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Glossary of key terms

Every key term covered across the KS3 Biology and Geography lessons on this site, in one place. 288 terms so far — more get added as lesson files are updated.

2

2D model: A flat, two-dimensional representation, such as a textbook diagramCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions

3

3D model: A three-dimensional representation showing length, width and depthCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions

A

Abrasion: An erosion process where the sea uses waves to fire sand, shingle, pebbles, and boulders straight at the cliff face like sandpaperCovered in: Coastal Erosion
Absorption: Moving nutrients from the digestive system into the bloodCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients
Adaptation: Learning to live with the effects of climate change, such as building flood defencesCovered in: Climate Change · Multicellular and Unicellular Organisms · Plant Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Adult stem cells: Unspecialized cells found in specific regions of children and adults that can only differentiate into a limited number of related cell typesCovered in: Stem Cells in Animals
Agriculture: Using land to raise animals or grow cropsCovered in: Agriculture and Habitat Loss
Air mass: An enormous body of air that acquires specific temperature and moisture characteristics based on where it formedCovered in: The UK's Climate
Altitude: The height of land above sea level, which significantly influences local weather patterns and rainfallCovered in: The UK's Climate · World Climate Zones
Amino acids: The small building blocks released when proteins are digestedCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Anther: The part of mission-critical male organ (stamen) that produces and stores pollenCovered in: Flower Structure
Anthropocene: A proposed new geological epoch where human activity has become the dominant force shaping Earth's climate, ecosystems, and geologyCovered in: What is the Anthropocene?
Antibiotics: Drugs that target and destroy bacteria specifically, ineffective against virusesCovered in: Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Aquifers: Underground water sources that can be affected by over-extractionCovered in: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
Atmosphere: The layer of gases that wraps around our entire planet, providing oxygen and protecting us from spaceCovered in: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
Attrition: A process where loose rocks and pebbles being churned around in the waves smash into each other, getting smaller, rounder, and smoother (does not touch the cliff)Covered in: Coastal Erosion
Axis tilt: The angle at which the Earth is tilted as it orbits the sun, which is the direct cause of the seasonCovered in: Weather and Climate

B

Backwash: The movement of water pulling back down a beach toward the sea under the force of gravityCovered in: Waves and Tides
Beach: The area of land lying between the high tide mark and the low tide markCovered in: The UK Coastline
Behavioural Differences: Behavioural differences are about what animals do, such as when they are active, migration, hibernation, predation, and what they eatCovered in: Classification and Species
Bile: A substance produced by the liver that breaks fats into tiny droplets so they can mix with watery bloodCovered in: The Human Digestive System
Binomial Name: A unique two-part Latin name for every species made up of its genus followed by its speciesCovered in: Classification and Species
Biodiversity: The range of different species living in an ecosystemCovered in: Agriculture and Habitat Loss · Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
Biomass: The total mass of living biological organisms in a given area, full of carbon-based molecules built from glucoseCovered in: Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles
Biosphere: Every living thing on the planet, including plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, and their ecosystemsCovered in: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
Birth rate: The number of live births per thousand people per yearCovered in: Our Global Population
Blood: A liquid that transports nutrients and waste around the bodyCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients
Blue Zones: Specific places on Earth where living to a hundred is genuinely normal due to shared lifestyle habitsCovered in: Good and Ill Health
Bone marrow: The soft, jelly-like living tissue inside bones packed with stem cells that constantly produce new blood cellsCovered in: Stem Cells in Animals
Boreal forest: Also known as taiga, a cold-climate evergreen forest found exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere near the polesCovered in: The Forests of the World
Butler's model: A geographical framework illustrating the seven stages a tourist destination typically experiences over timeCovered in: Introduction to Tourism

