Term | Definition |
ADH | Hormone which reduces loss of water in urine. |
Aerobic Respiration | Release of energy from food when oxygen is present. |
Allele | A version of a particular gene. |
Amylase | Enzyme which digests starch. |
Anaemia | Condition caused by lack of iron. |
Angina | Pain felt when flow restricted in coronary arteries. |
Antibiotics | Chemical produced by fungi which can kill bacteria. |
Antibodies | Produced by white cells to attack antigens. |
Antigens | Foreign chemicals, including protein, which trigger an immune response. |
Artery | Blood vessel which carries blood away from the heart. |
Atrium | Upper chamber of the heart. |
Capillaries | Minute blood vessels which form a network close to cells. |
Carbohydrase | Enzyme which digests carbohydrate. |
Carbohydrate | Sugar based food providing energy. |
Carcinogen | Chemicals which cause cancer. |
Cartilage | Smooth tissue which covers end of bones. |
Cataract | Clouding of the eye lens. |
Cell Surface Membrane | Surrounds cytoplasm and controls movement of materials in and out of the cell. |
Chemotherapy | Treatment using drugs. |
Chromosomes | Threads of genetic material in the nucleus. |
Cilia | Tiny hair like structures on surface of cells of airways. |
Ciliary Muscles | Muscles which alter the shape of the eye lens for focusing. |
Clotting | Process where blood cells are trapped in fibrin to form a clot. |
Clumping | Process where red blood cells stick together. NOT to be confused with clotting. |
Coeliac Disease | A condition where the immune system attacks gut lining, triggered by gluten. |
Constrict | Closing up or getting narrower. |
Cornea | Clear covering on eye. |
Coronary Artery | Artery that supplies heart muscle. |
Cystic Fibrosis | A genetic disorder where the person produces very sticky mucus. |
Cytoplasm | Region of cell in which most chemical reactions take place. |
Deamination | Breakdown of surplus amino acids. |
Denatured | Altered shape of an enzyme so it cannot work. |
Diabetes | Condition resulting in high blood sugar if not controlled. |
Differentiation | The process by which stem cells change to specialist cells. |
Diffusion | Net movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration. |
Digestive Juice | Juices containing enzymes, produced by the digestive system. |
Dilate | Open or get wider. |
DNA | Chemical which carries genetic code. |
Dominant | The characteristic which is shown when two different alleles are present. |
Effectors | Muscles or glands which respond to a stimuli. |
Emulsification | Breakdown of fat into droplets. |
Endocrine glands | Glands which secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. |
Enzyme | A biological catalyst made of protein. |
Epiglottis | Flap which covers opening of trachea when swallowing. |
Excretion | Removal of waste materials produced by cells. |
Fibre | Insoluble food material found in vegetables. |
Fibrin | Insoluble fibres which form a clot. |
Fibrinogen | A soluble blood protein which changes to fibrin in clotting. |
FSH | Follicle stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland. |
Gametes | Sex cells |
Gene | A section of DNA which codes for the production of protein. |
Genotype | The genes present to control a characteristic. |
Glucagon | Hormone produced by pancreas which causes an increase in blood sugar. |
Glucose | A simple sugar, the most common energy source used in respiration. |
Glycogen | An insoluble carbohydrate made from glucose molecules. |
Haemodialysis | Treatment of blood in dialysis machine. |
Haemoglobin | Protein and iron compound which carries oxygen. |
Heterozygous | The person has two different alleles for a characteristic, e.g. Aa |
Homeostasis | The process by which the body maintains a constant internal environment. |
Homozygous | The person has two identical alleles for a characteristics, e.g. aa or AA |
Hormone | A chemical messenger produced by endocrine glands. |
Hypothalamus | Region of brain containing temperature and pressure receptors. |
Insulin | Hormone produced by pancreas which causes a reduction in blood sugar. |
Lactic Acid | Chemicals produced in anaerobic respiration. |
Lens | Focuses light onto the retina. |
LH | Luteinising hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Stimulates follicle to burst and release the ovum. |
Ligaments | Strong bands of connective tissue which hold bones together. |
Lipase | Enzyme which digests lipids. |
Lipid | Fat based food used for insulation and energy storage. |
