ICSE Class 10 Biology Syllabus 2026-27

ICSE Class 10 Biology Syllabus 2026-27

Board: CISCE | Examination Year: 2028 | Subject: Biology (Science Paper 3)

Exam Structure

Paper Pattern

UNIT 1 — Basic Biology

(i) Structure of Chromosomes

Basic structure of a chromosome with elementary understanding of the following terms:

• Chromatin

• Chromatid

• Gene structure of DNA

• Centromere

  
  

(ii) Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Cell Cycle:

• Interphase: G1, S, G2 phases

• Mitotic phase

Cell Division:

• Mitosis and its stages in Animal and Plant cells

• Difference between Mitosis in Plant cells and Animal cells

• A basic understanding of Meiosis as a reduction division

• A brief idea of homologous chromosomes

• Significance and major differences between mitotic and meiotic division

  
  

UNIT 2 — Plant Physiology

(i) Absorption by Roots

Absorption by roots, imbibition, diffusion and osmosis; endosmosis, exosmosis, osmotic pressure, root pressure; semi permeable membrane, selectively permeable membrane, turgidity and flaccidity; plasmolysis and deplasmolysis; the absorption of water and minerals; active and passive transport (in brief); the rise of water up to the xylem; forces responsible for ascent of sap.

• 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

• Tonicity of solutions: concepts of hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic solutions

• A general idea of cohesive forces, adhesive forces and transpirational pull

• Experiments to show osmosis

• Experiments to show the absorption and conduction of water through the xylem

  
  

(ii) Transpiration

The process and its significance. Ganong's potometer and its limitations. The factors affecting rate of transpiration. Experiments on transpiration. A brief idea of guttation and bleeding.

• Concept of transpiration and its importance to plants

• Kinds of transpiration

• Experiments related to transpiration:

  • Loss in weight of a potted plant or a leafy shoot in a test tube as a result of transpiration

  • 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

  
  

(iii) Photosynthesis

The process and its importance to life in general; experiments to show the necessity of light, carbon dioxide, chlorophyll, formation of starch and release of oxygen; carbon cycle.

• The internal structure of chloroplast — 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 phase

• 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

• 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 the Carbon Cycle

  
  

(iv) Chemical Coordination in Plants

A general study of plant growth regulators; tropic movements in plants.

• Brief idea of the physiological effects of Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene in regulating the growth of plants

• Basic understanding of the tropic movements in plants with reference to — Phototropism, Geotropism, Hydrotropism, Thigmotropism and Chemotropism (supported with suitable examples)

• Demonstration of geotropism with the help of Clinostat

  
  

UNIT 3 — Human Anatomy and Physiology

(i) Respiratory System

Organs; mechanism of breathing; tissue respiration, heat production.

• Structures of the respiratory system

• Differences between anaerobic respiration in plants and in man

• Role of diaphragm and intercostal muscles in breathing — to provide a clear idea of the breathing process

• Brief idea of gaseous transport and tissue respiration

• Brief understanding of respiratory volumes

• Effect of altitude on breathing; asphyxiation and hypoxia

  
  

(ii) Circulatory System

Blood and lymph, the structure and working of the heart, blood vessels, circulation of blood (only names of the main blood vessels entering and leaving the heart, liver, kidney and lungs). Lymphatic system.

• Composition of blood: structure and functions of RBC, WBC and platelets

• Definitions of: erythropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, polycythaemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytosis

• 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, the kidney and the lungs

• A brief idea of the natural pacemaker of heart — SA node

• Concept of systole and diastole; concept of double circulation

• Brief idea of pulse and blood pressure

• Blood vessels: artery, vein and capillary — explained with diagrams to bring out the relationship between structure and function

• Brief idea of the lymphatic organs: spleen and tonsils

• ABO blood group system, Rh factor

• Significance of the hepatic portal system

  
  

(iii) Excretory System

A brief introduction to the excretory organs; parts of the urinary system; structure and function of the kidneys; blood vessels associated with kidneys; structure and function of nephron.

• A brief idea of different excretory organs in the human body and their structures

• A brief idea of ultra-filtration

• Selective reabsorption and tubular secretion in relation to the composition of blood plasma and urine formed

• Normal constituents of urine

• Abnormal constituents of urine with reference to blood, glucose, protein, bile

• Brief idea of Gout, kidney stones and Dialysis

• Formation of Urine in Summer, Winter and in Cholera patients

  
  

(iv) Nervous System

Structure of neuron; central, autonomous and peripheral nervous system (in brief); brain and spinal cord; reflex action and how it differs from voluntary action. Sense organs — Eye: structure, functions, defects and corrective measures. Ear: parts and functions.

