AQA GCSE Biology Unit 1 Flashcards

Accuracy

The closeness of a measurement to the true value

Adaptation

A characteristic that helps an organism to survive in its environment

Adult cell cloning 

A process in which the nucleus of an adult cell is inserted into an unfertilised egg cell from which the nucleus has been removed, and the cell divides and develops into a new individual

Aerobic respiration

Respiration that requires the presence of oxygen to release energy from glucose, producing carbon dioxide and water

Agar

A nutrient rich-jelly obtained from seaweed used for growing microbes 

Anaerobic respiration

Respiration which does not need oxygen - the release of energy from glucose without oxygen. The process releases less energy than aerobic respiration

Antibiotic 

A chemical compound, often produced by microbes, that destroys bacteria

Antibody

A chemical compound produced by white blood cells when the immune system detects the presence of a pathogen. Antibodies are specific to a particular pathogen, that is, each type of antibody attacks only one type of pathogen

Antigen

A cell marker protein on the outside of a cell. Antigens differ between people

Antiseptic

A chemical compound used to stop the growth of micro-organisms on living tissue

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction from one cell of a parent organism by simple cell division, without fertilisation of gametes, that is, without fusion of male and female sex cells

Auxin

A plant hormone that affects growth, rooting and flower and fruit formation

Bacterium

A single-celled micro-organism without a nucleus. Bacteria can reproduce quickly, and some cause disease

Balanced diet

 A diet made up of a variety of different foods to provide energy and all the nutrients needed to stay healthy.

Biomass

Biological material; in particular, the total mass of living material at a specified level in a food chain or in a specified area

Brain

The centre of the nervous system, responsible for interpreting sensory signals, co-ordinating motor responses and higher activities such as thought and memory 

Camouflage 

Body colouring and/or shape to help conceal an organism in its environment 

Cannabis 

An illegal drug that can produce a sense of euphoria (well being), but also anxiety and loss of short term memory. 

Carbohydrate 

A food type that is the main energy source in the diet. Carbohydrates, for example, sugars and starch, contain only the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. 

Carbon cycle

The way in which carbon atoms circulate between living organisms and the physical environment

Central Nervous system

The brain and spinal cord