C

C. difficile: A bacterium that can infect woundsCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System
Carbohydrate: A food molecule made of sugars joined together, used for energyCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion · Plant Nutrition
Carbon cycle: The constant movement of carbon between the atmosphere, living organisms, the soil, and deep undergroundCovered in: Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles
Carbon storage: The locking away of carbon inside trees absorbed during photosynthesis, helping to reduce atmospheric global warmingCovered in: The Forests of the World
Carnivore: Eats only other animalsCovered in: Classification and Species
Cave, arch, and stack: Sequential coastal landforms created as hydraulic action and abrasion carve through headlands, leading to collapsing roofs and isolated stone pillarsCovered in: Coastal Erosion
Cell membrane: Surrounds the cell and controls what substances enter and leave itCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions
Cell Wall: The outer structure that gives bacteria their shape and protects themCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System · Plant Cell Structures and Their Functions
Cellular respiration: The process plants use to break down their carbohydrate food to release stored energyCovered in: Plant Nutrition
Chemical digestion: Using chemicals to break large food molecules into smaller onesCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Chlorophyll: The green substance inside chloroplasts that absorbs light energyCovered in: Plant Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Chloroplast: A cell structure found in plant leaves packed to trap sunlight for photosynthesisCovered in: Multicellular and Unicellular Organisms · Photosynthesis · Plant Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Churning: The stomach squeezing and turning food over to break it into smaller piecesCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Circulatory system: The heart and the blood vessels that blood moves throughCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients
Clark Fisher Model: A model that explains how countries change their employment structures and move through pre-industrial, industrial, and post-industrial phases over timeCovered in: Types of Industry
Class: The third level down in classification, where an animal like a lion is classified as a mammalCovered in: Classification and Species
Classification: The process of sorting organisms into groups based on their featuresCovered in: Classification and Species
Cliff: A massive vertical rock face formed when waves crash against hard rock over thousands of yearsCovered in: The UK Coastline
Climate: The average weather conditions of a place taken over a long period of time, usually 30 years or moreCovered in: Weather and Climate
Climate change: A large-scale and long-term shift in Earth's climate, including weather patterns and average temperaturesCovered in: Climate Change
Climate graph: A visual chart that displays two sets of data at once—temperature (using a red line and the left y-axis) and precipitation (using blue bars and the right y-axis) for each month of the yearCovered in: Weather and Climate
Climate zone: A large band of the planet sharing roughly the same long-term climate characteristics, arranged in neat belts running east to westCovered in: World Climate Zones
Closed system: A system where no new matter enters and none leaves, meaning the global amount of water remains constant and is endlessly recycledCovered in: The Water Cycle
Coastal erosion: The wearing away and breaking down of rock, soil, and sediment at the coast by the action of the sea, followed by the movement of that broken materialCovered in: Coastal Erosion
Coastline: The boundary where solid ground meets the sea or oceanCovered in: The UK Coastline
Colonisation: When a country is ruled by another nation that imposes its own laws, language, culture, and religionCovered in: Globalisation: An Introduction
Competition: When organisms compete for food and space to liveCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System
Concentration gradient: The difference in concentration between two areasCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients
Condensation: The process where water vapour cools down in the atmosphere and turns back into liquid water dropletsCovered in: The Water Cycle
Constructive waves: Waves with a strong swash and a weak backwash that deposit material and build beaches up over timeCovered in: Waves and Tides
Consumer: An organism that gets its energy by eating producers or other consumersCovered in: Plant Nutrition
Crust: The thinnest and coolest outermost layer of Earth ranging from zero to 65 kilometres thick where continents and oceans are foundCovered in: Inside Earth
Cytoplasm: The jelly-like substance inside a cell where chemical reactions take placeCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions · Bacteria in the Digestive System

