NEET Biology Chapters List Explained for Beginners

NEET Biology draws primarily from NCERT Class 11 and 12 syllabi, with Class 11 forming the essential foundation through 22 chapters across five core units. These chapters introduce fundamental concepts like diversity, cell structure, and physiology, carrying about 45-50% weightage in the exam. Beginners should prioritize NCERT reading for conceptual clarity before attempting practice questions.

Class 11 Biology: The Foundation

Class 11 is the foundation of your NEET Biology study since you are introduced to the most basic concepts on which you will build other advanced concepts that you will learn in Class 12. Usually, the number of chapters is twenty-two with five core units.

1. Diversity of Living World (Approximate Weightage: 14%)

Here you will be introduced to the great biological world. The unit starts with the Living World that describes life and its features, then moves on to the hierarchical order of organisms.

• Biological Classification: This is a valuable chapter. The student must be informed of the five-kingdom classification- Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia, and the distinguishing features and some examples.
• Plant Kingdom and Animal Kingdom: Though these two require rote memorization, the results are gratifying. Emphasize distinguishing characteristics of different phyla and classes with unique examples. This is one of the most critical areas in the biology NEET chapters list.

2. Structural Organisation in Plants & Animals (Approximate Weightage: 9%)

This unit deals with the tissues and organ systems of plants and animals.

• Morphology and Anatomy of Flowering Plants: Emphasize the structure of roots, stems, leaves, inflorescence, flowers, fruit, and seed in detail. In anatomy, distinguish between the dicot and monocot stems/roots.
• Structural Organisation in Animals: Learn the different types of animal tissues, epithelial, connective, muscular, neural, along with their functions. A detailed study of Earthworm, Cockroach, and Frog (as per the revised syllabus) is tough; however, it is essential to score well.

3. Cell Structure and Function (Approximate Weightage: 5%)

This unit is considered to be the most fundamental unit of the NEET biology chapters list, as it delves into the cellular level of life.

• Cell - The Unit of Life: Understand the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including all organelles.
• Biomolecules: One of the highly scoring chapters that bridge the gap between Biology and Chemistry. Stress on the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Types of enzyme properties and action are essential.
• Cell Cycle and Cell Division: Learn the stages of Mitosis and Meiosis, particularly the complicated stages of Prophase I in Meiosis. It is among the significant chapters of a high rank.

4. Plant Physiology (Approximate weightage: 6%)

This unit of NEET biology chapters list deals with the internal operations of plants. Although it is seen as complex in some cases, it is simplified by narrowing it down to a particular mechanism.

• Photosynthesis in Higher Plants: The light and dark reactions, C3 and C4 pathways, factors affecting photosynthesis, and the mechanism as a whole are asked very frequently.
• Respiration in Plants: Glycolysis, the Krebs’ cycle, and ETS are essential. Thus, understanding the energy yield is a traditional question type from NEET.
• Plant Growth and Development: Plant hormones, Auxin, Gibberellin, Cytokinin, Ethylene, ABA, and their functions are very high-yielding.

5. Human Physiology (Approximate Weightage: 20%)

This is the most essential unit for the entire NEET Biology syllabus. It carries the highest biology NEET chapter-wise weightage consistently. It covers the systems of the human body.

Digestion and Absorption, Breathing and Exchange of Gases, Body Fluids and Circulation, Excretory Products and their Elimination, Locomotion and Movement, Neural Control and Coordination, and Chemical Coordination and Integration: You should explain all the diagrams, mechanisms, and disorders mentioned in the NCERT textbook. Pay more attention to the structure of the heart and nephron, endocrine glands and hormones, and the mechanism of muscle contraction.

Class 12 Biology: Applications and Modern Biology

Class 12 introduces concepts in reproduction, genetics, biotechnology, and ecology. These are modern application-based topics and thus form the basis of a good grasp of the total chapters in biology classes 11 and 12 for NEET.

6. Reproduction (Approximate Weightage: 9%)

The unit discusses multiplication in organisms.

• Sexual Reproduction of Flowering Plants: Special focus to be made on gametogenesis, double fertilization, and post-fertilization. It needs to be represented schematically.
• Human Reproduction and Reproductive Health: These terms are highly examined; be sure to research the male and female reproductive processes, gametogenesis, the menstrual process, and the popular birth control techniques.

7. Genetics and Evolution (Approximate Weightage: 18%)

Together with Human Physiology, this unit makes up the core of the NEET biology important chapters. The unit is conceptually dense and requires thorough practice.

• Principles of Inheritance and Variation: Understand the principles of Mendelian genetics-monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, back/test crosses; deviations from Mendelism-incomplete dominance, codominance, etc.; and genetic disorders.
• Molecular Basis of Inheritance: Central dogma-molecular biology, replication, transcription, translation; Lac operon; DNA fingerprinting are the most critical high-yield topics.
• Evolution: Origin of life, evidence for evolution, and Modern Synthetic Theory (Hardy-Weinberg Principle) are to be studied in detail.

8. Biology and Human Welfare (Approximate Weightage: 4%)

This unit addresses the practical applications of biology in NEET biology chapters list.

• Human Health and Disease: Emphasis on common human diseases-typhoid, pneumonia, malaria, etc.-life cycle of pathogens, immunity, AIDS, Cancer concepts.
• Microbes in Human Welfare: A simple and scoring chapter covering the role of microbes in household products, industrial production, and sewage treatment.

9. Biotechnology and its Applications (Approximate Weightage: 3%)

This is a small but highly technical and scoring unit.

Biotechnology; Principles and Processes and Biotechnology and its Applications: The candidate has to learn all the principles of recombinant DNA technology involving tools, separation, cloning vectors, and their applications concerning insulin production in medicine and Bt crops in agriculture. It is also one of the most sought-after biology chapters for NEET.

10. Ecology and Environment (Approximate Weightage: 12%)

The relationship between organisms and the environment is addressed in this unit, which is very important in the present-day world.

Organisms and Populations, Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation, and Environmental Issues: This section contains population growth models, ecological succession, energy flow or pyramids, biodiversity conservation in situ and ex situ, and pollution. It is a highly concept-based unit and usually consists of easy questions.

Conclusion

A beginner has to prioritize to tackle the vast NEET biology chapter list efficiently. Human Physiology, Genetics, Evolution, and Diversity in the Living World need to be studied with utmost detail since these units have the highest weightage.

Remember that the total chapters in biology classes 11 and 12 for NEET is vast, but approximately 38 chapters (this varies slightly based on the final and official syllabus) are the core. 

Invest adequate time studying the NEET biology chapters list and practicing a large number of multiple-choice questions from each chapter to reinforce concepts. Register in the specialized courses of PrepMed and release your full potential to pass NEET!

Also read:

How to Study Biology for NEET

NEET Biology Preparation​ Guidelines

NEET Biology Classes with NEET Experts and Doctors