NEET (UG) Biology Syllabus: Check the Latest Syllabus

• What is ‘Living’?
• Characteristics of living organisms

1. Growth
2. Reproduction
3. Cellular structure
4. Response to stimuli (Consciousness)
5. Homeostasis
6. Metabolism

• Difference  between anabolism and catabolism

• Biodiversity
• Identification
• Nomenclature - Binomial Nomenclature
• Classification - Taxonomy and Systematics

• Taxonomical Aids
• Usage of Taxonomical Aids

1. Herbarium
2. Botanical Gardens
3. Biological museums
4. Zoological Parks
5. Key
6. Molecular taxonomy
7. Automated species identification tools

• History of Classification

• Aristotle
• Theophrastus
• John Ray
• Carolus Linnaeus
• Ernst Haeckal
• Herbert F. Copeland
• R.H.Whittaker
• Carl Woese

• Introduction
• Hierarchy Classification
• Five Kingdom Classification

• Introduction
• Experiment

• Introduction
• Experiment

• Introduction
• Experiment

• Kingdom Animalia
• Characteristics of Kingdom Animalia

• Bryophyta
• Activity

• Angiosperms
• Activity
• Classification of Angiosperms

• Kingdom Animalia
• Characteristics of Kingdom Animalia

• Key Points: Grades of Organization

• Parazoa
• Eumetazoa

1. Radiata
2. Bilateria

• Division 1: Protostomia
• Division 2: Deuterostomia 

• Non Chordates (Invertebrata)
• Chordates 

• Chordata: Prochordata
• Chordata: Vertebrata

• Comparison of chordates and non-chordates

• Key Points: Cyclostomata

• Key Points: Amphibia

• Key Points: Reptilia

• Key Points: Aves

• Key Points: Mammalia

• Plant morphology
• Classification of plant morphology

1. Vegetative morphology
   Component of vegetative morphology
   (a) Habit
   (b) Plant habitat
   (c) Life Span
2. Reproductive Morphology

• Parts of a flowering plant

• Root system
• Characteristic of the root system
• Type of Root:
  1) Primary root
  2) Secondary root
• Regions of root
  1) Meristematic Zone
  2) Zone of Elongation
  3) Zone of Maturation
• Types of the root system
  1) Tap root system
  2) Fibrous root system
  3) Adventitious root system
• Functions of root
  1) Primary function
  2) Secondary function
• Modifications of root

• The Leaf
• Characteristics of leaf
• Functions of the leaf -
  1) Primary functions
  2) Secondary functions
• Parts of the leaf -
  1) Leaf base (hypopodium)
  2) Petiole (stipe or mesopodium)
  3) Lamina (Leaf blade)
• Venation -
  1) Reticulate venation
  2) Parallel venation
• Phyllotaxy -
  1) Alternate Phyllotaxy
  2) Opposite Phyllotaxy
  3) Ternate phyllotaxy
  4) Whorled (verticillate) type of phyllotaxy
• Leaf mosaic
• Types of Leaves -
  1) Simple leaf
  2) Compound leaf - Pinnately and palmately compound leaf
• Modifications of Leaves
  1) Leaf tendrils
  2) Leaf hooks
  3) Leaf Spines and Prickles
  4) Storage Leaves
  5) Phyllode
  6) Pitcher
  7) Bladder
  8) Floral leaves
• Leaf duration - Caducuous (Fagacious), Deciduous, Evergreen and Marcescent

• The steam
• Characteristic features of the stem
• Functions of the stem
  (i) Primary functions
  (ii) Secondary functions
• Buds
• Types of Stem - Excurrent, Decurrent, Caudex, and Culm
• Modification of Stem
  1) Aerial modification of stem
  2) Subaerial stem modifications
  3) Underground stem modifications
  4) Stem Branching

