Key terms & definitions

A device in which reacting chemicals produce a potential difference and can transfer electrical energy around a circuit.

A single source of potential difference, shown by one long and one short parallel line.

The basic structural and functional unit of a living organism.

An electrochemical unit that transfers stored chemical energy into electrical energy.

The inner chamber of a temple; the Parthenon’s chamber housed the statue of Athena Parthenos.

The main inner chamber of a classical temple, often housing its cult statue; also called the naos.

A group of interconnected neurons whose connections strengthen through repeated activity together, according to Hebb’s theory.

The part of a neurone containing the nucleus and most of the cell's organelles.

The growth of cells under controlled conditions outside the body.

Growing cells in controlled laboratory conditions.

The ordered series of stages through which a cell grows, copies its DNA and divides to form two cells.

The series of stages in which a cell grows, copies its DNA and divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells.

The process by which an unspecialised cell becomes a specialised cell with structures suited to a particular function.

The process by which a cell changes to become specialised, acquiring structures that enable it to carry out a particular function.

The production of new cells from an existing parent cell.

The production of new cells from an existing cell. In growth, division involving mitosis increases the number of body cells.

An increase in the length of a cell, contributing to growth of a plant organ.

An increase in a cell's length, which contributes to growth in plants.

The thin boundary that controls the movement of substances into and out of a cell.

The boundary around a cell that controls which substances enter and leave it.

A manufacturing sub-system within a larger production line, responsible for a complete product or specialist parts of a product.

A label identifying a spreadsheet cell by its column letter and row number, such as B2.

Liquid inside plant cells containing dissolved substances; in phloem, sap containing dissolved sugars passes between cells through pores in their end walls.

The solution of sugars and salts dissolved in water inside a plant cell’s permanent vacuole.

A process in cells that releases energy from organic compounds for life processes.

The chemical process that transfers energy from glucose in living cells.

A carbohydrate used to make strong plant cell walls.

A carbohydrate made from glucose that strengthens plant cell walls.

A substance in plant cell walls whose fibres can be separated and used to make paper and board.

A rigid outer layer made of cellulose that strengthens plant and algal cells.