CBSE Class 11 and 12 Biology: revision path with simulations

The CBSE Biology (044) syllabus for Classes 11 and 12 in NCERT chapter order, from the living world and cell biology to genetics, evolution, biotechnology and ecology. Each topic links to simulations that show it working. Practicals and spotting items from the lab syllabus are marked, as are the topics in the theory exam; chapters kept only for formative assessment are not.

111 topics · 100 simulations · 24 practicals

Class 11

Taxonomy, taxonomic hierarchy, binomial nomenclature, three domains Exam topicXI Ch 1 The Living World
- Dichotomous key – classifying organisms with yes/no questions
- Cladograms and phylogenetic trees – build them from characters or sequences
Five kingdoms: Monera, Protista and Fungi and their groups Exam topicXI Ch 2 Biological Classification
- Cell types gallery – specialised cells, unicellular organisms and atypical cells
Viruses, viroids and lichens Exam topicXI Ch 2 Biological Classification
- Viral replication – lytic and lysogenic cycles
Inflorescence, flower (aestivation, placentation), fruit, seed; family Solanaceae Exam topicXI Ch 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants
- Flowering plant reproduction lab – dissection, pollination, dispersal and germination
Tissue systems; anatomy of dicot and monocot root, stem and leaf Exam topicXI Ch 6 Anatomy of Flowering Plants
- Leaf structure and stomatal density – leaf cross-section and a nail-varnish leaf cast
- Transport in plants – root uptake, xylem and phloem
Cell theory; prokaryotic and eukaryotic, plant and animal cells Exam topicXI Ch 8 Cell: The Unit of Life
- Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure
Cell membrane (fluid mosaic) and cell wall Exam topicXI Ch 8 Cell: The Unit of Life
- Membrane transport – diffusion, channels and pumps
- Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure
Organelles: endomembrane system, mitochondria, plastids, ribosomes, cytoskeleton, cilia, centrioles, nucleus Exam topicXI Ch 8 Cell: The Unit of Life
- Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure
- Protein Structure in 3D – from Amino Acids to Quaternary Structure
Structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids Exam topicXI Ch 9 Biomolecules
- Carbohydrates and lipids – building molecules, bonds and functions
- Protein Structure in 3D – from Amino Acids to Quaternary Structure
- DNA and RNA Structure in 3D – from Nucleotide to Nucleosome
Enzymes: types, properties, factors and inhibition Exam topicXI Ch 9 Biomolecules
- Enzyme activity vs. temperature, pH, substrate concentration and inhibitors
- Industrial enzymes – Michaelis–Menten kinetics and immobilized enzymes
Cell cycle and mitosis Exam topicXI Ch 10 Cell Cycle and Cell Division
- Cell cycle and mitosis
- Mitosis and Meiosis – Animated Stages of Cell Division
Meiosis and its significance Exam topicXI Ch 10 Cell Cycle and Cell Division
- Meiosis and the origin of gamete variation
Pigments, absorption and action spectra Exam topicXI Ch 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
- Absorption and action spectra of photosynthesis – pigments, Engelmann's experiment and chromatography
Light reactions: cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation, chemiosmosis Exam topicXI Ch 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
- Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle – electron transport, ATP synthase, RuBP/GP/TP and the ¹⁴C tracer experiment
Calvin cycle Exam topicXI Ch 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
- Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle – electron transport, ATP synthase, RuBP/GP/TP and the ¹⁴C tracer experiment
Factors affecting photosynthesis; law of limiting factors Exam topicXI Ch 11 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
- Photosynthesis rate – light, CO₂, temperature and the compensation point
- Photosynthesis – counting oxygen bubbles in pondweed
Glycolysis, fermentation, TCA cycle, ETS and ATP yield Exam topicXI Ch 12 Respiration in Plants
- Cellular respiration pathway – glycolysis, link reaction, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain and fermentation
- Fermentation – lactic acid and ethanol pathways
Amphibolic pathway and respiratory quotient Exam topicXI Ch 12 Respiration in Plants
- Respirometer – oxygen uptake of germinating seeds
Seed germination, phases of growth, growth rates and curves Exam topicXI Ch 13 Plant Growth and Development
