SBI3U Application Notes Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the SBI3U lecture notes covering Units $$1-5$$ (Cells, Genetics, Evolution, Animal Systems, and Plants).

Surface area-to-volume ratio

A factor that determines cell efficiency; as it decreases, large cells become inefficient at transport, explaining why cells cannot grow indefinitely.

Passive Transport

The movement of materials from a high concentration to a low concentration without the use of ATP.

Active Transport

The movement of materials from a low concentration to a high concentration requiring ATP.

Meiosis Variation

The increase in genetic diversity caused by crossing over, independent assortment, and the production of unique gametes.

Mutations

Changes that create new alleles and serve as the source of genetic variation upon which natural selection acts.

Natural Selection

A process including variation, overproduction, competition, survival of individuals with beneficial traits, and reproduction.

Antibiotic Resistance

An application of evolution where resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, causing resistance to increase in the population.

Speciation

The formation of a new species occurring through isolation, lack of gene flow, different selection pressures, and reproductive isolation.

Founder Effect

An evolutionary phenomenon where a small group starts a new population.

Bottleneck Effect

An evolutionary phenomenon where a population is drastically reduced in size.

Small Intestine

An organ that is long and contains villi and microvilli to create a large surface area for absorption.

Gas Exchange

A process requiring a large surface area, a thin membrane, a moist environment, and a rich blood supply.

Inhalation

The process where the diaphragm contracts, volume increases, pressure decreases, and air enters the body.

Exhalation

The process where the diaphragm relaxes, volume decreases, pressure increases, and air leaves the body.

Countercurrent Exchange

The opposite flow of water and blood that maximizes oxygen uptake.

Left Ventricle

The thickest chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the whole body.

RBC (Red Blood Cells)

Blood components responsible for oxygen transport.

WBC (White Blood Cells)

Blood components responsible for immunity.

Platelets

Blood components responsible for clotting.

Xylem

Plant tissue that transports water and minerals from the root to the shoot.

Phloem

Plant tissue that transports sugars from the source to the sink.

Transpiration

The process where water evaporates from leaves, pulling water upward through the plant.

Auxins

Plant hormones that facilitate cell elongation and phototropism.

Mosses

A classification of nonvascular plants.

Ferns

A classification of vascular, seedless plants.

Gymnosperms

A classification of plants that produce cones.

Angiosperms

A classification of plants that produce flowers and fruits.