NEET Zoology: Most Important Chapters And Concepts, 5-Year Analysis

One of the most privileged examinations in India is the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, in which Biology forms 50 per cent of total marks subdivided into two subjects: Zoology and Botany, with 25 per cent each. In 2025, NTA will conduct the NEET UG 2025 exam on May 4, 2025.Concepts need to be there, making a strong base with the help of NCERT texts at Classes 11 and 12 levels. High-weightage topics are Human Physiology, Human Reproduction, and Animal Kingdom; these come repeatedly in the exams, so more concentration is to be made in these areas. Understand all the concepts and practice them regularly from old question papers. Keep revising it regularly. Online resources also can be used for clarity.

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Effective time management is essential. Candidates have to ensure that the study time is divided accordingly to the weightage of topics so that new topics for learning, practice, and revision get enough space and attention. However much preparation may require one to stay focused on itself—be it the journey having achievable goals set up, celebrated by small victories or a positive environment that sustains these efforts. These tips will improve one's performance in the Zoology section and give confidence to the NEET aspirant for seeking admission into desired medical institutions.

As we know, Zoology is a branch of biology that studies all the animals, their functioning, structure and their interactions with one another. So it is better to treat it as an interesting subject in order to grasp and remember even the minute details.

The content can then be more easily understood and remembered. In addition, this section concentrates on the subject of Human Physiology. This is not only an important part of the exam, but also an important topic to understand if you want to be a doctor.

Since Zoology is vast, Careers360 has compiled a list of frequently asked chapters and concepts from the Zoology section that can help you prepare smartly.

Chapter-Wise Analysis Of Previous Five Years’ Question Papers

Zoology, like Botany, has 19 chapters in the NEET syllabus. In the last five years, 224 questions from the Zoology section were asked in the Biology section. And, based on these 224 questions, the chapters with the most to least weightage are listed below.

Chapter Wise Number Of Questions

From the above analysis it can be seen that five chapters account for 42% of the total Zoology syllabus and makes them the most relevant chapters for your NEET preparation. So, instead of studying the whole chapter and focusing on each concept you can study certain concepts that are listed below in depth, which can be effective studying. The most significant chapters are:

• Animal Kingdom - All the examples of diversity unit present in NCERT, Characteristics of different phyla of animal kingdom

• Principles Of Inheritance And Variation - Gene Interaction, Test And Back Cross, Mendelian Disorder, Pedigree Analysis

• Biotechnology: Principles & Processes - Tools Of Biotechnology, Pcr Technique And Electrophoresis

• Biomolecules - Classification Of Amino Acids, Disaccharides, all the tables present in the NCERT, Classes Of Enzymes, Saturated And Unsaturated Lipids

• Human Health And Disease - Life Cycle Of Plasmodium, HIV Structure And Drugs

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Concept-wise analysis of previous five years’ question papers

All the above concepts are based on the basics of Class 9 and 10 and extra information you study in your higher classes. Since all these 10 concepts comprise 20% of the total Zoology curriculum, it can help you to score better. So let's have a brief look at the 10 concepts listed above.

• Polymerase Chain Reaction - PCR belongs to the chapter, Biotechnology: Principle and its Processes of the unit, Biotechnology and its Applications. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method for amplifying a gene or a segment of DNA of interest. PCR was invented by Kary Mullis in 1983. PCR is based on three simple steps required for any DNA synthesis reaction:

1. Denaturation of the template into single strands

2. Annealing of primers to each original strand for new strand synthesis

3. Extension of the new DNA strands from the primers.

In this chapter, you need to focus on all these steps and enzymes involved in the PCR.

• Insect Resistant Transgenic Plant - Bt Cotton - This concept belongs to the chapter Biotechnology and its Applications. Bt cotton has been genetically modified by inserting one or more genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. These genetically modified plants produce one or more toxins as they grow as a result of the genes encoding the production of insecticidal proteins. You should be thorough with the theory part in this concept.

• Evidence Of Organic Evolution: Homologous Organs And Analogous Organs - The concept falls under the Chapter, Evolution which belongs to the unit – Genetics and Evolution. Understanding the difference between homologous and analogous structures is often confusing. However, understanding them is important for grasping the similarities and differences between organisms.

The organs which have the same fundamental structure but are different in functions are called homologous organs. Example:

The forelimbs of man and bat.

• Used for grasping in man

• Used for flying in bats

Analogous organs have similar functions but are different in their structure and origin .Example - Eye of octopus and eye of a cat.

• Competent Host (For Transformation With Recombinant DNA) - This concept belongs to the Biotechnology unit and the chapter is Biotechnology and its Processes. The Agrobacterium cell is a competent host for recombinant DNA technology. For recombinant DNA transformation, a competent host cell is necessary. E.coli, yeast, animal, and plant cells are some of the available host cells. So, the student should know about all the tools of biotechnology like Microinjection, Biolistics, Electroporation and many more.

• Temporary Methods Of Birth Control - Chemical Methods & IUDs- This concept belongs to the Chapter Reproductive Health that falls in the unit called Reproduction. IUCDs are tiny devices that are usually composed of polyethylene or other polymers. A doctor implants it into the uterus. In this concept Mechanism of Action and examples are important

• Primary And Secondary Metabolites - This concept belongs to the Biomolecules chapter of Cell Structure and Function unit.

Organic molecules that are directly involved in an organism's development are known as primary metabolites. On the other hand, secondary metabolites are not directly involved in metabolic processes and instead act as a support system. Hence, it is important for the students to memorize all the tables given in NCERT.

• Phylum Ctenophora, Locomotion And Bioluminescence In Ctenophora- This concept belongs to the Animal Kingdom chapter that belongs to the unit, Diversity in Living World. Phylum Ctenophora itself is a whole concept and so the NEET aspirants must remember its characteristic features and also the examples given in NCERT.

• Gene Therapy - ADA Deficiency Treatment - The concept of gene therapy is part of the Biotechnology and its Applications chapter. Gene therapy is a method of using genes to treat disease. It is a therapy that involves transferring or inserting a gene into a patient's cells rather than using medications or surgery. A student must have a full understanding of this concept in order to answer questions about it.

• Gel Electrophoresis - This concept is part of the chapter, Biotechnology: Principles and Processes which is part of the unit, Biotechnology and its Application. Gel electrophoresis is a technique that uses the electric charge of molecules to separate them. It is used to sort small molecules into groups based on their size and charge. As a result, in order to answer questions based on a certain concept, a thorough understanding of the concept is important.

• Events Of Fertilization - Events of Fertilization concepts belong to the unit, Reproduction and is from the chapter, Human Reproduction. Fertilization is the process of combining a haploid male gamete or sperm with a haploid female gamete or ovum to generate a diploid cell, the zygote. A series of events take place during fertilization. So, the students need to know the concept thoroughly since it is considered as one of the major complex topics.

From the above, it is clear that the NEET aspirants can align their preparation to the syllabus and past years papers. This analysis will help you focus where you should in order to achieve the best results. You can use this analysis to strategise the preparation of chapters and concepts so that essential concepts and chapters can be studied in depth. To get the best result, study wisely and modify your preparation strategies by following the best path. Score well in NEET and realize your goal of becoming a doctor.

All the best!!...