Biology: Overview, Questions, Preparation

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the definition of Biology is that it is a branch of Science that deals with living organisms and their vital processes. The fields that encompass Biology include Botany, Zoology, Ecology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Microbiology, to name a few. In the higher secondary level, the basics of the subject are taught as per the syllabus of the Boards.

The subject of Biology is further subdivided into branches to specialise the mode of study. The basis of the segregation is the type of living beings and organisms that are studied. Here we bring the top branches of Biology preparation. Although these branches are vast fields of study, in Class 11-12 level, basic concepts are taught to create conceptual understanding for higher studies.

Zoology: Zoology refers to the study of animals, which is also scientifically known as fauna. Zoology studies the animal kingdom and animal life in general. Some of the topics taught in Zoology include Animal Kingdom, Structural Organisation in Animals, Biomolecules, to name a few.

Botany: The study of plants or flora is known as Botany or Botanical studies. This branch of Biology deals with the structure, functions, properties and biochemical processes. Botany also studies plant classifications, diseases, and their interrelation with other branches.

Physiology: This is the study of the functioning of living organisms, animals or plants, and of the functioning of their constituent tissues or cells.

Preparing for Biology is a lengthy process. One needs to follow a dedicated and meticulous study regime to excel in this subject. Here we bring some preparation tips for students who are in Class 11-12 or are planning to appear for NEET or other competitive entrance exams which tests students’ knowledge of Biology.

Develop conceptual understanding: The first step to excel in any subject is to clear the basics. Students must go through the topics from their textbooks and other study materials. In case they face difficulty in understanding any aspect of the topic or chapter, they should take the help of their teachers or seniors so that there is no lack of understanding in any of these topics.

Follow a timetable: Discipline is an important factor in studying. Since school students have to study multiple subjects and have various activities to go through, preparing a timetable for a day, as well as for subject-wise preparation comes in handy. Students should dedicate at least a couple of hours to Biology preparation each day to keep the momentum high. Studying a few days before the exam would not be fruitful. Also, rather than putting longer hours on a few days, it will be more advantageous to study over a smaller duration for more days.

Get the right books and guides: Getting the right study materials and books is the next stage of preparing for Biology. While students already have the school textbooks in their stock, some extra reference books and study materials will add value to their preparation. Students can check the list of top books for Biology on this page to select the books and guides.

Prepare Revision Notes: After every class, students should prepare notes based on the key learnings and takeaways of the chapter. While preparing the notes, they should keep them as organised as possible and draw diagrams with proper labelling, and write complete sentences instead of short forms to be clear in understanding. During revision, students should refer to these notes to brush up on their knowledge.

Use pictographic methods: Biology is all about diagrams. Hence, students must practice diagrams to score well. Even for better understanding, they should study while referring to the pictures and diagrams along with their labels to complete their preparation. Biology is a visual subject and the majority of the concepts are explained via pictures.

Practice after completing every chapter: After completing each chapter, students should take practice tests. This would help them understand their preparation level and know where to improve. This would also help them assess their conceptual understanding. After every practice, students should get it evaluated by their teachers and take their feedback and guidance to prepare better. Once all the chapters are completed, they should take comprehensive mock tests, ideally in a proctored environment to get used to the actual exam scenario.

The Biology syllabus is the same in Classes 11-12 and in NEET and other top entrance exams. The following table brings the complete syllabus of Biology according to Class 11 and Class 12.

Biology Syllabus for Class 11

The following table brings the chapters of Biology taught in Class 11 and the topics within those.

Biology Syllabus for Class 12

The following table brings the chapters of Biology taught in Class 12 and the topics within those.

Students must note that the syllabus not only consists of theory but practical exercises as well. Each theory and practical subject is allotted specific credits or marks which may vary from board to board.

Books play an important role in Biology preparation, be it for Board exams or entrance exams like NEET. Although the school textbooks cater to the conceptual understanding, but to crack the test with a high score, referring to extra study materials and non-textbooks are a must. Some of the top books for Biology preparation are as follows:

• Biology by Trueman (Volume 1 and 2)

• Objective Botany by Ansari

• Pradeep Guide on Biology

• G R Bathla publications for Biology

• Moderns ABC of Biology for XI and XII by B B Arora, A K Sabharwal (Modern Publishers)

• Exploring Biology (Vol 1 and 2) by Sanjay Sharma and Sudhakar Banerjee (Arihant Publications)

• Objective Biology (Vol 1, 2 and 3) by K N Bhatia/ K Bhatia (Dinesh Publications)

• Medical Entrances Biology (Vol 1, 2 and 3) Mamta R Solanki and Lalita Ghotik (Target Publications)

• Together with Biology by S Venugopal

• Complete Biology for NEET by Satwant Singh Bhatia

• NEET UG Challenger Biology Book by Target Publications

• Master the NCERT for NEET 11 & 12 Biology – Vol. 1 2021 by Sanjay Sharma

Listed below are some of the top Medical and Science entrance exams with their weightages of the Biology section.

A: Students who opt for the Science stream in Class 11 and Class 12 may study Biology as a core subject. Generally, students are given an option to opt for Biology or Mathematics along with Physics, Chemistry and other subjects. In case they want to pursue higher studies in Biology, Medicine or allied subjects, then they must study Biology at a higher secondary level.

A: Biology forms a base for the Medical and allied courses since it is the study of various forms of life, their classification and functions. Hence, studying Biology in Class 11 and Class 12 is compulsory and a basic eligibility criterion for appearing for NEET, the biggest and only undergraduate level entrance exam for medical and allied courses.

A: Getting external guidance in Biology is definitely helpful for students as they not only help them understand the syllabus in terms of chapters and topics but also provide them with tips and test-taking strategies, mock and practice tests along with their performance analysis as well as help them assess their performance level vis-a-vis the competition. These are definitely factors of success in scoring well in Biology. However, it is not impossible to perform well with self-study if students are dedicated enough and get the requisite guidance from their teachers, peers or social media platforms.

A: Some of the important chapters of Biology include Animal and Plant Kingdom, Cell Structure and Function, Physiology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Ecology, to name a few.

A: Although Biology does not require hardcore calculation or mathematical knowledge as compared to Physics or Chemistry, Biology is not completely devoid of calculation. There are certain chapters and practical parts which may require calculation.

A: The syllabus of Biology for the Board exams vis-a-vis the entrance exams is the same. However, the pattern and structure of both these exams are different. The basic difference is that, while the questions in the Board exam are of subjective type, that of the entrance exams is objective-type. In the former, descriptive answers have to be written on the answer sheets. On the other hand, the entrance exam questions carry multiple choices, out of which candidates will have to mark the correct answer option on the OMR sheet.

A: School textbooks are mostly sufficient for performing well in the school exams or the Board exams. But to score well in competitive entrance exams like NEET, it is advised that students refer to other books along with their school textbooks.