AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy key terms

A specialised nerve cell that carries electrical impulses.

A chemical released by a neurone that diffuses across a synaptic gap and stimulates the next neurone.

A reaction between an acid and a base. In an acid–alkali reaction, hydrogen ions react with hydroxide ions to form water.

The blue-insulated mains wire that completes the appliance circuit and is at or close to earth potential.

An electrically neutral particle found in atomic nuclei. An emitted neutron is represented by $^{1}_{0}\mathrm{n}$.

A calibrated spring balance used to measure force, including weight, in newtons.

If the resultant force on an object is zero, a stationary object remains stationary and a moving object continues at the same speed in the same direction.

The relationship in which an object's acceleration is proportional to its resultant force and inversely proportional to its mass: $F = ma$.

Whenever two objects interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

An ion absorbed by plants in solution from the soil that supplies nitrogen for making amino acids and proteins.

An element in Group 0 of the periodic table whose atoms have a stable outer electron arrangement and are very unreactive.

A disease that cannot be transmitted from one organism to another.

A force that acts between objects without them touching.

A system in which matter can enter or leave, such as a reaction container open to the surrounding air.

A metal other than iron, such as copper or tin.

An element that does not characteristically form positive ions by losing its outer-shell electrons. Reactive non-metals can gain electrons when reacting with metals, or share electrons with other non-metals.

An energy resource with a finite supply that is not replenished on the timescale over which people use it.

A defence that acts against a range of pathogens rather than targeting one particular pathogen.

Motion in which an object's speed changes.

An imaginary line drawn perpendicular to a boundary at the point where a ray meets it.

A contact force exerted by a surface on an object, acting perpendicular to the surface.

An equation representing a nuclear change, with the total mass numbers and the total charge numbers balanced on both sides.

An atomic model with a tiny, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons, with most of the atom being empty space.

A representation showing an element’s chemical symbol with its mass number at the top left and atomic number at the bottom left. An ion’s charge is shown at the top right.

The structure containing genetic material, DNA, which controls the activities of a eukaryotic cell.

Having an excessive amount of body fat, which increases the risk of conditions including Type 2 diabetes.

The main female reproductive hormone, produced by the ovaries. It causes secondary sex characteristics to develop and helps build and maintain the uterus lining.

A conductor whose current is directly proportional to the potential difference across it at constant temperature, so its resistance remains constant.