ICSE Class 10 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 PDF Download

Cell Division:

• 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 to be covered: gene, allele, heterozygous, homozygous, dominant, recessive, mutation, variation, phenotype, genotype.
• Sex determination in human beings. Sex-linked inheritance of diseases to include only X-linked like hemophilia and colour blindness.

• Understanding of the processes related to 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:
  (a) Loss in weight of a potted plant or a leafy shoot in a test tube as a result of transpiration.
  (b)Use of cobalt chloride paper to demonstrate unequal rate of transpiration in a dorsiventral leaf.
• 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 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 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.
• The 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 the diagram with correct labeling). 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 reflex.
• 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 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 human ear.
• Role of the ear in maintaining 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 hyper secretion 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 placenta in nutrition, respiration and excretion of the embryo; its endocrinal function.
• Functions of Foetal membranes and amniotic fluid.
• Menstrual cycle outline of 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:
  – Bipedalism
  – Increasing Cranial capacity
  – Reduction of size of canine teeth
  – Forehead and brow ridges
  – Development of chin
  – Reduction in body hair
  – Height and Posture
• 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 the greenhouse effect and Global warming, Acid rain, Ozone layer depletion.
• Measures to control pollution:
  – Use of unleaded petrol / CNG in automobiles
  – Switching of engines at traffic signal lights
  – Social forestry
  – Setting of sewage treatment plants
  – Ban on polythene and plastics
  – Organic farming
  – Euro Bharat vehicular standard. (A brief idea of the above measures)
• A brief mention of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”- A national campaign for Clean India.