What do the Grade 11 Biology cards cover?

24 cards across 6 chapters of the national textbook: Biology and Technology, The human body systems, Population and natural resources and 3 more. You can take any chapter one card at a time on the page itself.

Is there a national exam in Grade 11?

No. Ethiopia sets national exams in Grade 6, Grade 8 and Grade 12 only. These cards are for your school's own exams, and for the national exam that comes a few years later.

Where do these cards come from?

They are drafted from Grade 11 Biology, the Ministry of Education textbook for this grade. A second pass that cannot see the chapter then re-derives every formula, constant and table row, and anything it cannot confirm is held back instead of published.

Yes. Every card here is free to read and the printable sheet is free to download. Neither needs an account.

When was this last checked?

30 August 2026. Cards arrive chapter by chapter, and the line under each one says when that card was last read through.

Free short notes and revision cards

Grade 11 Biology

Grade 11 Biology on Temari has 24 revision cards, arranged by the chapters of the Ethiopian national curriculum. Every card says when the rule applies, what each symbol in it stands for, and the mistake students most often make with it. They are free to read and need no account.

24
Cards: 6
Chapters: 3
Formulas: 17
Reference tables: Grade 11 Biology
Textbook: Free
Price: 30 August 2026
Last checked

Everything24Reference table17Formula3Common mistake2Rule1Method1

Biology and Technology

Biological Diagnostic and Imaging ToolsReference tablePregnancy urine test · Diabetic blood test · CT scan · +2

Device or Test	Biological Target or Mechanism
Pregnancy urine test	Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hormone
Diabetic blood test	Blood glucose level
CT scan	Multiple X-ray slices for internal screening
PET scan	Radioactive tracers tracking metabolic processes
GPS	Biogeographical and organism movement data

When you use it

Use when identifying technological devices used in biological investigations, medical testing, and physiological imaging.

Watch out

Pregnancy test kits detect the hCG hormone produced by the placenta, while PET scans use radioactive tracers to view metabolic processes rather than standard X-rays.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 7-25, then checked twice before it went up

Biological Imitation in TechnologyReference tableTermite mound · Kingfisher beak · Mosquito proboscis · +3

Biological Model	Imitated Technology
Termite mound	Ventilated building design (Eastgate Centre)
Kingfisher beak	Bullet train nose
Mosquito proboscis	Injection needle
Spider silk	Synthetic bulletproof vest
Elephant trunk	Flexible robotic arm
Shellfish exoskeleton	Crack-resistant ceramics

When you use it

Use when identifying modern technological devices and architectures designed by copying biological structures and mechanisms.

Watch out

The Eastgate Centre in Harare imitates termite mound ventilation chimneys for temperature control, not avian nesting structures.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 7-25, then checked twice before it went up

The Three Rs of Animal Research EthicsReference tableReduction · Refinement · Replacement

Principle	Ethical Action in Research
Reduction	Minimizing the total number of animals used in experiments
Refinement	Using less invasive methods and better care to reduce suffering
Replacement	Substituting whole animals with cell cultures or computer models

When you use it

Use when evaluating ethical procedures designed to safeguard sentient animals during biological experiments.

Watch out

Replacement substitutes animals entirely with alternatives like cell cultures, whereas refinement only modifies procedures to minimize pain in live subjects.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 7-25, then checked twice before it went up

Unit 2

Bird Oviduct Regions and FunctionsReference tableInfundibulum · Magnum · Isthmus · +2

Part of Oviduct	Main Function
Infundibulum	Engulfs and captures the released yolk
Magnum	Secretes almost all of the albumen (egg white)
Isthmus	Forms inner and outer shell membranes using sulfur-containing amino acids
Uterus	Forms the hard outer eggshell over shell membranes
Vagina	Relaxes muscles during oviposition to lay the egg via the cloaca

When you use it

Use when recalling the sequence and specific functions of each region of the avian oviduct during egg formation.

Watch out

Albumen is deposited in the magnum, shell membranes are formed in the isthmus, and the outer shell is added in the uterus.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 26-78, then checked twice before it went up

Commercial and Medical Products from InsectsReference tableShellac · Cochineal · Tannic Acid · +2

Product	Source Insect	Primary Application
Shellac	Lac insect (Laccifer lacca)	Resin for dyes, inks, polishes, sealing waxes
Cochineal	Scale insect (Dactylopius coccus)	Red pigment in food, cosmetics, painting
Tannic Acid	Gall wasp (Cynipidae)	Leather tanning and dye manufacturing
Silk	Silkworm (Bombyx mori)	Luxury textile fiber weaving
Cantharidin	Blister beetle	Protein blocker for viral infections and tumor treatment

When you use it

Use when identifying commercial, industrial, or medical compounds derived from specific insect species.

