JAMB Area of Concentration for Biology Subject 2027/2028

The JAMB Area of Concentration for Biology Subject 2027/2028 covers the major topics you need to understand for the examination.

Biology deals with living organisms, how they are organized, how they function, how they interact with their environment, and how life continues through reproduction, inheritance and evolution.

The subject is divided into five major areas: Variety of Organisms, Form and Functions, Ecology, Heredity and Variations, and Evolution.

As you study the JAMB Biology topics, focus on understanding biological structures, processes, relationships, experiments and simple calculations. You should also be able to apply biological principles to health, society, the environment and everyday life.

Read also: Biology JAMB Syllabus 2026/2027 Download PDF

Variety of Organisms

This section covers the characteristics, organization, classification and adaptations of living organisms.

Characteristics of Living Organisms

You should be able to distinguish living things from non-living things by their basic characteristics.

Living organisms are made up of cells and carry out important life activities.

Cell Structure and Functions

Study the structures of plant and animal cells and understand the functions of their components.

You should also be able to compare both cell types and identify their major similarities and differences.

Levels of Organization

Living organisms show increasing levels of organization:

• cell;
• tissue;
• organ;
• system;
• organism.

Examples include Euglena and Paramecium at the cellular level, epithelial tissue, the onion bulb as an organ, and systems such as digestive, reproductive and excretory systems.

Classification of Organisms

You should understand the major groups of organisms and how structural complexity increases across them.

Important groups include:

• Monera: bacteria and blue-green algae;
• Protista: Amoeba, Euglena and Paramecium;
• Fungi: mushroom and Rhizopus;
• Plantae: Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta;
• Animalia: invertebrates and vertebrates.

Among plants, understand the progression from simpler forms such as Spirogyra to ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms.

For animals, study major invertebrate groups such as flatworms, roundworms, annelids, arthropods and molluscs, as well as vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Adaptation of Organisms

Adaptations help organisms survive in their environments.

Important areas include:

• structural adaptations for feeding, defence, mating, temperature control and water conservation;
• adaptive colouration, including countershading and warning colouration;
• behavioural adaptations, such as basking, territorial behaviour, hibernation and aestivation.

You should also understand the roles of different castes in social insects such as termites.

When studying adaptation, focus on how the structure, function or behaviour of an organism helps it survive in its habitat.

Form and Functions

Form and Functions explains how the structures of plants and animals help them carry out important life processes.

Internal Structure of Flowering Plants

You should understand the internal structure of the:

• root;
• stem;
• leaf.

Be able to identify their transverse sections and relate each structure to its function.

Important supporting tissues include collenchyma, sclerenchyma, xylem fibres and phloem fibres. You should know where they are found in roots, stems and leaves.

Internal Structure of Mammals

Study the arrangement and positions of major mammalian organs, especially those involved in:

• digestion;
• reproduction;
• excretion.

You should be able to connect the structure and position of an organ with its function.

Nutrition

Nutrition may be autotrophic or heterotrophic.

Autotrophic organisms produce their own food. Examples include photosynthetic and chemosynthetic organisms.

Heterotrophic nutrition includes:

• holozoic nutrition;
• parasitic nutrition;
• saprophytic nutrition;
• carnivorous plant nutrition.

You should distinguish these types and identify suitable examples.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis allows green plants to manufacture food.

Study:

• light and dark reactions;
• importance of light;
• carbon dioxide;
• chlorophyll;
• testing leaves for starch.

You should also understand how an experiment can show that light, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll are necessary for photosynthesis.

Plant Mineral Nutrition

Plants need both macronutrients and micronutrients.

Pay attention to deficiency symptoms associated with important nutrients such as:

• nitrogen;
• phosphorus;
• potassium.

You should be able to connect visible deficiency symptoms with the nutrient that is lacking.

Animal Nutrition

Important classes of food include:

• carbohydrates;
• proteins;
• fats and oils;
• vitamins;
• mineral salts;
• water.

