CBSE Class XI Biology
Complete Chapter-wise Syllabus 2025-26
Subject Code: 044 | Foundation of Life Sciences
| Unit | Unit Name | Chapters | Theory Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Diversity of Living Organisms | 4 | 15 | 21.4% |
| II | Structural Organization in Plants and Animals | 3 | 10 | 14.3% |
| III | Cell: Structure and Function | 3 | 15 | 21.4% |
| IV | Plant Physiology | 3 | 12 | 17.1% |
| V | Human Physiology | 6 | 18 | 25.7% |
| Total Theory Class XI | 19 | 70 | 100% | |
Theory Units - Detailed Chapter-wise Breakdown
NCERT Textbook: Biology Class XI
Official NCERT textbook covering all fundamental biology concepts and applications. Published by NCERT with comprehensive coverage of all theory units and practical guidelines.
Unit I: Diversity of Living Organisms15 marks4 Chapters
Chapter 1: The Living World
- Biodiversity - understanding biological diversity
- Need for classification of organisms
- Three domains of life classification system
- Taxonomy and systematics principles
- Concept of species definition and characteristics
- Taxonomical hierarchy structure and organization
- Binomial nomenclature rules and examples
- Tools for taxonomic studies and identification
Chapter 2: Biological Classification
- Five kingdom classification system overview
- Kingdom Monera: salient features and classification
- Kingdom Protista: major groups and characteristics
- Kingdom Fungi: salient features and classification into major groups
- Lichens: symbiotic association and significance
- Viruses: structure, replication, and diseases
- Viroids: characteristics and biological importance
Chapter 3: Plant Kingdom
- Classification of plants into major groups
- Algae: salient and distinguishing features with examples
- Bryophyta: characteristics and examples
- Pteridophyta: distinguishing features and examples
- Gymnospermae: salient features and examples
- Angiosperms: characteristics and classification
- Economic importance of different plant groups
Chapter 4: Animal Kingdom
- Salient features and classification of animals
- Non-chordates up to phyla level classification:
- • Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes
- • Nematoda, Annelida, Arthropoda
- • Mollusca, Echinodermata
- Chordates up to class level classification:
- • Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia
- • Aves, Mammalia
- Salient features with examples of each category
Unit II: Structural Organization in Plants and Animals10 marks3 Chapters
Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants
- Morphology of different parts of flowering plants
- Root structure: types and modifications
- Stem morphology: types and adaptations
- Leaf structure: arrangement, shape, venation, simple and compound
- Inflorescence: types and characteristics
- Flower structure: complete description and parts
- Fruit and seed morphology
- Description of family Solanaceae with examples
Chapter 6: Anatomy of Flowering Plants
- Anatomy and functions of tissue systems
- Tissue organization in dicots and monocots
- Primary structure of dicot and monocot roots
- Primary structure of dicot and monocot stems
- Secondary growth and tissue differentiation
- Adaptive anatomy in different environments
Chapter 7: Structural Organisation in Animals
- Morphology and anatomy of frog as type study
- Digestive system: structure and function
- Circulatory system: organization and components
- Respiratory system: anatomy and physiology
- Nervous system: structure and coordination
- Reproductive system: anatomy and function
Unit III: Cell: Structure and Function15 marks3 Chapters
Chapter 8: Cell - The Unit of Life
- Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life
- Structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- Plant cell and animal cell differences
- Cell envelope: cell membrane and cell wall
- Cell organelles - structure and function
- Endomembrane system components
- Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles
- Mitochondria, ribosomes, plastids, microbodies
- Cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles
- Nucleus structure and functions
Chapter 9: Biomolecules
- Chemical constituents of living cells
- Biomolecules: structure and function
- Proteins: structure, types, and biological roles
- Carbohydrates: classification and functions
- Lipids: types and biological significance
- Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA structure
- Enzymes: types, properties, and enzyme action
- Cofactors and coenzymes in metabolism
Chapter 10: Cell Cycle and Cell Division
- Cell cycle phases and regulation
- Mitosis: phases and significance
- Chromosome behavior during mitosis
- Meiosis: phases and importance
