Chemical reaction A change in which existing substances (reactants) are altered to form new substances (products).

. Metabolism This refers to all the interrelated chemical reactions occurring within an organism that enable it to function normally. Catalyst A substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up. Specific This indicates that an enzyme is involved in changing the rate of only one chemical reaction. Co-factor/ co-enzyme A substance, usually a vitamin or mineral, that must be present for same enzymes to operate. Proteins Large, complex biological chemicals composed of amino acids. Proteins make up much of the structure of cells. Amino acids the building blocks of proteins. Lock and key model Used to explain the specificity of an enzyme. The enzyme and substrate fit together like a key in a lock. pH Measure of concentration of hydrogen ions within a substance, acidic, neutral or basic. Concentration the quantity of a substance present in another substance or a space. Denaturing The permanent change to the structure of an enzyme (or other chemical) so that it is no longer able to function in the current conditions. Saturation point the concentration of a substrate that fully occupies all the active sites of a given amount of enzyme. Homeostasis The maintenance of constant conditions in the internal environment of a multicellular organism. Internal environment This includes the physical, chemical and biological conditions inside an organism. Optimum The best possible. Nervous system this includes the brain, the spinal cord and nerves of an organism. Stimulus - A factor in the environment such as light that is detected by receptors. Receptor Responsible for collecting information around and inside the body.

Effector A structure that enables the body to respond for example muscles and glands. Response An action or change that the body initiates in response to a stimulus. Adaptation A feature that increases the chances that an organism will survive and reproduce in its environment. Endothermic The description of an organism that uses its internal metabolism to generate heat. Ectothermic The description of an organism that relies on behavioural adaptations to obtain heat from its environment. Ion A charged particle, such as sodium (Na+) or chlorine (Cl-). Polar A molecule that is more electrically positive in one part and more negatively charged in another. Interstitial fluid Also known as intercellular fluid, is the solution between cells in the living tissue. Diffusion the movement of any substance from an area where it is concentrated to an area where it is less concentrated due to the random movement of particles. Respiration A complex process in which energy is obtained from glucose with the use of oxygen and carbon dioxide and water are produced as wastes. Body fluids Solutions within a multicellular organism, e.g. blood and interstitial fluid. Buffering the ability of some solutions to maintain stable pH when either an acid or base is added. Nitrogenous Substances that are rich in nitrogen. Blood A solution of water, nutrients, wastes and other substances that is circulated through an organism. Plasma the liquid part of blood. Haemoglobin A type of coloured protein in a red blood cell that enables them to carry oxygen. It is rich in iron. Scale The comparison between the actual size of an object and its size in a drawing or diagram.

Arteries Muscular blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, (except the pulmonary artery). Veins Blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart that contain valves. Capillaries Very small blood vessels where substances are exchanged between blood and interstitial fluid. Valves Structures within veins (and the heart) that prevent the backward flow of blood. Lungs respiratory organs that enable organisms to breathe air. Alveoli Air filled bags within the lungs that are covered in fine blood capillaries. Nephron The tiny structure in a vertebrate kidney that removes wastes from the blood and produces urine. Villi These are hair like projections in the walls of the intestines that increase its surface area.