Lymphocyte | White blood cell which produce antibodies. |
Malnutrition | Too much or too little food or lack of one or more essential nutrients. |
Meiosis | Cell division which halves the number of chromosomes to make gametes. |
Metabolism | The chemical reactions which take place in the body. |
Microvilli | Folds on cells on surface of villi. |
Mineral | Essential inorganic compounds needed for healthy growth, e.g. sodium chloride. |
Mitochondria | Cell structures which release energy in aerobic respiration. |
Mitosis | Cell division which produces two identical cells. |
Motor Nerves | Nerves which carry impulses from the central nervous system to effectors. |
Mucus | Fluid produced by cells to lubricate body tubes. |
Mutation | Spontaneous change in a gene or chromosome. |
Nucleus | Cell structure containing chromosomes and controls cell activity. |
Oesophagus | The gullet, the pipe which carries food from mouth to stomach. |
Oestrogen | Hormone produced by ovary which builds up the uterus lining. |
Organ | A structure made from several tissues with a particular function. E.g. Heart |
Osmoregulation | Control of water. |
Osmosis | Net movement of water from a region of high concentration to low water concentration. |
Osteoporosis | A condition where the bone mass is reduced. |
Ovulation | Release of egg from the ovary. |
Pancreas | Gland which produces insulin, glucagon and digestive enzymes. |
Pathogens | Organisms which cause disease. |
Peristalsis | Waves of muscle contraction. |
Phagocyte | White blood cell which engulfs pathogens. |
Phenotype | The physical appearance of a characteristic. |
Pituitary | Endocrine gland at base of brain. |
Placenta | Barrier between blood of mother and fetus which allows materials to diffuse across. |
Plaque | Sticky layer on teeth containing bacteria. |
Plasma | The liquid part of the blood. |
Plasmid | Ring of DNA found in bacteria. |
Platelets | Cell fragments in blood needed for clotting. |
Progesterone | Hormone produced by ovary. |
Protease | Enzyme which digests protein. |
Protein | Food used for growth and repair. |
Puberty | The age when the secondary sexual characteristics develop. |
Radiotherapy | Treatment using radiation. |
Receptors | Structures which detect stimuli. |
Recessive | A characteristic which is masked when the dominant allele is present. |
Recipient | The person who receives blood or organ. |
Red blood cell | Blood cell containing haemoglobin. |
Reflex action | An automatic response to a stimulus. |
Respiration | Release of energy from food. |
Retina | Contains light sensitive cells. |
Ribosomes | Cell structures which make protein. |
Rickets | Condition caused by lack of vitamin D. |
Saliva | Alkaline fluid containing amylase. |
Salivary Glands | Glands in cheek and under tongue. |
Scurvy | Condition caused by lack of vitamin C. |
Sense organs | Organs which contain receptor cells to detect external stimuli. |
Sensory nerves | Nerves which carry impulses from receptors to the central nervous system. |
Sex Linked Gene | The gene is situated on the X chromosome. |
Solute | A substance that dissolves in water. |
Sperm | Male sex cell. |
Sprain | Damage to ligaments. |
Starvation | Lack of food. |
Strains | Damage to muscle. |
Suspensory Ligaments | Small 'strings' which are attached to the eye lens. |
Synovial fluid | A fluid which lubricates joints and reduces friction. |
Synovial Joint | Joints which contain synovial fluid and can move easily. |
System | A group of organs which a shared function. E.g. circulatory system. |
Tendon | Joins muscle to bone. |
Testosterone | Hormone produced by testis. |
Thermoregulation | Control of temperature. |
Thryoxin | Hormone produced by thyroid gland which controls metabolic rate. |
Thyroid | Endocrine gland in neck. |
Tissue | A group of similar cells. |
Transfusion | Transfer of blood or blood products to a patient. |
Tumour | An abnormal growth of cells. |
Urea | Chemical made from excess amino acids found in urine. |
Urine | Solution of urea, salts and other compounds. |
Valves | Flaps to prevent backflow in circulation. |
Vector | A carrier of disease - causing organisms. |
Veins | Blood vessels which carry blood to the heart. |
Ventricle | Lower chamber in heart. |
Villi | Folds on surface of gut lining. |
Vitamin | Nutrient needed in small quantities for healthy growth. |
Voluntary action | An action which involves thinking by the brain. |
White Blood Cell | Blood cell of the immune system. |
Zygote | The first cell produced when the sperm fertilises the egg. |