All of BIOLOGY PAPER 2 in 20 mins - GCSE Science Revision Mindmap 9-1 AQA

Homeostasis

The process of regulating the body or an organism to maintain a stable internal environment.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, which are responsible for processing and coordinating information in the body.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The network of nerves that extends throughout the body and connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Receptor

A sensory organ that detects stimuli and sends signals to the nervous system.

Sensory Neuron

A nerve that carries signals from receptors to the CNS.

Relay Neuron

A nerve that transmits signals from sensory neurons to the brain or spinal cord.

Motor Neuron

A nerve that carries signals from the brain or spinal cord to effectors, such as muscles or glands.

Effector

A muscle or gland that carries out a response to a stimulus.

Neuron

A specialized cell that transmits electrical signals in the nervous system.

Synapse

The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters transmit signals from one neuron to another.

Reflex

An involuntary and rapid response to a stimulus that bypasses the brain.

Reaction Time

The time it takes for a person to respond to a stimulus.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions and motor control.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain that controls voluntary movements and sensory perception.

Medulla Oblongata

The part of the brainstem responsible for controlling vital reflex functions, such as breathing and heart rate.

CT Scan

A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the brain.

MRI Scan

A medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain.

Contralateral

Referring to the phenomenon where the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, and vice versa.

Cornea

The transparent outer layer of the eye that helps focus light onto the retina.

Pupil

The opening in the center of the iris that regulates the amount of light entering the eye.

Lens

A transparent structure behind the pupil that helps focus light onto the retina.

Retina

The light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that contains rods and cones.

Rods

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that are sensitive to low light levels and help with black and white vision.

Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that are responsible for color vision and work best in bright light.

Accommodation

The ability of the lens to change shape to focus on objects at different distances.

Endocrine System

The system of glands and hormones that regulate bodily functions and maintain homeostasis.

Pituitary Gland

The "master gland" located in the brain that produces hormones that control other glands.

Thyroid

A gland located in the neck that produces hormones that regulate metabolism.

Pancreas

A gland located near the stomach that produces insulin and regulates blood sugar levels.

Ovaries

Female reproductive glands that produce hormones and release eggs.

Testes

Male reproductive glands that produce hormones and sperm.

Adrenal Gland

A gland located on top of the kidneys that produces adrenaline and other hormones.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.

Diabetes

A condition where the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or the body cannot effectively use insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

Menstruation Cycle

The monthly cycle in females where the uterus prepares for pregnancy and sheds its lining if pregnancy does not occur.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles and the production of estrogen.

Estrogen

A hormone produced by the ovaries that regulates the development and maturation of eggs.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that triggers ovulation and the release of an egg.

Progesterone

A hormone produced by the empty follicle after ovulation that prepares the uterus for pregnancy.

Thermoregulation

The process of maintaining a stable internal body temperature.

Sweating

The release of sweat from sweat glands to cool the body through evaporation.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels near the skin's surface to release heat and cool the body.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels near the skin's surface to conserve heat and warm the body.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that regulates body temperature and other physiological processes.

Kidneys

Organs responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and regulating water balance in the body.

Contraception

Methods used to prevent pregnancy.

Physical methods

Contraceptive methods that involve physical barriers or devices.

Hormonal methods

Contraceptive methods that involve the use of hormones to prevent pregnancy.

Pill

A hormonal contraceptive taken orally.

Patch

A hormonal contraceptive applied to the skin.

Fertility treatments

Medical procedures used to assist in achieving pregnancy.

Artificial insemination (AI)

A fertility treatment where sperm is introduced into the reproductive system.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

A fertility treatment where fertilization occurs outside the body and the resulting embryo is implanted into the woman's uterus.

FSH and LH therapy

Fertility treatments that involve the administration of hormones to stimulate egg production.

Surrogacy

A fertility treatment where another woman carries and gives birth to a baby for a couple or individual.

Egg donation

A fertility treatment where a woman's eggs are used by another woman to achieve pregnancy.

Ovary transplant

A fertility treatment where a woman's ovaries are transplanted into another woman.

Phototropism

The growth or movement of plants in response to light.

Geotropism

The growth or movement of plants in response to gravity.

Hydrotropism

The growth or movement of plants in response to water.

Auxins

Plant hormones that regulate growth and development.

Weed killer

A substance that kills unwanted plants.

Rooting powder

A substance that promotes root growth in plant cuttings.

Ethene

A plant hormone used to ripen fruits.

Gibberellins

Plant hormones that promote flowering and increase fruit size.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction without the involvement of gametes, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Sexual reproduction

Reproduction involving the fusion of gametes, resulting in offspring with genetic variation.

Gametes

Haploid cells involved in sexual reproduction.

Meiosis

The process of cell division that produces gametes.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries genetic information.

Polymer

A large molecule made up of repeating subunits.

Bases

Chemical components of DNA (A, T, C, G) that form the genetic code.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a molecule involved in protein synthesis.

Ribosome

A cellular structure where protein synthesis occurs.

Protein synthesis

The process of creating proteins from the information encoded in DNA.

Genome

The complete set of DNA in an organism.

Double helix

The structure of DNA, resembling a twisted ladder.

Gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein.

Variation

Differences in traits among individuals of the same species.

Dominant gene

A gene that is expressed and masks the effect of a recessive gene.

Recessive gene

A gene that is only expressed in the absence of a dominant gene.

Punnett square

A diagram used to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring.

Alleles

Different forms of the same gene.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an individual.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a particular gene.

Genetic engineering

The manipulation of genes to produce desired traits.

Chromosome

A structure in the cell that carries genetic information.

Vector

A carrier, such as a bacteria or virus, used to transfer genes into an organism.

Genetically modified (GM) crops

Crops that have been altered through genetic engineering.

Selective breeding

The process of breeding organisms with desired traits to produce offspring with those traits.

Darwinism

The theory proposed by Charles Darwin that states that random mutations between generations result in offspring that are better suited to the environment, leading to their survival and reproduction.

Lamarckism

The theory proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck that suggests that the environment can cause changes in an organism's genes, which can be passed on to the offspring.

Survival of the fittest

The concept that individuals with traits that are better suited to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

DNA

The molecule that carries genetic information and has the ability to change itself, turn genes on and off, depending on the needs of the organism.

Protein shape

The three-dimensional structure of a protein that determines its function.

Cloning

The process of creating an organism that is genetically identical to another organism.

Ecosystem

The interactions between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of an environment.

Habitat

The specific area where an organism lives.