D

De-industrialisation: The process of social and economic change where a country or region moves away from manufacturing and secondary industries toward servicesCovered in: Types of Industry
Death rate: The number of deaths per thousand people per yearCovered in: Our Global Population
Deciduous: Loses its leaves in autumnCovered in: Classification and Species
Deforestation: Removing forest land to use for farming, housing, or industryCovered in: Agriculture and Habitat Loss · Climate Change
Densely populated: A description for an area where a large number of people live packed closely together, such as in towns and citiesCovered in: Population Density
Desertification: When land gradually turns into a desert because it becomes too hot and dry to support plantsCovered in: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
Destructive waves: Waves with a weak swash and a very strong backwash that drag material away and cause coastal erosionCovered in: Waves and Tides
Differentiation: The process where an unspecialized stem cell changes into a specialized cell with a specific function by switching genes on or offCovered in: Stem Cells in Animals
Diffusion: The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentrationCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients
Digestion: Breaking large pieces of food down into small ones, by mechanical and chemical processesCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients · Bacteria in the Digestive System · Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Digestive system: A roughly nine-metre-long tube running through the body that breaks food down into tiny nutrients small enough to enter the bloodCovered in: The Human Digestive System
Disease: A persistent deviation from your normal appearance, the way your body functions, or how you behaveCovered in: Good and Ill Health · Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Distribution: How something is spread out across a geographic areaCovered in: Natural Resources and the Economy in the Middle East · Natural Resources
Diverse society: A society with a wide variety of people, religions, and cultures living side by sideCovered in: Globalisation: An Introduction
DNA: The genetic information that gives instructions for a cell's activitiesCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions · Bacteria in the Digestive System
Domestic tourism: Travel for leisure where individuals visit destinations within their own countryCovered in: Introduction to Tourism
Drainage basin: A smaller area of land that collects and drains water into a single main riverCovered in: The Water Cycle

E

E. coli: A bacterium that can cause food poisoningCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System
Economic diversification: Adding variety or changing an economy to avoid relying on a single resource or industryCovered in: Natural Resources and the Economy in the Middle East
Economy: The way a country produces, uses, and manages money, jobs, goods, and servicesCovered in: Natural Resources and the Economy in the Middle East
Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their environmentCovered in: Agriculture and Habitat Loss
Embryonic stem cells: Master stem cells found in early embryos with unlimited potential to become any type of cell in the bodyCovered in: Stem Cells in Animals
Enhanced greenhouse effect: When human activities release extra greenhouse gases, making the blanket around Earth thicker and trapping more heatCovered in: Climate Change · Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles
Environmental geography: The study of the relationships between people and the environment, focusing on human impacts like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and sustainabilityCovered in: What is Geography?
Enzyme: A biological catalyst that speeds up digestionCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System · Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Epoch: The smallest unit of geological time on the official timescaleCovered in: What is the Anthropocene?
Equatorial zone: A hot and wet climate zone located right along the Equator, home to tropical rainforestsCovered in: World Climate Zones
Evaluation: Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a model to see how it could be improvedCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions
Evaporation: The process where the sun heats water on the ocean or land surface, turning it from a liquid into a gas (water vapour) that rises into the atmosphereCovered in: The Water Cycle
Evergreen: A plant that keeps its leaves all yearCovered in: Classification and Species
Excretion: The removal of waste substances produced by chemical reactions inside an organism's cellsCovered in: The 7 Life Processes (MRS GREN)
Exploration stage: The initial phase of a resort's lifecycle where only a small number of adventurous visitors discover the locationCovered in: Introduction to Tourism
Export: Selling goods or services to other countriesCovered in: Natural Resources and the Economy in the Middle East

F

Family: The fifth level down in classification, where a lion sits in Felidae, the cat familyCovered in: Classification and Species
Family planning: Access to contraception and education that allows people to choose when and whether to have childrenCovered in: Our Global Population
Fatty acids and glycerol: The two small products released when a fat is digestedCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Fertile: Can produce offspring that can also reproduceCovered in: Classification and Species
Fetch: The distance a wave has travelled across open water before reaching the shore, which directly influences wave sizeCovered in: Waves and Tides
Filament: The thin stalk that supports the antherCovered in: Flower Structure
Food security: Having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious foodCovered in: Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles
Fossil fuels: Fuels like coal, oil, and gas that release trapped carbon dioxide when burnedCovered in: Climate Change

