Untitled Flashcard Set
SBI3U Biology — Unit 1–5 Vocabulary + Function
Word → Function only
I’m keeping it exactly to word + function, without separate definitions.
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🫀 UNIT 1 — ANIMAL STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
1.1 Food & Nutrients
Nutrient → Provides materials and energy needed for body functions.
Macronutrient → Provides energy and building materials in large amounts.
Micronutrient → Supports body processes in small amounts.
Carbohydrate → Provides a major source of quick energy.
Protein → Builds and repairs tissues and helps make enzymes and hormones.
Lipid → Stores long-term energy and helps form cell membranes.
Vitamin → Supports specific metabolic and cellular processes.
Mineral → Supports structures and metabolic functions.
Water → Supports chemical reactions, transport, and temperature regulation.
Fiber → Helps move material through the digestive tract.
1.2 Carbohydrates
Monosaccharide → Provides simple units used to make larger carbohydrates.
Disaccharide → Provides carbohydrate energy after being broken into monosaccharides.
Polysaccharide → Stores energy or provides structural support.
Glucose → Provides energy for cellular respiration.
Starch → Stores glucose in plants.
Glycogen → Stores glucose in animals.
Cellulose → Provides structural support in plant cell walls.
1.3 Proteins
Amino acid → Acts as a building block of proteins.
Peptide bond → Links amino acids together.
Polypeptide → Forms the chain that folds into a protein.
Protein → Performs structural, transport, enzymatic, and regulatory functions.
Essential amino acid → Must be obtained through the diet.
1.4 Lipids
Triglyceride → Stores long-term energy.
Fatty acid → Forms part of triglycerides and phospholipids.
Glycerol → Forms the backbone of triglycerides and phospholipids.
Phospholipid → Forms the main structure of cell membranes.
Saturated fat → Provides stored energy and contains no carbon-carbon double bonds.
Unsaturated fat → Provides stored energy and contains one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.
Cholesterol → Helps maintain cell membranes and is used to make hormones and vitamin D.
1.5 Enzymes
Enzyme → Speeds up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.
Substrate → Binds to an enzyme so a chemical reaction can occur.
Active site → Binds the substrate and carries out the enzyme reaction.
Activation energy → Represents the energy barrier that must be overcome for a reaction.
Denaturation → Changes a protein's shape and can prevent it from functioning.
Amylase → Breaks starch into smaller carbohydrates.
Pepsin → Breaks proteins into smaller peptides in the stomach.
Lipase → Breaks lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.
Protease → Breaks proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids.
Maltase → Breaks maltose into glucose.
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🍽 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
1.6–1.10
Digestive system → Breaks food down, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
Ingestion → Brings food into the digestive tract.
Digestion → Breaks food into smaller molecules.
Mechanical digestion → Physically breaks food into smaller pieces.
Chemical digestion → Uses enzymes and chemicals to break molecules apart.
Absorption → Moves nutrients from the digestive tract into blood or lymph.
Egestion → Removes undigested material from the digestive tract.
Mouth → Begins mechanical and chemical digestion.
Teeth → Mechanically break food into smaller pieces.
Tongue → Moves food and helps form a bolus.
Salivary gland → Produces saliva containing digestive enzymes.
Saliva → Moistens food and begins carbohydrate digestion.
Salivary amylase → Begins starch digestion.
Pharynx → Directs food toward the esophagus.
Epiglottis → Covers the airway during swallowing.
Esophagus → Moves food toward the stomach.
Peristalsis → Pushes food through the digestive tract.
Stomach → Stores food and begins major protein digestion.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) → Creates acidic conditions for stomach digestion.
Chyme → Carries partially digested food from the stomach into the small intestine.
Pepsin → Digests proteins in the stomach.
Small intestine → Completes digestion and absorbs most nutrients.
Duodenum → Receives chyme, bile, and pancreatic secretions.
Jejunum → Performs much nutrient absorption.
