AQA GCSE Biology key terms

The use of living organisms or biological processes to make useful products.

The living parts of an ecosystem, including plants, animals and microorganisms.

A living factor that can affect organisms in an ecosystem, such as food availability, predators, pathogens or competition.

The amount of glucose dissolved in a given volume of blood.

A cell forming the tissues and organs of an organism, rather than a reproductive cell such as an egg or sperm cell.

The number of breaths taken in a given time, usually measured in breaths per minute.

The volume of air breathed in or out in one breath.

A solution that resists changes in pH and therefore keeps the reaction mixture at a chosen pH.

The unintended capture of organisms that were not the target of the fishing activity.

A disease caused by changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and division.

A microscopic blood vessel with a wall one cell thick, across which substances are exchanged between the blood and tissues.

A digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.

The movement of carbon between the atmosphere, living organisms and other stores, including its return to the air as carbon dioxide.

The quantity of carbon dioxide present in a given volume, often expressed as a concentration.

A poisonous gas in cigarette smoke that can pass through the placenta and reduce the oxygen available to the foetus.

An agent that can increase cancer risk by causing changes that damage DNA.

Disease affecting the heart or blood vessels.

An individual who has one recessive disorder allele and one dominant unaffected allele, does not have the disorder, but can pass on the recessive allele.

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up.

An explanation, supported by evidence, of how one factor brings about an effect.

The basic building block of a living organism; cells carry out the processes needed for life.

The ordered series of stages through which a cell grows, copies its DNA and divides to form two cells.

The thin boundary that controls the movement of substances into and out of a cell.

Liquid inside plant cells containing dissolved substances; in phloem, sap containing dissolved sugars passes between cells through pores in their end walls.

A process in cells that releases energy from organic compounds for life processes.

A carbohydrate used to make strong plant cell walls.

A rigid outer layer made of cellulose that strengthens plant and algal cells.