G

Gametes: Sex cells that carry half the genetic information of a parent plantCovered in: Flower Structure
Genus: The sixth level down in classification, which is the first part of a binomial nameCovered in: Classification and Species
Geosphere: The solid parts of Earth, including the crust, mantle, core, rocks, soil, mountains, and landformsCovered in: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
Glacials: Periods of freezing cold where ice covered huge parts of the planetCovered in: Climate Change
Global city: A major urban center at the top of the settlement hierarchy, such as London, New York, or Tokyo, that shapes global business and cultureCovered in: The Growth of Cities
Global cooling: When Earth's temperatures dropCovered in: Climate Change
Global warming: When Earth's temperatures riseCovered in: Climate Change
Globalisation: The process of the world becoming more interconnected, where places, people, and businesses are linkedCovered in: Globalisation: An Introduction
Glucose: A single small sugar molecule, small enough to be absorbed into the bloodCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion · Photosynthesis
Great Acceleration: A proposed start date for the Anthropocene in the 1950s following WWII, marked by a population surge, mass plastic production, and radioactive fallout from nuclear testsCovered in: What is the Anthropocene?
Greenhouse gases: Gases like carbon dioxide, water vapour, and methane that form a layer around Earth and trap heatCovered in: Climate Change
Groundwater: Water that is stored deep underground in rock layers or moving slowly toward rivers and the seaCovered in: The Water Cycle
Gut Flora: Bacteria living in your digestive systemCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System

H

Habitat: The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other living organismCovered in: The Forests of the World
Health: A whole range between "well" and "sick" that can shift from one day to the next rather than a simple switchCovered in: Good and Ill Health
Herbivore: Eats only plantsCovered in: Classification and Species
Heredity: The biological process of passing features from parents down to their offspring through reproductionCovered in: Heredity
Holocene: The current official geological epoch that began about twelve thousand years ago after the end of the last ice age, marked by a warm and stable climateCovered in: What is the Anthropocene?
Human factors: Man-made or societal influences such as job opportunities and transport networks that affect settlement patternsCovered in: Population Density
Human geography: The study of how societies, cultures, populations, economics, migration, and cities differ around the worldCovered in: What is Geography?
Hydraulic action: A physical erosion process where a wave slams into a cliff, trapping and violently compressing air inside rock cracks until they widen and breakCovered in: Coastal Erosion
Hydrochloric acid: A strong chemical secreted by the stomach to break apart food and kill harmful germsCovered in: The Human Digestive System
Hydrological cycle: The continuous movement of water between the ocean, land, rivers, and atmosphere driven by the sun and gravityCovered in: The Water Cycle
Hydrosphere: All the water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, groundwater, and water vapourCovered in: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems

I

Ice cores: Cylinders of ice extracted from sheets in Greenland and Antarctica containing air bubbles that show ancient atmospheresCovered in: Climate Change
Identical twins: The single exception to sibling variation who inherit the exact same combination of features and look the same as each otherCovered in: Heredity
Import: Buying goods or services from other countriesCovered in: Natural Resources and the Economy in the Middle East · Natural Resources
Industrial Revolution: A proposed start date for the Anthropocene during the late 1700s when factories emerged and carbon dioxide emissions spiked from coal burningCovered in: What is the Anthropocene?
Industrialisation: The turning point starting around the mid-1700s where factories and mass production grew, driven by fossil fuelsCovered in: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
Infectious disease: A disease caused by a pathogen that can be passed from one organism to anotherCovered in: Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Infertile: Cannot reproduceCovered in: Classification and Species
Infiltration: The process where water soaking down from the ground surface enters the soilCovered in: The Water Cycle
Inherited features: Characteristics passed down from parents to offspring, which can be visible (like eye colour or hair type) or invisible (internal processes)Covered in: Heredity
Inner core: The innermost layer of Earth made of solid iron and nickel, reaching temperatures of around 5,500°C due to intense pressureCovered in: Inside Earth
Insoluble: A substance that will not dissolve in a liquidCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients · Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Interception: The process where leaves, branches, and roots catch and slow down falling raindrops to prevent rapid floodingCovered in: The Forests of the World · The Water Cycle
Interconnected: When two or more things are linked to each other and have an impact on each otherCovered in: Globalisation: An Introduction
Interglacials: Periods of warmth where the ice melted awayCovered in: Climate Change
International tourism: Travel where tourists cross national borders to visit other countriesCovered in: Introduction to Tourism

