I hope you enjoy reading about my favorite science terms to teach in high school Biology. I hope this list of vocabulary terms can give you some good ideas and save you valuable planning time.
In this blog post I share the vocabulary terms I teach during each unit throughout the year:
- Welcome to Biology/Body Systems
- The Immune System
- Cells
- Macromolecules
- DNA
- Protein Synthesis
- Genetics Part 1
- Genetics Part 2
- Evolution
How I Use Vocabulary in my Teaching
Vocabulary is important in science class. Biology and many sciences are vocabulary rich and dense. Without explicit vocabulary instruction, it’s harder for students to grasp abstract ideas. English Learners need and benefit from explicit vocabulary development, and all students benefit from the practice of identifying key terms.
Vocabulary Logs are one of my favorite routine assignments to help me teach Biology. Each unit students maintain a log of the key terms. They define each one, draw an image, and create a keyword. Check out my blog post How to Teach Vocabulary With a Vocabulary Log to read more about this awesome graphic organizer and routine assignment!
Vocabulary logs make a great reference tool in science notebooks. I can use them as a form of note taking during a lecture, or after a lab/activity to reinforce new material. They are an essential routine assignment in my classroom. Read more about Vocab Logs in my blog posts 8 Classroom Routines & My Go-To Lesson Structure for Better Classroom Management and 5 Ways to Take Notes Without a Worksheet.
Vocab Logs make a great homework assignment for review, or a sub plan that is quick and easy to prep. Students can use them to study for tests. Check out my blog post 9 Routine Assignments that are Easy to Prep and Make Great Sub Plans and 12 Study Tips to Teach Middle School Students to read more about Vocabulary Logs in these contexts.
#1 Welcome to Biology! Body Systems
Check out my blog posts How She Teaches What is a System? and How She Teaches Body Systems to read more about what I teach in this unit:
- System
- Structure
- Function
- Component
- Cell
- Tissue
- Organ
- Organ System (Body Systems)
- Organism
Also: The 6 Characteristics of Being Alive; Movement, Organization, Homeostasis, Energy Utilization, Reproduction, and Growth and Development.
#2 Immune System
Check out my blog post How She Teaches Infectious Diseases and Pathogens to read more about what I teach in this unit:
- Immune System
- Pathogens
- Bacteria
- Virus
- Infectious Diseases
- T cell
- B cell
- Antibodies
- Memory Cells
- Vaccines
Also: Covid-19 (Coronavirus), Pandemic, Zoonotic, Non-Infectious
#3 Cells
- Cell Membrane
- Selective Permeability
- Osmosis/Diffusion
- Mitosis
- Asexual Reproduction
- Embryo
- Stem Cell
Also: Cell Wall, Chloroplasts, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration
#4 Macromolecules
- Monomer
- Polymer
- Macromolecule
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Lipid (Fats)
- Nucleic Acid (DNA)
#5 DNA
Check out my blog posts Introduction Lesson to DNA: Twin Study Film Clip, Questions, and Discussion and How She Teaches DNA Model Keychains!
- Nucleotide
- Deoxyribose
- Complementary Base Pair (DNA)
- Genetic Code
- Sequence (DNA)
- Double Helix
#6 Protein Synthesis
- RNA
- Protein Synthesis
- Transcription
- Translation
- mRNA
- Codon
Also: Ribosomes and Nucleus
#7 Genetics Part 1
- Body Cells
- Gametes (sex cells)
- Meiosis
- Haploid
- Diploid
- Homologous Chromosomes
- Sex Chromosomes
- Crossing Over (Genetic Recombination)
- Heredity
- Genetic Disease
- Non-disjunction
- Karyotype
- Symptom
#8 Genetics Part 2
- Gene
- Allele
- Dominant Allele
- Recessive Allele
- Genotype
- Phenotype
Also: Gregor Mendel, Hybrid, Co-dominance, Incomplete Dominance
#9 Evolution
- Species
- Scientific Names
- Variation
- Adaptation
- Natural Selection
Also: Charles Darwin, Genus, Embryology
More Science Lesson Ideas
If you have any questions about the ideas in this post, let me know by leaving a comment. I would love to hear from you!
Read more about how I use Vocab Logs in my classroom in my blog posts How to Teach Vocabulary With a Vocabulary Log, 8 Classroom Routines & My Go-To Lesson Structure for Better Classroom Management, and 9 Routine Assignments that are Easy to Prep and Make Great Sub Plans. You can also check out my first lesson when I introduce Vocab Logs in my blog post How She Teaches What is a System?
To read more about me and my classroom, and more of my favorite lesson ideas, check out my blog posts below!
13 thoughts on “High School Biology Vocabulary: Units and Key Terms for Effective Teaching”