- Crossing over and genetic recombination
- Significance of meiosis in reproduction
- Cell division abnormalities and cancer
Unit IV: Plant Physiology12 marks3 Chapters
Chapter 11: Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
- Photosynthesis as a means of autotrophic nutrition
- Site of photosynthesis in plant cells
- Pigments involved in photosynthesis (elementary idea)
- Photochemical and biosynthetic phases
- Cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation
- Chemiosmotic hypothesis mechanism
- Photorespiration and its significance
- C3 and C4 pathways comparison
- Factors affecting photosynthesis rate
Chapter 12: Respiration in Plants
- Exchange of gases in plants
- Cellular respiration overview
- Glycolysis: steps and regulation
- Fermentation (anaerobic respiration)
- TCA cycle: steps and significance
- Electron transport system (aerobic respiration)
- Energy relations - number of ATP molecules generated
- Amphibolic pathways in metabolism
- Respiratory quotient calculation and significance
Chapter 13: Plant Growth and Development
- Seed germination types and conditions
- Phases of plant growth and plant growth rate
- Conditions of growth and development
- Differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation
- Sequence of developmental processes in plant cell
- Plant growth regulators:
- • Auxin: types and functions
- • Gibberellin: effects on growth and development
- • Cytokinin: role in cell division and growth
- • Ethylene: role in ripening and senescence
- • ABA: stress responses and dormancy
Unit V: Human Physiology18 marks6 Chapters
Chapter 14: Breathing and Exchange of Gases
- Respiratory organs in animals (recall only)
- Respiratory system in humans
- Mechanism of breathing and its regulation
- Exchange of gases in lungs and tissues
- Transport of gases in blood
- Regulation of respiration
- Respiratory volume and capacities
- Disorders related to respiration
- Asthma, emphysema, occupational respiratory disorders
Chapter 15: Body Fluids and Circulation
- Composition of blood and blood components
- Blood groups and blood typing
- Coagulation of blood mechanism
- Composition of lymph and its function
- Human circulatory system overview
- Structure of human heart and blood vessels
- Cardiac cycle and cardiac output
- ECG and its interpretation
- Double circulation pathway
- Regulation of cardiac activity
- Disorders: hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, heart failure
Chapter 16: Excretory Products and their Elimination
- Modes of excretion: ammonotelism, ureotelism, uricotelism
- Human excretory system – structure and function
- Nephron structure and urine formation
- Osmoregulation mechanisms
- Regulation of kidney function
- Renin-angiotensin system
- Atrial natriuretic factor, ADH and diabetes insipidus
- Role of other organs in excretion
- Disorders: uremia, renal failure, renal calculi, nephritis
- Dialysis and artificial kidney, kidney transplant
Chapter 17: Locomotion and Movement
- Types of movement: ciliary, flagellar, muscular
- Skeletal muscle structure and organization
- Contractile proteins and muscle contraction mechanism
- Skeletal system and its functions
- Types of joints and their movements
- Disorders of muscular and skeletal systems
- Myasthenia gravis, tetany, muscular dystrophy
- Arthritis, osteoporosis, gout
Chapter 18: Neural Control and Coordination
- Neuron and nerves structure
- Nervous system in humans
- Central nervous system organization
- Peripheral nervous system components
- Visceral nervous system
- Generation and conduction of nerve impulse
- Synapse structure and function
- Reflex action and reflex arc
Chapter 19: Chemical Coordination and Integration
- Endocrine glands and hormones overview
- Human endocrine system organization
- Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
- Pineal, thyroid, parathyroid glands
- Adrenal glands and pancreas
- Gonads and their hormones
- Mechanism of hormone action (elementary idea)
- Role of hormones as messengers and regulators
- Hypo- and hyperactivity related disorders
- Dwarfism, acromegaly, cretinism, goiter
- Exophthalmic goitre, diabetes, Addison's disease
Formative Assessment Only (Not for Board Examination)
Digestion and Absorption: This chapter covers alimentary canal and digestive glands, role of digestive enzymes and gastrointestinal hormones, peristalsis, digestion, absorption and assimilation of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, calorific values, egestion, and nutritional and digestive disorders. This topic is included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively to reinforce understanding without adding to summative assessments.