K

Kingdom: The largest group in the seven levels of the scientific classification systemCovered in: Classification and Species

L

Large intestine: The organ responsible for pulling water back out of unabsorbed waste to firm it up before it reaches the rectumCovered in: The Human Digestive System
Latitude: The measurement of how far north or south a location is from the Equator, in degreesCovered in: The UK's Climate · World Climate Zones
Life cycle: The series of stages an organism passes through from its earliest beginnings, such as a seed or egg, through to adulthood and reproductionCovered in: The 7 Life Processes (MRS GREN)
Lipid: The scientific name for a fat, used by the body for storage and energyCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Lithosphere: The hard, rigid outer layer of Earth formed by the combination of the upper mantle and the crustCovered in: Inside Earth
Living Organisms: Bacteria are alive, just like you and ICovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System
Locational knowledge: Knowing where specific places, countries, and physical features are located across the worldCovered in: What is Geography?

M

Mantle: Earth's thickest layer at 2,900 kilometres, composed mostly of solid rock with a tiny fraction that flows slowly over long periodsCovered in: Inside Earth
Mechanical digestion: Physically breaking food into smaller pieces without changing it chemicallyCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Megacity: An urban area with a total population of ten million or more peopleCovered in: The Growth of Cities
Mental health: How you feel, think, and act, covering your emotions, ability to organise thoughts, and social connectionsCovered in: Good and Ill Health
Microorganism: A very small organism that can only be seen with a microscopeCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System
Milankovitch cycles: Changes in Earth's orbit from circular to oval and back again that cause temperature swingsCovered in: Climate Change
Minerals: Nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium absorbed from the soil (often mistaken for "plant food," but act more like vitamins for health rather than an energy source)Covered in: Plant Nutrition
Mitigation: Taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as switching to renewable energyCovered in: Climate Change
Mitochondria: Use food and oxygen as fuel to release energy for the cell through respirationCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions
Mitosis: The process of cell division where one cell splits into two identical copiesCovered in: Stem Cells in Animals
Model: A simpler representation of something complex, used to explain difficult ideasCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions
Mrs Gren: An acronym representing the seven vital life processes: Movement, Reproduction, Sensitivity, Growth, Respiration, Excretion, and NutritionCovered in: The 7 Life Processes (MRS GREN)
Multicellular organism: A living thing made of many specialized cells working togetherCovered in: Multicellular and Unicellular Organisms

N

Natural decrease: When the death rate is higher than the birth rate, causing the population to shrinkCovered in: Our Global Population
Natural increase: When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, causing the population to grow naturallyCovered in: Our Global Population · The Growth of Cities
Natural resource: Anything that comes from the Earth without human influence that people can use, such as oil, gas, water, and mineralsCovered in: Natural Resources and the Economy in the Middle East · Natural Resources
Natural resource trap: A paradox where countries rich in valuable natural resources often struggle to develop economically due to inequality, neglected sectors, and foreign controlCovered in: Natural Resources
NEOM: A massive development project in Saudi Arabia featuring innovative regions like The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, and SindalahCovered in: Natural Resources and the Economy in the Middle East
Non-infectious disease: A disease that cannot be spread between people, typically caused by lifestyle factors or geneticsCovered in: Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Non-renewable resource: A resource that took millions or billions of years to form and cannot be replaced once it is used up, such as iron ore or coalCovered in: Natural Resources
Nucleus: Contains DNA, which stores the information that controls the cell's activitiesCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions · Heredity
Nutrients: Small, soluble substances released from food that the body can absorb and useCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients · Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Nutrition: The process of taking in food or nutrients to provide fuel and energy for all other life processesCovered in: The 7 Life Processes (MRS GREN)

