NABTEB Biology Syllabus 2022

1.1 Explain Biology as a science.

1.1 Explain the scope of Biology

1.2 Explain the inter- relationship of various branches of Biology.

1. Scope of Biology: Ӣ Botany

Ӣ Zoology
Ӣ Genetics
Ӣ Ecology
Ӣ Evolution
Ӣ Microbiology Ӣ

1. The inter-relationship of various branches of Biology.

1. General characteristics of living, non-living things and dead things.
2. Examples of living, non living and

dead things.

1. External features and life history of

representatives of major groups of plants and animals (Schizophyta) e.g. Bacillus bacterium protozoa e.g. Amoeba

Properties that qualify virus as living and non- living things should be emphasized.

4.

1.1 Explain the differences between plants and animals.

1. Characteristics of a named plant and a named animal.
2. Distinctions between a named plant and a named animal.
3. Euglena as plant and animal.

1. The principle of classification of both plants and animals into classes and phyla.
2. Characteristics/features of each phylum or divisions of plants and animals.
3. External features and life history of an animal and a plant from phylum e.g. vertebrate and angiospermae.

* Identify the two main classes of animals e.g. vertebrate ad invertebrate animals.

* Collect plant and animal specimens from the immediate environment and name them. Classify them.

1.1 Identify the parts of a microscope. State its functions and maintenance.

* Prepare wet/temporary mounts. Observe under low power magnification.

1.1 Outline the differences between plants and animals cells.

6. Colonial organisms e.g. volvox

* The teacher should emphasise the cytoplasmic connections that exist in colonial forms.

1. Filament e.g. Spirogyra,

Oscillatory.

1. Distinction among single and free- living organisms, colony and filament.
2. Differentiate between the groups of cells that form tissues and those that form colonies or filaments.

Explain levels of organization and complexity of organization in higher organisms.

1. Single-celled organisms e.g. Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium, chlamydomonas.
2. Tissue e.g Hydra, Obelia, Sea Anemones.
3. Organ (storage organ) e.g. bulb (onion) rhizomes and heart as pumping organ.
4. System in mammals and flowering plants ”“ e.g. reproductive system, excretory systems, etc.
5. Complexity of organization in higher organisms advantages and disadvantages.

1. Define
   Ӣ diffusion

Ӣ osmosis
Ӣ turgidity
Ӣ plasmolysis

1. Sites of occurrence of disfusion, osmosis, turgidity and plasmolysis and the conditions for occurence
2. Distinction between Osmosis and plasmolysis using specific examples.
3. The importance of difussion and osmosis to life.

* The teacher should explain the mechanism by which these processes occur.
* Also state the significance of diffusion, osmosis, turgidity and plasmolysis and perform simple experiment to show how diffusion, osmosis turgidity and plasmolysis take place.
* Explain the roles

1. 1.1  Explain Nutrition in living cell.
2. 1.2  Explain cellular respiration.

1. 1.3  Explain excretion in living cells.
2. 1.4  Explain growth in living cells.

1.5 Explain reproduction in living cell.

saprophytic, symbiotic parasitic saprozoic and other special methods of nutrition.

3. Mineral nutrition. Macro and Micro nutrients.

i. Definition and processes of

• aerobic respiration.
• Anaerobic respiration and

energy release.

1. Excretion in single-celled aquatic organism.

2. Waste product of metabolism in plants and animals.

1. Basis of growth; cell division (mitosis) enlargement and differentiation.

2. Aspects of growth
3. Regions of fastest growth in plants. 4. Influence of growth hormones

(auxins) 5. Tropisms

1. Definition of reproduction 2. Types of reproduction

Ӣ Asexual and

Ӣ Sexual
3. Asexual reproduction

Ӣ Fission
Ӣ Budding and spore formation Ӣ Vegetative propagation.

4. Sexual reproduction Ӣ Conjugation

• Formation of male and female

gametes (Meiosis)

• Fusion of gametes (fertilization)

1. 1.1  Explain the external and internal features of dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants.
2. 1.2  Explain reproduction in plants.

1. External features of a named dicotyledonous flowering plant
2. External features of a named monocotyledonous plant.
3. Function of the different parts of the flowering plant.
4. Internal structure of the root stem and leaf of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.

1. Reproduction in plants.
2. Distinction between

sexual and asexual

reproduction.

1. Methods of asexual

reproduction in plants e.g. budding, grafting, layering, stem cutting and use of suckers.

1. Types of storage organs in plants e.g. rhizomes, bulbs, tuber roots, corns and leaves.
2. Parts of flowers.
3. The structure and

function of the male and female parts of the flower.

1. Types of pollination.
2. Features of cross-

pollinated and self-

pollinated flowers.

1. Agents of pollination and

their adaptive features.

1. Fertilization in flowering

plants.

