meristematic – Simple, Complex Permanent Tissue
Plant Tissue - Meristematic Tissue, Permanent Tissue - Simple Permanent Tissue: Parenchyma, Chlorenchyma. Complex Permanent Tissue: Xylem, Phloem. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Plant Tissues Plants are stationary or fixed – they don’t move. Most of the tissues they have are … [Read more...]
Plants with Seeds – Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
Kingdom Plantae – Phanerogams – Plants with Seeds: Gymnosperms, Angiosperms: Monocots and Dicots or Dicotyledon and Monocotyledon. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Phanerogams – Plants with Seeds Plants with well differentiated reproductive tissues that ultimately make seeds are … [Read more...]
Plant Kingdom – Thallophytes (Algae) – Bryophytes – Pteridophytes
Plantae - Plant Kingdom, Algae – Thallophytes: Green Algae, Brown Algae, Red Algae, Uses of algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Cryptogamae. Source | Credits | Picture Credits: NCERT General Science Plantae Classification among plants depends on whether the plant body has well differentiated, distinct … [Read more...]