The movement of substances from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated solution (against a concentration gradient) with the use of energy from respiration
Adult stem cell
A type of stem cell that can form many types of cells
Agar jelly
A substance placed in petri dishes which is used to culture microorganisms on
Cell differentiation
The process where a cell becomes specialised to its function
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 which is the site of photosynthesis
Chromosomes
DNA structures that are found in the nucleus which are made up of genes
Concentration gradient
The difference in concentration between two areas
Diffusion
The spreading out of the particles of any substance in solution, or particles of a gas, resulting in a net movement from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
Embryonic stem cell
A type of stem cell that can differentiate into most types of human cells
Eukaryotic cell
A type of cell found in plants and animals that contains a nucleus
Magnification
How much bigger an image appears compared to the original object
Meristematic cells
A type of stem cell that can differentiate into any type of plant cell
Mitochondria
An organelle which is the site of respiration
Mitosis
A type of cell division which produces two genetically identical daughter cells from one parent cell
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 from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane
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
Resolution
The ability to distinguish two different points in a specimen
Specialised cells
Cells that are adapted to perform a specific function
Stem cell
An undifferentiated cell that can divide to produce many specialised cells of the same type
Surface area
The amount of contact an object has with its environment
Surface area to volume ratio (SA:V)
The size of the object compared with the amount of area where it contacts its environment
The cell cycle
A series of stages preparing the cell for division
Therapeutic cloning
Producing an embryo that has the same genes as a patient
Vacuole
An organelle that stores cell sap
Amylase
An enzyme produced in the salivary glands and pancreas that breaks carbohydrates down into simple sugars
Aorta
The main artery that takes oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body
Artery
A blood vessel that carries blood at high pressure away from the heart
Benign tumour
An abnormal cell growth that is contained within one area and does not invade other areas of the body
Bile
A substance made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder which is used to neutralise stomach acid in the intestine and emulsify fats
Blood
A tissue containing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma
Cancer
A non-communicable disease caused by changes in the cell that lead to uncontrolled growth and division
Capillary
A very thin blood vessel that is used for exchange of substances
Cell
The basic building block of all living organisms
Communicable disease
A disease that can be spread between individuals either directly or indirectly
Coronary heart disease
A disease caused by the buildup of fatty deposits inside the coronary artery, narrowing it and reducing blood flow to the heart tissue