Know their sources, functions and the effects of deficiency.

Examples of deficiency conditions include scurvy, rickets and kwashiorkor.

You should also understand the importance of a balanced diet.

Food Tests

Know how experimental results are used to identify:

• starch;
• reducing sugar;
• protein;
• fats and oils.

Focus on recognizing what a positive test result means.

Mammalian Teeth and Digestion

Study the structure, types and functions of mammalian teeth.

You should also compare the dental formulae of humans, sheep and dogs.

For the alimentary canal, understand the functions of major parts and accessory organs such as the:

• liver;
• pancreas;
• gall bladder.

You should also connect digestive enzymes with the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Important nutritional processes are:

• ingestion;
• digestion;
• absorption;
• assimilation.

Transport in Organisms

As organisms become larger and more complex, they need efficient transport systems.

Materials transported include:

• gases;
• water;
• nutrients;
• digested food;
• manufactured food;
• hormones;
• excretory products.

In mammals, study the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries.

Know the functions of vessels such as the aorta, hepatic portal vein, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, renal artery and renal vein.

In plants, understand the roles of:

• xylem, which transports water and mineral substances;
• phloem, which transports manufactured food.

Transport media include blood, lymph, cytoplasm and cell sap.

Important processes include:

• diffusion;
• osmosis;
• plasmolysis;
• turgidity;
• transpiration pull;
• root pressure;
• active transport.

Respiration

Respiration releases energy needed for life activities.

You should understand respiratory surfaces such as:

• body surface;
• gills;
• trachea;
• lungs;
• stomata;
• lenticels.

Study gaseous exchange in both plants and mammals.

For aerobic respiration, understand the basic roles of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and ATP without losing focus on the main idea of energy release.

You should also understand the effect of insufficient oxygen on muscles.

Anaerobic Respiration

Anaerobic respiration occurs without sufficient oxygen.

You should understand fermentation using yeast and sugar solution and know the economic importance of yeast.

Excretion

Excretion is the removal of metabolic waste from organisms.

Important excretory structures include:

• contractile vacuole;
• flame cell;
• nephridium;
• Malpighian tubule;
• kidney;
• stoma;
• lenticel.

In mammals, focus on the functions of the kidneys, lungs and skin.

Plants also produce substances such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, tannins, resins, gums, mucilage and alkaloids.

Support and Movement

Plants and animals need support to maintain shape and carry out movement.

Plant responses include:

• tropic movements;
• tactic movements;
• nastic movements;
• sleep movements.

You should understand responses to light, water, gravity and touch and the role of auxins in tropism.

In animals, important supporting materials include:

• chitin;
• cartilage;
• bone.

Know the differences between exoskeleton and endoskeleton and understand the protective, supportive, locomotive and respiratory functions of the skeleton.

You should also distinguish between different types of joints.

Reproduction

Reproduction may be sexual or asexual.

Asexual reproduction includes:

• fission in Paramecium;
• budding in yeast;
• natural vegetative propagation;
• artificial vegetative propagation.

Artificial methods include grafting, budding and layering.

In flowering plants, study:

• floral parts and their functions;
• pollination;
• fertilization;
• placentation;
• fruit formation.

In mammals, understand the structures and functions of male and female reproductive organs, fertilization and development before birth.

Growth and Germination

Growth involves an increase in the size and development of an organism.

For seed germination, study the conditions required and distinguish between:

• epigeal germination;
• hypogeal germination.

Coordination and Control

The nervous system coordinates activities in animals.

Study:

• central nervous system;
• peripheral nervous system;
• transmission of nerve impulses;
• reflex actions;
• voluntary actions;
• conditioned reflexes.

Important sense organs include the:

• skin;
• nose;
• tongue;
• eye;
• ear.

You should relate each sense organ to its function.

Hormonal Control

Important endocrine glands include:

• pituitary;
• thyroid;
• parathyroid;
• adrenal glands;
• pancreas;
• gonads.

Know the hormones associated with these glands and their functions.