Ileum → Continues nutrient absorption and absorbs bile components.
Villi → Increase surface area for nutrient absorption.
Microvilli → Further increase intestinal absorption surface area.
Large intestine → Absorbs water and forms feces.
Rectum → Stores feces before elimination.
Anus → Controls elimination of feces.
Liver → Produces bile and processes absorbed nutrients.
Bile → Emulsifies fats into smaller droplets.
Gallbladder → Stores and releases bile.
Pancreas → Releases digestive enzymes and bicarbonate.
Pancreatic bicarbonate → Neutralizes acidic chyme.
Pancreatic amylase → Digests carbohydrates.
Pancreatic lipase → Digests fats.
Pancreatic proteases → Digest proteins.
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🫁 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
1.11–1.14
Respiratory system → Exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Nasal cavity → Filters, warms, and moistens incoming air.
Pharynx → Provides a passageway for air.
Larynx → Provides an airway and contains vocal structures.
Epiglottis → Prevents food from entering the airway.
Trachea → Carries air toward the bronchi.
Bronchus → Carries air into each lung.
Bronchi → Branch airways leading into the lungs.
Bronchiole → Carries air deeper into the lungs.
Alveolus → Provides the site of gas exchange.
Alveoli → Provide a large surface area for gas exchange.
Diaphragm → Changes thoracic volume to drive breathing.
Intercostal muscles → Move the ribs during breathing.
Pleura → Reduces friction around the lungs.
Inhalation → Brings air into the lungs.
Exhalation → Moves air out of the lungs.
Gas exchange → Moves oxygen and carbon dioxide by diffusion.
Diffusion → Moves molecules from higher to lower concentration.
External respiration → Exchanges gases between alveoli and blood.
Internal respiration → Exchanges gases between blood and body tissues.
Vital capacity → Represents the maximum amount of air expelled after maximum inhalation.
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❤ CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
1.15–1.20
Circulatory system → Transports gases, nutrients, hormones, wastes, and heat.
Heart → Pumps blood throughout the body.
Right atrium → Receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
Right ventricle → Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Left atrium → Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
Left ventricle → Pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
Septum → Separates the left and right sides of the heart.
SA node → Initiates the heartbeat and controls atrial contraction.
AV node → Delays the electrical signal before ventricular contraction.
Cardiac cycle → Coordinates filling and pumping of the heart.
Systole → Contracts the heart chambers to pump blood.
Diastole → Relaxes the heart chambers so they can fill.
Atrioventricular valves → Prevent blood from flowing back into the atria.
Semilunar valves → Prevent blood from flowing back into the ventricles.
Aorta → Carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.
Vena cava → Returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.
Pulmonary artery → Carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Pulmonary vein → Carries oxygenated blood to the left atrium.
Coronary arteries → Supply blood to heart muscle.
Pulmonary circuit → Carries blood between the heart and lungs.
Systemic circuit → Carries blood between the heart and body.
Artery → Carries blood away from the heart.
Vein → Carries blood toward the heart.
Capillary → Allows exchange between blood and tissues.
Blood → Transports substances throughout the body.
Plasma → Transports cells, nutrients, hormones, gases, and wastes.
Erythrocyte → Transports oxygen using hemoglobin.
Leukocyte → Defends the body against pathogens.
Platelet → Helps form blood clots.
Hemoglobin → Binds and transports oxygen.
Lymphocyte → Helps provide specific immune responses.
Neutrophil → Attacks and destroys pathogens.
Albumin → Helps maintain blood osmotic pressure and transports substances.
Blood clot → Prevents excessive blood loss after injury.
Unit 1 diseases
Asthma → Causes airway narrowing and makes breathing difficult.
Bronchitis → Causes inflammation of the bronchi.
Emphysema → Damages alveoli and reduces gas-exchange efficiency.
COPD → Causes long-term airflow obstruction.
Influenza → Infects the respiratory system and causes flu symptoms.