Practical Assessment (30 Marks)
HANDS-ON EVALUATION - 30% of Total Marks
Major Experiment
5 marks - Selection from experiments 1,3,7,8
Minor Experiment
4 marks - Selection from experiments 6,9,10,11,12,13
Slide Preparation
5 marks - Selection from experiments 2,4,5
Spotting
7 marks - Identification and reasoning
Practical Record
4 marks - Record + Viva Voce
Project Record
5 marks - Project + Viva Voce
List of Experiments
Major Experiments (Choose One - 5 Marks)
- Study and describe locally available common flowering plants from family Solanaceae including dissection and display of floral whorls, anther and ovary
- Study of osmosis by potato osmometer
- Test for the presence of sugar, starch, proteins and fats in suitable plant and animal materials
- Separation of plant pigments through paper chromatography
Minor Experiments (Choose One - 4 Marks)
- Comparative study of the rates of transpiration in the upper and lower surfaces of leaves
- Study of the rate of respiration in flower buds/leaf tissue and germinating seeds
- Test for presence of urea in urine
- Test for presence of sugar in urine
- Test for presence of albumin in urine
- Test for presence of bile salts in urine
Slide Preparation (Choose One - 5 Marks)
- Preparation and study of T.S. of dicot and monocot roots and stems (primary)
- Study of plasmolysis in epidermal peels (e.g. Rhoeo/lily leaves or fleshy scale leaves of onion bulb)
- Study of distribution of stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of leaves
Spotting Items (7 Marks)
Specimens/Slides/Models for Identification
- Parts of a compound microscope
- Bacteria, Oscillatoria, Spirogyra, Rhizopus, mushroom, yeast
- Liverwort, moss, fern, pine
- One monocotyledonous plant, one dicotyledonous plant
- One lichen specimen
- Amoeba, Hydra, liver fluke, Ascaris, leech, earthworm
- Prawn, silkworm, honey bee, snail, starfish
- Shark, rohu, frog, lizard, pigeon and rabbit
- Mitosis in onion root tip cells and animal cells
- Types of inflorescence (cymose and racemose)
- Human skeleton and different types of joints
Career Connections in Biology
Medical & Healthcare
- Medicine (MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS)
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Nursing and Allied Health Sciences
- Veterinary Medicine
- Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
- Medical Technology and Diagnostics
- Public Health and Epidemiology
Research & Biotechnology
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering
- Genetic Engineering and Gene Therapy
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Environmental & Conservation
- Environmental Science and Management
- Wildlife Biology and Conservation
- Forestry and Ecology
- Marine Biology and Oceanography
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Environmental Impact Assessment
Agriculture & Food
- Agricultural Sciences and Technology
- Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Food Technology and Nutrition
- Horticulture and Floriculture
- Soil Science and Agronomy
- Organic Farming
Success Tips & Preparation Strategy
Study Strategy for Class XI Biology
- Focus on understanding fundamental concepts rather than memorizing facts
- Practice drawing and labeling biological diagrams regularly
- Connect theoretical concepts with practical observations
- Use flowcharts and concept maps for complex processes
- Practice previous year question papers and sample papers
- Maintain detailed practical record throughout the year
- Understand biological significance of all processes studied
- Review and revise regularly using NCERT textbooks
- Form study groups to discuss complex biological concepts
- Seek clarification from teachers for difficult topics
- Stay updated with current developments in biological sciences
- Practice numerical problems in physiology and biochemistry
Prescribed NCERT Resources
Official CBSE Biology Textbooks
Comprehensive coverage of all theory units and practical guidelines for Class XI
Required Textbooks and Materials
- Biology Class-XI, Published by NCERT
- Other related books and manuals brought out by NCERT (including multimedia)
- Biology supplementary Material (Revised). Available on CBSE Website
- Reading Material Biology Class XI
- Laboratory Manual for Biology Class XI
- NCERT Exemplar Problems in Biology