- Flowering plant reproduction lab – dissection, pollination, dispersal and germination
- Life cycle and growth curve of a butterfly, frog and bean plant
Differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation Exam topicXI Ch 13 Plant Growth and Development
- Plant tissue culture – micropropagation
Plant growth regulators: auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA Exam topicXI Ch 13 Plant Growth and Development
- Plant growth hormones and insect metamorphosis
Human respiratory system, mechanism of breathing, respiratory volumes Exam topicXI Ch 14 Breathing and Exchange of Gases
- Breathing mechanics, spirometry and gas exchange
Exchange and transport of gases; regulation of respiration Exam topicXI Ch 14 Breathing and Exchange of Gases
- Breathing mechanics, spirometry and gas exchange
- Nervous control of heart rate and breathing – medulla, baroreceptors, chemoreceptors and the nervous system
Respiratory disorders: asthma, emphysema, occupational disorders Exam topicXI Ch 14 Breathing and Exchange of Gases
- Breathing mechanics, spirometry and gas exchange
Blood composition, ABO and Rh groups, coagulation; lymph Exam topicXI Ch 15 Body Fluids and Circulation
- Three-Generation Pedigree and ABO Blood Type Inheritance
Heart structure, cardiac cycle, cardiac output and ECG Exam topicXI Ch 15 Body Fluids and Circulation
- Cardiac cycle – pressure, heart valves, ECG and control of heart rate
Double circulation and regulation of cardiac activity Exam topicXI Ch 15 Body Fluids and Circulation
- Single and double circulation
- Nervous control of heart rate and breathing – medulla, baroreceptors, chemoreceptors and the nervous system
Disorders: hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina, heart failure Exam topicXI Ch 15 Body Fluids and Circulation
- Cardiac cycle – pressure, heart valves, ECG and control of heart rate
Nephron, urine formation, counter-current mechanism, ADH/RAAS/ANF Exam topicXI Ch 16 Excretory Products and their Elimination
- Kidney, nephron and ADH – osmoregulation
Disorders, dialysis and kidney transplant Exam topicXI Ch 16 Excretory Products and their Elimination
- Kidney, nephron and ADH – osmoregulation
Types of movement; skeletal muscle and the sliding filament mechanism Exam topicXI Ch 17 Locomotion and Movement
- Muscle contraction – the sliding filament model
Skeletal system and joints Exam topicXI Ch 17 Locomotion and Movement
- Skeleton, joints and antagonistic muscles – elbow lever and range of motion
Neuron, resting potential and nerve impulse conduction Exam topicXI Ch 18 Neural Control and Coordination
- Neuron resting and action potential
- Neuron – action potential and nerve impulse conduction
Synaptic transmission Exam topicXI Ch 18 Neural Control and Coordination
- Chemical synapse – transmission, summation and the effects of drugs
CNS, PNS and visceral nervous system Exam topicXI Ch 18 Neural Control and Coordination
- Brain regions, brain mapping and plasticity – cortex, cerebellum, medulla, homunculus and LTP
- Nervous control of heart rate and breathing – medulla, baroreceptors, chemoreceptors and the nervous system
Endocrine glands, hormones and feedback Exam topicXI Ch 19 Chemical Coordination and Integration
- Endocrine system – glands, hormones and feedback loops
- Homeostasis – blood glucose and body temperature
Mechanism of hormone action Exam topicXI Ch 19 Chemical Coordination and Integration
- Cell signalling – signalling modes and signal transduction pathways
Hormonal disorders: dwarfism, acromegaly, cretinism, goitre, diabetes, Addison's Exam topicXI Ch 19 Chemical Coordination and Integration
- Endocrine system – glands, hormones and feedback loops
Alimentary canal, enzymes, absorption, nutritional disorders XI formative: Digestion and Absorption
- Digestive system journey – enzymes, bile and absorption by villi
Study a Solanaceae flower: floral formula and diagram, root, stem and leaf types PracticalXI Practical A1
- Flowering plant reproduction lab – dissection, pollination, dispersal and germination
Osmosis by potato osmometer PracticalXI Practical A3
- Diffusion and Osmosis – Membrane Model and Potato Strip Experiment
Plasmolysis in epidermal peels PracticalXI Practical A4
- Diffusion across membranes and osmosis in cells
Distribution of stomata on upper and lower leaf surfaces PracticalXI Practical A5
- Leaf structure and stomatal density – leaf cross-section and a nail-varnish leaf cast
Rate of transpiration from upper and lower leaf surfaces PracticalXI Practical A6