• Inflorescence
• Types of Inflorescence
  1) Based On Position - Terminal, Auxillary, and Cauliflorous
  2) Based on branching pattern and other characters -Indeterminate (Racemose), Determinate (Cymose), Mixed inflorescence and Special inflorescence
• Racemose Inflorescence
  1) Main axis elongated - Simple raceme, Spike, Spikelet, Catkin, Spadix and Pancile
  2) Main axis shortened - Corymb, Umbel
  3) Main axis flattened - Head, 
• Cymose inflorescence - 
  1) Simple cyme (solitary)
  2) Monochasial Cyme (uniparous) - Helicoid and Scorpioid
  3) Simple dichasium (Biparous)
  4) Compound dichasium:
  5) Polychasial Cyme (multiparous)
• Mixed Inflorescence
  1) Thyrsus
  2) Verticillaster
• Special Inflorescence
  1) Cyathium
  2) Hypanthodium
  3) Coenanthium

• Definition: Seed
• Structure and Formation of the Seed
• Seed Variability and Adaptations
• Role and Importance of Seeds

Anatomy and functions of different parts of flowering plants: root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, flower, fruit and seed (to be dealt along with the relevant experiment of the Practical Syllabus).

• Introduction
• Differences Between Plant and Animal Tissues

• Introduction
• Experiment

• Introduction
• Types of Meristematic Tissue

1. Epidermal tissue system
2. Ground tissue system
3. Vascular tissue system

• Introduction to Tissue System, Types and Characteristics of tissue System

• Introduction
• Differences Between Plant and Animal Tissues

• Earthworms
• Classification of earthworm
• Economic importance of earthworm

• Cockroach - Periplaneta americana
• Biological classification of cockroach
• Various kinds of cockroaches

• Frog - Rana hexadactyla
• Biological classification of frog
• Differences between a Frog and Toad
• Economic importance of frog

• Key Points: Cell

• Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life
• Exception to Cell Theory 
• Protoplasm Theory
• Cell sizes and shapes

• Key Points: Cell Membrane

• Key Points: Cell Wall

• Introduction
• Experiment
• Definition: Chromatin Fibres
• Key Points: Nucleus

• Biomolecules
• Importance of biomolecules

• The acid-soluble pool (Filtrate)
• Types of Biomolecules

1. Micromolecules
2. Macromolecules

• Proteins
• Based on our nutritional requirements, amino acids are classified as:
  1) Non-essential amino acids 
  2) Essential amino acids
• Functions of proteins
• Bonding and protein structure
  1) Peptide bond of proteins or polypeptides
• Classification of proteins
  1) Primary (Basic) structures
  2) Secondary structure
  3) Tertiary structure
  4) Quaternary structure
• Amino acids

Structure and Function of Proteins

amino acids – (structure: glycine, alanine, serine)

amino acids as zwitter-ion

examples of acidic, basic, neutral, sulphur containing amino acids

essential and nonessential amino acids

levels of protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary)

functions of proteins

1. Purely proteinaceous enzymes
2. Conjugated enzymes

• Carbohydrates
• Classification of carbohydrates

classification, structure and functions of fats and oils

• Definition: Cell Cycle
• Key Points: Cell Cycle

• Phases of cell cycle

1. Interphase
   1) G₁ phase (Gap 1): Quiescent stage or G₀ Phase
   2) S phase (Synthesis)
   3) G₂ phase (Gap 2)
2. Mitosis or M-phase

• Definition: Karyokinesis
• Definition: Centromere
• Definition: Spindle Fibres
• Key Points: Karyokinesis

• Definition: Cytokinesis
• Key Points: Cytokinesis

• Key Points: Meiosis

• Key Points: Meiosis I

• Key Points: Meiosis II

• Definition: Transpiration

• Uptake of mineral ions
• Active absorption
• Translocation of Mineral Ions

• Hydroponics

• Criteria for Essentiality
• Two types of essential minerals based on their quantitative requirements
  1) Macronutrients
  2) Micronutrients (Trace Elements)

• Definition: Photosynthesis
• Explanation

• Experiment to prove that light is essential for photosynthesis
• Half leaf experiment to prove that CO₂ is essential for photosynthesis

• Light Reactions
• Dark Reaction

• difference between chlorophyll ‘a’&‘b’, carotenoids and xanthophyll
• Pigments Involved in Photosynthesis (Elementary Idea)