1. Distinction between seed

and fruit.

1. Classification of fruits

* Emphasis should be placed on functions of roots, stems and leaves in relation to their internal structural arrangement.

* Draw internal structures of different parts of monocotyledonous and a dicotyledonous leaf, stem and root.
* Draw and label the parts of flowers e.g. Hibiscus, Allamanda, crotalaria/caesacpinia. * Carry out experiments to illustrate asexual method of reproduction in plants.

*Draw and label a longitudinal section of a flower.

requirements in plants.

1.4 Explain the importance of photosynthesis and respiration in plants.

1. Agents of dispersal of

fruits and seeds.

1. Germination.

*Conditions necessary for germination e.g. adequate moisture, oxygen and suitable temperature.

*Types of germination in plants (hypogeal and epigeal).

1. Definition of transpiration
2. Mechanism of

transpiration.

1. Sites in which

transpiration takes place in plants (lenticel & stomata).

1. Transpiration pull in plants.
2. Factors affecting transpiration.
3. Importance of transpiration to plants.
4. Importance of mineral elements to plants.

1. Definition of photosynthesis.
2. Identification of parts of plants where

photosynthesis takes

place e.g. leaf, stem.

1. Process of

photosynthesis.

1. Conditions necessary for

photosynthesis.

1. Importance of

photosynthesis (Macro and Micro trace/elements. Effect of mineral deficiency, Nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and

cycling).

1. Definition of respiration.
2. Identification of the parts

of plants where gaseous

exchange takes place.

1. Respiration in all living

cells (Glycolysis and

Krebs’ cycle.

1. Distinction between

respiration and photosynthesis (catabolism and anabolism).

1. Differences between respiration, combustion and fermentation.

1. Definition of tropism in plants.
2. Forms of tropism in plants.
3. Mechanism of tropisms.
4. Role of auxins in plants

tropisms.

1. Role of cytokinnins,

gabberellin in flowering, fruit ripening and leaf fall.

1. Other types of movement in plants e.g. nastic movement and tactic movement.

1.1 Explain the constituents, structure and characteristics of soil.

1.2 Explain the various methods of soil and

water conservation and improvement

1. Constitutents of soil and their importance.
2. Types of soil
3. Characteristics of each

soil type (physical,

chemical and biological).

1. Processes of soil

formation.

1. Soil structure and its

water retention capacity.

1. Capilarity and porosity of

soil samples of different types of soil.

1. Concept of soil erosion.
2. Various forms of soil

erosion e.g. rill, sheet, gully and splash or rain drop.

1. Other forms by which soil can loose its fertility e.g. leaching, surface compacting.
2. Prevention of soil erosion.
3. Various forms of

cultivation e.g. crop rotation, mono-cropping, mixed cropping, etc.

1. Economic importance of various forms of cultivation.
2. Roles of micro organisms in maintaining soil fertility.
3. Importance of water conservation

(afforestation and wild life conservation).

*Carry out simple experiments to relate soil structure to water retention capacity. Determine experimentally the amount of air, water and humus in soild samples. Demonstrate with simple experiments the capillarity and porosity of different soil types.

* Water carbon and nitrogen cycles should be treated.

1. General characteristic features of invertebrate animals.
2. Classification of

1. Worms.
2. Life history of

invertebrate e.g. Amoeba

etc.

1. Economic importance of

invertebrate.

14.1 Explain the external features and

characteristics of vertebrate animals.

1. General characteristic features of vertebrate animals.
2. Specific characteristic features of vertebrates pisces (fishes), amphibians repitilia, aves and mammals.
3. Classification of vertebrates.
4. External features, life history and adaptation to environment of each of the vertebrate groups.

1. Biological significance of skeleton and supporting system of animals (protection, support locomotion/movement and respiratory movement).
2. Skeletal material e.g. chitin cartilage and bones.
3. Distinction between types of skeleton.

* Draw and label the different bones of the skeleton of man.

15.1 Explain the different types of bones that

make up the mammalian skeleton.

1. General plan of the mammalian skeleton.
2. Components of the axial and appendicular skeleton.

Describe the types of joints in mammals, their locations

1. Location and functions of

each joint.

1. Role of muscles in

movement.

1. The function of articular

cartilage.

18.1 Identify the mode of feeding in animals and explain the digestive system in man.

1. Types of heterotrophic nutrition in animals (holozoic, parasitic symbiotic, saprophytic).
2. Classes and sources of food substances in man.
3. Importance of the classes of food in human diet.
4. Importance of balanced diet to good health.
5. The diseases of man associated with deficiencies of protein, vitamins and minerals.
6. Symptoms associated with diseases mentioned above.
7. Methods of curing the diseases.
8. Digestive system in man.
9. The mechanism involved

in, ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion.