O

Ocean current: An enormous river of water drifting across the oceans that shifts heat around the planet, warming or cooling nearby coastsCovered in: World Climate Zones
Oesophagus: The muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach that uses peristalsis to push food downwardCovered in: The Human Digestive System
Offshoring: The practice of moving manufacturing or business processes from high-income countries to lower-cost countries to increase profitsCovered in: Types of Industry
Offspring: New living organisms produced by parent organisms of the same speciesCovered in: Heredity
Omnivore: Eats both plants and animalsCovered in: Classification and Species
Open system: A system where matter can enter and leave, such as a local drainage basin where water enters via precipitation and leaves through riversCovered in: The Water Cycle
Order: The fourth level down in classification, where an animal like a lion is classified as a carnivoreCovered in: Classification and Species
Organ: A structure made of different tissues working together on a shared taskCovered in: Multicellular and Unicellular Organisms
Organ system: A group of organs working together to carry out a major job for the organismCovered in: Multicellular and Unicellular Organisms
Organism: Any individual living creature, plant, fungus, or microscopic single-celled life form capable of carrying out life processesCovered in: The 7 Life Processes (MRS GREN)
Outer core: A liquid metal layer surrounding the inner coreCovered in: Inside Earth
Ova: The female gametes (singular: ovum)Covered in: Flower Structure
Ovary: The base of the female reproductive structure that protects the developing seedsCovered in: Flower Structure
Ovules: Structures located inside the ovary where the female gametes (ova) are producedCovered in: Flower Structure

P

Pacific Ring of Fire: A tectonically active region around the Pacific Ocean containing two-thirds of the world's volcanoes and nine out of ten earthquakesCovered in: Inside Earth
Palisade cell: A specialized plant cell found near the top surface of leaves, densely packed with chloroplasts to absorb maximum sunlightCovered in: Plant Cell Structures and Their Functions
Pathogen: A microorganism that causes diseaseCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System · Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Percolation: The process where water sinks even deeper from the soil down into the solid rock layers belowCovered in: The Water Cycle
Peristalsis: Waves of muscular squeezing that push food along the digestive tract regardless of gravityCovered in: The Human Digestive System
Permanent vacuole: A large fluid-filled sac in the middle of a plant cell that stores water and cell sap, keeping the cell firmCovered in: Plant Cell Structures and Their Functions
Phloem: Specialized living transport cells that distribute sugary water and food from the leaves to all other parts of the plantCovered in: Plant Cell Structures and Their Functions
Photosynthesis: The chemical process used by green plants to manufacture food inside their leaves using light energyCovered in: Photosynthesis · Plant Nutrition
Phylum: The second level down in classification, which includes sorting animals by whether they have a backbone or notCovered in: Classification and Species
Physical Differences: Physical differences are things you can see, such as what an animal is covered in, whether it has a backbone or soft body, how many legs it has, and where its eyes are positionedCovered in: Classification and Species
Physical factors: Natural elements like climate, soil quality, water availability, and relief that influence where people liveCovered in: Population Density
Physical geography: The study of Earth's natural features and processes, including rivers, coasts, volcanoes, earthquakes, weather, climate, glaciers, and ecosystemsCovered in: What is Geography?
Physical health: The condition of your body, inside and out, including your heart, lungs, digestive system, and bonesCovered in: Good and Ill Health
Plasma: The straw-coloured liquid part of blood that nutrients dissolve intoCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients
Plate boundary: The region where two tectonic plates meet, associated with earthquakes and volcanic activityCovered in: Inside Earth
Polar zone: A cold and dry climate zone located near the top and bottom of the Earth around the polesCovered in: World Climate Zones
Population: The total number of people living in a specific area, such as a city, country, or the entire worldCovered in: Our Global Population
Population density: The number of people living in a set area, usually counted per square kilometreCovered in: Population Density
Population distribution: The pattern of how people are spread out across a geographic areaCovered in: Population Density
Population explosion: The rapid and dramatic acceleration of global population growth driven by sharply falling death rates after 1800Covered in: Our Global Population
Precipitation: Rainfall, snow, and hail falling from the sky as part of the water cycleCovered in: Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles · The Water Cycle · Weather and Climate
Primary industry: Economic activity that extracts raw materials directly from the Earth or sea, such as farming, fishing, forestry, and miningCovered in: Types of Industry
Producer: An organism that makes its own food rather than consuming other living thingsCovered in: Photosynthesis · Plant Nutrition
Producers: Organisms like plants that make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through photosynthesisCovered in: Flower Structure
Product: A new substance that is formed and comes out of a chemical reactionCovered in: Photosynthesis
Protein: A large food molecule made of amino acids joined together, used for growth and repairCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion

