| Main Topics |
Subtopics |
| Reproduction in Organisms |
Reproduction, modes of reproduction: asexual and sexual reproduction |
| Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants |
Flower structure, pollination, development of endosperm and embryo, development of seed and formation of fruit, Significance of seed dispersal and fruit formation |
| Human Reproduction |
Male and female reproductive systems, fertilisation, embryo development up to blastocyst formation, implantation, pregnancy and placenta formation |
| Reproductive Health |
Need for reproductive health and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), birth control, contraception and medical termination of pregnancy, infertility and assisted reproductive technologies |
| Principles of Inheritance and Variation |
Heredity and variation, multiple alleles and inheritance of blood groups, pleiotropy, Sex determination in humans, birds and honey bee, sex linked inheritance, chromosomal disorders in humans |
| Molecular Basis of Inheritance |
Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material, transcription, genetic code, translation, DNA fingerprinting |
| Evolution |
Origin of life, Darwin’s contribution, modern synthetic theory of evolution, variation (mutation and recombination) and natural selection with examples, types of natural selection, Hardy-Weinberg’s principle |
| Human Health and Diseases |
Pathogens, parasites causing human diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ringworm) and their control, Basic concepts of immunology-vaccines, cancer, HIV and AIDS, Adolescence- drug and alcohol abuse |
| Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production |
Improvement in food production: Plant breeding, tissue culture, single cell protein, Bio fortification, Apiculture and Animal husbandry |
| Microbes in Human Welfare |
In household food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and microbes as biocontrol agents and bio fertilizers. Antibiotics; production and judicious use |
| Biotechnology- Principles and processes |
Genetic Engineering (Recombinant DNA Technology) |
| Biotechnology and its Application |
Application of biotechnology in health and agriculture: Human insulin and vaccine production, stem cell technology, gene therapy, genetically modified organisms, bio piracy and patents |
| Organisms and Populations |
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 |
| Ecosystem |
Ecosystems: Patterns, components, pyramids of number, biomass, energy; nutrient cycles (carbon and phosphorous), ecological succession, pollination, seed dispersal, oxygen release (in brief) |
| Biodiversity and its Conservation |
Concept of biodiversity, hotspots, endangered organisms, extinction, Red Data Book, biosphere reserves, national parks, sanctuaries and Ramsar sites |
| 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 climate change, ozone layer depletion, deforestation |
