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Biology (56)
XII

Introduction Objectives
Higher secondary is the most crucial stage The prescribed syllabus is expected to
of education because at this juncture specialized
Promote the inherent skill of observation.
disciplines of science are introduced. The
Assist to understand the underlying
present syllabus reinforces the concepts principles of biological sciences and
introduced in lower classes. Recently, the thereby develop scientific attitude towards
science of biology has undergone a paradigm biological phenomena.
shift that has transformed it from a collection
Help students to understand the functioning
of loosely related facts into a modern applied of organisms.
science.
Make students aware of issues of global
Living organisms exhibit extremely importance.
complex functional system. Organisms seldom
Guide students to perform easy
occur as isolated individuals. They are organized experiments for better understanding of
into populations and biological communities. biological principles and to develop
Organisms, communities, ecosystems and experimental skills required in practical
environment constitute unique set of natural work.
resources of great importance.
Create awareness about the contribution
Knowledge of biology helps us to of biology to human welfare.
understand a common thread which holds all
these components together. Understanding of
biology will help in the sustainable development Std. - XII Biology
of the environment and will also ensure the
existence of earth with all its amazing diversity. Section I – BOTANY
This syllabus is designed to prepare Unit 1: Genetics and Evolution :
students for various examinations conducted at Chapter 1 - Genetic Basis of Inheritance:
state and national level. Hence it has been Mendelian inheritance. Deviations from
prepared in accordance with the guidelines Mendelian ratio (gene interaction-
shown in the final version of common core incomplete dominance, co-dominance,
syllabi of COBSE, Delhi. Accordingly some multiple alleles and Inheritance of blood
additional topics from state Board syllabus groups), Pleiotropy, Elementary idea of
have been deleted whereas the lacking topics polygenic inheritance.
have been added. The entire unit “Ecology and Chapter 2 - Gene: its nature, expression
Environment” has now been added under and regulation:
Botany and Zoology sections. Modern concept of gene in brief-cistron,
muton and recon. DNA as genetic
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material, structure of DNA as given by

Watson and Crick's model, DNA
Packaging, semi conservative replication
of eukaryotic DNA.
RNA: General structure, types and
functions.
Protein Synthesis; central dogma,
Transcription; Translation-Genetic Code,
Gene Expression and Gene Regulation
(The Lac operon as a typical model of
gene regulation).
Unit 2: Biotechnology and its application:
Chapter 3 - Biotechnology: Process and
Application :
Genetic engineering (Recombinant DNA
technology):
Transposons, Plasmids, Bacteriophages;
Producing Restriction Fragments,
Preparing and cloning a DNA Library,
Gene Amplification (PCR).
Application of Biotechnology in
Agriculture – BT crops
Biosafety Issues (Biopiracy and patents)
Unit 3: Biology and Human Welfare :
Chapter 4 - Enhancement in Food
Production
Plant Breeding
Tissue Culture: Concept of Cellular
Totipotency,
Requirements of Tissue Culture (in brief),
Callus Culture, Suspension Culture.
Single Cell Protein. Biofortification.
Chapter 5 - Microbes in Human Welfare:
Microbes in Household food processing.
Microbes in Industrial Production.
Microbes in Sewage Treatment.
Microbes in Biogas (energy) Production.
Microbes as Biocontrol Agents.
Microbes as Biofertilizers.
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Unit 4: Plant Physiology : Special modes-apomixis, parthenocarpy,

