International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 2016; 3(2): 01-02

A Handbook of Zoology: Book Review

ISSN 2347-2677 A.K. Verma has compiled his twenty three years of experience
in this book.
Book reviewed by: The popular book entitled ‘A Handbook of Zoology’ is
Ashok Kumar Verma published by Shri Balaji Publications, Muzaffarnagar (U.P.)
Department of Zoology, India in 2015. Its first edition was published in 2012, second
Govt. P.G. College, edition in 2013, third edition in 2014 and fourth revised
Saidabad Allahabad-221508 (U.P.), India. updated edition in 2005. The fourth edition of this book of
8+638= 646 pages contains 37 chapters of Zoology in 7 units.
Shri Prakash Each chapter comprises subject matter in brief, along with
Department of Zoology, point wise description, supported by suitable diagrams and
K.A.P.G. College, examples. This is followed by sufficient number of objective
Allahabad-211001 (U.P.), India type questions with answer of the same at the end of the page.
Continuous revision and updation into a new improved edition
in every year since its inception undoubtedly demonstrates the
interest of readers, devotion of author as well as publisher and
in turn success of the book.
Unit-I (Diversity in the Living World) describes the
properties of living beings, systematics and rules of taxonomy
including kingdom systems and various phyla from Porifera to
Chordata. In first chapter, an outline of animal classification,
concise description of coelom and salient features of different
phyla are also given. In addition, domestication of animals is
also described. This unit comprises 14 chapters from chapter
1-14 as following:
1. Living Organisms and Systematics
2. Kingdom Protista
3. Phylum 1. Porifera
4. Phylum 2. Coelenterata
5. Phylum 3. Ctenophora
6. Phylum 4. Platyhelminthes
7. Phylum 5. Aschelminthes
8. Phylum 6. Annelida
9. Phylum 7. Arthropoda
10. Phylum 8. Mollusca
11. Phylum 9. Echinodermata
12. Phylum 10. Hemichordata
13. Phylum 11. Chordata
 Name of book: A Handbook of Zoology 14. Domestication of Animals
 Edition: 4th Unit-II (Histology and Immunology) describes four basic
 Year: 2015 types of tissues found in animals namely epithelium,
 ISBN: 978-93-84934-08-8 connective, muscular and nervous and integumentary system
 Pages: 8+638 including skin and its derivatives. Different types of immunity,
 Author: Dr A. K. Verma human immune system, immune response mechanism,
 Publisher: Shri Balaji Publications, Muzaffarnagar- antibodies and their types, allergy, inflammation, organ
251001 (U.P.) India transplantation, immunization, ageing, cancer etc. are also
described in this unit. Acquired immuno deficiency syndrome
‘A Handbook of Zoology’ is written to bridge the gap of (AIDS) is described in detail. This second unit comprises 2
availability of proper reading books on the subject especially chapters from chapter 15-16. Names of these chapters are:
National and State level medical entrance examinations. The 1. Animal Tissues and Skin
architecture of the book has strategically arranged to 2. Immune System
strengthen the subjective as well as descriptive skill of the Unit-III (Human Anatomy and Physiology) describes
subject which in turn helpful to improve the confidence and anatomy and physiology of different mammalian systems with
problem solving skills of the students concerned. It provides special reference to human. It comprises 7 chapters from
systematic, well planned up to mark and to the point approach chapter 17-23. These chapters are as following:
incorporating NCERT concept, necessary for students 1. Digestive system
preparing for medical entrance examinations. Its author Dr 2. Respiratory system
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Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies
3. Circulatory system Unit-VI (Genetics and Biotechnology) describes Mendelian
4. Excretory system genetics, genetical terminology, gene interaction, linkage,
5. Skeletal system crossing over, different types of sex determining mechanisms,
6. Nervous system haploid genetics, human genetics (human karyotype, sex
7. Chemical co-ordination and Regulation determination, sex linked inheritance, sex limited inheritance,
Unit-IV (Human Reproduction) describes reproductive sex influenced inheritance, syndromes, Barr body and Lyon’s
system, physiology of reproduction and embryonic hypothesis, inborn errors, sickle cell disease, ABO blood
development of human. Moreover, reproductive health, grouping, eugenics etc.), molecular biology (DNA, RNA,
infertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), test replication, flow of genetic information and central dogma,
tube baby, amniocentesis, MTP, sterilization and contraception genetic code, transcription, teminism, translation, regulation,
(birth control measures) are also a part of this unit. Different mutation etc.). Moreover, genetic engineering, biotechnologies
types of birth control measures are nicely represented in are also described with processes and applications. This last
tabular form. It comprises 3 chapters from chapter 24-26 unit comprises 4 chapters from chapter 32-35 as following:
namely: 1. Genetics
1. Reproduction 2. Human Genetics
2. Embryonic Development 3. Molecular Biology
3. Reproductive Health 4. Processes and Applications of Biotechnology
Unit-V (Origin and Evolution of Life) describes how life is Unit-VII (Exam Question Paper) incorporates memory based
originated on the earth. Theories and evidences of organic CPMT 2015 question paper containing 50 questions of
evolution, geological time scale, human evolution, population Zoology. The questions are followed by answers. This unit
genetics, genetic drift, speciation, different types of natural also contains AIPMT 2015 question paper having 50 questions
selection etc. are included in this unit. It comprises 5 chapters of Zoology. These questions are followed by answers too.
from chapter 27-31: The handbook reviewed above is therefore up-to-date and
1. Origin of Life ultimate on the subject. Anyone can understand Zoology with
2. Theories and Evidences the help of this book and can get success in completion easily
3. Geological Time Scale as it comprises a lot of valuable, useful and updated material to
4. Human Evolution subject as well, as objective type questions in simple language.
5. Population Genetics and Natural Selection

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