MDCAT Biology Syllabus 2026 — Chapter-wise Breakdown
Taught by Sir Akbar
MDCAT Biology 2026 has 81 MCQs out of 180, making it the highest-weightage subject at 45% of the total paper. The syllabus covers 16 chapters from the official PMDC national syllabus, with learning objectives for each chapter listed below.
81 MCQsout of 180
45%of paper
16chapters
Chapter-wise Breakdown
All 16 Biology Chapters & Learning Outcomes
Official PMDC learning objectives for every chapter — exactly what you will be tested on.
| # | Chapter | Learning Outcomes | Prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Acellular Life (Viruses) |
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| 02 | Bioenergetics |
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| 03 | Biological Molecules |
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| 04 | Cell Structure & Function |
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| 05 | Coordination & Control |
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| 06 | Enzymes |
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| 07 | Evolution |
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| 08 | Reproduction |
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| 09 | Support & Movement |
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| 10 | Inheritance |
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| 11 | Circulation |
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| 12 | Immunity |
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| 13 | Respiration |
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| 14 | Digestion |
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| 15 | Homeostasis |
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| 16 | Biotechnology |
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Chapters
- 1.1Classify viruses on basis of their structure / number of strands / diseases / hosts
- 1.2Identify symptoms, mode of transmission and cause of viral disease (AIDS)
01
Acellular Life (Viruses)- 1.1Classify viruses on basis of their structure / number of strands / diseases / hosts
- 1.2Identify symptoms, mode of transmission and cause of viral disease (AIDS)
- 2.1Outline the cellular respiration of proteins and fats and correlate these with that of glucose
02
Bioenergetics- 2.1Outline the cellular respiration of proteins and fats and correlate these with that of glucose
- 3.1Define and classify biological molecules
- 3.2Discuss the importance of biological molecules
- 3.3Describe biologically important properties of water (polarity, hydrolysis, specific heat, water as solvent and reagent, density, cohesion/ionization)
- 3.4Discuss carbohydrates: monosaccharaides (glucose), oligosaccharides (cane sugar, sucrose, lactose), polysaccharides (starches, cellulose, glycogen)
- 3.5Describe proteins: amino acids, structure of proteins
- 3.6Describe lipids: phospholipids, triglycerides, alcohol and esters (acylglycerol)
- 3.7Give an account of structure and function of RNA
- 3.8Discuss conjugated molecules (glycol lipids, glycol proteins)
- 3.9Explain the double helical structure of DNA as proposed by Watson and Crick
- 3.10Define gene as a sequence of nucleotides as part of DNA, which codes for the formation of a polypeptide
03
Biological Molecules- 3.1Define and classify biological molecules
- 3.2Discuss the importance of biological molecules
- 3.3Describe biologically important properties of water (polarity, hydrolysis, specific heat, water as solvent and reagent, density, cohesion/ionization)
- 3.4Discuss carbohydrates: monosaccharaides (glucose), oligosaccharides (cane sugar, sucrose, lactose), polysaccharides (starches, cellulose, glycogen)
- 3.5Describe proteins: amino acids, structure of proteins
- 3.6Describe lipids: phospholipids, triglycerides, alcohol and esters (acylglycerol)
- 3.7Give an account of structure and function of RNA
- 3.8Discuss conjugated molecules (glycol lipids, glycol proteins)
- 3.9Explain the double helical structure of DNA as proposed by Watson and Crick
- 3.10Define gene as a sequence of nucleotides as part of DNA, which codes for the formation of a polypeptide
- 4.1Compare the structure of typical animal and plant cell
- 4.2Compare and contrast the structure of prokaryotic cells with eukaryotic cells
- 4.3Outline the structure and function of the following organelles: nucleus, Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and Mitochondria
- 4.4Describe the structure, chemical composition and function of chromosomes
04
Cell Structure & Function- 4.1Compare the structure of typical animal and plant cell
- 4.2Compare and contrast the structure of prokaryotic cells with eukaryotic cells
- 4.3Outline the structure and function of the following organelles: nucleus, Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and Mitochondria
- 4.4Describe the structure, chemical composition and function of chromosomes
- 5.1Recognize receptors as transducers sensitive to various stimuli
- 5.2Explain the structure of a typical neuron (cell body, dendrites, axon and myelin sheath)
- 5.3Define nerve impulse
- 5.4Classify reflexes
- 5.5Briefly explain the functions of components of a reflex arc
- 5.6Discuss the main parts of the brain (brain stem, mid brain, cerebellum, cerebrum)
- 5.7Describe the functions of each part of the brain
05
Coordination & Control- 5.1Recognize receptors as transducers sensitive to various stimuli
- 5.2Explain the structure of a typical neuron (cell body, dendrites, axon and myelin sheath)
- 5.3Define nerve impulse
- 5.4Classify reflexes
- 5.5Briefly explain the functions of components of a reflex arc
- 5.6Discuss the main parts of the brain (brain stem, mid brain, cerebellum, cerebrum)
- 5.7Describe the functions of each part of the brain
- 6.1Describe the distinguishing characteristics of enzymes
- 6.2Explain mechanism of action of enzymes
- 6.3Describe effects of factor on enzyme action (temperature, pH and concentration)
