Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 Key Vocabulary

100 vocabulary flashcards covering the major concepts, structures, processes and techniques outlined in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus (2023–2025).

Classification

Arranging organisms into groups based on shared features.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

Binomial system

International naming method giving each species a two-part Latin name showing genus and species.

Dichotomous key

A series of paired statements used to identify organisms by observable features.

DNA base sequencing

Comparing order of bases in DNA to determine evolutionary relationships.

Kingdom

The highest large taxonomic group; five recognised are animal, plant, fungus, prokaryote and protoctist.

Vertebrate

Animal with a backbone, e.g. mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

Arthropod

Invertebrate with jointed limbs and exoskeleton; includes insects, arachnids, crustaceans and myriapods.

Myriapod

Many-legged arthropod group containing centipedes and millipedes.

Insect

Arthropod with three body segments, six legs and usually one or two pairs of wings.

Arachnid

Eight-legged arthropod group containing spiders, scorpions and mites.

Crustacean

Aquatic arthropods such as crabs and shrimp, usually with two pairs of antennae.

Virus

Non-cellular particle consisting of genetic material inside a protein coat.

Cell wall

Rigid layer outside the cell membrane in plants, bacteria and fungi for support and protection.

Cell membrane

Partially permeable boundary controlling entry and exit of substances in all cells.

Nucleus

Organelle containing chromosomes and controlling cell activities.

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like site of many metabolic reactions within the cell.

Chloroplast

Plant organelle containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

Ribosome

Tiny cellular structure where proteins are synthesised.

Mitochondrion

Organelle that carries out aerobic respiration to release energy.

Vacuole

Fluid-filled sac for storage; large and permanent in plant cells.

Circular DNA

Single, looped chromosome found in bacterial cells.

Plasmid

Small circular DNA molecule in bacteria used in genetic engineering.

Diffusion

Net movement of particles from higher to lower concentration down a gradient.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water through a partially permeable membrane from high to low water potential.

Active transport

Movement of particles against a concentration gradient using energy and carrier proteins.

Turgor pressure

Outward push of the cell contents on the plant cell wall due to water uptake.

Plasmolysis

Shrinking of the cytoplasm away from the cell wall when plant cells lose water.

Enzyme

Protein that acts as a biological catalyst speeding up reactions without being changed.

Catalyst

Substance that increases reaction rate and remains unchanged at the end.

Active site

Region of an enzyme whose shape is complementary to its substrate.

Optimum temperature

Temperature at which an enzyme works at its fastest rate.

Photosynthesis

Process in which plants make carbohydrates from CO₂ and water using light energy.

Chlorophyll

Green pigment that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Nitrate ion

Mineral ion required for making amino acids in plants.

Magnesium ion

Mineral ion needed to build chlorophyll molecules in plants.

Xylem

Plant tissue transporting water and mineral ions and providing support.

Phloem

Plant tissue transporting sucrose and amino acids between sources and sinks.

Transpiration

Loss of water vapour from leaves through stomata.

Translocation

Movement of sucrose and amino acids in phloem from sources to sinks.

Heart

Muscular pump that drives blood through the circulatory system.

Artery

Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart under high pressure.

Vein

Blood vessel returning blood to the heart; contains valves and large lumen.

Capillary

Microscopic vessel with thin wall for exchange of substances between blood and tissues.

Red blood cell

Biconcave cell containing haemoglobin for oxygen transport.

White blood cell

Blood cell involved in defence by phagocytosis or antibody production.

Platelet

Cell fragment that helps blood to clot.

Pathogen

Disease-causing organism such as bacteria, viruses or fungi.

Antibody

Protein produced by lymphocytes that binds specifically to an antigen.

Vaccination

Introduction of antigens to stimulate immunity and produce memory cells.

Passive immunity

Short-term defence gained by receiving ready-made antibodies from another source.

Active immunity

Long-term defence produced by the body’s own antibody production after exposure to antigen.

Alveolus

Tiny air sac in the lung where gas exchange occurs.

Aerobic respiration

Chemical reactions breaking down nutrients with oxygen to release energy.

Anaerobic respiration

Energy-releasing breakdown of nutrients without oxygen; yields less energy.

Oxygen debt

Extra oxygen required after exercise to oxidise lactic acid.

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney where filtration and urine formation occur.

Deamination

Removal of the nitrogen-containing part of amino acids to form urea.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a constant internal environment in an organism.

Hormone

Chemical messenger produced by glands and transported in blood to target organs.

Adrenaline

Hormone secreted in ‘fight or flight’ situations increasing heart and breathing rates.

Insulin

Pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose concentration.

Glucagon

Pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose concentration.

Auxin

Plant hormone that stimulates cell elongation and controls tropisms.

Antibiotic

Drug that kills or inhibits bacteria but not viruses.

Asexual reproduction

Production of genetically identical offspring from one parent.

Sexual reproduction

Fusion of gamete nuclei to form a zygote producing genetically diverse offspring.

Gamete

Haploid sex cell (sperm or egg) involved in sexual reproduction.

Pollination

Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma of a flower.

Fertilisation

Fusion of male and female gamete nuclei.

Placenta

Organ connecting fetus to mother for exchange of nutrients, gases and wastes.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone responsible for secondary sexual characteristics.

Oestrogen

Female sex hormone involved in secondary sexual characteristics and menstrual cycle.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Disease spread primarily through sexual contact.

Gene

Length of DNA that codes for a specific protein.

Allele

Alternative form of a gene occupying the same locus.

Mitosis

Nuclear division producing genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair.

Meiosis

Reduction division producing haploid gametes that are genetically different.

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism in terms of the alleles present.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics of an organism.

Dominant allele

Allele expressed in the phenotype if present.

Recessive allele

Allele expressed only when no dominant allele is present.

Codominance

Inheritance pattern in which both alleles contribute to the phenotype.

Sex linkage

Gene located on a sex chromosome causing traits to be more common in one sex.

Mutation

Random change in the DNA base sequence creating new alleles.

Natural selection

Process by which organisms better adapted to the environment reproduce more successfully.

Selective breeding

Human choice of parents with desirable traits to produce improved offspring.

Producer

Organism that makes its own organic nutrients by photosynthesis.

Consumer

Organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms.

Decomposer

Organism that gains energy from dead or waste organic matter.

Trophic level

Position of an organism in a food chain, web or ecological pyramid.

Carbon cycle

Circular movement of carbon through photosynthesis, respiration, feeding, decomposition and combustion.

Nitrogen cycle

Series of processes moving nitrogen through organisms and the environment, including fixation and nitrification.

Biodiversity

The variety of different species living in an area.

Eutrophication

Nutrient enrichment of water leading to algal bloom and oxygen depletion.

Sustainable resource

Resource produced as rapidly as it is removed so it does not run out.

Fermentation

Anaerobic respiration of microorganisms used in brewing, baking and biotechnology.

Fermenter

Large vessel providing controlled conditions for industrial microbial growth.

Genetic modification

Changing an organism’s DNA by removing, altering or inserting genes.

Recombinant plasmid

Plasmid DNA that has had foreign DNA inserted using enzymes for genetic engineering.