OCR GCSE Biology A key terms

An organism with the same genetic information as another organism, apart from any new mutations.

DNA whose base sequence provides instructions for making a protein.

The simultaneous infection of an individual by two or more pathogens.

A tube that receives fluid from kidney tubules and carries it towards the renal pelvis.

A vision defect in which a person has difficulty distinguishing particular colours because one or more types of cone cell are absent or do not function normally.

The burning of a substance in oxygen; complete combustion of carbon-containing fuels releases carbon dioxide.

An ancestral species from which two or more later groups evolved.

An infectious disease that can pass between organisms through its disease-causing pathogen.

All the populations of different species living and interacting in the same habitat at the same time.

A living cell next to a sieve tube element that provides it with metabolic support.

The struggle between organisms for a resource that is in limited supply.

The specific pairing of bases between DNA strands: adenine with thymine, and guanine with cytosine.

A lens that is thinner in the middle and spreads light rays apart.

A measure of the quantity of a dissolved substance in a given volume of solution.

The difference in the concentration of a substance between two regions.

The change of water vapour into liquid water as it cools.

The protection of a participant's personal and medical information from unauthorised disclosure.

A third variable that may influence both variables being compared and therefore provide an alternative explanation for a correlation.

The protection and management of species, habitats and ecosystems to help maintain biodiversity.

A planned set of actions intended to protect or restore species, habitats or ecosystems.

An organism that obtains its food by eating other organisms.

Taking and testing fresh samples repeatedly during an investigation to follow a change over time.

Variation in a characteristic that can take many values across a range.

A method used to reduce the chance of pregnancy.

A comparison set-up used to show that any observed result is caused by the factor being investigated.

A factor kept the same so that it does not provide another explanation for a change in the results.

A lens that is thicker in the middle and brings light rays together.