Explore Courses

Botany Syllabus for NEET Preparation

Updated on 12 February, 2024

Kanika Pruthi

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, or NEET-UG, is an all-India pre-medical exam for students who choose a medical or dental degree for their undergraduation. There were a record-breaking 20.8 lakh applications for NEET-UG for 1.4 lakh seats in India in 2023. To clear NEET, aspirants must appear in three subjects - Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (divided into Botany and Zoology). In this article, let's look at the Botany syllabus for NEET.

NEET Botany Syllabus - Chapter Wise Weightage

The National Testing Agency or NTA has divided Biology into two categories - Botany and Zoology. 

Botany is a field that talks about plants and related things. Zoology, on the other hand, is about animals. Let’s look at the NEET Botany syllabus for your understanding. You can keep the NEET Botany syllabus handy while beginning your NEET preparations for your ease

The below tables discuss the Botany chapters for the NEET syllabus from Grade XI and XII. There will be 45 questions in the Botany section of the NEET exam, and they will consist of 180 marks.

Remember that the chapters' weightage is per the weightage allotted for the 2023 NEET exam. This weightage is mentioned for your understanding. It will help you know which chapters have the maximum questions or marks in the NEET Botany section.

Class XI

Sno.

Name of the Chapter

Weightage

1.

Plant Physiology

6%

2.

Cell Structure and Function

9%

3.

Structural Organization in Animals and Plants

5%

4.

Diversity of Living Organisms

14%

5.

Human Physiology

20%

Class XII

Sno.

Name of the Chapter

Weightage

1.

Genetics and Evolution

18%

2.

Biology and Human Welfare

9%

3.

Reproduction

9%

4.

Biotechnology and Its Applications

4%

5.

Ecology and Environment

6%

Important Topics from NEET Botany Syllabus

Preparing for NEET is challenging, but knowing the important  topics is an excellent way for efficient preparation. Below is the list of Botany's important chapters for NEET and the  topics included under them. 

Class XI Syllabus and Important Topics

Chapter 1 - Diversity in Living World

  • What is living?; Biodiversity; Three domains of life; Need for classification; Concept of species and taxonomic hierarchy; Taxonomy & Systematics; Tools for study of Taxonomy – Museums, Herbaria, Zoos, Botanical Gardens; Binomial nomenclature.
  • Five kingdom classifications; salient features & classification of Monera; Protista & Fungi into major groups; Viruses and Viroids; Lichens.
  • Salient features & classification of plants into major groups- Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, & Angiosperms (three to five salient & distinguishing features & minimum of two examples of each category); Angiosperms classification up to characteristic features, class, & examples).

Chapter 2 - Structural Organization in Animals and Plants

  • Morphology & modifications; Tissues; Anatomy & functions of different parts of flowering plants: Stem, Root, leaf, inflorescence- cymose & racemose, flower, fruit, & seed (To be dealt with along with the necessary Practical Syllabus).

Chapter 3 - Cell Structure and Function

  • Structure of prokaryotic & eukaryotic cell; Cell theory & cell as the basic unit of life; Cell envelope, Plant cell; cell membrane, cell wall; Cell organelles-structure & function; mitochondria, ribosomes, plastids, microbodies; Cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles (ultrastructure & function); Endomembrane system-endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles; Nucleus-nuclear membrane, nucleolus, chromatin.
  • Chemical constituents of living cells: Biomolecules-structure & function of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids; Enzymes-types, enzyme action, properties.
  • B Cell division: Cell cycle, meiosis, mitosis, and their significance.

Chapter 4 - Plant Physiology

  • Transport in plants: Movement of water, gasses, & nutrients; Cell to cell transport-Facilitated Diffusion, diffusion, active transport; Long distance transport of water – Apoplast, absorption, symplast, transpiration pull, root pressure & guttation; Plant–water relations – Imbibition, water potential, osmosis, plasmolysis; Transpiration-Opening & closing of stomata; Uptake & translocation of mineral nutrients-Transport of food, phloem transport, Mass flow hypothesis; Diffusion of gasses.
  • Mineral nutrition: Nitrogen metabolism-Nitrogen cycle, biological nitrogen fixation; Mineral toxicity; Elementary idea of Hydroponics to study mineral nutrition; Essential minerals, micronutrients, and macro & their role; Deficiency symptoms.
  • Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis as Autotrophic nutrition; Site of photosynthesis; pigments involved in Photosynthesis (Elementary idea); Photochemical & biosynthetic phases of photosynthesis; Cyclic & non-cyclic & photophosphorylation; Chemiosmotic hypothesis; Photorespiration C3 & C4 pathways; Factors affecting photosynthesis.
  • Respiration: Exchange gasses; Cellular respiration-glycolysis, fermentation (anaerobic); Energy relations- Number of ATP molecules generated; TCA cycle & electron transport system (aerobic); Respiratory quotient; Amphibolic pathways.
  • Plant growth & development: Seed germination; Conditions of growth; Phases of Plant growth & plant growth rate; Sequence of developmental process in a plant cell; Differentiation, dedifferentiation, & redifferentiation; Growth regulators-auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA; Seed dormancy; Vernalisation; Photoperiodism.

