NEET / State Class 12 Board (e.g. ISC) Biology Syllabus

Biology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Biology in NEET / State Class 12 Board (e.g. ISC), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Reproduction in Organisms

   3 topics

   • Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
     • Structure of flower; microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis
     • Pollination, double fertilisation and endosperm
     • Apomixis, polyembryony and parthenocarpy
   • Human Reproduction
     • Male and female reproductive systems
     • Gametogenesis and menstrual cycle
     • Fertilisation, embryonic development and parturition
   • Reproductive Health
     • Contraception and birth control methods
     • Infertility and assisted reproductive technologies
     • Sexually transmitted infections
2. 2

   Genetics and Evolution

   3 topics

   • Principles of Inheritance and Variation
     • Mendel's laws and dihybrid cross
     • Linkage, recombination and chromosomal theory
     • Sex determination and genetic disorders
   • Molecular Basis of Inheritance
     • DNA as genetic material; structure and replication
     • Transcription, genetic code and translation
     • Lac operon and regulation of gene expression
   • Evolution
     • Origin of life and evidences of evolution
     • Darwinism, natural selection and Hardy-Weinberg principle
     • Adaptive radiation and human evolution
3. 3

   Biology in Human Welfare

   3 topics

   • Human Health and Disease
     • Pathogens and common human diseases
     • Immunity: innate, acquired, vaccination
     • Cancer, AIDS and drug abuse
   • Microbes in Human Welfare
     • Microbes in household and industrial products
     • Microbes in sewage treatment and biogas
     • Microbes as biocontrol agents and biofertilisers
   • Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production
     • Animal husbandry and breeding
     • Plant breeding and single cell protein
     • Tissue culture and biofortification
4. 4

   Biotechnology and Ecology

   4 topics

   • Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
     • Tools of recombinant DNA technology
     • Restriction enzymes, vectors and cloning
     • PCR and bioreactors
   • Biotechnology and Its Applications
     • Genetically modified organisms; Bt crops
     • Gene therapy and molecular diagnosis
     • Biopiracy and ethical issues
   • Ecosystem
     • Components, productivity and decomposition
     • Energy flow and ecological pyramids
     • Nutrient cycling and ecological succession
   • Biodiversity and Conservation
     • Levels and patterns of biodiversity
     • Causes of biodiversity loss
     • In-situ and ex-situ conservation

Biology flashcards for NEET / State Class 12 Board (e.g. ISC)

22 of 52 cards from the Biology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In a flowering plant, what is the function of the tapetum in the anther?

   It is the innermost wall layer of the microsporangium that nourishes the developing pollen grains (microspores).

2. What is the typical structure of a mature male gametophyte (pollen grain) in angiosperms?

   A 2-celled structure: a large vegetative (tube) cell and a smaller generative cell. The generative cell later divides to form two male gametes (3-celled stage).

3. Describe the most common type of mature embryo sac (female gametophyte) in angiosperms.

   A 7-celled, 8-nucleate structure: one egg cell, two synergids, three antipodal cells, and one central cell with two polar nuclei (Polygonum type).

4. What is double fertilization in angiosperms?

   One male gamete fuses with the egg (syngamy) to form the zygote (2n); the other fuses with the two polar nuclei (triple fusion) to form the primary endosperm cell (3n).

5. What is the ploidy of the endosperm in a typical angiosperm seed and why?

   Triploid (3n), formed by triple fusion of one male gamete with two polar nuclei of the central cell.

6. Define apomixis.

   A form of asexual reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction, producing seeds without fertilization (e.g., in some grasses and Citrus).

7. What is the role of the filiform apparatus in the synergids?

   It guides the entry of the pollen tube into the synergid, directing it toward the embryo sac.

8. Where does spermatogenesis occur and what hormone stimulates it?

   In the seminiferous tubules of the testis; stimulated by FSH (and supported by testosterone from Leydig cells under LH).

9. What is the function of Sertoli cells and Leydig (interstitial) cells in the testis?

   Sertoli cells nourish developing sperm (regulated by FSH); Leydig cells secrete testosterone (androgens) under the influence of LH.

10. Name the hormones of the menstrual cycle and the events of the LH surge.

    FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone. A rapid LH surge at mid-cycle (~day 14) induces ovulation (release of the secondary oocyte).

11. At what stage is the human egg released at ovulation?

    As a secondary oocyte arrested in metaphase of meiosis II; it completes meiosis II only after fertilization.

12. What is the function of hCG in early human pregnancy?

    Human chorionic gonadotropin maintains the corpus luteum so it continues secreting progesterone to sustain the endometrium; it is the basis of pregnancy tests.

13. What is the role of oxytocin and prolactin in reproduction?

    Oxytocin causes uterine contractions during parturition and milk ejection (let-down); prolactin stimulates milk production (lactogenesis).

14. Where does fertilization normally occur in the human female and where does implantation occur?

    Fertilization occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube (oviduct); implantation occurs in the wall of the uterus (endometrium).

15. What does the acrosome of a sperm contain and why is it important?

    It contains hydrolytic/lytic enzymes that help the sperm penetrate the zona pellucida and enter the egg during fertilization.

16. What is the full form and purpose of MTP and ART?

    MTP = Medical Termination of Pregnancy (induced abortion); ART = Assisted Reproductive Technology (techniques like IVF, ZIFT, GIFT to aid infertile couples).

17. Distinguish between IVF (ZIFT) and GIFT.

    In IVF/ZIFT, fertilization occurs outside the body and the zygote/early embryo is transferred to the fallopian tube. In GIFT, an ovum (from a donor) is transferred into the fallopian tube of a woman who cannot produce ova, where fertilization occurs in vivo.

18. What does IUD stand for and how do copper-releasing IUDs (e.g., CuT) work as contraceptives?

    Intra-Uterine Device. Copper ions released suppress sperm motility and fertilizing capacity, preventing fertilization.

19. What are STDs and name three examples mentioned in the syllabus.

    Sexually Transmitted Diseases (infections transmitted through sexual contact). Examples: gonorrhoea, syphilis, AIDS (also chlamydiasis, genital herpes, hepatitis B).

20. State Mendel's Law of Segregation.

    During gamete formation, the two alleles of a gene separate (segregate) so that each gamete carries only one allele of the pair.

21. State Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment.

    Alleles of different genes assort independently of one another during gamete formation (applies to genes on different chromosomes).

22. What are the phenotypic and genotypic ratios of a Mendelian dihybrid cross (F2)?

    Phenotypic ratio 9:3:3:1; genotypic ratio 1:2:1:2:4:2:1:2:1.

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