- Transpiration and stomatal control
Tests for sugar, starch, proteins and fats PracticalXI Practical A7
- Food tests – sugars, starch, protein and fats in unknown foods
Separation of plant pigments by paper chromatography PracticalXI Practical A8
- Absorption and action spectra of photosynthesis – pigments, Engelmann's experiment and chromatography
- Organic compound separation – distillation, extraction, TLC and paper chromatography
Rate of respiration in flower buds, leaf tissue and germinating seeds PracticalXI Practical A9
- Respirometer – oxygen uptake of germinating seeds
Parts of a compound microscope PracticalXI Spotting B1
- Microscopy lab – slides, calibration, cell size and electron microscopes
Specimens: bacteria, Oscillatoria, Spirogyra, Rhizopus, mushroom, yeast, liverwort, moss, fern, pine, monocot, dicot, lichen PracticalXI Spotting B2
- Cell types gallery – specialised cells, unicellular organisms and atypical cells
Mitosis in onion root tip and animal cells from permanent slides PracticalXI Spotting B4
- Root-tip squash practical – stages of mitosis and mitotic index
Human skeleton and types of joints PracticalXI Spotting B6
- Skeleton, joints and antagonistic muscles – elbow lever and range of motion

Class 12

Flower structure; development of male and female gametophytes Exam topicXII Ch 1 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
- Flowering plant reproduction lab – dissection, pollination, dispersal and germination
- Human ovulation cycle and plant double fertilization
Pollination types and agencies; outbreeding devices; pollen–pistil interaction Exam topicXII Ch 1 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
- Pollination and coevolution – flowers and pollinators, courtship and evolutionary arms races
- Flowering plant reproduction lab – dissection, pollination, dispersal and germination
Double fertilisation; endosperm, embryo, seed and fruit Exam topicXII Ch 1 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
- Human ovulation cycle and plant double fertilization
- Flowering plant reproduction lab – dissection, pollination, dispersal and germination
Male and female reproductive systems; microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary Exam topicXII Ch 2 Human Reproduction
- Human ovulation cycle and plant double fertilization
Menstrual cycle Exam topicXII Ch 2 Human Reproduction
- Human ovulation cycle and plant double fertilization
Fertilisation, cleavage to blastocyst, implantation, pregnancy, placenta, parturition, lactation Exam topicXII Ch 2 Human Reproduction
- Human ovulation cycle and plant double fertilization
Contraception, MTP, STDs, infertility and ART (IVF, ZIFT, GIFT) Exam topicXII Ch 3 Reproductive Health
- Human ovulation cycle and plant double fertilization
Mendelian monohybrid and dihybrid crosses; test cross Exam topicXII Ch 4 Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Punnett Square – Mendelian Genetics (One and Two Trait Pairs)
- Dihybrid cross: independent assortment, gene linkage and crossing over
Incomplete dominance, co-dominance, multiple alleles, pleiotropy, polygenic inheritance Exam topicXII Ch 4 Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Beyond Mendel – incomplete dominance, codominance, epistasis and the chi-squared test
- Three-Generation Pedigree and ABO Blood Type Inheritance
Chromosomal theory; linkage and crossing over Exam topicXII Ch 4 Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Gene linkage – crossing over and genetic mapping
- Dihybrid cross: independent assortment, gene linkage and crossing over
Sex determination in humans, birds and honey bees Exam topicXII Ch 4 Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Sex determination and X-linked inheritance – Punnett squares and pedigrees
Sex-linked inheritance (haemophilia, colour blindness) and pedigree analysis Exam topicXII Ch 4 Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Sex determination and X-linked inheritance – Punnett squares and pedigrees
Mendelian disorders: thalassaemia, sickle-cell anaemia, phenylketonuria Exam topicXII Ch 4 Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Gene mutation and its effect on the polypeptide
- Protein Structure in 3D – from Amino Acids to Quaternary Structure
Chromosomal disorders: Down, Turner and Klinefelter syndromes Exam topicXII Ch 4 Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Karyotypes and non-disjunction – building a human karyogram
