Kali Linux

if i put kali linux on an sd chip and put that chip in my beagle bone i can run kali linux, from what ive read. if i take the chip out does the bbb run whatever version of linux is on the chipset? i guess what i’m trying to ask is does kali get flashed onto the bbb like when you put a new version of debian on the bbb or is it more like having a bootable usb?