EOY Year 9 Biology Assessment Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the Year 9 End of Year Biology assessment topics: B1 (Cells & Transport), B3 (Organisation & Digestion), B5 (Communicable Diseases), and B7 (Non-Communicable Diseases).

Eukaryotic cells

Cells that have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and genetic material (DNA) enclosed in a nucleus, such as animal and plant cells.

Prokaryotic cells

Smaller cells where genetic material is not enclosed in a nucleus, characterized by a single DNA loop and one or more rings of DNA called plasmids.

Plasmid

Small ring of DNA found in prokaryotic cells, often used as a vector in genetic modification.

Nucleus

Cell part that contains genetic material, which controls the activities of the cell.

Cytoplasm

The location where most chemical processes take place, controlled by enzymes.

Mitochondria

The site where most energy is released by respiration.

Ribosomes

The site within a cell where protein synthesis happens.

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plant cells that contain chlorophyll to absorb light energy for photosynthesis.

Resolution

The shortest distance between two objects that can be seen clearly.

Magnification

The number of times bigger the image looks compared to the actual object, calculated as $\text{Magnification} = \frac{\text{image size}}{\text{actual object size}}$.

Sperm cell

A specialized animal cell with a streamlined body and long tail for swimming, and an acrosome containing enzymes to digest the egg cell membrane.

Nerve cell

A specialized animal cell designed to carry electrical signals, featuring long fibers and branched connections.

Xylem

Plant tissue that carries water and minerals from roots to leaves in one direction through hollow tubes made of dead tissue toughened by lignin.

Phloem

Plant tissue that carries glucose in solution from leaves to growth and storage tissues through living tissue with end plates.

Translocation

The process by which glucose in solution moves through phloem from the leaves to the rest of the plant.

Diffusion

The spreading of particles in a gas or solution resulting in a net movement from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.

Active transport

The movement of substances from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution against a concentration gradient, requiring energy from respiration.

Tissue

A group of similar cells with a similar structure and function.

Organ

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

Enzyme

A biological catalyst made of proteins that increases the rate of chemical reactions without being used up.

Denaturation

The process where the active site of an enzyme changes shape due to extreme temperature or pH, preventing the substrate from fitting.

Amylase

A digestive enzyme released by salivary glands and the pancreas that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

Protease

A digestive enzyme released by the stomach and pancreas that breaks down proteins into amino acids.

Lipase

A digestive enzyme released by the pancreas that breaks down fats and oils (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol.

Bile

An alkaline substance made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder that neutralises hydrochloric acid and emulsifies fat.

Pathogen

Micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protists that cause infectious disease.

Binary fission

A form of cell division in bacteria where two identical cells are formed.

Zone of inhibition

The area on an agar plate where bacteria do not grow, indicating the effectiveness of an antiseptic or antibiotic.

Vector

An organism, such as a mosquito in the case of malaria, that passes on a pathogen without suffering from the disease itself.

Health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Carcinogen

A substance, such as tobacco smoke, or a form of radiation, such as UV rays, that can cause cancer.

Benign tumour

A growth of abnormal cells contained in one area, usually within a membrane, that does not invade other parts of the body.

Malignant tumour

A cancerous growth of abnormal cells that invades neighboring tissues and spreads to different parts of the body in the blood.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a group of lung diseases like bronchitis and emphysema that narrow airways and make breathing difficult.