AQA GCSE Biology key terms

The processing of waste materials so that they can be used again as resources.

A biconcave blood cell containing haemoglobin and specialised to transport oxygen.

A sugar, such as glucose, lactose or maltose, that gives a positive result with Benedict’s solution when heated.

A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus that does not require conscious thought.

The pathway taken by nerve impulses to produce a reflex action.

The bending of light as it passes between materials; lenses use this to change where light rays come to a focus.

An immune response in which the recipient's body recognises a transplanted organ as foreign and attacks it.

A nerve cell in the central nervous system that passes impulses between sensory and motor neurones.

Repeating an investigation to test whether its findings can be obtained again.

A sample whose relevant characteristics reflect those of the target population closely enough to support valid conclusions about it.

A chemical messenger involved in sexual development or reproduction and carried in the blood to target organs.

A difference between populations that prevents them from interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

The ability to distinguish two points that are close together as separate points.

Materials obtained and used by people, such as food, water, fuels and raw materials.

A chemical process in cells that transfers energy from glucose for life processes.

The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, containing receptors that detect light intensity and colour.

A cell structure where amino acids are joined together to make proteins.

Something associated with an increased probability of developing a disease.

A specialised cell near the surface of a root that absorbs water and mineral ions from the soil.

An illness caused by Salmonella bacteria, usually after the bacteria are swallowed in contaminated food.

A smaller group selected from a population to provide data about that population.

A labelled line on an image whose length represents a stated real distance in the specimen.

A graph in which each plotted point represents paired values for two numerical variables.

A well-supported scientific explanation that accounts for observations and can be tested against evidence.

The tough white outer layer that protects the eyeball.

A carnivore that eats primary consumers and occupies trophic level 3.

A feature that develops at puberty and distinguishes the sexes but is not itself a reproductive organ, such as breast development or a deeper voice.