Key terms & definitions

A vertical column containing elements whose atoms have full outer electron shells.

The metals in the first column of the Periodic Table, whose atoms each have one electron in their outer shell.

An element in the first column of the periodic table; the Group 1 elements are also called the alkali metals.

A selection task completed by several applicants together while their performance is observed.

Data presented in classes or intervals rather than as individual values.

Data summarised in class intervals rather than as individual values.

A table recording how many observations fall within each class interval, rather than recording every individual value.

The sense of who someone is that comes from membership of a group, including its shared loyalties, expectations and behaviour.

A sense of belonging based on membership of a group with shared characteristics, interests, experiences or beliefs.

The part of the year when conditions allow plants to grow.

A permanent increase in the size or dry mass of an organism.

A permanent increase in the size or mass of an organism.

A change in which a quantity increases over time, often by the same proportion or percentage in each period.

The stage when a product's sales increase rapidly as more customers buy it.

A peptide hormone that promotes the growth of body tissues; athletes may misuse it to encourage muscle growth and recovery.

A nutrient material, such as agar jelly, on or in which microorganisms can grow.

A belief that intelligence and ability can develop through effort, practice and learning.

The process of taking and plotting repeated measurements to identify a pattern over time.

Internal stress developed in a living tree through the maturation of new wood and the increasing weight of the tree.

A barrier built at right angles to the shore to trap sediment transported by longshore drift.

Glass reinforced plastic: a composite of glass fibres and plastic resin, also commonly called fibreglass.

Grams per square metre: a measure of the mass of paper, board or fabric per unit area.

The Indigenous name for the Bahamian island where Columbus first landed on 12 October 1492; he renamed it San Salvador.

A person who promises to take responsibility for another person’s debt or obligation.

One of a pair of cells surrounding a stoma that controls whether the pore is open or closed.

A specialised cell that works with another guard cell to control the opening and closing of a stoma, regulating gas exchange and water loss.

Pairs of cells around stomata that control whether the pores are open or closed.

A person responsible for caring for a child in place of their parents.

Responsibility for protecting and maintaining a historic site without necessarily owning it.

Unconventional promotion, usually in public spaces and often relatively low-cost, intended to attract attention and generate discussion.