AQA GCSE Biology key terms

A disease in which fatty material builds up inside the coronary arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.

The structure formed from the empty follicle after ovulation; it produces progesterone.

A relationship in which changes in one variable are associated with changes in another variable.

A thin piece of glass placed over a specimen to keep it flat and hold the mounting liquid in place.

The area of a flat slice through an object; for an approximately circular colony or clear zone, it can be estimated using $\pi r^2$.

A liquid or solid material containing nutrients needed for microorganisms to grow.

The growth of microorganisms under controlled conditions.

A piece removed from a parent plant and used to grow a genetically identical new plant.

The jelly-like material in a cell where many chemical reactions take place.

A new cell produced by the division of a parent cell.

The removal of the amino group from an excess amino acid in the liver, producing ammonia.

The breakdown of dead material, usually involving decomposers such as bacteria and fungi.

An organism that breaks down dead plant and animal matter by secreting enzymes into its surroundings.

Microorganisms, particularly bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organisms and waste material.

The breakdown of dead organisms and waste biological material by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

The large-scale clearing of trees from an area of forest.

The permanent change in an enzyme's shape at high temperature, including a change to its active site.

The quantity measured to find out whether the independent variable had an effect.

A repeated treatment in which a machine removes waste substances and excess water and ions from a patient's blood.

A fluid with carefully controlled concentrations that exchanges substances with the blood during dialysis.

The process by which a cell changes to become specialised for a particular function.

The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

The breakdown of food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed.

Having two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent.

Physical transfer between an infected organism or contaminated material and a new host, without transmission through air or water.

A condition that disrupts normal physical or mental functioning and can cause ill health.

The number of cases of a disease recorded in a specified population, place or period.