Plant hormones include auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins and ethylene. They influence growth, tropism, flowering, fruit ripening and leaf fall.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis keeps internal body conditions within suitable limits.

Important areas include:

• body temperature regulation;
• water regulation;
• salt regulation.

You should understand how hormonal control helps maintain stable internal conditions.

Ecology

Ecology deals with the relationships between organisms and their environment.

Factors Affecting the Distribution of Organisms

The distribution of organisms is influenced by abiotic and biotic factors.

Abiotic factors include:

• temperature;
• rainfall;
• relative humidity;
• wind;
• altitude;
• salinity;
• turbidity;
• pH;
• soil conditions.

You should understand how these factors affect where organisms live.

Equipment such as a thermometer, rain gauge and Secchi disc may be used to measure environmental conditions.

Biotic factors include the activities of plants, animals and humans.

Relationships Among Organisms

Organisms interact in different ways.

Important relationships include:

• symbiosis;
• parasitism;
• saprophytism;
• commensalism;
• mutualism;
• amensalism;
• competition;
• predation;
• cooperation.

You should be able to identify examples of these relationships.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy moves through ecosystems through:

• food chains;
• food webs;
• trophic levels.

You should understand how producers, consumers and other organisms are connected through feeding relationships.

Nutrient Cycles

Important nutrient cycles include:

• carbon cycle;
• water cycle;
• nitrogen cycle.

Understand how these cycles recycle important materials in nature.

Pay attention to the roles of bacteria and leguminous plants in the nitrogen cycle.

Natural Habitats

Aquatic habitats include:

• ponds;
• streams;
• lakes;
• seashores;
• mangrove swamps.

Terrestrial and arboreal habitats include:

• tree tops;
• abandoned farmland;
• savanna;
• burrows and holes.

You should connect the adaptive features of organisms with the habitats where they live.

Nigerian Biomes

Important local biomes include:

• tropical rainforest;
• Guinea savanna;
• Sudan savanna;
• desert;
• montane forests and grasslands.

You should understand their main features and where they occur in Nigeria.

Population Ecology

Population density refers to the number of organisms per unit area.

You should be able to calculate simple population density and understand the effects of overcrowding.

Population size may be affected by:

• food;
• disease;
• pests;
• predation;
• competition;
• reproductive ability;
• temperature;
• space;
• light;
• rainfall;
• pH.

Competition and Succession

Competition may occur between members of the same species or between different species.

You should distinguish between:

• intraspecific competition;
• interspecific competition.

Ecological succession involves gradual changes in a community.

Know the difference between:

• primary succession;
• secondary succession.

You should also understand progression toward a stable climax community.

Soil

Important soil types include:

• sandy soil;
• loamy soil;
• clay soil.

Study their:

• structure;
• porosity;
• capillarity;
• humus content;
• water-holding ability.

Soil contains inorganic materials, organic matter, organisms, air and water.

Soil Fertility and Conservation

Soil fertility may decline through:

• leaching;
• erosion;
• repeated cropping;
• compaction;
• loss of organic materials.

Methods of maintaining and conserving soil include:

• contour ridging;
• terracing;
• mulching;
• strip cropping;
• crop rotation;
• organic and inorganic fertilizers.

Humans and the Environment

You should understand how environmental conditions affect human health.

Study common diseases according to their:

• causative agents;
• transmission;
• symptoms;
• prevention;
• control.

Examples include malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, meningitis and other common diseases.

Vaccination and inoculation are important methods of disease prevention.

Pollution and Sanitation

Pollution may affect:

• air;
• water;
• soil.

You should understand its sources, effects and control methods.

Also study:

• waste disposal;
• sewage disposal;
• community health;
• personal hygiene.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Natural resources may be renewable or non-renewable.

Conservation helps protect resources for present and future generations.

You should understand methods of conservation, prevention of desertification and the importance of game reserves and national parks.

Organizations involved in health and conservation include WHO, UNICEF, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, IUCN and UNEP.