• Definition: Photolysis
• Definition: Photophosphorylation

• Photoexcitation of PS-II
• Electron transport system
• Photoexcitation of PS-I
• The Z-Scheme

• Photophosphorylation

1. Non-cyclic photophosphorylation
2. Cyclic Photophosphorylation

• C₄ Plants
• Characteristics of C₄ plants
• Kranz Anatomy
• The C₄ Pathway
• Diagramatic representation of the Hatch and Slack pathway

• Definition: Aerobic Respiration
• Definition: Anaerobic Respiration
• Key Points: Cellular Respiration

• Definition: Glycolysis

• Fermentation
• Process of Fermentation
• Types of Fermentation

1. Lactic Acid Fermentation
2. Alcohol Fermentation
3. Acetic acid Fermentation
4. Butyric acid Fermentation

• Advantages of Fermentation

• Definition: Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle or Kreb’s Cycle)

• Definition: Electron Transfer Chain Reaction

• Oxidative Phosphorylation
• Oxidative Phosphorylation Steps

• Characteristics of Growth in plants:
  1) Indeterminate or continuous growth
  2) Localised growth

• Sequence of Developmental Processes in a Plant Cell

• Auxins
• Gibberellins
• Cytokinins (Cytos – cell, Kinesis – division)
• Ethylene (Gaseous Phytohormone)
• Abscisic Acid (ABA) (Stress Phyto hormone)

• Vernalisation
• Kinds of varieties
  1) Spring variety
  2) Winter variety

• Alimentary canal
• The human alimentary canal consists following parts:

1. Buccal (oral) cavity
   a) Mouth
   b) Teeth - thecodont, Diphyodont, enamel, Types of Teeth: Incisors, Canines, Premolars, Molars, Dental Formula → Arrangement of teeth in each half of the upper and lower jaw
   c) Tongue
2. Pharynx
3. Oesophagus (food pipe)
4. Stomach: Cardiac region, Fundic region, Body (Main central region), Pyloric region.
5. Small Intestine: Duodenum, Jejunum, IIleum
6. Large Intestine: Caccum, Colon, Rectum, Anal canal
7. Anus: Wall of Alimentary canal
   i) Serosa
   ii) Muscularis
   iii) Submucosa
   iv) Mucosa

• Digestive Glands

1. Salivary gland:
   a) Parotid gland
   b) Subligual gland
   c) Submaxillary/ Submandibular gland
2. Liver
3. Gall bladder
4. Pancreas

• In Buccal Cavity: Constituents of saliva, Salivary amylase, Lysozyme
• In Stomach:
  a) Gastric glands: Chief/ peptic (zymogen cells), Oxyntic/ parietal cells, Mucus neck cells, Gastric Juice, gastric secretion
• In Small Intestine: Intestinal juice (Succus entericus)
  a) Role of bite in fat digestion
  b) Role of Pancreatic Juice
  ⇒ In carbohydrate digestion
  ⇒ In protein digestion
  ⇒ In fat digestion
  ⇒ In Nucleic acid digestion
  c) Role of intestinal juice indigestion
  ⇒ In carbohydrate digestion
  ⇒ In protein digestion
  ⇒ In fat digestion
  ⇒ In Nucleic acid digestion
• Large Intestine
  ⇒ Neural and hormonal control on digestion process

• Absorption
• It is carried out by various processes:

1. Passive Absorption
   ⇒ Process
   a) Simple diffusion
   b) Osmosis
   c) Facilitated transport
2. Active absorption

• Absorption of fatty acids and glycerol
• Absorption in different parts of the alimentary canal
• Assimilation

• Absorption of substances takes place in different parts of the alimentary canal, like mouth, stomach, small intestine and large intestine

• Disorders of the digestive system

1. Inflammation of the intestinal tract
2. Jaundice
3. Vomiting 
4. Diarrhoea
5. Constipation
6. Indigestion

• PEM (Protein-energy malnutrition)

1. Kwashiorkar
2. Marasmus

• Respiratory Organs in Animals
• gills, lungs

• Respiratory System
• Exchange of Gases in Lungs
• Significance of Respiration
• Key Points: Respiratory System

