ICSE Class 8 Biology Syllabus

Class 8 of ICSE is very crucial for a student as it is considered to be the foundation for Class 9 as well as 10. Keeping in mind the importance of the academic session of 8th grade, BYJU’S provides the ICSE Class 8 Biology Syllabus so that students can adequately learn the topics of Biology in the right succession for the best learning experience as offered by the ICSE curriculum. Going through the syllabus before and after learning a particular chapter can the students in determining if they have left any topics from it.

Download ICSE Class 8 Biology Revised Syllabus 2020-21 PDF

The Syllabus of ICSE Class 8 Biology is given below:

Theme 1: Transport of Food and Minerals in Plants

1. Diffusion – definition;
2. Osmosis – definition, example, semipermeable membrane, root pressure; active transport.
3. Transpiration – definition, importance and factors affecting transpiration.
4. Structure and function of Xylem and Phloem in detail;

Theme 2: Reproduction in Plant and Animals

Plants:

1. Sexual reproduction in Plants:
   • Review of parts of a typical flower (4 whorls and their structure and function)
   • Pollination: self and cross;
   • Agents of pollination: three characteristics of plants pollinated by insects, water and wind (with examples).Characteristics of flowers of each kind.
   • Fertilization process in brief by a flow chart.

Animals:

1. Sexual reproduction in humans:
2. Main organs of the male and female reproductive system

Theme 3: Ecosystems

1. Understanding ecosystems: definition, interaction between biotic and abiotic factors.
2. Biotic components consisting of producers, consumers, decomposers. Meaning of food chain. Food web, and pyramid of numbers.
3. Interdependence between organisms: symbiosis, parasitism and predation.
4. Only, forest ecosystem with its flora and fauna to be taught.

Theme 4: Human Body – Endocrine, Circulatory and Nervous System

Endocrine System

1. Two types of glands- exocrine, endocrine (basic concept and difference);
2. Hormone (definition).
3. Hormonal glands – (thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, pituitary); location and function of each.
4. Following points to be studied in tabular form: name of the gland, location in body, secretion, function.

Adolescence and accompanying changes

1. Physical and emotional changes in the body during adolescence.
2. Importance of personal hygiene
3. Stress management (meaning of stress; ways to tackle stress: yoga, meditation, time management, sports, hobbies, rational thinking etc.)

Circulatory System (Revisit learning of earlier class)

1. Internal structure of heart in detail (including valves, septum; pacemaker).
2. Schematic diagram of the heart;
3. Blood vessels – aorta, pulmonary trunk, coronary artery & vein, vena cava.
4. Circulation of blood as double circulation.
5. Blood Groups (A, B, AB and O): universal donor and universal acceptor.

Nervous System (Revisit learning of earlier class)

1. Central nervous system (CNS) in detail with its parts and their functions.
2. Reflex action: definition and basic terms used to describe reflex action stimulus, response, impulse, receptor, effector); common examples of reflex action.

Recommended Biology Textbooks

• Noms Biology 8 (2/E) (Paperback) By P. A. Paulose
• Biology For Middle Class-8 (English) By A P Misra