Chapter 6 - Photosynthesis polyembryony. Significance of seed and
Autotrophic nutrition fruit formation.
Site of Photosynthesis Unit 6: Ecology and Environment
Photosynthetic Pigments and their role. Chapter 9: Organisms and Environment -I :
Light-Dependent Reactions (Cyclic and Habitat and Niche
non-cyclic photophosphorylation) Ecosystems: Patterns, components,
Light-Independent Reactions (C3 and C4 productivity and decomposition, energy
Pathways) flow; pyramids of number, biomass,
Chemiosmotic hypothesis, Photores- energy; nutrient cycling (carbon and
piration, Factors affecting Photosynthesis. phosphorous).
Law of limiting factors. Ecological succession, Ecological services-
Chapter 7 - Respiration carbon fixation, pollination, oxygen
ATP as currency of Energy release. Environmental issues:
Mechanism of Aerobic (Glycolysis, TCA agrochemicals and their effects, solid waste
Cycle and Electron Transport System) management, Green house effect and
and Anaerobic Respiration. Fermentation global warming, ozone depletion,
Exchange of gases deforestation, case studies (any two).
Amphibolic pathway. Respiratory quotient
of Nutrients. Std. - XII Biology
Significance of Respiration. Section II - ZOOLOGY
Unit 5: Reproduction in Organisms :
Chapter 8 - Reproduction in Plants Unit 1: Genetics and Evolution :
Modes of Reproduction (Asexual and Chapter 10 - Origin and the Evolution of
Sexual). Life :
Asexual reproduction; uniparental modes- Origin of Life: Early Earth, Spontaneous,
vegetative propagation, micropropagation assembly of organic compounds,
Sexual Reproduction: structure of flower Evolution: Darwin’s contribution, Modern
Development of male gametophyte, Synthetic Theory of evolution, Biological
Structure of anatropous ovule. Evidences, Mechanism of evolution;
Development of female Gametophyte. Gene flow and genetic drift;Hardy-
Pollination: Types and Agencies. Weinberg principle; Adaptive radiation.
Outbreeding devices; pollen-pistil Origin and Evolution of Human being.
interaction. Chapter 11 - Chromosomal Basis of
Double Fertilization: Process and Inheritance
Significance. The Chromosomal Theory.
Post-fertilization changes (development of Chromosomes.
endosperm and embryo, development of Linkage and Crossing Over.
seed and formation of fruit) Sex-linked Inheritance (Haemophilia and
colour blindness).
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Sex Determination in Human being, birds, Blood Vessels.

honey bee.Mendelian disorders in Pulmonary and Systemic Circulation.
humans-Thalassemia. Chromosomal Heart beat and Pulse. Rhythmicity of Heart
disorders in human: Down’s syndrome, beat. Cardiac output, Regulation of
Turner’s syndrome and Klinfelter’s cardiac activity.
syndrome. Blood related disorders: Hypertension,
Unit 2: Biotechnology and its application: coronary artery disease, angina pectoris,
Chapter 12- Genetic Engineering and and heart failure.
Genomics ECG, Lymphatic System (Brief idea):
DNA Finger Printing. Composition of lymph and its functions.
Genomics and Human Genome Project. Chapter 16- Excretion and osmoregulation
Biotechnological Applications in Health: Modes of excretion-Ammonotelism,
Human insulin and vaccine production, ureotelism, uricotelism.
Gene Therapy. Transgenic animals. Excretory System.
Unit 3: Biology and Human Welfare Composition and formation of urine.
Chapter 13- Human Health and Diseases Role of Kidney in Osmoregulation.
Concepts of Immunology: Immunity Types, Regulation of kidney function: renin-
Vaccines, angiotensin, atrial natriuretic factor,
Structure of Antibody, Antigen-Antibody ADH and Diabetes inspidus, role of
Complex, Antigens on blood cells. other organs in excretion.
Pathogens and Parasites (Amoebiasis, Disorders; Kidney failure, Dialysis, Kidney
Malaria, Filariasis, Ascariasis, Typhoid, stone (renal calculi). Transplantation.
Pneumonia, Common cold and ring worm). Uraemia, nephritis.
Adolescence, drug and alcohol abuse. Chapter 17- Control and Co-ordination
Cancer and AIDS. Nervous System
Chapter 14- Animal Husbandry Structure and functions of brain and
Management of Farms and Farm Animals. Spinal cord, brief idea about PNS and
Dairy. ANS.
Poultry. Transmission of nerve impulse.
Animal Breeding. Reflex action.
Bee-Keeping. Sensory receptors (eye and ear), Sensory
Fisheries. perception, general idea of other sense
Sericulture organs.
Lac culture Endocrine System
Unit 4: Human Physiology : Endocrine glands
Chapter 15- Circulation Hormones and their functions
Blood composition and coagulation, Blood Mechanism of hormone action.
groups. Hormones as messengers and regulators.
Structure and pumping action of Heart. Hormonal imbalance and diseases:
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Common disorders (Dwarfism,

