GCSE Biology Complete Notes Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection and Response, and Bioenergetics based on GCSE level biology notes.

Eukaryotic cells

Cells that contain a nucleus, such as animal and plant cells.

Nucleus

Organelle that contains genetic material and controls the cell's activities.

Cytoplasm

The part of the cell where most chemical reactions occur.

Cell membrane

Structure that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Mitochondria

The site of aerobic respiration, where energy is released.

Ribosomes

The site of protein synthesis within a cell.

Cell wall

A structure made of cellulose that strengthens and supports plant cells.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that contain chlorophyll and absorb light for photosynthesis.

Permanent vacuole

A structure containing cell sap that helps maintain pressure inside plant cells.

Prokaryotic cells

Smaller and simpler cells, such as bacteria, that do not have a nucleus.

Plasmids

Small rings of DNA found in some prokaryotic cells.

Differentiation

The process through which cells become specialised for a specific function.

Acrosome

A part of the sperm cell that contains enzymes to help penetrate the egg.

Mitosis

A process of cell division where chromosomes separate and the nucleus divides, used for growth and repair.

Stem cells

Undifferentiated cells that have the ability to divide and develop into specialised cells.

Embryonic stem cells

Cells that can differentiate into many different types of cell.

Adult stem cells

Stem cells found in tissues like bone marrow that have more limited differentiation potential.

Diffusion

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

Osmosis

The net movement of water molecules from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.

Active transport

The movement of substances from low concentration to high concentration, which requires energy from respiration.

Turgid

The state of a plant cell when it is full of water after being placed in a dilute solution.

Plasmolysed

The state of a plant cell when water has left the cell after being placed in a concentrated solution.

Tissue

A group of similar cells working together for a specific function.

Organ

A structure that contains different tissues working together.

Organ system

A group of organs working together to perform a specific function.

Amylase

An enzyme produced in the salivary glands and pancreas that breaks starch into sugars.

Peristalsis

The mechanism used by the oesophagus to move food to the stomach.

Bile

A substance produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder that neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fats.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being used up.

Lock-and-key model

A model describing how a substrate fits into an enzyme's active site because of its complementary shape.

Denatured

The state of an enzyme when its active site changes shape due to high temperature or extreme pH, making it non-functional.

Protease

Enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids, produced by the stomach and pancreas.

Lipase

Enzymes produced by the pancreas and small intestine that break lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.

Right ventricle

The chamber of the heart that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Left ventricle

The heart chamber with a thicker muscular wall that pumps oxygenated blood around the body at high pressure.

Valves

Structures in the heart and veins that prevent the backflow of blood.

Pulmonary circuit

The part of the double circulatory system that moves blood between the heart and lungs.

Systemic circuit

The part of the double circulatory system that moves blood between the heart and the rest of the body.

Arteries

Blood vessels with thick muscular and elastic walls that carry blood away from the heart at high pressure.

Veins

Blood vessels with valves and thinner walls that carry blood towards the heart at lower pressure.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels with walls one cell thick to allow for efficient exchange of substances.

Haemoglobin

The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Platelets

Blood components that help the blood clot and prevent excessive blood loss.

Plasma

The liquid component of blood that transports cells, platelets, and nutrients.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protists.

Phagocytosis

The process by which white blood cells engulf and digest pathogens.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by white blood cells that bind specifically to antigens on pathogens.

Antitoxins

Substances produced by white blood cells to neutralise toxins produced by bacteria.

Vaccination

The introduction of a harmless form of a pathogen to stimulate the production of antibodies and memory cells.

Antibiotics

Medicines that kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing but do not work against viruses.

Photosynthesis

The process that converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose: $\text{carbon dioxide} + \text{water} \rightarrow \text{glucose} + \text{oxygen}$.

Aerobic respiration

The process of releasing energy from glucose using oxygen: $\text{glucose} + \text{oxygen} \rightarrow \text{carbon dioxide} + \text{water}$.

Anaerobic respiration

The release of energy from glucose without enough oxygen, producing lactic acid in animals.

Oxygen debt

The extra oxygen required after exercise to break down accumulated lactic acid.

Fermentation

Anaerobic respiration in plant and yeast cells, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.