Class XII Syllabus and Important Topics

Chapter 1 - Reproduction

  • Sexual reproduction in flowering plants: Flower structure; Outbreeding devices; Development of male & female gametophytes; Pollen-Pistil interaction; Pollination-types, agencies, & examples; Significance of seed & fruit formation; Post fertilization events- Development of embryo & endosperm, development of seed & formation of fruit; Double fertilization; Special modes-apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony.
  • Reproduction in organisms: Reproduction; Modes of reproduction – Asexual & sexual; Asexual reproduction; Modes-Binary fission, sporulation, budding, gemmule, fragmentation; vegetative propagation in plants.

Chapter 2 - Genetics and Evolution

  • Molecular basis of Inheritance: Structure of DNA and RNA; Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material; DNA packaging; Central dogma; Transcription, DNA replication; Gene expression and regulation- Lac Operon; genetic code, translation; DNA fingerprinting; Genome and human genome project.

Chapter 3 - Biology and Human Welfare

  • Improvement in food production; Tissue culture, plant breeding, single cell protein.

Chapter 4 - Biotechnology & Its Applications

  • Principles & process of Biotechnology: Genetic engineering (Recombinant DNA technology).

Chapter 5 - Ecology and Environment

  • Biodiversity & its conservation: Patterns of Biodiversity; Concept of Biodiversity; Importance of Biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation; Loss of Biodiversity; Hotspots, extinction, endangered organisms, Red Data Book, biosphere reserves, Sanctuaries and National parks.
  • Environmental issues: Air pollution & its control; Water pollution & its control; Agrochemicals and their effects; Solid waste management; Radioactive waste management; Greenhouse effect and global warming; Ozone depletion; Deforestation; Any three case studies as success stories addressing environmental issues.
  • Ecosystem: Patterns, components; productivity and decomposition; Energy flow; Pyramids of number, biomass, energy; Nutrient cycling (carbon and phosphorous); Ecological succession; Ecological Services-Carbon fixation, pollination, oxygen release. 

Conclusion

NEET exam is of importance to every candidate who wishes to take MBBS or BDS courses in the future. Without clearing NEET, candidates will not be eligible to apply for their respective courses abroad or practice medicine in India. 

Recommended Articles: NEET Preparation & Strategies

FAQs

How many chapters are there in the Botany syllabus for NEET?

There are, in total, ten chapters; five from class XI and five from class XII biology stream.

Do candidates appearing for NEET prepare for Botany as a subject?

Candidates for NEET must appear for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology subjects. The Biology subject consists of Botany and Zoology sections.

Which chapters hold the maximum weightage in the NEET Botany syllabus?

Although every chapter is important and should be prepared, the chapters with maximum weightage per the 2023 syllabus are Human Physiology from Class XI with 20% and Genetics and Evolution from Class XII with 18% weightage.

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Kanika has 5+ years of experience as a writer and content developer. She has written for a wide range of industry verticals, including hospitality, restaurants, non-profits, finance, IT, HR, technology, payroll, and education. She has worked as a creator for a few leading companies and has also helped brands grow through her creative writing.

See More

Important Exams

IELTS Exam PTE ExamGMAT Exam TOEFL Exam SAT ExamACT ExamGRE Exam Duolingo English Test

Important Resources for IELTS

IELTS Band Score ChartHow to get 8 band in IELTSTypes of IELTS ExamAverage IELTS ScoresIELTS Score for USAIELTS Reading Band ScoreIELTS Bar GraphWriting Task 1 Line GraphCollocation for IELTSIELTS Reading TipsIELTS Speaking TopicsIELTS Writing Task 2Opinion Essay IELTSImportant Vocabulary for IELTSIELTS Band ScoreValidity of IELTS ScoreIELTS Reading SectionIELTS Essay Writing SamplesEssay on Historical PlacesHow to Postpone IELTS ExamIELTS Score for New Zealand PRHow to Make Complex Sentences in IELTSIELTS Test Report formHow Many Times IELTS Exam is Conducted in a YearBenefits of IELTS CoachingAgree or Disagree Essay IELTSHow Much Time is Required to Prepare for IELTSCommon Spelling Mistakes in IELTSHow to Crack IELTS in first AttemptImportant Vocabulary for IELTSHow to Cancel IELTS ExamWhy IELTS Exam is RequiredIELTS Exam DatesIELTS Online CoachingIELTS Full FormMBA in Germany Without IELTSStudy in UK Without IELTSStudy in USA Without IELTSMS in Germany Without IELTSStudy in Europe Without IELTSUniversities in Canada Without IELTSStudy in Singapore Without IELTSStudy in Ireland Without IELTSIELTS Score For UKIELTS Score For USAIELTS For AustraliaIELTS Score for New ZealandUS Universities Accepting Only IELTS Score For MSIELTS Preparation

Free Study Abroad Counselling

Verify Your Number for a Free Session with Experts !

+91

Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹40000

Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.

Disclaimer

The above tips are the Author's experiences. upGrad does not guarantee scores or admissions.