1. Functions of liver and pancreas.
2. Distinction between autotrophic modes of nutrition.

* Carry out simple experiments on food test.
* Identify proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Draw and label a large diagram of digestive system of man and use it to explain the different ogans that take part in digestion.

Carry out simple experiments on the action of ptyalin, rennin and pepsin.

18.1 Explain the structure of mammalian teeth,

types, functions and diseases.

1. Structure of a mammalian tooth.
2. Types of teeth and their functions.
3. Mammalian dentition as related to the types of food they feed on.
4. Dental care.

1. Circulatory system in mammals.
2. Heart structure and function
3. Components of circulatory systems and their functions.
4. Blood vessels structure and functions
5. Processes of blood circulation in mammals.
6. Types of circulatory systems.
7. Components of blood.
8. Functions of blood.
9. Distinction among single,

double, open and closed systems of circulation.

1. Bleeding (external and internal).
2. The mechanism of blood clotting.
3. First-aid treatment of bleeding and snake bites.

Use a small mammal (Rat), dissected to demonstrate the circulatory system. Draw and label the vertical section of the mammalian heart.

* Use chart of blood circulatory system of man to demonstrate systematic circulation and pulmonary circulation.

* Demonstrate how cotton wool or bandage can be used to stop bleeding. Demonstrate how you can stop snake venom from being carried to the brain by the blood.

21

21.1 Explain the process of respiration and the

respiratory organs in mammals

* Carry out experiments to show

1. Components of the

respiratory system in

mammals.

1. Mechanisms of gaseous

exchange in fish, toad,

and mammals.

1. Distinction between

inhalation and exhalation.

1. Role of oxygen in tissue

respiration

1. Kreb’s cycle: Glycolysis

in cytoplasm and kreb’s

cycle in mitochondrion.

1. Compare respiration,

combustion, fermentation and glycolysis.

22.1 Explain the different excretory organs and excretory products of mammals.

1. Excretory organs of mammals and their products.
2. Structure of the kidney.
3. The processes of

excretion as carried out

by the kidney.

1. Disease of the kidney

(causes, symptoms &

precautions/control).

1. Mammalian skin.
2. Process of excretion by

the skin.

* Draw and label the cross-section of the kidney.
* Mention the waste products.

* Draw and label a cross-section of the mammalian skin.
* Draw and label the nephron.

23.

23.1 Explain the component of the central and

peripheral nervous system in mammals.

1. The component of the central and peripheral nervous system.
2. External structure of the brain and spinal cord and their functions.
3. Structure and functions of somatic and automatic nervous systems.
4. Structure and functions of the neurons.

1. Classification of the neurons.
2. The transmission of nerve impulses by a change in electrical potential.
3. Distinction between reflex and voluntary actions.
4. Paths of reflex arc.
5. Principal sense organs

(eye, ear, nose, skin, etc)

and their locations.

1. The structure of the eye,

ear and skin.

1. Eye defects and their

methods of correction.

1. The functions and the

effects of over and under- secretion of hormones, e.g. thyroxin, insulin, adrenalin, and sex hormone.

1. Maintenance of constant body temperature in mammals.

*Longitudinal section of the mammalian eye and ear should be drawn and discussed. Charts of the eye and ear of man should be used.

24.1 Explain the basic terms used in genetics, the

Mendelian laws of inheritance and the applications of genetics.

1. Terminologies used in genetics e.g. gene, chromozones, dominance, recessive, hybrid, genotype, phenotype, filial, generation, back- cross, complete & incomplete dominance, allele or allelomorphic pairs, etc.
2. Mendelian laws of inheritance.
3. Simple monohybrid crosses by the use of punnet square.
4. Genetic studies as applied to agriculture and health.
5. The principle of back- crossing e.g. red and white flowers where red

* Note Round is dominant over wrinkled while yellow is dominant over green.

1. Sex determination in

mammals.

1. Distinction between

monohybrid and dihybrid

cross.

1. Methods of carrying out

grafting in a named plant.

1. Types of local plant

which can be propagated by grafting e.g. oranges, mangoes, rubber, etc.

1. Applications of genetics to health e.g. sickle cell anaemia, blood grouping, haemophilia etc.

* Characteristics of peas and drosophylia melanogaster should be emphasized.

* Examples and explanations are required.

25.1 Explain the ecosystem, ecological factors and its measurement.

Ӣ Ecological components, biosphere, habitat, population, biotic community, ecosystem.

Ӣ Biotic and abiotic as a component of the ecosystem.

1. Ecological factors in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem
   * Ecological succession
2. Simple measurement of ecological factors.
   Ӣ Physical factors:

climate, topography. Ӣ Edaphic factors:

chemical and physical composition, moisture content and soil texture.

