AQA GCSE Biology key terms

A change in the internal or external environment that can be detected.

A small pore in the leaf epidermis through which gases and water vapour can pass.

Tiny pores in a leaf's surface through which gases and water vapour can pass.

A genetically distinct form within a species, such as a bacterial form with resistance to a particular antibiotic.

A physical feature of an organism’s body that helps it survive.

Abnormally slow or limited plant growth.

A structure within a cell that carries out a particular function, such as a mitochondrion or ribosome.

The substance on which an enzyme acts.

The total area of all the exposed surfaces of an object, measured in squared units such as cm².

A comparison of an object's surface area with its volume, showing how much surface is available for each unit of volume.

Fibres that connect the lens to the ciliary muscles and can pull the lens thinner when taut.

Meeting present needs without using resources or damaging the environment in ways that prevent future generations from meeting their needs.

Fishing carried out at a rate that allows fish populations to reproduce and be maintained for the future.

A junction between neurones where a chemical messenger transmits a signal across a small gap.

A reaction that joins smaller molecules to make a larger molecule.

The molecule or cell feature that a particular antibody is designed to bind to.

An organ whose cells respond to a particular hormone.

One of the ordered groups used in classification, such as kingdom, family or species.

The biological science of identifying, naming and classifying organisms.

A copy of a gene's instructions that guides the order in which amino acids are joined at a ribosome.

A carnivore that eats other carnivores and occupies trophic level 4 in the specified sequence.

Male reproductive organs that produce sperm and testosterone.

The main male reproductive hormone; it is produced by the testes and stimulates sperm production.

The production of an embryo with the same genes as a patient so that embryonic stem cells can be obtained for medical treatment without rejection by that patient’s body.

The control of body temperature to keep internal conditions suitable for cells.

A coordination centre in the brain that monitors body temperature and brings about responses when it changes.

A hormone released by the thyroid gland that stimulates basal metabolic rate and is important for growth and development.