Biology Quick Revision for Class 11 & 12 – Definitions, Cycles, Diagrams, Key Facts

Biology for Class 11 and 12 is about understanding concepts, recalling facts, drawing diagrams, and applying processes. Hodu Academy presents a chapter-wise collection of important definitions, summary tables, key cycles, and diagrams—perfect for board exams, NEET, Olympiads, and last-minute revision.

Use these notes for NCERT, CBSE, ISC, and State Boards—and for competitive exams like NEET.
Bookmark this page for exam-time revision and memory hacks!

Class 11 Biology Quick Revision List

Chapter Name Must-Know Points
The Living World Taxonomy hierarchy, Binomial nomenclature, Characteristics of living things
Biological Classification Five Kingdom System, Kingdom features, Viruses, Lichens
Plant Kingdom Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms, Alternation of generations
Animal Kingdom Non-chordates vs Chordates, Phylum characteristics, Symmetry, Coelom types
Morphology of Flowering Plants Root, Stem, Leaf, Inflorescence, Flower, Fruit, Seed structure
Anatomy of Flowering Plants Tissues (simple, complex), Anatomy of dicot/monocot root, stem, leaf
Cell: Structure and Function Cell theory, Prokaryote vs Eukaryote, Organelles, Cell division
Biomolecules Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic acids, Enzymes
Plant Physiology (Transport, Photosynthesis, Respiration, Growth) Water transport, Transpiration, Photosynthesis steps, Respiration, Growth hormones
Human Physiology (Digestion, Breathing, Circulation, Excretion, Movement, Neural & Chemical Control) Human body systems, Digestive enzymes, Heart structure, Nephron, Muscles, Hormones

Class 11 Biology: Chapter-wise Key Facts

Note: These are most exam-relevant summary points, diagrams & keywords.

The Living World:
  • Taxonomic Hierarchy: Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
  • Binomial Nomenclature: Genus + species (e.g., Homo sapiens)
  • ICBN/ICZN codes for plants/animals
Biological Classification:
  • Five Kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
  • Kingdom Monera: Prokaryotes (Bacteria, Cyanobacteria)
  • Virus = living + non-living properties
Plant Kingdom:
  • Alternation of Generations: Haploid (gametophyte) → Diploid (sporophyte)
  • Algae → Bryophytes → Pteridophytes → Gymnosperms → Angiosperms
  • Example: Funaria (Bryophyte), Fern (Pteridophyte)
Animal Kingdom:
  • Levels of Organization: Cellular → Tissue → Organ → Organ system
  • Symmetry: Asymmetrical, Radial, Bilateral
  • Coelom types: Acoelomate, Pseudocoelomate, Coelomate
Morphology & Anatomy of Flowering Plants:
  • Dicot vs Monocot differences
  • Tissue types: Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma
  • Transverse section of root/stem/leaf
Cell: Structure & Function:
  • Cell organelles (structure & function): Nucleus, Mitochondria, ER, Golgi
  • Cell cycle, Mitosis vs Meiosis differences
Biomolecules:
  • Monomer vs Polymer: Glucose (carb), Amino acid (protein), Nucleotide (DNA/RNA)
  • Enzyme action: Substrate, Active site, Inhibition
Plant Physiology:
  • Photosynthesis: Light & Dark reactions, Chlorophyll
  • Transport: Xylem (water), Phloem (food), Transpiration pull
  • Plant hormones: Auxin, Gibberellin, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid
Human Physiology:
  • Digestive system: Enzymes, Peristalsis, Absorption
  • Circulatory system: Heart structure, Double circulation
  • Excretory system: Nephron structure, Urine formation
  • Neural & Chemical coordination: Brain parts, Endocrine glands

Class 12 Biology Quick Revision List

Chapter Name Must-Know Points
Reproduction in Organisms Asexual vs Sexual, Reproductive cycles, Life span, Examples
Genetics & Evolution Mendel’s Laws, Chromosome theory, DNA structure, Evolutionary evidence
Biotechnology DNA cloning, PCR, Restriction enzymes, Applications in health & agriculture
Human Health & Diseases Immunity types, Pathogens, Vaccines, AIDS, Cancer
Ecology & Environment Ecosystem, Food chain, Biogeochemical cycles, Pollution
Microbes in Human Welfare Antibiotics, Fermentation, Sewage treatment, Biocontrol
Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production Plant/animal breeding, Tissue culture, GM crops
Evolution Darwin’s theory, Hardy-Weinberg law, Speciation
Organisms and Populations Population interactions, Adaptations, Ecological succession