Pneumonia → Fills alveoli with fluid or material and interferes with gas exchange.
Tuberculosis → Infects lung tissue and interferes with respiration.
Cystic fibrosis → Produces thick mucus that affects respiratory and digestive systems.
Lung cancer → Causes uncontrolled growth of abnormal lung cells.
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🧬 UNIT 2 — GENETIC PROCESSES
Cell cycle & chromosomes
Cell cycle → Controls cell growth, DNA replication, and division.
Interphase → Prepares the cell for division.
G1 phase → Supports cell growth and normal cell activity.
S phase → Replicates DNA.
G2 phase → Prepares the cell for division.
Mitosis → Produces genetically similar nuclei.
Cytokinesis → Divides the cytoplasm into daughter cells.
Chromosome → Carries genetic information.
Chromatid → Contains one copy of replicated chromosome DNA.
Sister chromatids → Carry identical copies of replicated DNA.
Centromere → Holds sister chromatids together.
Centrosome → Organizes spindle fibres.
Spindle fibres → Move chromosomes during cell division.
Somatic cell → Forms body tissues.
Germ cell → Produces gametes.
Diploid → Contains two sets of chromosomes.
Haploid → Contains one set of chromosomes.
Gonad → Produces gametes.
Gamete → Carries one set of chromosomes for sexual reproduction.
Meiosis
Meiosis → Produces haploid gametes and increases genetic variation.
Prophase I → Pairs homologous chromosomes and allows crossing over.
Metaphase I → Lines homologous chromosome pairs at the cell equator.
Anaphase I → Separates homologous chromosomes.
Telophase I → Produces two cells with separated homologous chromosomes.
Prophase II → Prepares chromosomes for the second division.
Metaphase II → Lines chromosomes at the equator.
Anaphase II → Separates sister chromatids.
Telophase II → Forms four haploid nuclei.
Crossing over → Exchanges DNA between homologous chromosomes.
Independent assortment → Randomly distributes homologous chromosomes into gametes.
Nondisjunction → Causes chromosomes to fail to separate correctly.
Fertilization → Combines two haploid gametes to form a diploid zygote.
Zygote → Develops into a new organism after fertilization.
Gametogenesis → Produces mature gametes.
Genetics
Gene → Provides instructions influencing a trait.
Allele → Represents an alternative form of a gene.
Genotype → Specifies the alleles an individual possesses.
Phenotype → Represents the observable expression of a trait.
Homozygous → Has two identical alleles.
Heterozygous → Has two different alleles.
Dominant allele → Expresses its effect when present.
Recessive allele → Expresses its effect when no dominant allele is present.
Autosomal → Refers to a non-sex chromosome.
Sex-linked → Refers to a gene located on a sex chromosome.
Punnett square → Predicts possible offspring genotypes and phenotypes.
Test cross → Determines an unknown dominant genotype by crossing with a homozygous recessive individual.
Pedigree → Tracks inheritance of a trait through generations.
Karyotype → Displays chromosomes to examine number and structure.
F1 generation → Represents offspring from the parental cross.
Complete dominance → Produces a dominant/recessive inheritance pattern.
Incomplete dominance → Produces an intermediate heterozygous phenotype.
Codominance → Allows both alleles to be expressed.
Multiple alleles → Provides more than two possible alleles for a gene in a population.
Polygenic trait → Results from the combined effects of multiple genes.
Continuous variation → Produces a broad range of phenotypes.
Sex-linked trait → Is inherited through a sex chromosome.
Carrier → Possesses a recessive allele without expressing the recessive phenotype.
Mutation → Changes DNA sequence and can create new alleles.
Point mutation → Changes one nucleotide or a small part of DNA.
Trisomy → Produces an extra chromosome.
Monosomy → Produces one missing chromosome.
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🌎 UNIT 3 — EVOLUTION
Evolution → Changes populations' inherited characteristics over generations.
