List of Vocabulary Terms for High School Biology

These are my favorite science terms to teach in high school Biology. I can add more terms in a unit if I want to, but depending on the class that might just feel like “busy work” and I try to keep it simple in my classroom. A class like AP Biology could have a lot more terms. Students create a Vocabulary Log for each unit, and they define and illustrate the important key terms. Check out my blog post, Vocabulary Logs to read more about how I use them in my classroom!

I hope this list of vocabulary terms for high school Biology can save you valuable planning time! How do you like to teach vocabulary? What classroom tips do new teachers most want to hear about? Let me know by leaving a comment! To read more about me and my classroom, check out my blog posts below!

#1 Body Systems

1. System
2. Structure
3. Function
4. Component
5. Cell
6. Tissue
7. Organ
8. Organ System (Body Systems)
9. Organism

Also: The 6 Characteristics of Being Alive; Movement, Organization, Homeostasis, Energy Utilization, Reproduction, and Growth and Development

#2 Immune System

1. Immune System
2. Pathogens
3. Bacteria
4. Virus
5. Infectious Diseases
6. T cell
7. B cell
8. Antibodies
9. Memory Cells
10. Vaccines

Also: Covid-19 (Coronavirus), Pandemic, Zoonotic, Non-Infectious

#3 Cells

1. Cell Membrane
2. Selective Permeability
3. Osmosis/Diffusion
4. Mitosis
5. Asexual Reproduction
6. Embryo
7. Stem Cell

Also: Cell Wall, Chloroplasts, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration

#4 Macromolecules (& DNA)

1. Monomer
2. Polymer
3. Macromolecule
4. Carbohydrate
5. Protein
6. Lipid (Fats)
7. Nucleic Acid (DNA)
8. DNA
9. Nucleotide
10. Deoxyribose
11. Complementary Base Pair (DNA)

#5 Protein Synthesis

1. Genetic Code
2. Sequence (DNA)
3. Double Helix
4. RNA
5. Protein Synthesis
6. Transcription
7. Translation
8. mRNA
9. Codon

Also: Ribosomes and Nucleus

#6 Genetics Part 1

1. Body Cells
2. Gametes (sex cells)
3. Meiosis
4. Haploid
5. Diploid
6. Homologous Chromosomes
7. Sex Chromosomes
8. Crossing Over (Genetic Recombination)
9. Heredity
10. Genetic Disease
11. Non-disjunction
12. Karyotype
13. Symptom

#7 Genetics Part 2

1. Gene
2. Allele
3. Dominant Allele
4. Recessive Allele
5. Genotype
6. Phenotype

Also: Gregor Mendel, Hybrid, Co-dominance, Incomplete Dominance

#8 Evolution

1. Species
2. Scientific Names
3. Variation
4. Adaptation
5. Natural Selection

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