Acromegaly, cretinism, goiter, Std. XII
exopthalmic goiter, Diabetes mellitus, (Upgraded) Biology Practicals
Addison’s disease) Experiments
Unit 5: Reproduction in Organisms : 1. Dissect the given flower and display
Chapter 18- Human Reproduction different whorls. Dissect anther and ovary
Reproductive system in male and female. to show number of chambers.
Histology of testis and ovary. 2. Study pollen germination on a slide.
Reproductive cycle. 3. Collect and study soil from at least two
Production of gametes, fertilization, different sites and study them for texture,
implantation. moisture content, pH and water holding
Embryo development up to three germinal capacity of soil. Correlate with the kinds
layers. of plants found in them.
Pregnancy, placenta, parturition and 4. Study of plant population density and
lactation (Elementary idea). frequency by quadrat method.
Reproductive health-birth control, 5. Prepare a temporary mount of onion root
Contraception and sexually transmitted tip to study mitosis.
diseases.MTP, Amniocentesis; Infertility 6. Separation of plant pigments by paper
and assisted reproductive technologies- chromatography.
IVF, ZIFT, GIFT (elementary idea for 7 A) To study the rate of respiration in
general awareness). flower buds/leaf tissue and
Unit 6: Ecology and Environment : germinating seeds.
Chapter 19-Organisms and B) Demonstration of anaerobic
Environment-II : respiration.
Population and ecological adaptations: 8. Study the presence of suspended particulate
population interactions-mutualism, matter in air at the two widely different
competition, predation, parasitism, Sites.
population attributes- growth, birth rate 9. Collect water from two different water
and death rate, age distribution. bodies around you and study them for pH,
Biodiversity and its conservation- clarity and presence of any living
Biodiversity- concept, patterns, importance, organisms.
loss. Threats to and need for biodiversity 10. To test the presence of urea and sugar in
conservation, Hotspots, endangered urine.
organisms,extinction,red data book, 11. To test the presence of albumin and bile
biosphere reserves, national parks and salts in urine.
sanctuaries. Environmental issues: air Study/observation of the following
pollution and its control, water pollution (Spotting):
and its control and radioactive waste 1 Study of flowers adapted to pollination by
management. (Case studies any two) different agencies (wind, insect)
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2. Study of pollen germination on stigma mammal).

through a permanent slide. 8. Study of V.S. of blastula through permanent
3 To Study Mendelian inheritance using slide.
seeds of different colour/size of any plant. 9. To study prepared pedigree charts of
4 Exercise on controlled pollination - genetic traits such as rolling of tongue,
Emasculation, tagging and bagging. Blood groups, widow’s peak, colour
5. Study meiosis in onion bud cell or grass blindness.
hopper testis through permanent slides. 10 To identify common disease causing
6. Study of plants found in xerophytic and organisms like Plasmodium, Entamoeba,
aquatic conditions with respect to their Ascaris and ring worm through permanent
morphological adaptations.(Two plants slides or specimens. Comment on
each) symptoms of diseases that they cause.
7. Study and identify stages of gamete 11 Study of animals found in xeric (desert)
development, i.e. T.S. of testis and T.S. and aquatic conditions with respect to
ovary through permanent slides (from any their morphological adaptations. (Two
animals each)