Combined Science key terms

A biological process explaining how a factor can cause a particular effect or disease.

The basic structural and functional unit of a living organism.

Growing cells in controlled laboratory conditions.

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 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 cell. In growth, division involving mitosis increases the number of body cells.

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

The boundary surrounding a cell's cytoplasm. In bacterial cells, it lies immediately inside the cell wall.

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

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

A strong carbohydrate made from glucose that strengthens plant cell walls.

A layer outside the cell membrane that strengthens a cell; in plant and algal cells it is made of cellulose.

The brain and spinal cord, which coordinate responses to incoming information.

The brain and spinal cord, which coordinate nervous responses.

The single point at which an object's weight may be considered to act.

The resultant force towards the centre of a circle that keeps an object moving in a circular path.

A physical change between solid, liquid and gas, without changing the chemical identity of the substance.

The total amount of electric charge passing a point in a circuit during a given time, measured in coulombs (C).

A change in which one or more new substances form.

A substance produced by the body that destroys pathogens or inhibits them through chemical action.

Energy stored chemically, for example in fuel, food or a battery.

A representation using chemical symbols and numbers to show which elements a substance contains and the relative numbers of their atoms.

Very unreactive chemically under ordinary conditions.

A process in which one or more new substances are formed, often with a detectable energy change.

A one- or two-letter representation of an element, such as O for oxygen or Na for sodium. It can also represent one atom of that element.

The addition of chlorine to water to kill harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.

The green pigment in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.