The syllabus NCERT Biology Class 12 is carefully designed to help students understand important biological concepts while building both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It is divided into five main units: Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology and Its Applications, and Ecology and Environment. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an organization in India responsible for developing and publishing textbooks and curriculum guidelines for schools. Its goal is to provide quality education and make learning accessible and meaningful for all students.
This syllabus covers a wide range of topics, from how living organisms reproduce and pass traits to their offspring, to how humans interact with the environment and use biotechnology. It also includes practical work like experiments and field studies, which help students connect what they learn in class to real-world situations. By studying this syllabus, students gain a strong foundation in biology that prepares them for higher education and future careers in science, health, agriculture, and environmental fields. The course emphasizes clear understanding, critical thinking, and responsible use of biological knowledge to benefit society and the environment.
Table of Contents
After reading this course students will able to :
- Understand the basic concepts of reproduction in plants and animals, including human reproductive health.
- Explain how traits are inherited and how evolution shapes living organisms over time.
- Recognize the importance of biology in human welfare, including health, disease, and food production.
- Describe the principles and applications of biotechnology and its impact on society.
- Understand ecosystems, biodiversity, and the need for environmental conservation.
- Perform experiments and practical activities to strengthen their knowledge of biological processes.
- Think critically about biological issues and make informed decisions related to health, agriculture, and the environment.
Syllabus for NCERT Biology Class 12
THEORY
(Total Periods=180)
| Unit No. | Unit Title | Periods |
|---|---|---|
| I | Reproduction Reproduction in organisms: Reproduction, a characteristic feature of all organisms for continuation of species; Modes of reproduction – Asexual and sexual; Asexual reproduction; Modes- Binary fission, sporulation, budding, gemmule, fragmentation; vegetative propagation in plants. Sexual reproduction in flowering plants: Flower structure; Development of male and female gametophytes; Pollination–types, agencies and examples; Outbreedings devices; Pollen-Pistil interaction; Double fertilization; Post fertilization events– Development of endosperm and embryo, Development of seed and formation of fruit; Special modes– apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony; Significance of seed and fruit formation. Human Reproduction: Male and female reproductive systems; Microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; Gametogenesis- spermatogenesis & oogenesis; Menstrual cycle; Fertilisation, embryo development upto blastocyst formation, implantation; Pregnancy and placenta formation (Elementary idea); Parturition (Elementary idea); Lactation (Elementary idea). Reproductive health: Need for reproductive health and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD); Birth control- Need and Methods, Contraception and Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP); Amniocentesis; Infertility and assisted reproductive technologies – IVF, ZIFT, GIFT (Elementary idea for general awareness). | 35 |
| II | Genetics and Evolution Heredity and variation: Mendelian Inheritance; Deviations from Mendelism– Incomplete dominance, Co-dominance, Multiple alleles and Inheritance of blood groups, Pleiotropy; Elementary idea of polygenic inheritance; Chromosome theory of inheritance; Chromosomes and genes; Sex determination– In humans, birds, honey bee; Linkage and crossing over; Sex linked inheritance- Haemophilia, Colour blindness; Mendelian disorders in humans– Thalassemia; Chromosomal disorders in humans; Down’s syndrome, Turner’s and Klinefelter’s syndromes. Molecular Basis of Inheritance: Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material; Structure of DNA and RNA; DNA packaging; DNA replication; Central dogma; Transcription, genetic code, translation; Gene expression and regulation– Lac Operon; Genome and human genome project; DNA finger printing. Evolution: Origin of life; Biological evolution and evidences for biological evolution (Paleontological, comparative anatomy, embryology and molecular evidence); Darwin’s contribution, Modern Synthetic theory of Evolution; Mechanism of evolution– Variation (Mutation and Recombination) and Natural Selection with examples, types of natural selection; Gene flow and genetic dirft; Hardy- Weinberg’s principle; Adaptive Radiation; Human evolution. | 45 |
| III | Biology and Human Welfare Health and Disease: Pathogens; parasites causing human diseases (Malaria, Filariasis, Ascariasis, Typhoid, Pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ring worm); Basic concepts of immunology–vaccines; Cancer, HIV and AIDs; Adolescence, drug and alcohol abuse. Improvement in food production: Plant breeding, tissue culture, single cell protein, Biofortification; Apiculture and Animal husbandry. Microbes in human welfare: In household food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and as biocontrol agents and biofertilizers. | 35 |
| IV | Biotechnology and Its Application Principles and process of Biotechnology: Genetic engineering (Recombinant DNA technology). Application of Biotechnology in health and agriculture: Human insulin and vaccine production, gene therapy; Genetically modified organisms- Bt crops; Transgenic Animals; Biosafety issues– Biopiracy and patents. | 30 |
| V | Ecology and environment Organisms and environment: Habitat and niche; Population and ecological adaptations; Population interactions–mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism; Population attributes–growth, birth rate and death rate, age distribution. Ecosystems: Patterns, components; productivity and decomposition; Energy flow; Pyramids of number, biomass, energy; Nutrient cycling (carbon and phosphorous); Ecological succession; Ecological Services– Carbon fixation, pollination, oxygen release. Biodiversity and its conservation: Concept of Biodiversity; Patterns of Biodiversity; Importance of Biodiversity; Loss of Biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation; Hotspots, endangered organisms, extinction, Red Data Book, biosphere reserves, National parks and sanctuaries. Environmental issues: Air pollution and its control; Water pollution and its control; Agrochemicals and their effects; Solid waste management; Radioactive waste management; Greenhouse effect and global warming; Ozone depletion; Deforestation; Any three case studies as success stories addressing environmental issues. | 35 |
PRACTICALS
(Total Periods=60)
List of Experiments
- Study pollen germination on a slide.
- Collect and study soil from at least two different sites and study them for texture, moisture content,
pH and water holding capacity of soil. Correlate with the kinds of plants found in them. - Collect water from two different water bodies around you and study them for pH, clarity and
presence of any living organisms. - Study the presence of suspended particulate matter in air at the two widely different sites.
- Study of plant population density by quadrate method.
- Study of plant population frequency by quadrate method.
- Prepare a temporary mount of onion root tip to study mitosis.
8 - To study the effect of the different temperatures and three different pH on the activity of salivary
amylase on starch.
Study/observation of the following (Spotting)
- Flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, insect).
- Pollen germination on stigma through a permanent slide.
- Identification of stages of gamete development i.e. T.S. testis and T.S. ovary through permanent
slides (from any mammal). - Meiosis in onion bud cell or grass hopper testis through permanent slides.
- T.S. of blastula through permanent slides.
- Mendelian inheritance using seeds of different colour/size of any plant.
- Prepared pedigree charts of genetic traits such as rolling of tongue, blood groups, widow’s peak,
colour blindness. - Exercise on controlled pollination – Emasculation, tagging and bagging.
- Identification of common disease causing organisms like Ascaris, Entamoeba, Plasmodium,
ringworm through permanent slides or specimens. Comment on symptoms of diseases that they
cause. - Two plants and two animals found in xerophytic conditions. Comment upon their morphological
adaptations. - Plants and animals found in aquatic conditions. Comment upon their morphological adaptations
Further more, Syllabus for NCERT Biology Class 11 – Click Here
