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GCSE Biology > BIOLOGY KEY TERMS > Flashcards

BIOLOGY KEY TERMS Flashcards

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1
Q

abundance

A

a measure of how common or rare a particular type of organism is in a given environment

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2
Q

active site

A

the site on an enzyme where the reactants bind

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3
Q

active transport

A

the movement of substances from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution against a concentration gradient, requiring energy from respiration

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4
Q

adaptations

A

special features that make an organism particularly well suited to the environment where it lives

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5
Q

ADH

A

anti-diuretic hormone helps control the water balance of the body and affects the amount of urine produced by the kidney

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6
Q

adrenaline

A

hormone that prepares the body for flight or fight

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7
Q

adult stem cells

A

stem cells that are found in adults that can differentiate and form a limited number of cells

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8
Q

aerobic respiration

A

an exothermic reaction in which glucose is broken down using oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water and release energy for the cells

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9
Q

agar gel

A

widely used solid (gel) culture medium used for growing microorganisms

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10
Q

algae

A

simple aquatic organisms (protista) that make their own food by photosynthesis

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11
Q

alleles

A

different forms of the same gene sometimes referred to as variants

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12
Q

alveoli

A

tiny air sacs in the lungs that increase the surface area for gaseous exchange

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13
Q

amino acids

A

molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen that are the building blocks of proteins

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14
Q

amylase

A

enzyme that speeds up the digestion of starch into sugars

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15
Q

anaerobic respiration

A

an exothermic reaction in which glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen to produce lactic acid in animals and ethanol and carbon dioxide in plants and yeast. A small amount of energy is transferred for the cells

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16
Q

aorta

A

the artery that leaves the heart from the left ventricle and carries oxygenated blood to the body

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17
Q

aphids

A

insects that penetrate the plant phloem and feed on the dissolved food. They act as vectors that carry pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi into healthy plant tissue

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18
Q

archaea

A

one of the three domains, containing primitive forms of bacteria that can live in many of the extreme environments of the world.

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19
Q

arteries

A

blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They usually carry oxygenated blood and have a pulse

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20
Q

asexual reproduction

A

involves only one individual and the offspring is identical to the parent. There is no fusion of gametes or mixing of genetic information

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21
Q

atria

A

the upper chambers of the heart

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22
Q

auxin

A

a plant hormone that controls the responses of plants to light (phototropism) and gravity (gravitropism)

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23
Q

bacteria

A

single celled prokaryotic organisms

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24
Q

bases (DNA)

A

nitrogenous compounds that make up part of the structure of DNA and RNA. They are represented by the letters A, T, C, and G

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25
Q

benign tumours

A

growths of abnormal cells that are contained in one area, usually within a membrane, and do not invade other tissues

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26
Q

bile

A

neutralises stomach acid to give a high pH for the enzymes from the pancreas and small intestine to work well. It is not an enzyme

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27
Q

biodiversity

A

a measure of the variety of all the different species of organisms on earth

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28
Q

binary fission

A

reproduction by simple cell division, for example in bacteria

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29
Q

biomass

A

the amount of biological material in an organism

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30
Q

cancer

A

the common name for a malignant tumour, formed as a result of changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and division

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31
Q

capillaries

A

the smallest blood vessels. They run between individual cells and have a wall that is only one cell thick

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32
Q

carbohydrase

A

enzymes that speed up the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars

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33
Q

carbohydrates

A

molecules that contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They provide the energy for the metabolism and are found in foods such as rice, potatoes, and bread

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34
Q

carbon cycle

A

the cycling of carbon through the living and non-living world

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35
Q

carcinogens

A

agents that cause cancer or significantly increase the risk of developing cancer

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36
Q

carriers

A

individuals who are heterozygous for a recessive allele linked to a genetic disorder. Carriers have one healthy allele so they are not affected themselves but they can pass on the affected allele to their offspring

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37
Q

catalyst

A

a substance that speeds up the rate of another reaction but is not used up or changed itself

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38
Q

causal mechanism

A

something that explains how one factor influences another

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39
Q

cell cycle

A

the three-stage process of cell division in a body cell that involves mitosis and results in the formation of two identical daughter cells.

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40
Q

cell membrane

A

the membrane around the contents of a cell that controls what moves in and out of the cell

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41
Q

cell wall

A

the rigid structure around plant and algal cells. It is made of cellulose and strengthens the cell

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42
Q

cellulose

A

the complex carbohydrate that makes up plant and algal cell walls and gives them strength.