Watch out

Cantharidin comes from blister beetles as a medical protein blocker, whereas shellac is a resin produced by lac insects.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 26-78, then checked twice before it went up

Early Embryonic Development SequenceRule

When you use it

Use when sequencing animal developmental stages from fertilization to organogenesis.

Watch out

Cleavage forms the blastula first, followed by gastrulation to establish germ layers before organogenesis begins.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 26-78, then checked twice before it went up

Insect Metamorphosis TypesReference tableComplete metamorphosis · Incomplete metamorphosis

Type	Stages Count	Developmental Stages	Examples
Complete metamorphosis	4	$\text{Egg} \rightarrow \text{Larva} \rightarrow \text{Pupa} \rightarrow \text{Adult}$	Honeybee, butterfly, beetle
Incomplete metamorphosis	3	$\text{Egg} \rightarrow \text{Nymph} \rightarrow \text{Adult}$	Grasshopper

When you use it

Use when distinguishing between the developmental life cycles of different insect species.

Watch out

Incomplete metamorphosis completely lacks a pupal stage, developing through nymph stages instead.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 26-78, then checked twice before it went up

Taxis versus KinesisCommon mistake

When you use it

Use when categorizing innate orientative movement behaviors in animals responding to environmental stimuli.

Watch out

Taxis is directed movement towards or away from a stimulus, whereas kinesis is undirected, random movement that responds only to stimulus intensity.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 26-78, then checked twice before it went up

Unit 3

Michaelis-Menten EquationFormula

V_1 = \frac{V_{\max}[S]}{K_M + [S]}

V_1 = \frac{V_{\max}[S]}{K_M + [S]}

$V_1$: Initial velocity of the enzymatic reaction $\text{mol}\,\text{L}^{-1}\,\text{s}^{-1}$
$V_{\max}$: Maximal velocity of the enzymatic reaction $\text{mol}\,\text{L}^{-1}\,\text{s}^{-1}$
$[S]$: Substrate concentration $\text{mol}\,\text{L}^{-1}$
$K_M$: Michaelis constant, substrate concentration at half-maximal velocity $\text{mol}\,\text{L}^{-1}$

When you use it

Use when relating the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction to substrate concentration.

Watch out

KM represents the substrate concentration at half Vmax, not half the substrate concentration.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 79-112, then checked twice before it went up

Protein Structural LevelsReference tablePrimary · Secondary · Tertiary · +1

Level	Description
Primary	Linear sequence of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
Secondary	Folding into alpha-helix or beta-pleated sheets via hydrogen bonds.
Tertiary	Overall three-dimensional shape formed by side-chain interactions.
Quaternary	Spatial arrangement of multiple folded polypeptide subunits.

When you use it

Use when distinguishing between the four structural levels of enzyme proteins.

Watch out

Primary structure is held exclusively by covalent peptide bonds, while secondary and higher structures rely on hydrogen and side-chain bonds.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 79-112, then checked twice before it went up

Six Basic Enzyme ClassesReference tableOxidoreductases · Transferases · Hydrolases · +3

Class	Catalytic Function
Oxidoreductases	Catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions and electron transfer.
Transferases	Transfer functional groups from a donor to an acceptor.
Hydrolases	Catalyze the cleavage of chemical bonds by hydrolysis.
Lyases	Cleave bonds by means other than hydrolysis or oxidation.
Isomerases	Convert molecules from one structural isomer to another.
Ligases	Join two molecules coupled with di-phosphate bond cleavage in ATP.

When you use it

Use when classifying enzymes by the chemical reaction type they catalyze.

Watch out

Lyases break chemical bonds without water or oxidation, whereas hydrolases require water.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 79-112, then checked twice before it went up

Unit 4

DNA Replication EnzymesReference tableDNA helicase · DNA polymerase · RNA primase · +2

Enzyme	Function
DNA helicase	Unwinds and separates the two DNA strands
DNA polymerase	Adds complementary nucleotides to growing strand in 5' to 3' direction
RNA primase	Synthesizes RNA primers complementary to DNA strand
DNA ligase	Links DNA fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds
Topoisomerase	Prevents supercoiling ahead of replication fork

When you use it

Use this table to review the specific functions of enzymes acting at the replication fork during the S phase.

