Biology key terms

The recognition that a disease is present, usually from symptoms, signs, measurements or test results.

A substance that breaks down the fatty cell membrane, helping to release DNA from cells.

Dead material from living organisms, such as fallen leaves and animal remains.

The work needed to turn a promising substance into a medicine suitable for thorough testing and possible use in patients.

A condition in which blood glucose remains too high because insulin is absent, insufficient or less effective.

The process of identifying a disease or its cause from symptoms and tests.

A test on a plant sample used to help identify the pathogen responsible for disease.

A repeated treatment in which a machine removes waste substances and excess water and ions from a patient's blood.

A fluid with carefully controlled concentrations that exchanges substances with the blood during dialysis.

The distance across a circle through its centre; it is twice the radius.

Frequent passing of loose or watery faeces.

The process by which a cell changes and acquires specialised structures suited to a particular function.

The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

The distance particles must travel across an exchange surface, such as from air in an alveolus into the blood.

The breakdown of food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed.

Having two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent.

Physical transfer between an infected organism or contaminated material and a new host, without transmission through air or water.

A relationship in which one quantity changes by the same factor as another, so their ratio remains constant.

Variation in a characteristic whose values fall into distinct categories.

The stage in which a substance with the potential to become a medicine is found or designed.

A condition that disrupts normal physical or mental functioning and can cause ill health.

An allele found more often in people with a disease or health response than in a comparison group; it may affect risk without being the sole cause.

The number of cases of a disease recorded in a specified population, place or period.

A small food molecule dissolved in water, such as glucose or an amino acid, that can be transported to cells.

Food substances, such as sugars and amino acids, dissolved in water so that they can be transported.

Oxygen dissolved in water and available for aquatic organisms to use in respiration.

The places or geographical area in which members of a species are found.