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43
Q

central nervous system

A

the part of the nervous system where information is processed. It is made up of the brain and spinal cord

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44
Q

cerebral cortex

A

region of the brain associated with consciousness, memory, and language

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45
Q

cerebellum

A

region of the brain concerned with coordinating muscular activity and balance

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46
Q

chlorophyll

A

the green pigment contained in the chloroplasts

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47
Q

chloroplasts

A

the organelles in which photosynthesis takes place

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48
Q

chlorosis

A

the yellowing seen on the leaves of plants when they cannot make chlorophyll due to lack of magnesium ions

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49
Q

ciliary muscles

A

muscles that contract and relax to change the shape of the lens of the eye

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50
Q

clinical trials

A

test potential new drugs on healthy and patient volunteers

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51
Q

classification

A

the organisation of living organisms into groups according to their similarities

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52
Q

cloning

A

the production of identical offspring through asexual reproduction

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53
Q

communicable disease

A

disease caused by pathogens that can be passed from one organism to another

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54
Q

community

A

group of interdependent living organisms in an ecosystem

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55
Q

competition

A

the process by which living organisms compete with each other for limited resources such as food, light, or reproductive partners

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56
Q

contraception

A

methods of preventing pregnancy which usually involve preventing the sperm and egg from meeting

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57
Q

coordination centres

A

areas that receive and process information from receptors

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58
Q

coronary arteries

A

the blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle

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59
Q

correlation

A

an apparent link or relationship between two factors

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60
Q

culture medium

A

a liquid or gel used to support the growth of microorganisms or other cultures, often containing specific nutrients.

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61
Q

cystic fibrosis

A

an inherited disorder that affects the lungs, digestive, and reproductive system and is inherited through a recessive allele

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62
Q

cytoplasm

A

the water-based gel in which the organelles of all living cells are suspended and most of the chemical reactions of life take place

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63
Q

decomposers

A

microorganisms that break down waste products and dead bodies

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64
Q

denatured

A

the breakdown of the molecular structure of a protein so it no longer functions

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65
Q

dialysis

A

the process of cleansing the blood through a dialysis machine when the kidneys fail

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66
Q

differentiate

A

the process where cells become specialised for a particular function

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67
Q

diffusion

A

the spreading out of the particles of any substance in a solution, or particles in a gas, resulting in a net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration down a concentration gradient

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68
Q

digestive system

A

organ system where food is digested and absorbed

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69
Q

distribution

A

where particular types of organisms are found within an environment

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70
Q

domain

A

the highest level of classification. There are three domains – Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota

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71
Q

dominant allele

A

the phenotype will be apparent in the offspring even if only one of the alleles is inherited

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72
Q

double circulatory system

A

the circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs is separate from the circulation of blood from the heart to the rest of the body

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73
Q

effectors

A

areas (usually muscles or glands) that bring about responses in the body

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74
Q

embryonic stem cells

A

stem cells from an early embryo that can differentiate to form the specialised cells of the body

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75
Q

endocrine system

A

the glands that produce the hormones that control many aspects of the development and metabolism of the body, and the hormones they produce.

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76
Q

endothermic reaction

A

a reaction that requires a transfer of energy from the environment

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77
Q

enzymes

A

biological catalysts, usually proteins

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78
Q

epidermal

A

the name given to cells that make up the epidermis or outer layer of an organism

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79
Q

eukaryotic cells

A

cells from eukaryotes that have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and genetic material enclosed in a nucleus

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80
Q

evolutionary trees

A

models used to explain the evolutionary links between groups of organisms

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81
Q

exothermic reaction

A

a reaction that transfers energy to the environment

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82
Q

extinction

A

the permanent loss of all members of a species from an area or from the world

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83
Q

extremophile

A

an organism that can survive and reproduce in extreme conditions

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84
Q

fatty acids

A

part of the structure of a lipid molecule

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85
Q

follicle stimulating hormone

A

causes the eggs to mature in the ovary

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86
Q

genetic engineering

A

the process by which scientists can manipulate and change the genotype of an organism

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87
Q

genotype

A

the genetic makeup of an individual for a particular characteristic, for example hair or eye colour