Eukaryote → Provides a cell type with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Endosymbiotic theory → Explains the evolutionary origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts.
Mitochondrion → Produces ATP through cellular respiration.
Chloroplast → Performs photosynthesis.
Darwin → Developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Natural selection → Changes allele frequencies because some inherited traits increase reproductive success.
Variation → Provides differences on which natural selection can act.
Fitness → Measures reproductive success.
Adaptation → Increases survival or reproductive success in a particular environment.
Artificial selection → Changes populations through human-directed breeding.
Lamarck → Proposed inheritance of acquired characteristics.
Lyell → Influenced Darwin through ideas about gradual geological change.
Malthus → Influenced Darwin through ideas about population growth and competition.
Wallace → Independently developed the idea of natural selection.
Fossil → Provides evidence of organisms and evolutionary history.
Transitional fossil → Provides evidence linking major groups.
Comparative anatomy → Compares body structures to reveal evolutionary relationships.
Homologous structure → Provides evidence of common ancestry.
Analogous structure → Shows similar function without recent common structural ancestry.
Vestigial structure → Represents a reduced structure inherited from ancestors.
Biogeography → Uses geographic distribution to study evolution.
Genetic variation → Provides different alleles within a population.
Gene pool → Contains all alleles in a population.
Allele frequency → Measures how common an allele is in a population.
Genetic drift → Changes allele frequencies randomly, especially in small populations.
Founder effect → Occurs when a small group starts a new population.
Bottleneck effect → Occurs when a population is drastically reduced and loses genetic diversity.
Gene flow → Moves alleles between populations.
Mutation → Creates new genetic variation.
Directional selection → Favours one extreme phenotype.
Stabilizing selection → Favours intermediate phenotypes.
Disruptive selection → Favours both extreme phenotypes.
Sexual selection → Favours traits that increase mating success.
Speciation → Produces new species.
Reproductive isolation → Prevents populations from producing fertile offspring.
Allopatric speciation → Produces species after geographic separation.
Geographic isolation → Separates populations physically.
Pre-zygotic isolation → Prevents fertilization.
Post-zygotic isolation → Reduces reproductive success after fertilization.
Behavioural isolation → Prevents mating because behaviours differ.
Mechanical isolation → Prevents mating because reproductive structures differ.
Temporal isolation → Prevents mating because reproductive timing differs.
Ecological isolation → Prevents mating because populations use different habitats.
Gametic isolation → Prevents sperm and egg from successfully combining.
Hybrid inviability → Prevents a hybrid from developing successfully.
Zygotic mortality → Causes the zygote to die after fertilization.
Hybrid sterility → Produces a viable hybrid that cannot reproduce.
Coevolution → Causes interacting species to influence each other's evolution.
Convergent evolution → Produces similar traits in distantly related organisms.
Divergent evolution → Produces differences among populations from a common ancestor.
Adaptive radiation → Produces many species from one ancestral species.
Gradualism → Describes evolution as slow and continuous.
Punctuated equilibrium → Describes long periods of little change interrupted by rapid evolutionary change.
Macroevolution → Describes large-scale evolutionary change, including speciation.
Microevolution → Describes changes in allele frequencies within populations.
Extinction → Removes a species from existence.
Phylogeny → Shows evolutionary relationships among organisms.
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🌳 UNIT 4 — BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION
Classification
Biodiversity → Represents the variety of life.
Genetic diversity → Provides variation among genes and alleles.
Species diversity → Represents the variety and abundance of species.
Ecosystem diversity → Represents the variety of ecosystems.
Taxonomy → Organizes and names organisms.
Classification → Groups organisms according to shared characteristics and relationships.
Domain → Represents the broadest major classification level.
Kingdom → Groups organisms below domain.
Phylum → Groups organisms below kingdom.
Class → Groups organisms below phylum.
Order → Groups organisms below class.
Family → Groups organisms below order.
Genus → Groups closely related species.