• Mechanism of Respiration
• Steps of Respiration

1. Tidal Volume (TV)
2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
3. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
4. Residual Volume (RV)
5. Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
6. Expiratory Capacity (EC)
7. Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)
8. Vital Capacity (VC)
9. Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

• Exchange of Gases - in Humans

• Definition: Closed Blood Circulatory System
• Definition: Open Blood Circulatory System
• Key Points: Fluids in Our Body

• Plasma
• Components of Plasma
• Function of Plasma
• Definition: Serum

• Red Blood Cells
• Function of RBC
• Key Points: Red Blood Cells

• White Blood Cells (WBCs)
• Types of WBCs
• Function of WBCs
• Key Points: White Blood Cells

• Definition: Blood Transfusion
• Definition: Blood Donor
• Definition: Blood Recipient
• Definition: Antigens
• Definition: Antibodies
• Definition: Universal Donor
• Definition: Universal Recipient
• Blood Groups
• Rh Factor
• Key Point: Blood Transfusion and Blood Groups

• Definition: Thrombokinase
• Definition: Clot
• Blood Platelets
• Function of Blood Platelets
• Key Points: Blood Platelets

• Structure of the Heart
• Layers of the Heart Wall
• Chambers of the Heart
• Definition: Pericardium
• Key Points: The Heart

• Blood Vessels: Structure and Functions
• Capillaries
• Definition: Artery
• Definition: Vein
• Definition: Arteriole
• Definition: Venule

• Definition: Cardiac Cycle
• Heart Beat Rate
• Heart Beat Sounds
• Key Points: Heart Beat

• Disorders of the Circulatory System:

1. Hypertension/ High blood pressure: Normal blood pressure
2. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or Atherosclerosis
3. Angina / Angina pectoris
4. Heart Failure: Myocardial infarction (Heart failure), Cardiac arrest, Heart attack, Stroke
5. Rheumatoid Heart Disease

• Introduction
• Human Excretory System Organs
• Excretion in Humans
• Mechanism of Excretion in Humans
• Dialysis

• Definition: Ultrafiltration
• Definition: Glomerular Filtrate
• Definition: Selective Absorption
• Definition: Tubular Secretion

• Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)
• Henle’s Loop, Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

• Osmoregulation
• Regulation of Kidney Function

1. Renin-Angiotensin,
2. Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF)
3. ADH and Diabetes Inspidus

• Urine

• Key Points: Excretory Organs

• Kidney stones
• Uremia
• Nephritis
• Renal Failure
• Diabetes
• Urinary tract infection
• Haemodialysis
• Peritoneal dialysis 
• Kidney transplant
• Renal Calculi
• Glomerulonephritis

• Movements
• Locomotion
• Locomotary movements
• Significance of locomotion

• Types of movement
  1) Amoeboid movement
  2) Ciliary movement
  3) Muscular movement

• Muscles
• Properties of muscles
• Classification of muscles

1. Based on their location
   (i) Skeletal muscles
   (ii) Visceral muscles
   (iii) Cardiac muscles
2. Based on their appearance
   (i) Striated muscles
   (ii) Smooth muscles
3. Based on nature
   (i) Voluntary muscles
   (ii) Involuntary muscles

• Structure of Contractile Proteins

1. Actin filament
2. Myosin filament

• Mechanism of muscle contraction
• Steps of muscle contraction

• Skeletal System and Its Functions

• Disorders of Muscular and Skeletal System -

1. Myasthenia gravis
2. Tetany
3. Muscular dystrophy
4. Arthritis
5. Osteoporosis
6. Gout

• Definition: Neuron (Nerve Cell)
• Definition: Neurolemma (Neurilemma)
• Definition: Nodes of Ranvier
• Definition: Synaptic Cleft
• Definition: Stimulus
• Definition: Response
• Definition: Nerve Impulse
• Definition: Receptors
• Definition: Effectors
• Key Points: Neuron

• Introduction
• Components of Nervous System
• Need of Nervous System
• Key Points: Human Nervous System

