SBI3U1 FINAL EXAM FLASHCARDS

non-vascular

Plants that do not have vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) and rely on diffusion and osmosis to move water and nutrients (e.g., mosses).

vascular

Plants with vascular tissue that can transport water, minerals, and sugars throughout the plant.

spore producing

Reproduce using spores instead of seeds; includes mosses and ferns.

seed producing

Plants that reproduce using seeds (gymnosperms and angiosperms).

gymnosperm

Seed-producing plants with “naked seeds” (not enclosed in fruit), such as conifers.

angiosperm

Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in fruit.

monocot

A plant with one seed leaf (cotyledon), parallel leaf veins, and scattered vascular bundles.

dicot

A plant with two seed leaves, branching veins in leaves, and vascular bundles in a ring.

germination

The process where a seed begins to grow and develop into a new plant.

hormones

Chemicals that regulate plant growth and responses (e.g., auxins, gibberellins).

tropisms

Growth responses of a plant toward or away from a stimulus (e.g., phototropism toward light).

flowers

The reproductive structure of angiosperms that produces seeds.

roots

Anchor the plant, absorb water and minerals, and store nutrients.

stems

Support the plant and transport materials between roots and leaves.

leaves

Sites of photosynthesis; they capture light and exchange gases.

vascular tissue

Specialized tissue (xylem and phloem) that transports water, nutrients, and sugars.

xylem

Transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

phloem

Transports sugars and other nutrients from the leaves to the rest of the plant.

vascular bundles

Clusters of xylem and phloem found in stems and leaves.

dermal tissue

The outer protective covering of a plant.

Epidermis

The outer layer of cells covering leaves, stems, and roots.

cuticle

A waxy coating on the surface of leaves that prevents water loss.

stomata

Pores in the leaf surface that allow gas exchange.

guard cells

Cells that surround stomata and control their opening and closing.

meristematic tissue

Tissue that contains cells capable of dividing and producing new growth.

vascular cambium

A layer of meristematic cells that produce new xylem and phloem.

cork cambium

Produces protective outer layers (bark) in woody plants.

primary growth

Growth in length of roots and shoots due to apical meristems.

secondary growth

Growth in thickness/girth of stems and roots due to vascular and cork cambium.

ground tissue

Makes up most of the plant’s interior and helps with photosynthesis, storage, and support.

parenchyma

Thin-walled cells for photosynthesis and storage.

sclerenchyma

Thick-walled cells that provide structural support; usually dead at maturity.

collenchyma

Flexible cells that provide support during growth.

monocot stem

Has scattered vascular bundles and no vascular cambium.

herbaceous dicot stem

Soft, green stems with vascular bundles in a ring and a possible vascular cambium.

woody stem

Thick stems with secondary growth, bark, and annual rings.

capillary action

Movement of water through narrow tubes due to cohesion and adhesion.

transpiration

Loss of water through leaves that pulls water up from the roots.

root pressure

Push of water into the xylem from roots due to osmosis.

active transport

Movement of molecules into the root against a concentration gradient using energy.

osmosis

Passive movement of water across a membrane from high to low concentration.

the casparian strip

Waterproof barrier in roots that controls water flow into the vascular system.

cohesion

Attraction between water molecules.

adhesion

Attraction between water molecules and other surfaces (like xylem walls).

translocation

Movement of sugars through phloem from sources (leaves) to sinks (roots/fruits).

mitosis

Cell division that produces two identical diploid body cells.

meoisis

Cell division that produces four unique haploid gametes (sex cells).

interphase

The phase where a cell grows, replicates DNA, and prepares for division.

cytokinesis

The final step in cell division where the cell splits into two.

genetic variation

Differences in DNA among individuals in a population.

independant assortment

Random distribution of chromosomes during meiosis.

crossing over

Exchange of DNA between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

phenotype

Physical traits or characteristics of an organism.

genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism (e.g., Aa or AA).

somatic cell

Any body cell that is not a gamete.

gametes

Sex cells (sperm and egg); haploid.

diploid

A cell with two sets of chromosomes (2n).

haploid

A cell with one set of chromosomes (n).

n

Represents the number of chromosomes in a haploid cell.

2n

Represents the number of chromosomes in a diploid cell.

chromatin

Unwound DNA found in the nucleus during interphase.

chromosomes

Condensed DNA structures visible during cell division.

homologous chromosomes

Matching pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent.

sister chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome connected at the centromere.

tetrad

A pair of homologous chromosomes (4 chromatids) during meiosis.

DNA structure

Double helix made of nucleotides (A, T, C, G).

complimentary base pairing

A pairs with T, C pairs with G.

mendelian genetics

Inheritance patterns based on dominant and recessive traits.

non-mendelian genetics

Inheritance that doesn't follow Mendel’s rules (e.g., codominance).

recessive trait

Only shows when two copies are present (aa).

dominant trait

Shows even with one copy (A).

homozygous

Two identical alleles (AA or aa).

heterozygous

Two different alleles (Aa).

allele

A version of a gene.

gene

A section of DNA that codes for a trait.

penetration

The likelihood that a gene will be expressed in the phenotype.

F1 generation

First generation offspring of a genetic cross.

F2 generation

Offspring of the F1 generation.

punnett square

A chart used to predict offspring genotypes.

monohybrid cross

Cross involving one gene (e.g., Aa × Aa).

dihybrid cross

Cross involving two genes (e.g., AaBb × AaBb).

incomplete dominance

Neither allele is dominant; results in a blend (red + white = pink)

codominance

Both alleles are fully expressed (e.g., AB blood type).

sex-linkage

Traits carried on the sex chromosomes, often X-linked (e.g., colour blindness).

Taxonomic hierarchy

The classification system: 

• Domain 

• Kingdom

• Phylum

• Class

• Order

• Family 

• Genus 

• Species

Binomial nomenclature

Two-part naming system using Genus and species (e.g., Homo sapiens).

Dichotomous key

A tool that helps identify organisms using a series of choices.

evolutionary theory

The idea that species change over time due to genetic and environmental factors.

Darwin’s theory of natural selection

Organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce more.

Lamarck’s theory of acquired characteristics

Idea that traits gained during life are passed on (incorrect).

Adaptation

A trait that improves an organism’s survival or reproduction.

Adaptive radiation

One species evolves into many to fill different niches.

Natural selection

Nature selects the best traits for survival and reproduction.

Artificial selection

Humans breed organisms for specific traits.

Biogeography

Study of how species are distributed across Earth.

Fossil record

Preserved remains showing changes over time.

Homologous structure

Similar structures in different species with a common ancestor.

Analogous structure

Structures with similar function but different ancestry.

Vestigial structure

Body parts that no longer serve a purpose (e.g., tailbone).

Divergent evolution

When two species evolve differently from a common ancestor.