Species → Represents organisms capable of producing fertile offspring under the biological species concept.
Binomial nomenclature → Gives organisms two-part scientific names.
Phylogenetic tree → Shows evolutionary relationships.
Cladogram → Shows relationships based on shared derived characteristics.
Clade → Groups an ancestor and its descendants.
Dichotomous key → Identifies organisms using paired choices.
Physiology → Describes how an organism functions.
Morphology → Describes an organism's physical form and structure.
Prokaryotes & Bacteria
Prokaryote → Carries out life processes without a nucleus.
Bacterium → Performs cellular functions as a prokaryotic organism.
Bacteria → Performs diverse ecological, metabolic, and sometimes pathogenic roles.
Archaea → Performs diverse functions and includes many organisms adapted to extreme environments.
Nucleoid → Contains the main bacterial chromosome.
Plasmid → Carries additional DNA that can provide useful traits.
Capsule → Protects some bacteria and helps them attach to surfaces.
Cell wall → Provides bacterial shape and protection.
Cell membrane → Controls movement of substances into and out of the cell.
Cytosol → Provides the fluid environment for cellular reactions.
Ribosome → Produces proteins.
Flagellum → Provides movement.
Cilia → Help move the cell or substances across its surface.
Endospore → Allows certain bacteria to survive harsh conditions.
Binary fission → Produces two genetically similar bacterial cells.
Conjugation → Transfers genetic material between bacteria.
Bacillus → Describes rod-shaped bacteria.
Coccus → Describes spherical bacteria.
Spirillum → Describes spiral-shaped bacteria.
Diplobacillus → Describes rod-shaped bacteria occurring in pairs.
Streptobacillus → Describes rod-shaped bacteria arranged in chains.
Streptococci → Describes spherical bacteria arranged in chains.
Staphylococci → Describes spherical bacteria arranged in clusters.
Cyanobacteria → Perform photosynthesis and can contribute to nitrogen fixation.
Extremophile → Survives and functions under extreme environmental conditions.
Viruses
Virus → Uses a host cell to reproduce.
Capsid → Protects viral genetic material.
Nucleic acid → Stores viral genetic information.
Lytic cycle → Produces viruses and destroys the host cell.
Lysogenic cycle → Integrates viral DNA into host genetic material before later activation.
Host cell → Provides cellular machinery used by a virus for reproduction.
Protists
Protist → Performs diverse functions as a eukaryotic organism.
Protozoan → Performs heterotrophic functions as a protist.
Algae → Perform photosynthesis.
Cilia → Provide movement or move material across the cell.
Flagellum → Provides movement.
Pseudopodia → Allow movement and help capture food.
Contractile vacuole → Removes excess water from some freshwater protists.
Endosymbiosis → Allows organisms to gain cellular structures through symbiotic relationships.
Fungi
Fungus → Obtains nutrients through external digestion and absorption.
Hypha → Absorbs nutrients and forms fungal structures.
Mycelium → Provides the main nutrient-absorbing network of a fungus.
Spore → Allows fungi to reproduce and disperse.
Chitin → Provides structural support in fungal cell walls.
Decomposer → Breaks down dead organic material and recycles nutrients.
Mycorrhiza → Improves plant nutrient and water absorption through fungal-plant symbiosis.
Lichen → Allows a fungus and photosynthetic organism to live in a mutualistic association.
Animals
Animal → Obtains energy by consuming organic material.
Invertebrate → Performs animal functions without a vertebral column.
Vertebrate → Supports the body using a vertebral column.
Porifera → Filters water to obtain food.
Cnidaria → Captures prey using specialized stinging cells.
Platyhelminthes → Performs digestion and other body functions as a flat-bodied animal.
Nematoda → Performs digestion and other functions using a cylindrical body plan.
Mollusca → Uses specialized structures for movement, feeding, and protection.
Annelida → Uses segmented body structures for movement and function.
Arthropoda → Uses an exoskeleton and jointed appendages for support and movement.