1. Definition of marine habitat.
2. Characteristics of Marine habitat.
3. Major ecological zone of

* Simple measurement of ecological factors should be carried out

* Testing of soil pH using litmus paper.

Soil profile ”“ sedimentation method.

1. 25.2  Explain marine habitat.
2. 25.3  Explain food webs and trophic levels.

25.4 Explain energy transformation in

nature and ecological management.

1. Autotrophs and heterotrophs.

”¢ Producers ”“ autotrophs

”¢ Consumers ”“ heterotrophs.

Ӣ Decomposers 2. Tropic levels:

Ӣ Energyrelationships: food chain and food web.

• Pyramid of number
• Pyramid of energy.

Ecological succession A. Primary succession

• 1. Succession in lakes, ponds estuaries.
  2. Problems of survival.

B. Secondary Succession 3. Energy flow:
Ӣ Food/energy

relationship in aquatic

and terrestrial habitat. Ӣ Pyramid of energy

and
pyramid of numbers.

Ӣ Distinction between pyramid of numbers and pyramid of energy.

1. Energy loss in ecosystem. Ӣ Solar radiation: Its

intake and loss at

earth’s surface. ”¢ Biosphere.

1. Decomposition in nature. Ӣ Decomposers (micro

and macro decomposers).

Candidates should be able to classify organisms as producers, consumers and decomposers in aquatic and terrestrial habitat.

Illustrate food relationship in food chain and food web using specific examples.

Drawing pyramid of number and of energy.

Candidates should study succession of an abandoned farmland, lawn pond or moistened bread in

• Gaseous products.
• Role of decomposers.

1. Associations.

Ӣ Types of associations e.g. parasitism, symbiosis, saprophytism.

1. Adaptation of organisms.
2. Pollution of the

atmosphere.

1. • Nature, names,

sources and effects

of pollutants.

1. • Effect of noise as a

pollutant.

1. Water and soil pollution
   • Types and composition
   • Effects of the pollutant
2. Control measures for the

various forms of pollution with emphasis on regulatory bodies e.g. FEPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO etc.

1. Structure of bacteria and virus.
2. Distinction between bacteria and viral cells.
3. Mode of transmission, symptoms control and causative organisms of cholera, tuberculosis, leprosy, bacillary ”“ dysentery, typhoid fever,

Colonizers should be identified by their scientific names.

Adaptive behaviour such as territorialism and dispersal mechanisms to avoid overcroding should be noted.

Non-cyclic nature of energy transfer should be mentioned.

The students should be able to construct and explain pyramid of numbers and of energy.

Energy as a limiting factor in primary production i.e. autotrophs production should be taught.

The students should observe demonstrations to

their causative agents.

1. Vacinnation and inoculation in disease control and prevention.
2. Sources of food poisoning and food contamination.
3. Ways of preventing food

poisoning.

1. Food preservation.
2. Methods of investigation

of food poisoning and

food contamination.

1. Symptoms of various

types of food contamination and food poisoning..

A. Classification of plants
1. Botanical classification 2. Agricultural

classification
3. on the basis of life

cycles.

B. Effects of Agricultural activities on ecological systems.

C. Pests and Diseases of Agricultural importance.

1. Plants
2. Animals.

Variation in population
1. Morphological e.g. (size,

height, weight etc).

Explain briefly, the first and second laws of thermodynamics.

Adaptation of plants and animals to environmental conditions with particular reference to differences in habitat, should be discussed. Teacher should take students out to appreciate the effect of environmental pollution ”“ smoke, dust, cellophare,

Discuss the harmful effects of noise pollution from generators and sound gadgets.

Draw and label the structure of a virus and a bacterium.

A visit to any hospital to observe how vaccination and inoculation are performed is required.

Lead students to identify food contamination and posons.

25.7 Variations and variability.

coat of animals.

1. Physical e.g. behaviour,

ability to roll the tongue, ability to taste phenyl thio carbanide PTC, Blood groups.

1. Application of variations in crime detection blood transfusion and determination of paternity.

i. Adaptation of survival A. Competition

including intra and inter species competition

B. Relationship between

competition and

succession.
ii. Structural Adaptation to:

A. obtain food
B. Protectanddefend. C. Securemates.
D. Regulatebody

temperature
E. Conserve water.

Common plants and crops should be classified.

Candidates should be able to explain how these activities of man affect natural ecosystems.

Candidates should be able to identify and describe the life cycle of some common pest of crops and livestock noting their economic importance and method of control.

The effect of diseases on crops and livestock, the causative organism as well as control measures should be noted.

Candidates should be able to plot histograms and interpret data based on distribution of these finger prints trais in a population.

Candidates should observe examples of organisms that show structural adaptation for obtaining food (e.g. legs and beaks of different birds, mouth parts of insects especially mosquitoes, butterfly escape enemies; secure mates) regulates body temperature and conserve water.