Watch out

DNA polymerase cannot initiate synthesis on its own: it requires an RNA primer made by RNA primase and only extends from 5' to 3'.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 113-179, then checked twice before it went up

Genetic Cross RatiosReference tableMonohybrid F2 · Dihybrid F2 · Test cross (Heterozygous) · +1

Cross Type	Parents Genotype	Phenotypic Ratio	Genotypic Ratio
Monohybrid F2	$Tt \times Tt$	3:1	1:2:1
Dihybrid F2	$RrYy \times RrYy$	9:3:3:1	1:2:2:4:1:2:1:2:1
Test cross (Heterozygous)	$Pp \times pp$	1:1	1:1
Incomplete/Codominance F2	$RW \times RW$	1:2:1	1:2:1

When you use it

Use this table to quickly find expected phenotypic and genotypic ratios for monohybrid, dihybrid, and test crosses.

Watch out

Incomplete dominance and codominance give identical phenotypic and genotypic ratios of 1:2:1 in F2, differing from the classical Mendelian 3:1 ratio.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 113-179, then checked twice before it went up

Start and Stop CodonsReference tableStart codon · Stop codons

Codon Type	mRNA Base Triplet	Function
Start codon	AUG	Initiates translation and codes for Methionine
Stop codons	UAG, UAA, UGA	Signal termination of protein synthesis

When you use it

Use this table when translating mRNA nucleotide sequences into amino acid chains or finding reading boundaries.

Watch out

Stop codons (UAG, UAA, UGA) do not code for any amino acid: translation halts when a ribosome encounters them.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 113-179, then checked twice before it went up

Test Cross SetupMethod

When you use it

Use when identifying whether an organism displaying a dominant phenotype has a homozygous dominant or heterozygous genotype.

Watch out

Always cross the unknown dominant individual with a homozygous recessive individual. If any offspring show the recessive trait, the parent is heterozygous.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 113-179, then checked twice before it went up

The human body systems

Connective Tissues and Bone Cells DistinctionCommon mistake

When you use it

Use when identifying the connecting functions of tendons and ligaments, or the distinct roles of bone cell types.

Watch out

Tendons connect muscle to bone, while ligaments connect bone to bone. Osteoblasts build new bone tissue, while osteoclasts break down and resorb bone tissue.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 180-235, then checked twice before it went up

Human Skeleton Divisions and Bone CountsReference tableAxial skeleton · Appendicular skeleton · Total adult skeleton

Division	Components	Bone count
Axial skeleton	Skull (22), Ossicles (6), Hyoid (1), Rib cage (24), Sternum (1), Vertebral column (26)	$80$
Appendicular skeleton	Shoulder girdles (4), Pelvis (2), Arms and forearms (6), Thighs and legs (8), Hands (54), Feet and ankles (52)	$126$
Total adult skeleton	Axial skeleton + Appendicular skeleton	$206$

When you use it

Use to recall the division of the adult human skeleton into axial and appendicular parts and their bone counts.

Watch out

Adults have 206 bones, but newborns have over 300 bones that fuse during maturation.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 180-235, then checked twice before it went up

Major STIs and Their Causative PathogensReference tableSyphilis · Gonorrhea · Chancroid · +4

Sexually transmitted infection	Pathogen type	Causative agent
Syphilis	Bacterium	Treponema pallidum
Gonorrhea	Bacterium	Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Chancroid	Bacterium	Haemophilus ducreyi
Genital herpes	Virus	Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Genital warts	Virus	Human papillomavirus (HPV)
AIDS	Virus	Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Trichomoniasis	Parasite	Trichomonas vaginalis

When you use it

Use to match common sexually transmitted infections with their pathogen classification and specific causative organism.

Watch out

Condoms are the only contraceptive method that provides mechanical protection against sexually transmitted infections like HIV.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 180-235, then checked twice before it went up

Phases of the Menstrual CycleReference tableMenstrual phase · Follicular phase · Ovulation phase · +1

Phase	Days	Major ovarian and hormonal event
Menstrual phase	1-4	Endometrium breaks down and sheds as menstrual flow
Follicular phase	5-13	FSH stimulates follicle growth, follicles secrete estrogen
Ovulation phase	14	LH surge triggers the release of a mature egg
Luteal phase	15-28	Corpus luteum forms and secretes progesterone to maintain endometrium

When you use it

Use to determine the timeline, dominant hormones, and uterine changes across the four phases of the menstrual cycle.

