OCR GCSE Biology A key terms

A substance containing stored chemical energy that can be transferred during respiration; glucose is a common example.

A eukaryotic organism that obtains nutrients from organic material; some fungi are pathogens.

A reproductive cell, such as an egg or sperm, that carries one allele of each gene.

A section of DNA that influences a characteristic, usually by coding for a protein or affecting gene expression.

The process by which a gene’s instructions are used to make its protein.

The variety of alleles present in a population.

The use of genes, DNA or methods that alter genetic material for a practical purpose, including the treatment of disease.

A medical approach that introduces or alters genetic material in a patient's cells to treat disease.

Describes an organism whose genetic material has been changed using genetic engineering.

An organism whose genetic material has been changed using genetic engineering.

The variety of alleles present within a population or species.

The deliberate modification of an organism’s genome to introduce a desired characteristic.

Changing an organism’s genetic material to introduce a desired characteristic.

The likelihood that a person will develop a particular disease, estimated using genetic and sometimes non-genetic information.

An alternative form or sequence of a region of DNA, produced originally by mutation.

Differences in inherited genetic material between individuals of the same species.

The complete genetic material of an organism.

A difference in the DNA sequence among individuals or cells.

The combination of alleles an organism has for a particular gene.

The beginning of growth of the embryo in a seed to form a seedling.

A reproductive cell, such as an egg or sperm, or a cell that produces reproductive cells. A germline genetic change could be inherited by future generations.

A group of plant hormones involved in processes including stem elongation, the ending of seed dormancy, germination and flowering.

A hormone released by the pancreas when blood glucose is too low; it helps raise blood glucose.

A sugar carried in the blood and supplied to cells for respiration.

A three-carbon alcohol that forms the central backbone of a triglyceride.

The stored form of glucose found in liver and muscle cells.

A growth response in which a plant part grows towards or away from the pull of gravity.