JAMB Syllabus For Biology 2025/2026

If Biology is one of your subjects, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the JAMB Biology syllabus.

In this guide, we will break down the JAMB syllabus for Biology 2025/2026, highlighting the key topics, objectives, and areas you should focus on to excel in your exams.

What is the JAMB Biology Syllabus?

The JAMB Biology syllabus is a document that outlines all the topics and concepts that students must study for the Biology section of the UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination).

This syllabus is designed to guide candidates in their preparation for the exam and ensure they cover all essential aspects of Biology that will be tested.

Why is the JAMB Biology Syllabus Important?

Focused Preparation: Understanding the syllabus helps you to focus your studies on the areas that matter most, saving time and increasing your chances of success.
Clear Objectives: The syllabus provides clear objectives that guide both students and teachers in understanding the scope of the exam.
Improved Performance: With a structured study plan based on the syllabus, students can cover all necessary topics, leading to better performance in the UTME.

JAMB Biology Syllabus 2025/2026: Key Sections and Topics

The JAMB Biology syllabus is divided into five main sections, covering different areas of Biology. Below are the key topics you need to study:

1. Variety of Organisms

This section covers the classification and characteristics of living organisms. Key topics include:

Characteristics of Living Organisms: Understand the basic characteristics that define living things, such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli.
Classification of Organisms: Study the five major kingdoms of life: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Be familiar with examples from each kingdom, including:
- Monera: Bacteria and blue-green algae
- Protista: Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium
- Fungi: Mushrooms and Rhizopus
- Plantae: Mosses, ferns, and flowering plants
- Animalia: Invertebrates (e.g., insects, worms) and vertebrates (e.g., fish, mammals)
Adaptations: Study how organisms adapt to their environments, focusing on structural, functional, and behavioral adaptations.

Candidates should be able to:

Differentiate between the characteristics of living and non-living things.
Identify the structures of plant and animal cells.
Analyse the functions of the components of plant and animal
cells.
Compare and contrast the structure of plant and animal cells.
Trace the levels of organization among organisms in their logical sequence in relation to the five levels of organization of living organisms.

2. Form and Function

This section explores the internal structures and physiological processes of organisms. It includes:

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Structure and Function of Plants: Learn the anatomy of flowering plants, including the root, stem, and leaf. Understand the processes of photosynthesis and plant nutrition.
Structure and Function of Mammals: Understand the anatomy of mammals, including the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems.
Nutrition: Study the types of nutrition (autotrophic and heterotrophic), plant and animal nutrition, digestion, and absorption.

Candidates should be able to:

Analyse external features and characteristics of the listed organisms.
Apply the knowledge from (i) above to demonstrate increase in structural complexity.
Trace the stages in the life histories of the listed organisms.
Apply the knowledge of the life histories to demonstrate gradual transition from life in water to life on land.
Trace the evolution of the listed plants.
Trace the advancement of the invertebrate animals.
Determine the economic importance of the insects studied.
Assess their values to the environment.
Trace the advancement of multi-cellular animals.
Determine their economic importance.

3. Ecology

Ecology focuses on the relationships between organisms and their environment. Topics include:

Ecological Concepts: Learn about ecosystems, food chains, food webs, and the flow of energy through an ecosystem.
Environmental Issues: Understand the impact of human activities on the environment and the importance of conservation.

Candidates should be able to:

Describe how the various structures, functions and behaviour adapt these organisms to their environment, and way of life.
Categorize countershading in fish, toads, snakes and warning colouration in mushrooms.
Differentiate various castes in social insects like termites and their functions in their colony hive.
Account for basking in lizards, territorial behavour of other animals under unfavourable conditions (hibernation and
aestivation).
Account for adaptation in organisms with respect to the following: – Obtaining food (beaks and legs of birds, mouthparts of insects, especially mosquito, butterfly and moth.) – Protection and defence (stick insects, praying mantis and toad). – Securing mates (redhead male and female Agama lizards, display of feathers by birds). – Regulating body temperature (skin, feathers and hairs) -Conserving water (spines in plants and scales in mammals).

4. Heredity and Variation

This section covers the principles of genetics. Key topics include:

Mendelian Genetics: Study Gregor Mendel’s experiments with pea plants and the principles of inheritance.
Variation and Evolution: Understand how genetic variation occurs and its role in evolution.

Candidates should be able to:

Identify the transverse sections of these organs.
Relate the structure of these organs to their functions.
Identify supporting tissues in plants (collenchyma) sclerenchyma, xylem and phloem fibres)
Describe the distribution of supporting tissues in roots, stem and leaf
Examine the arrangement of the mammalian internal organs.
Describe the appearance and position of the digestive, reproductive and excretory organs

5. Evolution

This section looks at how species evolve over time. Topics include:

Theories of Evolution: Study Darwin’s theory of natural selection and other models of evolution.
Evidence for Evolution: Understand the fossil record, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology as evidence for evolution.

Candidates should be able to:

Identify the transverse sections of these organs.
Relate the structure of these organs to their functions.
Identify supporting tissues in plants (collenchyma) sclerenchyma, xylem and phloem fibres)
Describe the distribution of supporting tissues in roots, stem and leaf
Examine the arrangement of the mammalian internal organs.
Describe the appearance and position of the digestive, reproductive and excretory organs.

Tips for Studying JAMB Biology

Focus on Key Topics: While the syllabus is comprehensive, prioritize the topics that are frequently tested in past exams. For example, plant and animal classification, human physiology, and ecology are often emphasized.
Use Past Questions: Practicing past JAMB Biology questions will help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and identify the types of questions commonly asked.
Understand Concepts, Don’t Memorize: Biology involves understanding processes and relationships. Try to understand concepts rather than just memorizing facts.
Regular Revision: Make time for revision to reinforce what you’ve learned. Regular practice will ensure that you remember important details come exam time.

JAMB Syllabus for Biology 2025/2026

What is the JAMB Biology Syllabus?

Why is the JAMB Biology Syllabus Important?

JAMB Biology Syllabus 2025/2026: Key Sections and Topics

1. Variety of Organisms

2. Form and Function

3. Ecology

4. Heredity and Variation

5. Evolution

Tips for Studying JAMB Biology

JAMB Syllabus for All Subjects