Heredity and Variations

Heredity explains how characteristics are passed from parents to offspring, while variation describes differences among individuals of the same species.

Variation in Populations

Variation may be continuous or discontinuous.

Continuous variation shows a range of differences, such as:

• height;
• weight.

Discontinuous variation falls into clear groups and includes:

• blood groups;
• fingerprints;
• tongue rolling;
• ability to taste PTC.

Other variations may involve skin, eye and hair colour, animal coat colour, scales and feathers.

You should understand how both genetic factors and environmental conditions can influence variation.

Applications of Variation

Variation has practical uses.

Fingerprints can help with identification and crime detection, while blood groups are important in:

• blood transfusion;
• determination of paternity.

You should understand how these characteristics are applied.

Heredity

Characters may be:

• heritable, meaning they can be passed genetically from parents to offspring;
• non-heritable, meaning they are mainly acquired and are not transmitted genetically.

You should be able to distinguish between the two.

Chromosomes, DNA and Genes

Chromosomes carry hereditary information.

You should understand the basic structure of DNA and how genes are involved in transferring characteristics from one generation to another.

During gamete formation, genes segregate. At fertilization, genes from the two parents recombine.

Genetics and Probability

You should be able to interpret simple genetic crosses and analyse cross-breeding results.

Important areas include:

• segregation of genes;
• recombination;
• probability;
• sex determination.

Applications of Heredity

In agriculture, heredity is applied in the production of improved crops and livestock through cross-breeding.

You should also understand the advantages and disadvantages of:

• inbreeding;
• out-breeding.

In medicine, heredity is important when studying:

• blood groups;
• sickle-cell anaemia;
• Rhesus factor.

Recombinant DNA technology is also connected with the production of useful medical products such as insulin and enzymes.

GMOs and Gene Technology

You should understand the basic issues connected with:

• genetically modified organisms;
• gene therapy;
• biosafety.

Focus on their connection with heredity and biotechnology.

Sex-Linked Characters

Some inherited characteristics are associated with sex chromosomes.

Examples include:

• haemophilia;
• colour blindness;
• baldness.

You should be able to identify examples of sex-linked characters and understand how heredity helps explain their transmission.

Evolution

Evolution explains how living organisms change over long periods of time.

These gradual changes can lead to differences in the forms, structures and functions of organisms.

Lamarck’s Theory

Lamarck contributed to early explanations of evolution.

You should understand the main ideas connected with his theory and how he explained changes in organisms over time.

Darwin’s Theory

Charles Darwin also made an important contribution to evolutionary theory.

You should understand his major ideas and be able to compare his explanation of evolution with Lamarck’s.

Organic Evolution

Organic evolution refers to the long-term accumulation of adaptive changes in living organisms.

These changes help explain the diversity of organisms and the differences seen in their structures and functions.

Evidence of Evolution

Important evidence supporting evolution includes:

• fossil records;
• comparative anatomy;
• physiology;
• embryology;
• genetic studies;
• mutation.

You should understand how each type of evidence supports the idea that organisms have changed over time.

Evolutionary Trends

You should also be able to trace broad evolutionary trends in:

• plants;
• animals.

This involves recognizing changes in structure and organization from simpler forms to more complex organisms.

Modern Evidence

Modern studies in genetics provide further evidence for evolution.

Pay attention to the roles of:

• inherited variation;
• mutation;
• genetic studies.

These help explain how biological changes can arise and be passed from one generation to another.

How to Use the JAMB Biology Topics for Revision

Biology revision should combine understanding, diagrams, experiments, calculations and application.

Study the Five Major Areas

Make sure your revision covers:

• Variety of Organisms;
• Form and Functions;
• Ecology;
• Heredity and Variations;
• Evolution.

Do not concentrate on only one section.

Use Diagrams

Practise identifying and labelling important biological structures such as:

• plant and animal cells;
• roots, stems and leaves;
• mammalian organs;
• teeth;
• heart;
• reproductive organs;
• nervous system.