Search for the genetic material: Griffith, Hershey–Chase Exam topicXII Ch 5 Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- DNA and RNA Structure in 3D – from Nucleotide to Nucleosome
Structure of DNA and RNA; DNA packaging Exam topicXII Ch 5 Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- DNA and RNA Structure in 3D – from Nucleotide to Nucleosome
DNA replication and the Meselson–Stahl experiment Exam topicXII Ch 5 Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- DNA Replication – the Replication Fork and the Meselson–Stahl Experiment
Transcription, genetic code and translation Exam topicXII Ch 5 Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- Transcription, translation and point mutations
Regulation of gene expression: the lac operon Exam topicXII Ch 5 Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- Gene expression – transcription, translation and regulation
DNA fingerprinting Exam topicXII Ch 5 Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- Biotech bench – transformation, restriction digest and gel
Evidence for evolution: fossils, homologous and analogous organs, embryology, molecules Exam topicXII Ch 6 Evolution
- Evidence for evolution – anatomy, embryos, fossils and molecules
- Fossils and dating – rock-strata dig, index fossils and radiometric dating
Darwin's natural selection; types of selection Exam topicXII Ch 6 Evolution
- Natural selection – rabbit population, mutations, wolves and food
- Drought and finch beak depth – selection on a quantitative trait, R = h²S
- Natural selection – light and dark peppered moths
Mutation, recombination, gene flow and genetic drift Exam topicXII Ch 6 Evolution
- Genetic drift – Wright–Fisher model, bottleneck and founder effect
- Natural selection – changing allele frequency (peppered moth)
Hardy–Weinberg principle Exam topicXII Ch 6 Evolution
- Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, selection and genetic drift
Adaptive radiation Exam topicXII Ch 6 Evolution
- Speciation – allopatric and sympatric (polyploidy), reproductive isolation and the species concept
- Extinction and environmental change – adapt, shift range or die out; mass extinctions
Human evolution Exam topicXII Ch 6 Evolution
- Human evolution – hominin skulls, skeletons, stone tools and out of Africa
Pathogens and parasites: malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, cold, amoebiasis, ringworm Exam topicXII Ch 7 Human Health and Disease
- Communicable diseases – pathogen casebook, spread and plant disease
Immunity: innate and acquired, active and passive; vaccines Exam topicXII Ch 7 Human Health and Disease
- Innate immunity – barriers, inflammation and phagocytes
- Adaptive immunity – T cells, B cells and clonal selection
- Immune Response and Vaccination – Primary vs Secondary Response
HIV and AIDS Exam topicXII Ch 7 Human Health and Disease
- Monoclonal antibodies – hybridomas, ELISA and HIV testing
- Communicable diseases – pathogen casebook, spread and plant disease
Cancer Exam topicXII Ch 7 Human Health and Disease
- Cell cycle and mitosis
Drug and alcohol abuse in adolescence Exam topicXII Ch 7 Human Health and Disease
- Chemical synapse – transmission, summation and the effects of drugs
Microbes in household products and industrial production Exam topicXII Ch 8 Microbes in Human Welfare
- Fermentation – lactic acid and ethanol pathways
- Industrial enzymes – Michaelis–Menten kinetics and immobilized enzymes
Sewage treatment and BOD Exam topicXII Ch 8 Microbes in Human Welfare
- Wastewater treatment by microorganisms – activated sludge tank
Biocontrol agents and biofertilisers Exam topicXII Ch 8 Microbes in Human Welfare
- Biological pest control – natural enemies versus chemical pesticides
- Nitrogen cycle – fixation, nitrification, denitrification and eutrophication
Antibiotics: production and judicious use Exam topicXII Ch 8 Microbes in Human Welfare
- Antibiotic Resistance – Why You Should Finish the Course
- Zones of inhibition – antiseptics and antibiotics on bacteria
Restriction enzymes, vectors and gel electrophoresis Exam topicXII Ch 9 Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
- Biotech bench – transformation, restriction digest and gel
PCR, transformation, selectable markers, bioreactors, downstream processing Exam topicXII Ch 9 Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
- PCR – amplifying DNA by thermal cycling
- Biotech bench – transformation, restriction digest and gel
Bt crops and RNA interference for pest resistance Exam topicXII Ch 10 Biotechnology and its Applications