88
Q

gibberellins

A

plant hormones that are important in initiating seed germination

89
Q

glucagon

A

hormone involved in the control of blood sugar levels

90
Q

glucose

A

a simple sugar

91
Q

glycerol

A

part of the structure of a lipid molecule

92
Q

glycogen

A

carbohydrate store in animals

93
Q

gravitropism

A

the response of a plant to gravity

94
Q

guard cells

A

surround the stomata in the leaves of plants and control their opening and closing

95
Q

haemoglobin

A

the red pigment that carries oxygen around the body in the red blood cells

96
Q

heterozygote

A

individual with different alleles for a characteristic

97
Q

homeostasis

A

the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain optimum conditions for function, in response to internal and external changes

98
Q

homozygote

A

individual with two identical alleles for a characteristic

99
Q

hormones

A

chemicals produced in one area of the body of an organism that have an effect on the functioning of another area of the body. In animals hormones are produced in glands.

100
Q

hybridomas

A

cells created during the production of monoclonal antibodies by the fusion of an antibody-specific lymphocyte and a tumour cell

101
Q

hyperopia

A

long sightedness, where the rays of light from distant objects can be focused clearly on the retina but the rays of light from close objects are not focused and the objects appear blurred

102
Q

hypertonic (osmosis)

A

a solution that is more concentrated than the cell contents

103
Q

hypotonic (osmosis)

A

a solution that is less concentrated than the cell contents

104
Q

incident energy

A

light from the Sun arriving at the surface of the Earth

105
Q

inoculate

A

introducing microorganisms to a culture medium, or introducing modified microorganisms into an individual to protect them against disease

106
Q

insulin

A

hormone involved in the control of blood sugar levels

107
Q

interdependence

A

the network of relationships between different organisms within a community, for example each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal, etc.

108
Q

ionising radiation

A

has enough energy to cause ionisation in the materials it passes through, which in turn can make them biologically active and may result in mutation and cancer

109
Q

isotonic (osmosis)

A

a solution that is the same concentration as the cell contents

110
Q

lactic acid

A

the end product of anaerobic respiration in animal cells

111
Q

limiting factors

A

limit the rate of a reaction, for example photosynthesis

112
Q

lipase

A

enzymes that speed up the breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol

113
Q

lipids

A

include fats and oils and are found in foods such as butter, olive oil, and crisps. They are made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

114
Q

malignant tumours

A

invade neighbouring tissues and spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary tumours. They are also known as cancers

115
Q

mean

A

the arithmetical average of a series of numbers

116
Q

median

A

the middle value in a list of numbers

117
Q

medulla

A

region of the brain concerned with unconscious activities such as controlling the heart rate and breathing rate

118
Q

meiosis

A

two stage process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number of daughter cells. It is Involved in making gametes for sexual reproduction

119
Q

metabolism

A

the sum of all the reactions taking place in a cell or the body of an organism

120
Q

mitochondria

A

the site of aerobic cellular respiration in a cell

121
Q

mitosis

A

part of the cell cycle where one set of new chromosomes is pulled to each end of the cell forming two identical nuclei during cell division

122
Q

mode

A

the number which occurs most often in a set of data

123
Q

motor neurones

A

carry impulses from the central nervous system to the effector organs

124
Q

mutation

A

a change in the genetic material of an organism

125
Q

myopia

A

short sightedness, where the rays of light from close objects are brought into focus on the retina but distant objects appear blurred as the light is focused in front of the retina

126
Q

natural selection

A

the process by which evolution takes place. Organisms produce more offspring than the environment can support. Only those that are most suited to their environment will survive to breed and pass on their useful characteristics to their offspring.

127
Q

nerve

A

bundle of hundreds or even thousands of neurones

128
Q

neurones

A

basic cells of the nervous system that carry minute electrical impulses around the body

129
Q

non-communicable disease

A

are not infectious and cannot be passed from one organism to another

130
Q

nucleotide

A

a molecule made up of a sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four different bases. They are key units in the structure of DNA and RNA

131
Q

nucleus

A

organelle found in many living cells containing the genetic information surrounded by the nuclear membrane

132
Q

oestrogen

A

female sex hormone that controls the development of secondary sexual characteristics in girls at puberty, and the build-up and maintenance of the uterus lining during the menstrual cycle

133
Q

organ

A

an aggregation (collection ) of different tissues working together to carry out specific functions