Understand the function of each labelled part.

Practise Biological Processes

Pay attention to processes such as:

• photosynthesis;
• digestion;
• transport;
• respiration;
• excretion;
• reproduction;
• germination;
• coordination.

Learn the correct sequence and understand what happens at each stage.

Review Practical Biology

Be familiar with experiments and observations involving:

• food tests;
• photosynthesis;
• respiration;
• osmosis and diffusion;
• soil properties;
• seed germination.

Focus on interpreting results rather than memorizing procedures alone.

Practise Ecology and Genetics Calculations

Important calculation areas include:

• population density;
• genetic probability;
• interpretation of genetic crosses.

Read each question carefully and identify the biological principle involved before calculating.

Study Organisms by Comparison

Compare related groups such as:

• plant and animal cells;
• monocots and dicots;
• vertebrates and invertebrates;
• aerobic and anaerobic respiration;
• sexual and asexual reproduction;
• continuous and discontinuous variation.

Comparison makes important differences easier to remember.

Connect Biology With Everyday Life

Relate topics to health, agriculture, conservation and the environment.

For diseases, learn the cause, mode of transmission, symptoms, prevention and control.

For heredity, understand its applications in agriculture and medicine.

For ecology, connect pollution, conservation and human activities with environmental health.

Revise Evolution With Evidence

Do not memorize only the names of Lamarck and Darwin.

Understand their ideas and connect evolution with evidence from fossils, anatomy, embryology, genetics and mutation.

Regular practice with diagrams, experiments, classification and interpretation will help you understand the JAMB Biology topics more effectively.

Recommended Texts for JAMB Biology

The following books can support your revision of the JAMB Biology topics:

• Ndu F. O., C. Ndu, Abun A. and Aina J. O. (2001), Senior Secondary School Biology, Books 1–3, Longman.
• Odunfa S. A. (2001), Essentials of Biology, Heinemann.
• Ogunniyi M. B., Adebisi A. A. and Okojie J. A. (2000), Biology for Senior Secondary Schools, Books 1–3, Macmillan.

Read also: Full List of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Biology 2027/2028

Use these texts to strengthen your understanding of biological concepts, diagrams, experiments and practical work.

Key Points to Remember

• Biology covers Variety of Organisms, Form and Functions, Ecology, Heredity and Variations, and Evolution.
• Learn the characteristics of living things, cell structure and the levels of organization.
• Be able to classify major plant and animal groups and explain their adaptations.
• Understand how plant and animal structures are related to their functions.
• Important life processes include nutrition, transport, respiration, excretion, reproduction, growth and coordination.
• Revise photosynthesis, food tests, digestion and plant mineral requirements.
• Understand diffusion, osmosis, plasmolysis, turgidity and transport systems in plants and animals.
• Learn the roles of the nervous system, sense organs, hormones and homeostasis.
• Ecology covers habitats, biotic and abiotic factors, food chains, nutrient cycles, populations, soil and conservation.
• Practise simple calculations involving population density and genetics.
• Learn diseases according to their causes, transmission, prevention and control.
• Understand the difference between continuous and discontinuous variation.
• Study chromosomes, DNA, genes, inheritance, sex-linked characters and applications of heredity.
• Know the main ideas of Lamarck and Darwin and the evidence supporting evolution.
• Combine theory with diagrams, experiments, comparisons and interpretation when revising Biology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The JAMB Area of Concentration for Biology Subject 2027/2028 covers five major areas: Variety of Organisms, Form and Functions, Ecology, Heredity and Variations, and Evolution.

To prepare well, focus on understanding biological structures, processes and relationships. Pay attention to diagrams, experiments, classification, genetics, ecology and simple calculations.

You should also be able to apply biological knowledge to health, agriculture, conservation and everyday life.

Use the topic areas as a guide for your revision and make sure you give enough attention to each of the five major sections.

If you have any questions about the JAMB Biology topics, you can ask in the comment section. You can also share this guide with other students who may find it useful.