Year 10 Biology (IGCSE Combined science)

"Photosynthesis"

"The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll."

"Word Equation"

"A simplified representation of a chemical reaction using the names of the reactants and products."

"Balanced Equation"

"A chemical equation in which the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation."

"Chlorophyll"

"A green pigment found in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis."

"Chemical Energy"

"Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, which is released during a chemical reaction."

"Carbohydrates"

"Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are used by plants for energy and structure."

"Reactants"

"Substances that undergo a chemical change in a reaction."

"Products"

"Substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction."

"Producers"

"Organisms that can make their own food through photosynthesis, such as green plants and algae."

"Consumers"

"Organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms."

"Food Chain"

"A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another."

"Energy Flow"

"The transfer of energy from one organism to another in a food chain, represented by arrows."

"Glucose"

"A simple sugar produced by plants during photosynthesis, used for energy and growth."

"Starch"

"A complex carbohydrate that plants store glucose as for later use."

"Proteins"

"Large molecules made up of amino acids, essential for growth and repair in plants."

"Respiration"

"The process by which plants convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water."

"Cellulose"

"A structural component of the plant cell wall, made from glucose."

"Iodine Test"

"A test used to detect the presence of starch in leaves."

"Nitrates"

"Minerals absorbed by plants from the soil, used to produce proteins."

"Growth"

"The process of increasing in size and maturity, which requires energy and nutrients."

"Importance of Photosynthesis"

"Photosynthesis provides energy for plants, produces oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere."

"Amino Acids"

"Building blocks of proteins, which are synthesized from glucose and nitrates."

"Limiting Factor"

"Any factor present in an environment that controls a biological process, such as photosynthesis."

"Variegated Leaf"

"A leaf that has two or more colors, indicating varying levels of chlorophyll."

"Light Intensity"

"The amount of light energy available for photosynthesis, which can affect the rate of the process."

"Carbon Dioxide"

"A gas that is a key reactant in photosynthesis, influencing the rate at which plants produce glucose."

"Temperature"

"A factor that can affect the rate of photosynthesis, as enzymes involved in the process are temperature-sensitive."

"Water Availability"

"A crucial resource for photosynthesis; lack of water can limit the process."

"Glucose Production"

"The result of photosynthesis, which occurs when plants convert light energy into chemical energy."

"Experimental Controls"

"Conditions that are kept constant in an experiment to ensure valid results."

"Starch Presence"

"Indicated by a black color change in the starch test, showing where photosynthesis has occurred."

"Chlorophyll Absence"

"Results in reduced photosynthesis and less starch production in affected leaf areas."

"Photosynthesis Factors"

"Includes light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and water availability."

"Practical Setup"

"The arrangement of plants and conditions needed for conducting the starch investigation."

"Investigation Limitations"

"Factors that may affect the accuracy or reliability of the experiment's results."

"Glucose Conversion"

"The process by which glucose produced in photosynthesis is transformed into starch for storage."

"Light Requirement"

"Photosynthesis requires light to occur, as it provides the energy needed for the process."

"Starch Accumulation"

"Occurs in areas of the leaf where photosynthesis is successful, indicated by the presence of chlorophyll."

"Ethanol"

"A highly flammable alcohol used in the process of testing leaves for starch."

"Boiling Water"

"Used to stop the leaf from photosynthesizing or respiring during experiments."

"Carbon Dioxide Concentration"

"The level of carbon dioxide available to plants, which is a key reactant in photosynthesis."

"Gas Exchange"

"The process by which plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis."

"Control Variables"

"Factors that are kept constant in an experiment to ensure a fair test."

"Expected Findings"

"Predictions about the outcomes of an experiment based on scientific principles."

"Hydrogencarbonate Indicator"

"A solution used to measure changes in carbon dioxide levels in aquatic plants."

"Fair Test"

"An experiment where only one variable is changed while others are kept constant."

"Photosynthesis Equation"

"The chemical equation representing the process of photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2."

"Oxygen Bubbles"

"The gas produced by plants during photosynthesis, often measured in experiments."

"Starch Stores"

"The reserves of starch in plants that can be used for energy when photosynthesis is not occurring."