Echinodermata → Uses a water vascular system for movement and feeding.
Chordata → Provides the body plan containing chordate characteristics.
Exoskeleton → Provides external support and protection.
Endoskeleton → Provides internal support and protection.
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🌱 UNIT 5 — PLANTS
5.1 Plant Characteristics
Plant → Performs photosynthesis and provides food, oxygen, habitats, and resources.
Photosynthesis → Converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.
Chloroplast → Carries out photosynthesis.
Cellulose → Provides structural support in plant cell walls.
Cell wall → Supports and protects plant cells.
Stoma / Stomata → Allows gas exchange and controls water loss.
Guard cell → Opens and closes stomata.
Transpiration → Moves water out of leaves through stomata.
5.2 Importance of Plants
Oxygen → Supports aerobic cellular respiration.
Carbon dioxide → Provides carbon for photosynthesis.
Habitat → Provides living space and resources for organisms.
Biomass → Provides stored biological material and energy.
Timber → Provides plant material for construction and products.
Fiber → Provides plant material used in textiles and other products.
Medicinal plant → Provides compounds used in medicines.
Nutrient cycling → Returns and redistributes nutrients through ecosystems.
5.3 Nonvascular Plants
Nonvascular plant → Obtains water and nutrients without vascular tissue.
Bryophyte → Uses spores for reproduction and generally requires moist environments.
Moss → Absorbs water across its surface and reproduces using spores.
Liverwort → Performs photosynthesis and reproduces using spores.
Hornwort → Performs photosynthesis and reproduces using spores.
Spore → Allows reproduction and dispersal without seeds.
Rhizoid → Anchors the plant and helps with water absorption.
5.4 Vascular Plants
Vascular plant → Transports water, minerals, and sugars through specialized tissues.
Tracheophyte → Uses vascular tissue for internal transport.
Xylem → Transports water and minerals mainly upward from roots.
Phloem → Transports sugars and other organic compounds throughout the plant.
Lignin → Strengthens vascular tissue and supports the plant.
Root → Anchors the plant and absorbs water and minerals.
Stem → Supports the plant and transports materials.
Leaf → Performs most photosynthesis and gas exchange.
Seedless vascular plant → Uses spores rather than seeds for reproduction.
Fern → Uses vascular tissue and spores for reproduction.
Clubmoss → Uses vascular tissue and spores for reproduction.
Seed → Protects and nourishes a developing plant embryo.
Pollen → Transfers male reproductive cells in seed plants.
5.5 Plant Tissue
Plant tissue → Groups cells that perform specialized functions.
Dermal tissue → Protects the plant and controls interactions with the environment.
Epidermis → Forms the outer protective layer of plant organs.
Cuticle → Reduces water loss from plant surfaces.
Ground tissue → Performs photosynthesis, storage, and support.
Vascular tissue → Transports water, minerals, and sugars.
Xylem tissue → Moves water and minerals.
Phloem tissue → Moves sugars and other organic nutrients.
Stoma → Controls gas exchange and water loss.
Guard cells → Regulate the opening of stomata.
5.6 Plant Growth
Meristem → Produces new plant cells through cell division.
Apical meristem → Produces primary growth and increases plant length.
Lateral meristem → Produces secondary growth and increases plant thickness.
Primary growth → Increases the length of roots and shoots.
Secondary growth → Increases the thickness of stems and roots.
Vascular cambium → Produces secondary xylem and phloem.
Cork cambium → Produces protective cork tissue.
Protoderm → Develops into dermal tissue.
Ground meristem → Develops into ground tissue.
Procambium → Develops into primary vascular tissue.
Apical bud → Produces new shoot growth.
Root apical meristem → Produces new cells at the root tip.
Hormone → Regulates plant growth and development.
Auxin → Promotes cell elongation and directs growth responses.
Phototropism → Directs plant growth in response to light.
Gravitropism → Directs plant growth in response to gravity.