Watch out

Ovulation is triggered by a surge in LH around day 14, not by FSH. Progesterone is highest during the luteal phase, not the follicular phase.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 180-235, then checked twice before it went up

Types of Muscle TissuesReference tableSkeletal muscle · Cardiac muscle · Smooth muscle

Muscle type	Striation	Control	Location
Skeletal muscle	Striated	Voluntary	Attached to bones
Cardiac muscle	Striated	Involuntary	Heart wall (myocardium)
Smooth muscle	Non-striated	Involuntary	Hollow organs, blood vessels

When you use it

Use to differentiate the structure, voluntary control, and location of the three human muscle types.

Watch out

Do not confuse cardiac muscle with smooth muscle. Cardiac muscle is involuntary like smooth muscle, but it is striated like skeletal muscle.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, pages 180-235, then checked twice before it went up

Population and natural resources

Logistic Population GrowthFormula

\frac{dN}{dt} = rN\left(\frac{K - N}{K}\right)

\frac{dN}{dt} = rN\left(\frac{K - N}{K}\right)

$\frac{dN}{dt}$: Population growth rate $\text{s}^{-1}$
$r$: Per capita rate of increase $\text{s}^{-1}$
$N$: Population size $dimensionless$
$K$: Carrying capacity $dimensionless$

When you use it

Use to calculate population growth rate under resource limitation and carrying capacity constraints.

Watch out

When N equals K, the term (K - N)/K becomes zero, leveling off population growth completely.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, page 236 onwards, then checked twice before it went up

Population Regulation FactorsReference tableDensity-dependent · Density-independent

Factor Type	Mechanism	Factor Nature	Examples
Density-dependent	Impact changes with population density	Biotic	Predation, competition, disease, waste
Density-independent	Impact is unaffected by population density	Abiotic	Weather, earthquakes, floods, pollution

When you use it

Use to distinguish between biotic and abiotic regulators of population size.

Watch out

Density-independent events kill a similar proportion of organisms regardless of whether the population is dense or sparse.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, page 236 onwards, then checked twice before it went up

Quadrat Population EstimationFormula

N = \frac{A}{a} \cdot n

N = \frac{A}{a} \cdot n

$N$: Estimated population size $dimensionless$
$A$: Total area of habitat $\text{m}^2$
$a$: Total area sampled by quadrats $\text{m}^2$
$n$: Total number of individuals counted in sampled area $dimensionless$

When you use it

Use when estimating the total population size of immobile or slow moving organisms in a defined area.

Watch out

Ensure a is the combined total area of all placed quadrats, not the area of a single quadrat.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, page 236 onwards, then checked twice before it went up

Survivorship CurvesReference tableType I · Type II · Type III

Type	Offspring Count	Parental Care	Mortality Timing	Examples
Type I	Few	High	Mostly in older age	Humans, large mammals
Type II	Moderate	Moderate	Constant across all ages	Some birds
Type III	Many	Little or none	Highest in early life	Plants, fish, invertebrates

When you use it

Use to classify organisms based on their survival patterns, offspring investment, and age-specific mortality.

Watch out

Type II curves exhibit a constant mortality rate over the entire life span, not variable mortality.

Drafted from Grade 11 Biology, page 236 onwards, then checked twice before it went up

The same subject in other years

An exam paper keeps asking for what the year below taught. Those cards are here too.

Your other Grade 11 subjects

Everything else in this year that has cards so far.

Questions students ask

What do the Grade 11 Biology cards cover?: 24 cards across 6 chapters of the national textbook: Biology and Technology, The human body systems, Population and natural resources and 3 more. You can take any chapter one card at a time on the page itself.
Is there a national exam in Grade 11?: No. Ethiopia sets national exams in Grade 6, Grade 8 and Grade 12 only. These cards are for your school's own exams, and for the national exam that comes a few years later.
Where do these cards come from?: They are drafted from Grade 11 Biology, the Ministry of Education textbook for this grade. A second pass that cannot see the chapter then re-derives every formula, constant and table row, and anything it cannot confirm is held back instead of published.
Is this free?: Yes. Every card here is free to read and the printable sheet is free to download. Neither needs an account.
When was this last checked?: 30 August 2026. Cards arrive chapter by chapter, and the line under each one says when that card was last read through.

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