134
Q

organ system

A

a group of organs that work together to carry out specific functions and form organisms

135
Q

osmosis

A

the diffusion of water through a partially permeable membrane from a dilute solution (which has a high concentration of water) to a concentrated solution (with a low concentration of water|) down a concentration gradient

136
Q

ovaries

A

female sex organs that produce eggs and sex hormones

137
Q

ovulation

A

the release of a mature egg (ovum) from the ovary

138
Q

oxygen debt

A

the extra oxygen that must be taken into the body after exercise has stopped to complete the aerobic respiration of lactic acid

139
Q

palisade mesophyll

A

the upper layer of the mesophyll tissue in plant leaves made up of closely packed cells that contain many chloroplasts for photosynthesis

140
Q

partially permeable membrane

A

a membrane that allows only certain substances to pass through

141
Q

pathogens

A

microorganisms that cause disease

142
Q

penicillium

A

the mould from which the antibiotic penicillin is extracted

143
Q

permanent vacuole

A

space in the cytoplasm filled with cell sap

144
Q

phenotype

A

the physical appearance/biochemistry of an individual for a particular characteristic

145
Q

phloem

A

the living transport tissue in plants that carries dissolved food (sugars) around the plant

146
Q

photosynthesis

A

the process by which plants make food using carbon dioxide, water, and light

147
Q

phototropism

A

the response of a plant to light, controlled by auxin

148
Q

pituitary gland

A

endocrine ‘master gland’ found in the brain that secretes a number of different hormones into the blood in response to different conditions to control other endocrine glands in the body

149
Q

placebo

A

a medicine that does not contain the active drug being tested, used in clinical trials of new medicines

150
Q

plasma

A

the clear yellow-liquid part of the blood that carries dissolved substances and blood cells around the body

151
Q

plasmolysis

A

the state of plant cells when so much water is lost from the cell by osmosis that the vacuole and cytoplasm shrink and the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall

152
Q

platelets

A

fragments of cells in the blood that play a vital role in the clotting mechanism of the blood

153
Q

polydactyly

A

a dominant inherited disorder that results in babies born with extra fingers and/or toes

154
Q

preclinical testings

A

is carried out on a potential new medicine in a laboratory using cells, tissues, and live animals

155
Q

primary consumers

A

animals that eat producers

156
Q

producers

A

organisms such as plants and algae that can make food from raw materials such as carbon dioxide and water.

157
Q

prokaryotic cells

A

from prokaryotic organisms have a cytoplasm surrounded by a cell membrane, and a cell wall that does not contain cellulose. The genetic material is a DNA loop that is free in the cytoplasm and not enclosed by a nucleus. Sometimes there are one or more small rings of DNA called plasmids

158
Q

proteases

A

enzymes that speed up the breakdown of proteins into amino acids

159
Q

proteins

A

molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen and are made of long chains of amino acids. They are used for building the cells and tissues of the body and to form enzymes

160
Q

pulmonary artery

A

the large blood vessel that takes deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs

161
Q

pulmonary vein

A

the large blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart

162
Q

Punnett square diagram

A

a way of modelling a genetic cross and predicting the outcome using probability

163
Q

quadrat

A

a sample area used for measuring the abundance and distribution of organisms in the field

164
Q

quantitative sampling

A

records the numbers of organisms rather than just the type

165
Q

range

A

the maximum and minimum values for the independent or dependent variables – important in ensuring that any patterns are detected

166
Q

recessive

A

a phenotype that will only show up in the offspring if both of the alleles coding for that characteristic are inherited.

167
Q

receptors

A

cells that detect stimuli – changes in the internal or external environment.

168
Q

red blood cells

A

biconcave cells that contain the red pigment haemoglobin and carry oxygen around the body in the blood

169
Q

reflex arcs

A

bring about a reflex action. They involve the sense organ, sensory neurone, relay neurone and motor neurone

170
Q

reflexes

A

rapid automatic responses of the nervous system that do not involve conscious thought

171
Q

resolving power

A

a measure of the ability to distinguish between two separate points that are very close together

172
Q

ribosomes

A

the site of protein synthesis in a cell

173
Q

sample size

A

the size of a sample in an investigation

174
Q

secondary consumer

A

animals that eat the primary consumers

175
Q

selective breeding

A

speeds up natural selection by selecting animals or plants for breeding that have a required characteristic

176
Q

selective reabsorption

A

the process in the kidney where the materials needed in the body such as glucose, some mineral ions, and water are reabsorbed back into the blood from the filtrate

177
Q

sensory neurone

A

neurone that carries impulses from the sensory organs to the central nervous system

178
Q

sex chromosome

A

carry the information that determines the sex of an individual

179
Q

sexual reproduction

A

involves the joining (fusion) of male and female gametes producing genetic variation in the offspring

180
Q

sexually transmitted disease

A

transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person by unprotected sexual contact.

