Maharashtra Board HSC Biology New Syllabus, Pattern and Marks

Higher secondary is the most crucial stage
of education because at this juncture specialized disciplines of science are introduced. The present syllabus reinforces the concepts introduced in lower classes. Recently, the science of biology has undergone a paradigm shift that has transformed it from a collection of loosely related facts into a modern applied science.

Maharashtra State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has prescribed the syllabus and paper pattern of HSC Biology subject for students who will be studying in Class Class 12^th. The Biology subjects can be selected as an elective subject of the seven subjects to be studied by students at higher secondary level. The Maharashtra Board HSC Biology question paper has been given weightage of 70 marks for Theory Paper and 30 marks for Practical Paper..

The syllabus of HSC Biology subject has been designed under the supervision of Council of Boards of School Education in India (COBSE). Maharashtra Board HSC Biology paper has been revised so that students appearing for national level entrance exam like National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), AIIMS MBBS etc. The syllabus for Biology subject including Botany and Zoology.

Objectives of the biology syllabus
The prescribed syllabus is expected to

Promote the inherent skill of observation.
Assist to understand the underlying principles of biological sciences and thereby develop scientific attitude towards biological phenomena.
Help students to understand the functioning of organisms.
Make students aware of issues of global importance.
Guide students to perform easy experiments for better understanding of biological principles and to develop experimental skills required in practical work.
Create awareness about the contribution of biology to human welfare.

Class 12 Biology syllabus Maharashtra Board

Unit 1 : Reproduction

Which carry 2 Chapters

Chapter 1 : Reproduction in Lower and Higher Plants.

Chapter 2. Reproduction in Lower and Higher Animals.

What we have to study in this section :
1. Know the significance of reproduction in life of species.
2. Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction in plants and
animals.
3. Recognize the importance of asexual and sexual reproduction in plants and
animals.
4. Compare and analyze different modes of asexual reproduction.
5. Know the reduction in the size of gametophytic generation.
6. Know the different adaptation in the flowers depending upon the agency to
accomplish pollination.
7. Describes mechanism of sexual reproduction.
8. Recognize, analyze and compare structural similarities, differences and progressive evolutionary changes in reproduction in lower and higher plants and animals.
9. Explain embryo development both in plants and animals.

Unit 2 : Genetics and Evolution

This section carry chapters :

Chapter 3. Inheritance and Variation.

Chapter 4. Molecular Basis of Inheritance.

Chapter 5. Origin and Evolution of Life

What we have to learn in this section :

Explain the mechanism of inheritance and variation.
Elaborate the role of chromosome, its molecular basis of heredity.
Explain the laws of inheritance and further elaborate the reasons of variation.
Describe the basis of origin of life, geological time scale, evidences.
Explain, describe and compare different theories of evolution.
Explains the structure and functions of genetic materials.
Use of genetics in studying patterns of sex determination in honey bees, birds and human beings mentioning different genetic disorders.
Explain inheritance of sex linked characters in humans.
Define concept of genomics, applications of genetic engineering and gene regulation.
Explain chromosomal theory of inheritance, linkage and crossing over.
Understands evidences for DNA as genetic material, genetic code.

Unit 3 : Physiology

This section carry 4 chapter

Chapter 6. Plant Water Relation.

Chapter 7. Plant Growth and Mineral Nutrition.

Chapter 8. Respiration and Circulation.

Chapter 9. Control and Co-ordination

What we have to learn in this section

Explain the scientific reasons behind various physiological activities based on relationship.
Understand the relationship between chemical reactions, structural organization involved and its impact on organism.
Analyze and explain the experimental setup.
Draw diagrams and give comments on findings and observations.
Describe the contribution of different workers or scientists and its significance.
Understand and explain role of physiology in biology.
Explain and draw mechanisms of different physiological processess.
Explain importance, source and methods of absorbtion of water, water as 'elixir of life'.
Explain loss of excess water, significance of transpiration, transpiration as 'necessary evil'.
Define growth, types of growth, phases of growth, growth curves, growth rates.
Explain minerals, their role, sources and methods of absorbtion.
Differentiate respiration.
Explain circulatory system.

Unit 4 : Applied Biology

This section carry 3 chapters

Chapter 10. Human Health and Diseases

Chapter 11. Enhancement of Food Production

Chapter 12. Biotechnology

In this section we have to learn about :

Explains correlation between diseases and health.
Identify and elaborate various types and effects of Addications.
Elaborate the role of microbes in food production.
Describes, compare, review different techniques developed for betterment of life.
Understand applications of technology used to overcome problems in daily life.
Suggest remedial measures for improvement of social health.
Describe and suggest career opportunities in the fields of dairy, poultry and other and Environment

Unit 5 : Ecology and environment

In this section there are 3 chapters

Chapter 13. Organisms and Populations

Chapter 14. Ecosystems and Energy Flow

Chapter 15. Biodiversity, Conservation and Environmental Issues

What we have to learn in this chapters

Explains the correlation, interaction and effect of environment on organisms.
Understand and explain the relationship in ecosystem, role of energy flow.
Analyze, understand and explain environmental issues and their impact.
Contribute, plan and implement programs about conservation of environment.
Use information gathered to save biodiversity, find remedies to solve environmental issues.

Type of questions –

Multiple Choices Based Questions

Very Short Answer type questions

Short Answer I

Short Answer II

Long Answer type questions

Marking Scheme –

The MCQs and VSA type of questions carry 1 mark

Short Answer Type I questions carry 2 marks

Short Answer Type II questions carry 3 marks

Long Answer Type questions carry 5 marks

Difficulty level of HSC

Most difficulty question – 20%

Average difficulty questions -50%

Easy questions – 30%

Chapterwise marks distribution of biology class 12 new syllabus

Chapter 1. Reproduction in Lower and Higher Plants

Chapter 2. Reproduction in Lower and Higher Animals

Chapter 3. Inheritance and Variation

Chapter 4. Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Chapter 5. Origin and Evolution of Life

Chapter 6. Plant Water Relation

Chapter 7. Plant Growth and Mineral Nutrition

Chapter 8. Respiration and Circulation

Chapter 9. Control and Co-ordination

Chapter 10. Human Health and Diseases

Chapter 11. Enhancement of Food Production

Chapter 12. Biotechnology

Chapter 13. Organisms and Populations

Chapter 14. Ecosystems and Energy Flow

Chapter 15. Biodiversity, Conservation and Environmental Issues

Some tips to go through with Maharashtra state board Biology Textbook

Firstly you have to give a quick look of the chapter and read it thoroughly by underlining every line with pencil.
Then go for diagram, the name, speciality and labelling, highlight them.
Then for 2nd time reading highlight the important points and lines and write names of the importantthingsand extra examples that are not given in ncert from reference books.
Like in the runners etc. Part in plant kingdom that are not given as name but as description, write them up.
Take a note stick and write imp points on each page on it and see for exceptions
Just turn the pages when sitting idle