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NEET · Biology — Cell Biology & Plant Physiology · Tamil Nadu, India

Biology — Cell Biology & Plant Physiology for the NEET Exam — Tamil Nadu candidates

10% of the NEET test plan. Cell structure and function, cell division (mitosis/meiosis), plant physiology (photosynthesis, respiration, hormones) — core of NEET Botany. Calibrated for Tamil candidates.

Behind every published pass rate is a distribution of which topics caused most of the failures. This is one of those topics. Biology — Cell Biology & Plant Physiology sits at roughly 10% of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test content distribution — Biology (Botany + Zoology) constitutes 50% of NEET — the single largest subject. Cell biology and plant physiology together form the foundation of NEET Botany. NTA draws 60–70% of NEET Biology questions directly or near-directly from NCERT Class 11 and 12 Biology. Cell division errors (mitosis vs meiosis stages, checkpoints) and photosynthesis pathway confusions are among the top reasons for Biology mark loss. Pass rates for the NEET are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For Tamil Nadu candidates preparing for NEET, the calibration of study to local context matters: Tamil Nadu uses 7.5% NEET government-school reservation and runs separate state-quota counselling. JEE Main and GATE candidate volumes are second only to Maharashtra.

Pass rates for NEET (Tamil Nadu, India) are published periodically by the awarding body.

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

  • !Confusing the stages of mitosis (PMAT) with meiosis I and meiosis II, especially crossing-over in prophase I
  • !Misidentifying chloroplast vs mitochondria structure (thylakoid stacking, cristae)
  • !Mixing up the C3, C4, and CAM photosynthesis pathways — forgetting which plants use which and where CO₂ fixation occurs
  • !Forgetting the role of specific plant hormones (auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, ABA, ethylene) in their respective processes
  • !Confusing cyclic vs non-cyclic photophosphorylation and their products

Study tips

  • 1Read NCERT Biology Class 11 Chapter 8 (Cell: The Unit of Life) and Chapter 10 (Cell Cycle and Cell Division) at least three times — NEET questions are verbatim or near-verbatim from these chapters.
  • 2Draw the chloroplast structure, labelling grana, thylakoid, stroma, inner and outer membranes. NEET frequently tests organelle sub-structure.
  • 3Make a comparison table of mitosis vs meiosis I vs meiosis II: number of divisions, chromosome movement, genetic outcome.
  • 4Memorise the site of each photosynthesis reaction: light reactions in thylakoid membrane; Calvin cycle in stroma.
  • 5Drill plant hormone effects: auxin = cell elongation; cytokinin = cell division; gibberellin = stem elongation/seed germination; ABA = stomata closure; ethylene = fruit ripening.
  • 6NEET-UG is offered in Tamil (தமிழ்) at all TN centres. Many state-board students prefer Tamil-medium for biology questions but English-medium for physics and chemistry — you must choose one medium for the entire paper.
  • 7For TN MBBS admission: register on TN Health website for the 7.5% government-school reservation if eligible — separate from MCC counselling.
  • 8GATE Chennai and Coimbatore centres fill fastest; submit your GATE application within 72 hours of opening to secure your preferred centre.

Sample NEET Biology — Cell Biology & Plant Physiology questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real NEET questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

  1. 1

    In which phase of meiosis does crossing over (exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes) occur?

    • AProphase II
    • BMetaphase I
    • CProphase ICorrect
    • DAnaphase II
    Why this answer?

    Crossing over occurs during Prophase I of meiosis, specifically at the pachytene sub-stage. Homologous chromosomes pair up (synapsis) to form bivalents, and non-sister chromatids exchange segments at chiasmata. This is the NTA NEET standard answer derived from NCERT.

  2. 2

    The primary acceptor of CO₂ in the Calvin cycle (C3 plants) is:

    • APhosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)
    • BOxaloacetate (OAA)
    • CRibulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP)Correct
    • DPyruvate
    Why this answer?

    In C3 photosynthesis, CO₂ is fixed by the enzyme RuBisCO onto RuBP (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate) to form two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). PEP is the primary CO₂ acceptor in C4 plants, not C3.

  3. 3

    The thylakoid membrane is the site of:

    • ACalvin cycle reactions
    • BLight-dependent reactions of photosynthesisCorrect
    • CGlycolysis
    • DKrebs cycle
    Why this answer?

    Light-dependent reactions (light reactions) occur in the thylakoid membrane, where pigments absorb light energy to drive the splitting of water (photolysis), release O₂, produce ATP (via photophosphorylation), and generate NADPH. The Calvin cycle occurs in the stroma.

  4. 4

    Which plant hormone is responsible for apical dominance?

    • ACytokinin
    • BEthylene
    • CGibberellin
    • DAuxinCorrect
    Why this answer?

    Auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) produced by the apical meristem suppresses the growth of lateral buds — this is apical dominance. When the apex is removed, auxin levels drop and lateral buds become active. NCERT explicitly states this in Class 11 Chapter 15.

Frequently asked questions

How many Biology questions are there in NEET and how are they distributed?
NEET-UG has 90 Biology questions: 45 from Botany (Plant Kingdom, Morphology, Anatomy, Cell Biology, Plant Physiology, Reproduction, Ecology) and 45 from Zoology (Animal Kingdom, Human Physiology, Reproduction, Genetics, Evolution, Biotechnology, Human Health). Each question is 4 marks; wrong answers lose 1 mark.
Is NCERT sufficient for NEET Biology?
For scoring 300+/360 in Biology, NCERT is the primary source. NTA designs NEET Biology questions to test NCERT concepts directly. Beyond NCERT, previous-year NEET question papers (PYQs) are the most valuable preparation resource.
What is the NEET pass rate for Tamil candidates?
Pass rates for NEET candidates in Tamil Nadu, India are published periodically by the awarding body. Practice questions, full-length simulations, and weak-area drills are the highest-impact way to improve your odds.
How long should Tamil candidates study Biology — Cell Biology & Plant Physiology for the NEET?
For most candidates, focused mastery of Biology — Cell Biology & Plant Physiology requires 20–40 hours of deliberate practice — drilling sample questions, reviewing failure modes, and timing yourself against exam conditions. Tamil Nadu uses 7.5% NEET government-school reservation and runs separate state-quota counselling. JEE Main and GATE candidate volumes are second only to Maharashtra. Combine Biology — Cell Biology & Plant Physiology study with full-length mock exams in the final two weeks before your test date.

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Related study guides

Regulatory citation: NTA NEET-UG Information Bulletin — Biology syllabus: Structural Organisation in Plants and Animals, Cell Structure and Function, Plant Physiology.