181
Q

simple sugars

A

small carbohydrate units, for example glucose

182
Q

speciation

A

the process by which two species evolve from a single original species by natural selection

183
Q

species

A

the smallest group of clearly identified organisms in Linnaeus’s classification system, often described as a group of organisms that can breed together and produce fertile offspring

184
Q

sperm

A

the male sex cells or gametes that carry the genetic material from the male parent

185
Q

spongy mesophyll

A

the lower layer of mesophyll tissue in plant leaves that contains some chloroplasts and many large air spaces to give a big surface area for the exchange of gases

186
Q

statins

A

drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels and improve the balance of high- to low-density lipoproteins in the blood

187
Q

stem cells

A

undifferentiated cells with the potential to form a wide variety of different cell types

188
Q

stent

A

a metal mesh placed in a blocked or partially blocked artery. They are used to open up the blood vessel by the inflation of a tiny balloon

189
Q

stimuli

A

changes in the external or internal environment that can be detected by receptors

190
Q

stomata

A

openings in the leaves of plants, particularly on the underside and opened and closed by guard cells, allowing gases to enter and leave the leaf

191
Q

suspensory ligaments

A

the ligaments that connect the lens of the eye to the ciliary muscles

192
Q

testosterone

A

the main male sex hormone that controls the male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty and the production of sperm

193
Q

therapeutic cloning

A

a process where an embryo is produced that is genetically identical to the patient so the cells can then be used in medical treatments

194
Q

thermoregulatory centre

A

the area of the brain that is sensitive to the temperature of the blood

195
Q

tissue

A

a group of specialised cells with a similar structure and function

196
Q

tissue culture

A

a modern way of cloning plants that allows thousands of new plants to be created from one piece of plant tissue

197
Q

transect

A

a measured line or area along which ecological measurements are made

198
Q

translocation

A

the movement of sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant through the phloem

199
Q

transpiration

A

the loss of water vapour from the leaves of plants through the stomata when they are opened to allow gas exchange for photosynthesis. It involves evaporation from the surface of the cells and diffusion through the stomata

200
Q

trophic level

A

feeding levels in an ecosystem

201
Q

tropism

A

the responses of plant roots and shoots to environmental stimuli such as light or gravity

202
Q

tumour

A

a mass of abnormally growing cells that forms when the cells do not respond to the normal mechanisms that control growth and when control of the cell cycle is lost

203
Q

turgor

A

the pressure inside a plant cell exerted by the cell contents pressing on the cell wall

204
Q

type 1 diabetes

A

a disorder where the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin

205
Q

type 2 diabetes

A

a disorder where the body cells no longer respond to the insulin produced by the pancreas

206
Q

urea

A

the waste product formed by the breakdown of excess amino acids in the liver

207
Q

vaccine

A

dead or inactive pathogenic material used in vaccination to develop immunity to a disease in a healthy person

208
Q

vasoconstriction

A

the constriction or narrowing of the blood vessels

209
Q

vasodilation

A

the dilation or opening up of the blood vessels

210
Q

veins

A

blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. They usually carry deoxygenated blood and have valves to prevent the backflow of blood

211
Q

vena cava

A

the large vein that brings deoxygenated blood from the body into the heart

212
Q

ventilated

A

movement of air or water into and out of the gas exchange organ, for example lungs or gills

213
Q

ventricles

A

chambers of the heart that contract to force blood out of the heart

214
Q

virus

A

pathogens that are much smaller than bacteria and can only reproduce inside living cells of other organisms

215
Q

white blood cells

A

blood cells involved in the immune system of the body. They engulf pathogens and make antibodies and antitoxinsx

216
Q

xylem

A

the non-living transport tissue in plants that transports water from the roots to the leaves and shoots

217
Q

zygote

A

the single new cell formed by the fusion of gametes in sexual reproduction

GCSE Biology (19 decks)

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