• Parts of a neuron; types of neurons

• Nerve; types of nerves; synapse

• Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

• Brief idea of the mechanism of transmission of nerve impulse

• 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 grey matter in brain and spinal cord and placement of parts of neuron

• 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

• The course of perception of sound in the human ear

• Role of ear in maintaining balance of the body

  
  

(v) Endocrine System

General study of the following glands: Adrenal, Pancreas, Thyroid and Pituitary. Endocrine and Exocrine glands.

• Differences between endocrine and exocrine glands

• Exact location and shape of the endocrine glands in the human body

• Hormones secreted (exact CISCE list):

  • 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 feedback mechanism with reference to TSH

  
  

(vi) Reproductive System

Organs, fertilisation, functions of placenta in the growth of the embryo, Menstrual cycle.

• 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: fertilisation, 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

• Outline of menstrual cycle

• Menarche and menopause

• Role of sex hormones: Testosterone, Oestrogen, Progesterone and Prolactin in reproduction

• Identical and fraternal twins: meaning and differences only

  
  

UNIT 4 — Genetics

1. The three laws of Mendel

2. Monohybrid cross — phenotype and genotype

3. Dihybrid cross — only phenotype

4. The following terms to be covered: gene, allele, heterozygous, homozygous, dominant, recessive, mutation, variation, phenotype, genotype, autosomes, allosomes in humans

5. Sex determination in human beings

6. Sex-linked inheritance of diseases — only X-linked like haemophilia and colour blindness

   
   

UNIT 5 — Population

Population explosion in India; need for adopting control measures — population control.

1. Main reasons for the sharp rise in human population in India and in the world

2. A brief explanation of the terms: demography, population density, birth rate, death rate and growth rate of population

3. Problems faced due to population explosion: unemployment, over exploitation of natural resources, low per capita income, price rise, pollution, unequal distribution of wealth

4. Population education

5. Methods of population control: surgical methods — tubectomy and vasectomy; a brief understanding of the use of condoms, contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs) to prevent pregnancy

   
   

UNIT 6 — Environmental Concerns & Pollution

(i) Brief idea about various environmental issues and concerns. Types and sources of pollution; major pollutants.

• Air: Vehicular, industrial, burning garbage, brick kilns

• Water: Household detergents, sewage, industrial waste, oil spills

• Soil: Industrial waste, urban commercial and domestic waste, chemical fertilisers

• 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.; ways to minimize noise pollution

  
  

(ii) Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Wastes

• Biodegradable wastes: meaning and example — paper, vegetable peels etc.

• Non-biodegradable wastes: meaning and example — plastics, glass, Styrofoam etc.; Pesticides like DDT etc.

  
  

(iii) Effects of Pollution on Climate, Environment, Human Health and Other Organisms; Control Measures

• Brief explanation of: Greenhouse effect and global warming, Acid rain, Ozone layer depletion

• Measures to control pollution:

  • Use of unleaded petrol / CNG in automobiles

  • Switching off 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 mention of "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" — A national campaign for Clean India

  
  

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT — Practical Work (20 Marks)

The practical work is designed to test the ability of the candidates to make an accurate observation from specimens of plants and animals.

Plant Life

(i) Observation of permanent slides of stages of mitosis

(ii) Experiments demonstrating:

• Diffusion: using potassium permanganate in water

• Osmosis: Thistle Funnel experiment and potato osmoscope

• Absorption: using a small herbaceous plant

(iii) Experiments on Transpiration:

• 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 rate of transpiration using Ganong's potometer

(iv) Experiments on Photosynthesis:

• To show the necessity of light, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll for photosynthesis

• To show the release of O₂ during photosynthesis using Hydrilla / Elodea

  
  

Animal Life

(i) Identification of the structures of the urinary system, heart and kidney (internal structure) and brain (external view) through models and charts

(ii) Identification of different types of blood cells under a microscope

(iii) Identification of the internal structure of the Ear and Eye (through models and charts)

(iv) Identification and location of selected endocrine glands: Adrenal, Pancreas, Thyroid and Pituitary glands with the help of a model or chart

Evaluation

The External Examiner may be a teacher nominated by the Head of the school, who could be from the faculty, but not teaching the subject in the relevant section/class.

The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to CISCE by the Head of the school via the CAREERS portal.

Internal Assessment Marking Criteria (Grade-Based)

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