- Cloning and transgenic organisms – a virtual lab
Genetically engineered insulin, gene therapy, molecular diagnosis Exam topicXII Ch 10 Biotechnology and its Applications
- Monoclonal antibodies – hybridomas, ELISA and HIV testing
- PCR – amplifying DNA by thermal cycling
Population attributes: density, natality, mortality, age pyramids Exam topicXII Ch 11 Organisms and Populations
- Quadrat Sampling – Estimating Population Size
- Population pyramid – three shapes and forecasting by birth and death rates
Exponential and logistic growth Exam topicXII Ch 11 Organisms and Populations
- Population growth – carrying capacity
- Bacterial population growth curve
Population interactions: mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism Exam topicXII Ch 11 Organisms and Populations
- Species interactions – competition, predation, parasitism and mutualism (Lotka–Volterra)
- Predator–prey dynamics – rabbits and foxes
Structure, productivity and decomposition Exam topicXII Ch 12 Ecosystem
- Food chains, energy pyramids and the carbon cycle
Energy flow and food chains Exam topicXII Ch 12 Ecosystem
- Food chains, energy pyramids and the carbon cycle
- Food web – removing species, invasive species and the energy pyramid
Pyramids of number, biomass and energy Exam topicXII Ch 12 Ecosystem
- Food chains, energy pyramids and the carbon cycle
Importance and loss of biodiversity (habitat loss, over-exploitation, alien species, co-extinction) Exam topicXII Ch 13 Biodiversity and its Conservation
- Biodiversity conservation planner – reserves, wildlife corridors and invasive species
- Extinction and environmental change – adapt, shift range or die out; mass extinctions
In situ and ex situ conservation: hotspots, reserves, sacred groves Exam topicXII Ch 13 Biodiversity and its Conservation
- Biodiversity conservation planner – reserves, wildlife corridors and invasive species
Air and water pollution, solid waste, agrochemicals, greenhouse effect, ozone, deforestation XII formative: Environmental Issues
- Eutrophication and water pollution – lake, catchment and indicator species
- Air pollutants from burning fuels – catalytic converters and flue-gas desulfurisation
- Greenhouse effect – greenhouse gases and Earth's temperature
- Tropical rainforests – layers, nutrient cycle and deforestation
Temporary mount to observe pollen germination PracticalExam topicXII Practical A1 / Spotting B2
- Flowering plant reproduction lab – dissection, pollination, dispersal and germination
Plant population density by the quadrat method PracticalExam topicXII Practical A2
- Quadrat Sampling – Estimating Population Size
Plant population frequency by the quadrat method PracticalExam topicXII Practical A3
- Quadrat Sampling – Estimating Population Size
Temporary mount of onion root tip to study mitosis PracticalExam topicXII Practical A4
- Root-tip squash practical – stages of mitosis and mitotic index
Flowers adapted to pollination by wind, insects and birds PracticalExam topicXII Spotting B1
- Pollination and coevolution – flowers and pollinators, courtship and evolutionary arms races
Meiosis in onion bud or grasshopper testis slides PracticalExam topicXII Spotting B4
- Meiosis and the origin of gamete variation
Mendelian inheritance using seeds of different colours and sizes PracticalExam topicXII Spotting B6
- Punnett Square – Mendelian Genetics (One and Two Trait Pairs)
Pedigree charts: tongue rolling, blood groups, ear lobes, widow's peak, colour blindness PracticalExam topicXII Spotting B7
- Sex determination and X-linked inheritance – Punnett squares and pedigrees
- Three-Generation Pedigree and ABO Blood Type Inheritance
Disease-causing organisms: Ascaris, Entamoeba, Plasmodium, ringworm fungus PracticalExam topicXII Spotting B9
- Communicable diseases – pathogen casebook, spread and plant disease
Lichens, root nodules of legumes and Cuscuta on its host PracticalExam topicXII Spotting B10
- Species interactions – competition, predation, parasitism and mutualism (Lotka–Volterra)
- Nitrogen cycle – fixation, nitrification, denitrification and eutrophication
Homologous and analogous organs PracticalExam topicXII Spotting B11
- Evidence for evolution – anatomy, embryos, fossils and molecules
Morphological adaptations of plants found in xerophytic conditions PracticalExam topicXII VI practical 7
- Adaptations explorer – deserts, polar regions, water and extremophiles

Topics follow the published curriculum; the mapping to simulations is by Simulic. Simulic is not affiliated with CBSE or NCERT.