"Light Source"

"An object that emits light, used in experiments to study its effect on photosynthesis."

"Plant Nutrition"

"The study of how plants obtain and use nutrients for growth and development."

"Photosynthesis Evidence"

"Data or observations that support conclusions about the process of photosynthesis."

"Lack of Water"

"A condition that can hinder plant growth and affect photosynthesis."

"Aquatic Plant"

"A plant that grows in water, often used in studies of photosynthesis and gas exchange."

"Bubbles"

"Gas produced during photosynthesis, often measured to determine the rate of the process."

"Chloroplasts"

"Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs."

"Stomata"

"Small openings on the leaf surface that allow gas exchange."

"Xylem"

"Vascular tissue in plants responsible for water transport."

"Phloem"

"Vascular tissue in plants responsible for transporting nutrients and sugars."

"Epidermis"

"The outer layer of cells covering the leaves and stems of plants."

"Guard Cells"

"Cells that control the opening and closing of stomata."

"Palisade Mesophyll"

"Layer of cells in leaves where most photosynthesis occurs."

"Spongy Mesophyll"

"Layer of loosely packed cells in leaves that allows for gas exchange."

"Cuticle"

"A waxy layer on the surface of leaves that reduces water loss."

"Rate of Photosynthesis"

"The speed at which photosynthesis occurs, often measured by the number of bubbles produced."

"Conclusion"

"A summary of findings based on experimental data and scientific reasoning."

"Experiment"

"A scientific procedure undertaken to test a hypothesis."

"Air Spaces"

"Spaces within the spongy mesophyll that facilitate gas exchange."

"Veins"

"Structures in leaves that transport water and nutrients."

"Surface Area"

"The total area of the surface of an object, important for maximizing light capture in leaves."

"Dehydration"

"The loss of water from a plant, which stomata help to prevent."

"Dicotyledonous Plant"

"A type of flowering plant that has two seed leaves or cotyledons."

"Palisade Cells"

"The top layer of cells in a leaf, adapted to absorb light and contain many chloroplasts for photosynthesis."

"Waxy Cuticle"

"A thin, waxy covering on the leaf's outer surface that prevents water loss by evaporation."

"Transport System"

"The system in plants that moves food, water, and minerals around."

"Translocation"

"The movement of food substances from the stems to growing and storage tissues in plants."

"Evaporation"

"The process by which water is lost from the leaves of a plant."

"Oxygen"

"A gas produced as a byproduct of photosynthesis, released through stomata."

"Root Hair Cells"

"Cells that absorb water and minerals from the soil, lacking chloroplasts."

"Mineral Ions"

"Essential nutrients that plants need, transported by xylem."

"Density of Stomata"

"Refers to the concentration of stomata on the leaf surface, often higher on the lower side to reduce water loss."

"Adaptation"

"A characteristic that enhances the survival of a plant in its environment."

"Carbohydrates"

"Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, including simple sugars and complex sugars."

"Simple sugars"

"Quickly absorbed carbohydrates like glucose and fructose that provide immediate energy."

"Complex sugars"

"Carbohydrates like starch that are broken down more slowly into simple sugars for sustained energy."

"Proteins"

"Large molecules made of amino acids, essential for growth and repair of cells."

"Fats"

"Lipids that serve as an energy store and are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol."

"Amino acids"

"The building blocks of proteins, there are 20 different types used by the human body."

"Glycogen"

"A stored form of glucose in the liver, created from excess sugar."

"Enzymes"

"Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions, including the breakdown of food molecules."

"Carbohydrase"

"An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars."

"Protease"

"An enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids."

"Lipase"

"An enzyme that breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol."

"Starch"

"A complex carbohydrate made of long chains of glucose, used by plants for energy storage."

"Cellulose"

"A complex carbohydrate that forms the cell walls of plants."

"Glucose"

"A simple sugar that is a primary energy source for cells."

"Fructose"

"A simple sugar found in many plants, often associated with fruits."

"Lactose"

"A disaccharide made of glucose and galactose, found in milk."

"Sucrose"

"A disaccharide made of glucose and fructose, commonly known as table sugar."

"Fatty acids"

"The building blocks of lipids, used for energy and cellular functions."