ICSE Class 10 Biology Syllabus 2023-24: Download Class 10th Biology Syllabus FREE PDF

• Mitosis and its stages.  
• A basic understanding of Meiosis as a reduction division (stages not required).  
• A brief idea of homologous chromosomes and crossing over leading to variations.  
• Significance and major differences between mitotic and meiotic division. 

• The three laws of Mendel.  
• Monohybrid cross–phenotype and genotype.  
• Dihybrid cross – Only phenotype. 
• The following terms are to be covered: gene, allele, heterozygous, homozygous, dominant, recessive, mutation, variation, phenotype, and genotype.  
• Sex determination in human beings. 
• Sex-linked inheritance of diseases to include only X-linked like haemophilia and colour blindness.

• Understanding of the processes related to the absorption of water by the roots.  
• Characteristics of roots, which make them suitable for absorbing water.  
• Structure of a single full-grown root hair.  
• A general idea of Cohesive, Adhesive forces and transpirational pull.  
• Experiments to show the conduction of water through the xylem. 

• Concept of transpiration and its importance to plants  
• Experiments related to transpiration:

• Mechanism of stomatal transpiration on the basis of potassium ion exchange theory.  
• Adaptations in plants to reduce transpiration.  
• A brief idea of guttation and bleeding

• The process and significance of Photosynthesis.  
• The internal structure of chloroplast to be explained to give an idea of the site of light and dark reactions.  
• Opening and closing of stomata based on potassium ion exchange theory.  
• Overall balanced chemical equation to represent photosynthesis.  
• Introduction of the terms "photochemical" for light phase and "biosynthetic" for dark phases.  
• Light reaction - activation of chlorophyll followed by photolysis of water, release of O2, formation of ATP (photophosphorylation) and NADPH.  
• Dark reaction - only combination of hydrogen released by NADP with CO2 to form glucose. (detailed equations are not required).  
• Adaptations in plants for photosynthesis.  
• Experiments with regard to the factors essential for photosynthesis; emphasis on destarching and the steps involved in starch test.  
• A diagrammatic representation of “carbon cycle”. 

• A brief idea of the physiological effects of Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic acid and Ethylene in regulating the growth of plants.  
• A basic understanding of the tropic movements in plants with reference to – Phototropism, Geotropism, Hydrotropism, Thigmotropism and Chemotropism (supported with suitable examples).

• Composition of blood (structure and functions of RBC, WBC and platelets).  
• Brief idea of tissue fluid and lymph.  
• Increase in efficiency of mammalian red blood cells due to absence of certain organelles; reasons for the same.  
• A brief idea of blood coagulation.  
• Structure and working of the heart along with names of the main blood vessels entering and leaving the heart, the liver and the kidney.  
• Concept of systole and diastole; concept of double circulation.  
• Brief idea of pulse and blood pressure.  
• Blood vessels: artery, vein and capillary to be explained with the help of diagrams to bring out the relationship between their structure and function.  
• Brief idea of the lymphatic organs: spleen and tonsils.  
• ABO blood group system, Rh factor.  Significance of the hepatic portal system. 

• A brief idea of different excretory organs in the human body.  
• External and internal structure of the kidney;  
• Parts of the urinary system along with the blood vessels entering and leaving the kidney; functions of various parts of the urinary system (emphasis on diagramwith correct labelling). A general idea of the structure of a kidney tubule/ nephron.
• A brief idea of ultra-filtration (emphasis on the diagram of malpighian capsule); selective reabsorption and tubular secretion in relation to the composition of blood plasma and urine formed.

• Parts of a neuron.  
• Various parts of the external structure of the brain and its primary parts: Medulla Oblongata, Cerebrum, Cerebellum, Thalamus, Hypothalamus and Pons; their functions.  
• Reference to the distribution of white and gray matter in Brain and Spinal cord.  
• Voluntary and involuntary actions – meaning with examples.  
• Diagrammatic explanation of the reflex arc, showing the pathway from receptor to effector.  
• A brief idea of the peripheral and autonomic nervous system in regulating body activities.  
• Differences between natural and acquired reflexes.  
• External and Internal structure and functions of the Eye and Ear and their various parts.  
• A brief idea of stereoscopic vision, adaptation and accommodation of the eye.  
• Defects of the eye (myopia, hyperopia hypermetropia, presbyopia, astigmatism and cataract) and corrective measures (diagrams included for myopia and hyperopia only).
• The course of perception of sound in the human ear.  
• Role of the ear in maintaining the balance of the body.

• Differences between Endocrine and Exocrine glands.  
• Exact location and shape of the endocrine glands in the human body.  
• Hormones secreted by the following glands: Pancreas: insulin and glucagon; Thyroid: only thyroxin; Adrenal gland: Cortical hormones and adrenaline; Pituitary: growth hormone, tropic hormones, ADH and oxytocin.  
• Effects of hypo secretion and hypersecretion of hormones.  
• A brief idea of the Feedback mechanism with reference to TSH. 

• Functions of Male and Female reproductive organs and male accessory glands. An idea of secondary sexual characters.  
• Structure and functions of the various parts of the sperm and egg.  
• Explanation of the terms: Fertilization, implantation, placenta, gestation and parturition.  
• A brief idea of the role of the placenta in nutrition, respiration and excretion of the embryo; its endocrinal function.  
• Functions of Foetal membranes and amniotic fluid.  
• Menstrual cycle outline of the menstrual cycle.  
• Role of Sex hormones: Testosterone, Oestrogen and Progesterone in reproduction.  
• Identical and fraternal twins: meaning and differences only

• Main reasons for the sharp rise in human population in India and in the world.  
• A brief explanation of the terms: demography, population density, birth rate, death rate and growth rate of population.  
• Problems faced due to population explosion: unemployment, over exploitation of natural resources, low per capita income, price rise, pollution, unequal distribution of wealth.  
• Methods of population control: Surgical methods – Tubectomy and vasectomy.

• A brief idea of human ancestors – Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Neanderthals, Cro-Magnon and Homo sapiens sapiens (Modern Man) with reference to the following characteristics: 

• Lamarck’s theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics – with reference to use of organs (e.g.: neck and forelimbs of giraffe) and disuse of organs (e.g.: vestigial organs in humans like wisdom teeth, vermiform appendix, pinnae).  
• Darwin’s theory of Natural selection: Survival of the fittest - e.g. adaptation of peppered moth.

• Air: Vehicular, industrial, burning garbage, brick kilns.  
• Water: Household detergents, sewage, industrial waste, oil spills.  
• Thermal pollution.  
• Soil: Industrial waste, urban commercial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers.  
• Biomedical waste – used and discarded needles, syringes, soiled dressings etc.  
• Radiation: X-rays; radioactive fallout from nuclear plants.  
• Noise: Motor Vehicles, Industrial establishments, Construction Sites, Loudspeakers etc. 

• Brief explanation of: Greenhouse effect and Global warming, Acid rain, Ozone layer depletion.  
• Measures to control pollution: 

• A brief mention of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”- A national campaign for Clean India.

• Diffusion: using potassium permanganate in water.  
• Osmosis: Thistle Funnel experiment and potato osmoscope.  
• Absorption: using a small herbaceous plant. 

• demonstration of the process using a Bell Jar.  
• demonstration of unequal transpiration in a dorsiventral leaf using cobalt chloride paper.  
• demonstration of uptake of water and the rate of transpiration using Ganong’s potometer. 

• to show the necessity of light, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll for photosynthesis.  
• to show the release of O2 during photosynthesis using hydrilla / elodea.

Download ICSE Class 10 Biology Syllabus (Session 2023-24)