Definitions and Concepts for Edexcel Biology GCSE

Topic 1: Key Concepts in Biology

Definitions in ​bold ​are for higher tier only

Definitions marked by ‘*’ are for separate sciences only

Acrosome​ - An organelle in the tip of a sperm that contains enzymes which digest the egg
cell membrane.

Active site​ - A specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction
takes place.

Active transport ​- The movement of substances from a low concentration to a higher

concentration (against the concentration gradient) across a membrane, with the use of
energy from respiration.

*Benedict’s test​ - A chemical test used to test for reducing sugars that produces a different
colour based on the amount of reducing sugar present.

*Biuret test​ - A chemical test that produces a purple colour when it is added to a solution
containing protein.

*Calorimetry​ - A method of measuring heat transfer during a chemical reaction.

Carbohydrases ​- Enzymes that break down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

Carbohydrate ​- A large molecule that is synthesised from simple sugars.

Cell ​- The basic building block of all living organisms.

Cell membrane​ - A partially permeable barrier that surrounds the cell.

Cell wall​ - An outer layer made of cellulose that strengthens plant cells.

Chloroplast​ - An organelle that is the site of photosynthesis.

Chromosome ​- A long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form
of genes.

Cilia ​- Hair-like structures found on ciliated epithelial cells which waft substances across the
surface of the tissue in one direction.

Ciliated epithelial cell​ - A type of epithelial cell that lines the surface of structures such as
the respiratory tract and uterus.
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Concentration gradient​ - The difference in concentration between two areas.

Denaturation​ - Upon exposure to high temperatures or extremes of pH, the permanent

change in the shape of an enzyme’s active site that prevents the binding of a substrate.

Diffusion ​- The net spreading out of particles from a high concentration to a lower
concentration (down their concentration gradient).

Diploid cell​ - A cell that contains two copies of each chromosome (i.e. a full set of
chromosomes).

Egg cell​ - A specialised female sex cell involved in reproduction.

Electron microscope​ - A type of microscope that uses a beam of electrons, focused using
magnets, to produce an image of a specimen. It has a greater magnification and resolution
than a light microscope.

*Emulsion test​ - A chemical test that produces a cloudy emulsion when performed on lipids.

Enzyme​ - A biological catalyst that increases the rate of reactions in living organisms.

Eukaryotic cell​ -​ ​A type of cell found in plants and animals that contains a nucleus.

Flagella​ - A long hair-like structure found on bacterial cells that is used for cell movement.

Haploid cell​ - A cell that contains a single copy of each chromosome (i.e. half the number of
chromosomes).

*Iodine test​ - A chemical test that produces a blue/black colour when iodine solution is
added to a sample containing starch.

Light microscope​ - A type of microscope that uses a series of lenses to magnify the visible
light reflecting off a specimen. It has a lower magnification and resolution than an electron
microscope.

Lipases​ - Enzymes that break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.

Lipid ​- A large molecule that is synthesised from fatty acids and glycerol.

Lock and key hypothesis ​-​ ​A theory that describes how substrates must be the correct
shape to fit the active site of an enzyme.

Magnification​ - The number of times bigger an image appears compared to the original
object, calculated using the formula:

image size = magnification × real size

Micrometre (µm) ​- A quantitative unit of length. One micrometre is equal to ×10​-6​ metre.

Millimetre (mm) ​- A quantitative unit of length. One millimetre is equal to ×10​-3​ metre.

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Mitochondria​ - An organelle that is the site of respiration.

Nanometre (nm) ​- A quantitative unit of length. One nanometre is equal to ×10​-9​ metre.

Nucleus​ - An organelle found in most eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material of
the cell and controls the activities of the cell.

Organelle​ - A specialised structure found inside a cell.

Osmosis ​- The diffusion of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a
region of lower water concentration across a partially permeable membrane.

Percentage change in mass​ - The proportion of the mass of a substance that has changed
over a set period, calculated using:

Picometre (pm) ​- A quantitative unit of length. One picometre is equal to ×10​-12​ metre.

Plasmid ​- Loops of DNA found in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cell ​- A type of cell found in bacteria that does not contain a nucleus.

Proteases​ - Enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids.

Protein ​- A large molecule that is synthesised from amino acids.

Rate of reaction ​- The speed at which reactants are converted into products.

Resolution​ - The smallest distance between two objects that can be distinguished.

Ribosomes​ - Sub-cellular structures that are the site of protein synthesis.

Specialised cell ​- A cell that has a structure which makes it adapted to its function.

Specificity​ - Describes the ability of an enzyme to catalyse only a particular reaction or set
of reactions in which a specific substrate fits the active site of the enzyme.

Sperm cell​ - A specialised male sex cell that is involved in reproduction.

Vacuole​ - An organelle found in plant cells which stores cell sap and supports the cell.

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