- 6.4Describe enzyme inhibitors
06
Enzymes- 6.1Describe the distinguishing characteristics of enzymes
- 6.2Explain mechanism of action of enzymes
- 6.3Describe effects of factor on enzyme action (temperature, pH and concentration)
- 6.4Describe enzyme inhibitors
- 7.1Explain origin of life according to concept of evolution
- 7.2Describe the theory of inheritance of acquired characters, as proposed by Lamarck
- 7.3Explain the theory of natural selection as proposed by Darwin
07
Evolution- 7.1Explain origin of life according to concept of evolution
- 7.2Describe the theory of inheritance of acquired characters, as proposed by Lamarck
- 7.3Explain the theory of natural selection as proposed by Darwin
- 8.1Describe the functions of various parts of the male & female reproductive systems and the hormones that regulate those functions
- 8.2Describe the menstrual cycle emphasizing the role of hormones
- 8.3List the common sexually transmitted diseases along with their causative agents and main symptoms
08
Reproduction- 8.1Describe the functions of various parts of the male & female reproductive systems and the hormones that regulate those functions
- 8.2Describe the menstrual cycle emphasizing the role of hormones
- 8.3List the common sexually transmitted diseases along with their causative agents and main symptoms
- 9.1Describe cartilage, muscle and bone
- 9.2Explain the main characteristics of cartilage and bone along with functions
- 9.3Compare characteristics of smooth muscles, cardiac muscles and skeletal muscles
- 9.4Explain the ultra-structure of skeletal muscles
- 9.5Describe in brief the process of skeletal muscle contraction
- 9.6Classify joints
- 9.7Define arthritis
09
Support & Movement- 9.1Describe cartilage, muscle and bone
- 9.2Explain the main characteristics of cartilage and bone along with functions
- 9.3Compare characteristics of smooth muscles, cardiac muscles and skeletal muscles
- 9.4Explain the ultra-structure of skeletal muscles
- 9.5Describe in brief the process of skeletal muscle contraction
- 9.6Classify joints
- 9.7Define arthritis
- 10.1Associate inheritance with the laws of Mendel
- 10.2Explain the law of independent assortment, using a suitable example
- 10.3Describe the terms gene linkage and crossing over
- 10.4Explain how gene linkage counters independent assortment and crossing-over modifies the progeny
- 10.5Describe the concept of sex-linkage
- 10.6Briefly describe inheritance of sex-linked traits
- 10.7Analyze the inheritance of hemophilia
10
Inheritance- 10.1Associate inheritance with the laws of Mendel
- 10.2Explain the law of independent assortment, using a suitable example
- 10.3Describe the terms gene linkage and crossing over
- 10.4Explain how gene linkage counters independent assortment and crossing-over modifies the progeny
- 10.5Describe the concept of sex-linkage
- 10.6Briefly describe inheritance of sex-linked traits
- 10.7Analyze the inheritance of hemophilia
- 11.1Discuss general structure of human heart
- 11.2Describe the phases of heartbeat
- 11.3List the differences and functions of arteries, veins and capillaries
- 11.4Describe lymphatic system (nodes, vessels and organs)
11
Circulation- 11.1Discuss general structure of human heart
- 11.2Describe the phases of heartbeat
- 11.3List the differences and functions of arteries, veins and capillaries
- 11.4Describe lymphatic system (nodes, vessels and organs)
- 12.1Define and discuss the functions and importance of specific defense mechanisms
12
Immunity- 12.1Define and discuss the functions and importance of specific defense mechanisms
- 13.1Discuss the functions of main part of respiratory system
- 13.2Discuss the process of gas exchange in human lungs
- 13.3Discuss the effect of smoking on respiratory system
13
Respiration- 13.1Discuss the functions of main part of respiratory system
- 13.2Discuss the process of gas exchange in human lungs
- 13.3Discuss the effect of smoking on respiratory system
- 14.1Describe the parts of human digestive system
- 14.2Explain the functions of the main parts of the digestive system including associated structures and glands
14
Digestion- 14.1Describe the parts of human digestive system
- 14.2Explain the functions of the main parts of the digestive system including associated structures and glands
- 15.1Explain different organs of urinary system. Describe the structure of kidney and relate it with its function
- 15.2Explain the processes of glomerular filtration, selective re-absorption and tubular secretion as the events in kidney functioning
- 15.3Justify the functioning of kidneys as both excretion and osmoregulation
- 15.4Compare the function of two major capillary beds in kidney (glomerular capillaries and peritubular capillaries)
- 15.5Explain the causes and treatments of kidney stones
- 15.6Outline the causes of kidney failure
- 15.7Describe thermoregulation and explain its needs
- 15.8List various nitrogenous compounds excreted during the process of excretion
15
Homeostasis- 15.1Explain different organs of urinary system. Describe the structure of kidney and relate it with its function
- 15.2Explain the processes of glomerular filtration, selective re-absorption and tubular secretion as the events in kidney functioning
- 15.3Justify the functioning of kidneys as both excretion and osmoregulation
- 15.4Compare the function of two major capillary beds in kidney (glomerular capillaries and peritubular capillaries)
- 15.5Explain the causes and treatments of kidney stones
- 15.6Outline the causes of kidney failure
- 15.7Describe thermoregulation and explain its needs
- 15.8List various nitrogenous compounds excreted during the process of excretion
- 16.1Describe how biotechnologists can combat health problems by producing vaccines
- 16.2State the role played by biotechnology in disease diagnosis (DNA/RNA probes, monoclonal antibodies)
- 16.3Describe what products biotechnologists obtain for use in disease treatment
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