GCSE Biology and Physics: Plant Transport, Photosynthesis, Motion, and Forces

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering plant structures, photosynthesis, cellular transport mechanisms, scalar and vector quantities, and speed measurement in physics.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants and algae make their own food in the form of glucose using light energy from the sun.

Endothermic Reaction (in Photosynthesis)

A reaction that absorbs energy from light.

Photosynthesis Symbol Equation

$$6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2$$

Stomata

Tiny pores (holes) found on the surface of plant leaves that open during the day to allow carbon dioxide in and close at night to prevent water loss.

Guard Cells

A pair of cells surrounding each stoma that swell and become turgid when water enters by osmosis to open the pore, or become flaccid when water leaves to close it.

Limiting Factor

Any variable that is in the shortest supply and prevents photosynthesis from happening.

Denaturation (in Photosynthesis)

The process where enzymes involved in photosynthesis lose their functional structure when temperature is too high, preventing reactions from occurring.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules from a high concentration of water to a lower concentration of water through a partially permeable membrane.

Partially Permeable Membrane

A membrane that only allows water molecules to pass through, blocking most other substances.

Active Transport

The process by which cells move substances from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration, requiring energy.

Root Hair Cells

Specialised plant cells featuring long, thin membrane extensions that increase surface area for the absorption of water and minerals (such as nitrates) from the soil.

Mitochondria (in Root Hair Cells)

Organelles that provide the energy needed for active transport.

Scalar

A physical quantity that has magnitude (size) only, such as speed, mass, time, temperature, and energy.

Vector

A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as displacement, velocity, force, weight, acceleration, and momentum.

SI Unit

A standard unit of measurement belonging to the International System of Units, essential for working with physical quantities.

Distance

How far an object has travelled.

Displacement

How far an object has travelled in a straight line with no change in direction.

Speed

The rate of change of distance, possessing magnitude only.

Velocity

The rate of change of displacement, possessing both magnitude and direction.

Light Gates

Automated timing devices connected to a computer or timer that start and stop when an object breaks a beam, providing precise timing down to milliseconds or better.

Human Reaction Time (Measurement Error)

A delay when manually operating a stopwatch that can introduce timing errors of up to $0.2\,\text{s}$.

Typical Speed: Walking

$$1.5\,\text{m/s}$$

Typical Speed: Running

$$3.0\,\text{m/s}$$

Typical Speed: Cycling

$$6\,\text{m/s}$$

Typical Speed: Driving

$$12\,\text{m/s}$$

Typical Speed: Gale Force Wind

$$15\,\text{m/s}$$

Typical Speed: Train

$$60\,\text{m/s}$$

Typical Speed: Aeroplane

$$250\,\text{m/s}$$

Typical Speed: Sound

$$330\,\text{m/s}$$