ICSE Class 8 Biology Syllabus

The ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) Class 8 Biology syllabus is structured to provide students with a foundational understanding of various biological concepts. It covers a broad range of topics that introduce students to the fundamental aspects of life sciences, ensuring they are well-prepared for more advanced studies in higher classes. Below is a detailed overview of the latest ICSE Class 8 Biology syllabus:

1. Life Processes

  • Introduction to Life Processes: Basic understanding of the characteristics of living organisms and the essential life processes that sustain them.
  • Nutrition:
    • Types of nutrition (autotrophic and heterotrophic).
    • Photosynthesis: Process, importance, factors affecting photosynthesis.
    • Human Digestive System: Structure, function of different organs, digestion process.
  • Respiration:
    • Types of respiration (aerobic and anaerobic).
    • Human Respiratory System: Structure, mechanism of breathing, gas exchange.
  • Excretion:
    • Human Excretory System: Structure and function of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
    • Process of urine formation.
  • Circulation:
    • Human Circulatory System: Structure and function of the heart, blood vessels, blood composition.
    • Blood circulation process, importance of circulatory system.

2. Cell - The Basic Unit of Life

  • Cell Structure and Function:
    • Discovery of the cell, cell theory.
    • Structure of plant and animal cells: Cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, organelles (mitochondria, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, chloroplasts, vacuoles).
  • Cell Division:
    • Introduction to mitosis and meiosis, significance of cell division.

3. Tissues

  • Plant Tissues:
    • Types of plant tissues: Meristematic and permanent tissues.
    • Structure and function of various plant tissues (parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, xylem, phloem).
  • Animal Tissues:
    • Types of animal tissues: Epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous.
    • Structure and function of different animal tissues.

4. Reproduction in Plants and Animals

  • Reproduction in Plants:
    • Modes of reproduction: Asexual (vegetative propagation, budding, fragmentation, spore formation) and sexual reproduction.
    • Structure of a flower, pollination, fertilization, seed formation, and dispersal.
  • Reproduction in Animals:
    • Asexual reproduction: Binary fission, budding, regeneration.
    • Sexual reproduction: Human reproductive system (male and female), fertilization, development of the embryo.

5. Ecosystems

  • Concept of Ecosystem:
    • Definition, components of the ecosystem (biotic and abiotic factors).
    • Types of ecosystems: Natural (forest, grassland, desert, aquatic) and artificial ecosystems.
  • Food Chain and Food Web:
    • Understanding the flow of energy through food chains and food webs.
    • Trophic levels, producers, consumers, decomposers.
  • Ecological Balance:
    • Importance of maintaining ecological balance, human impact on ecosystems, conservation efforts.

6. Human Body Systems

  • Nervous System:
    • Structure of the nervous system: Central and peripheral nervous system.
    • Functioning of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
    • Reflex actions and the importance of the nervous system in coordination.
  • Endocrine System:
    • Glands and hormones: Function of major glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas).
    • Role of hormones in growth, metabolism, and homeostasis.

7. Health and Hygiene

  • Personal Hygiene:
    • Importance of maintaining personal hygiene, basic hygiene practices.
  • Diseases:
    • Types of diseases: Communicable and non-communicable diseases.
    • Causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of common diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue, tuberculosis).
    • Importance of vaccination and immunization.

8. Microorganisms

  • Types of Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae.
  • Useful and Harmful Microorganisms:
    • Role of microorganisms in the environment, industry, and health.
    • Diseases caused by microorganisms, prevention and control.

9. Conservation of Natural Resources

  • Natural Resources:
    • Types of natural resources: Renewable and non-renewable resources.
    • Importance of conservation, sustainable use of resources.
  • Conservation Efforts:
    • Methods of conservation, importance of biodiversity, role of individuals and organizations in conservation.

10. Adaptations

  • Adaptation in Plants and Animals:
    • Understanding how plants and animals adapt to their environment (desert, aquatic, and cold regions).
  • Evolution:
    • Basic introduction to the concept of evolution, natural selection, and survival of the fittest.

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