Class 12 Biology: Chapter-wise Key Facts

Reproduction in Organisms:
  • Asexual reproduction: Binary fission, budding, spore formation
  • Sexual reproduction: Gametogenesis, Fertilization, Zygote formation
Genetics & Evolution:
  • Mendel’s Laws: Dominance, Segregation, Independent Assortment
  • Monohybrid vs Dihybrid cross, Phenotypic ratios
  • DNA/RNA structure, Central Dogma
  • Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium: p² + 2pq + q² = 1
Biotechnology:
  • Restriction Enzymes: Cut DNA at specific sequences
  • DNA Cloning, Vectors (plasmids), PCR steps
Human Health & Diseases:
  • Types of Immunity: Innate, Acquired
  • Vaccination, Allergy, Autoimmune disease
Ecology & Environment:
  • Biogeochemical cycles: Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
  • Food web, Food pyramid, Energy flow
  • Types of Pollution: Air, Water, Soil
Microbes in Human Welfare:
  • Antibiotics, Vaccines, Fermentation
  • Sewage treatment, Biogas production
Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production:
  • Plant/animal breeding, Artificial selection
  • Tissue culture (micropropagation)
Evolution:
  • Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection
  • Speciation, Adaptive radiation
Organisms and Populations:
  • Population growth models: Exponential, Logistic
  • Population interactions: Mutualism, Parasitism, Competition

Important Biological Cycles & Processes

  • Photosynthesis: Light Reaction (in thylakoids) → ATP, NADPH; Dark Reaction (Calvin Cycle in stroma) → Glucose
  • Respiration: Glycolysis → Krebs cycle → Electron transport chain (in mitochondria)
  • DNA Replication: Semi-conservative, 5' to 3' direction, Enzymes: DNA polymerase, helicase, ligase
  • Protein Synthesis: Transcription (DNA→mRNA) → Translation (mRNA→Protein)
  • Menstrual Cycle: Follicular phase → Ovulation → Luteal phase → Menstruation
  • Water Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Carbon Cycle – memorize steps and diagrams for each.

Summary Tables & Classifications

Term/Group Examples/Classification
Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Plant Hormones Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic Acid, Ethylene
Types of Immunity Innate, Acquired, Active, Passive
Types of Enzymes Oxidoreductases, Transferases, Hydrolases, Lyases, Isomerases, Ligases
Types of Chromosomes Metacentric, Submetacentric, Acrocentric, Telocentric
Levels of Organization Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism
Types of Neurons Sensory, Motor, Interneurons
Mendel’s Ratios Monohybrid: 3:1; Dihybrid: 9:3:3:1

Must-Draw Diagrams for Exams

  • Transverse section of dicot and monocot stem/leaf/root
  • Structure of typical animal/plant cell (label all organelles!)
  • Mitochondria and Chloroplast (ultrastructure)
  • Human Heart, Nephron, Brain (with labelled parts)
  • Flower structure (L.S.), Germination of pollen on stigma
  • DNA double helix, mRNA, tRNA
  • Immunity (antibody, antigen structure), Food chain pyramid

Key Biology Definitions & Terms

  • Taxonomy: Science of naming, classifying organisms
  • Allele: Alternate form of a gene
  • Enzyme: Biological catalyst speeding up reactions
  • Osmosis: Movement of water across semipermeable membrane
  • Photosynthesis: Process of making food using sunlight, CO₂, H₂O
  • Mutation: Change in DNA sequence
  • Immunity: Ability to resist infection/disease
  • Symbiosis: Two organisms living together for mutual benefit
  • Genotype/Phenotype: Genetic constitution/physical appearance
  • Antibody: Protein produced in response to antigen

How to Ace Biology Theory & Memory Tips

  • Make summary charts of cycles (photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen cycle, etc.)
  • Practice drawing diagrams, label every part, mark differences (dicot/monocot etc.)
  • Use mnemonics for lists (Kingdoms, Enzyme types, Plant hormones)
  • Focus on tables, differences, one-word answers for MCQs
  • Revise key terms—write flashcards for difficult words/definitions
  • Practice NCERT line diagrams, short notes, previous year NEET/Board questions

Tip: Before exams, revise this page and redraw 5-6 key diagrams every day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Biology Revision

  • Q1. Are there formulas in Biology?
    Biology has fewer formulas than Physics or Maths, but many cycles, definitions, and diagrams to memorize. Some topics (genetics, population, ecology) do use simple equations.
  • Q2. What are the must-revise Biology topics for NEET/Boards?
    Cell structure, Human physiology, Plant physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Biotechnology, Diagrams and cycles!
  • Q3. How do I improve memory for Biology?
    Make mind maps, use mnemonics, repeat diagrams, teach someone else, and revise from NCERT regularly.
  • Q4. Which diagrams are most important?
    Transverse sections (root, stem, leaf), heart, nephron, brain, flower, DNA, food chain pyramid, cell organelles.

Bookmark Hodu Academy Biology Resources for updates, mind maps, PDF downloads, and expert video lessons for every chapter!

Last modified: Saturday, 5 July 2025, 1:36 PM