OCR GCSE Combined Science B key terms

A biological molecule such as a sugar, starch or cellulose. Complex carbohydrates are built from sugar molecules.

Capturing carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere and placing it in long-term storage, usually underground.

A colourless, odourless, toxic gas, CO, formed during incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.

A cylindrical fullerene with carbon atoms bonded into a long, narrow, hollow tube.

Extraction of a metal from its oxide by heating it with carbon, which removes oxygen from the oxide.

A natural system that takes up carbon from the atmosphere, such as a growing forest.

An agent, such as a chemical in tobacco smoke, that can cause cancer.

The specialised muscle forming the heart wall, which contracts repeatedly to pump blood.

Disease affecting the heart or blood vessels.

An enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

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

A device in a vehicle's exhaust system that uses catalysts to convert pollutants into less harmful substances.

A variable whose values are separate named groups rather than positions on a numerical scale, such as the type of metal.

The negative electrode in electrolysis, where positive ions gain electrons.

A positively charged ion, attracted to the cathode during electrolysis.

A relationship in which a change in one factor produces a change in another.

The sequence of growth, DNA replication and division through which a cell produces two daughter cells.

The process by which a cell becomes specialised for a particular function, involving genes being switched on and off.

The chemical reactions in living cells that break down substances such as glucose and transfer energy to make ATP.

The brain and spinal cord, which coordinate nervous responses.

A hard, usually brittle, non-metallic material made by heating substances such as clay or sand; examples include bricks, porcelain and glass.

An electrical property of particles. Moving charge forms an electric current; charge is measured in coulombs (C).

A change in which a chemical reaction produces new substances from the reactants.

A substance that kills pathogens or inhibits their activity, helping to prevent infection.

A representation using chemical symbols and subscripts to show the elements present and their relative numbers of atoms or ions.

A characteristic describing how a substance reacts to form different substances.

An atom, ion or molecule involved in a chemical reaction.