• Central Nervous System
• Different regions of Brain and its functions

• Definition: Meninges
• Definition: Meningitis
• Key Points: Human Brain

• Key Points: Spinal Cord

• Definition: Reflex Action
• Key Points: Reflex Action

• Definition: Reflex Arc
• Key Points: Reflex Arc

• Key Points: The Human Eye

• Key Points: Human Ear

• Hormones are also secreted by some tissues which are not endocrine glands:
  1) Heart
  2) Kidney
  3) Gastro-intestinal tract: Gastrin, Secretin, Cholecystokinin (CCK), Gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP)

• Mechanism of Hormone Action
• Hormones and their types
• Target cells have specific receptors

• Types of effects of hormones regulate metabolism and body functions
  1) Permissive effect
  2) Synergistic effect
  3) Antagonistic effect

• Gigantism
• Acromegaly
• Pituitary dwarfism
• Diabetes insipidus
• Graves' disease (Exophthalmic goiter)
• Cretinism
• Goitre
• Addison's disease
• Diabetes mellitus

• Definition of Life Span
• Characteristics of the life span of Organisms
• Life span development

• Maximum life span of organisms
• Approximate life spans of some organisms

• Different Phases in Sexual Reproduction in Plant
• Different Phases in Sexual Reproduction in animals

• Pre-fertilisation Events in Organisms:

1. Gametogenesis - Sexuality in organisms, Cell division during gamete formation
2. Gamete Transfer

• Post-fertilization events

1. The zygote
2. Embryogenesis

• Natural Parthenogenesis
• Artificial parthenogenesis

• Androecium: Male Reproductive Organ

1. Male reproductive unit: Stamen
2. Fusion of Stamens
3. Anther types
4. Anther attachment

• Gynoecium: Female Reproductive Organ

1. Female Reproductive unit: Pistil
2. Carpel
3. Number of locules
4. Extension of the condensed internode of the receptacle
5. Ovary position
6. Perianth / Androecial position on thalamus

• Definition: Bisexual Flower
• Definition: Unisexual Flower
• Definition: Pedicellate Flower
• Definition: Sessile Flower
• Key Points: Sexual Reproduction in Plants

• Structure of Anther and Pollen Chambers
• Anther Wall Layers and Their Functions
• Dehiscence of Anther

• Definition: Microsporogenesis
• Primary Sporogenous Tissue
• Meiotic Division
• Types of Pollen Tetrads

• Structure of Pollen Grain
• Composition and Role of Sporopollenin
• Pollination and Pollen Germination
• Pollen Viability and Preservation
• Formation of Male Gametophyte
• Development of Male Gametes

• Structure of Ovule
• Development of Ovule

• Definition: Megasporogenesis
• Process

• Formation of Embryo Sac
• Cellular Organisation of Embryo Sac

• Key Points: Gametogenesis

• Definition: Spermatogenesis
• Introduction

• Definition: Oogenesis
• Introduction

• Definition: Fertilization in Human
• Key Points: Fertilization in Human

• Definition: Implantation

• Definition: Parturition

• Key Points: Reproductive Health

• Definition
• Effects of Population Explosion 
• Measures to Control Population Explosion
• Real-Life Application
• Key Point Summary

• Explanation
• Laws: Law of Segregation

• Definition: Mutation

• Definition: Central Dogma

• Definition: DNA Fingerprinting

• Definition: Evolution
• Key Points: Evolution

• Key Points: Morphological Evidences

• Definition: Natural Selection
• Definition: Survival of the Fittest

• Key Points: Biotechnology

• Key Points: Concept of Ecosystem

• Definition: Pollution
• Definition: Pollutant

• Municipal solid wastes
  ⇒ Steps that can be taken by us to reduce the non-biodegradable waste
  (i) Burning of the waste
  (ii) Sanitary landfills
• Hospital Waste
• Electronic waste (e-waste)
• Incineration
• Recycling
• Case Study of Remedy for Plastic Waste

• Greenhouse effect
• Global warming
• Effects of global warming
• Prevention of global warming

• Soil erosion and desertification
• Waterlogging and soil salinity

• Introduction
• Chipko Movement
• Integrated Forest Protection Scheme (IFPS)