Q

Quaternary industry: A knowledge-based and high-tech sector focused on information technology, research and development, computing, and consultancyCovered in: Types of Industry

R

Rain shadow: A dry area on the leeward side of a mountainous region where air has already dropped most of its moistureCovered in: The UK's Climate
Rate of absorption: How quickly nutrients pass from the small intestine into the bloodCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients
Reactant: A substance that goes into a chemical reaction and is changed during the processCovered in: Photosynthesis
Reforestation: Planting trees back in areas where forests have been clearedCovered in: Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles
Rejuvenation stage: The potential final phase of Butler's model where a declining resort invests and reinvents itself to attract new crowdsCovered in: Introduction to Tourism
Relief rainfall: Precipitation that occurs when moist air coming off the ocean slams into high ground, is forced upwards, cools, and condenses into cloudsCovered in: The UK's Climate
Renewable resource: A natural resource that naturally replenishes itself over a relatively short time, such as solar energy or timberCovered in: Natural Resources
Reproduction: The process by which living things make new living things (offspring), serving as one of the seven life processes (MRS GREN)Covered in: Heredity
Resource curse: Another term for the natural resource trap, describing how abundant resources can lead to poor economic development and governanceCovered in: Natural Resources
Respiration: The process that releases energy from food and oxygenCovered in: Animal Cell Structures and Their Functions · The 7 Life Processes (MRS GREN)
Risk factors: Conditions or behaviours (such as smoking, high blood pressure, or obesity) that significantly increase the likelihood of developing a non-infectious diseaseCovered in: Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Root hair cell: A specialized underground plant cell with a long thin extension that massively increases surface area for water and mineral absorptionCovered in: Plant Cell Structures and Their Functions
Rural-to-urban migration: The movement of people from the countryside into towns and cities, driven by better job opportunities and transport linksCovered in: The Growth of Cities

S

Saliva: The liquid in the mouth containing chemicals that begin digesting foodCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Secondary industry: Economic activity that takes raw materials from primary industries and manufactures them into finished productsCovered in: Types of Industry
Sensitivity: The ability of a living organism to sense changes in its surroundings and respond to themCovered in: The 7 Life Processes (MRS GREN)
Settlement hierarchy: A ranking of settlements by population size and the range of services they offer, ranging from hamlets to global citiesCovered in: The Growth of Cities
Sexual reproduction: A method of reproduction involving two parent plants that contribute DNA through gametes to form a seedCovered in: Flower Structure
Shingle: Natural beach material made of smooth, round pebbles and stonesCovered in: The UK Coastline
Silk Road: An ancient network of trade routes starting around two thousand years ago that linked Asia to EuropeCovered in: Globalisation: An Introduction
Sixth mass extinction: The current rapid loss of plant and animal species driven primarily by human activities, habitat destruction, and climate changeCovered in: What is the Anthropocene?
Small intestine: A long, narrow tube where most digestion and all absorption take placeCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients
Soluble: A substance that dissolves in a liquidCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients · Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Solution: A chemical erosion process where weak acids in seawater and rainwater dissolve certain rocks like limestone and chalk into invisible dissolved mineralsCovered in: Coastal Erosion
Southern Hemisphere: The half of the Earth south of the Equator, where seasonal months are completely opposite to those in the Northern HemisphereCovered in: Weather and Climate
Sparsely populated: A description for an area where very few people are scattered across a large expanse, such as open countryside or desertsCovered in: Population Density
Species: A group of organisms with very similar features and genes that can reproduce with each other to produce fertile offspringCovered in: Classification and Species
Stamen: The male reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of the filament and the antherCovered in: Flower Structure
Starch: A large carbohydrate made of hundreds of sugar molecules joined in a chainCovered in: Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
Stem cells: Unspecialized cells that have the ability to divide and differentiate into various types of specialized cellsCovered in: Stem Cells in Animals
Stigma: The sticky part of the female reproductive organ that collects incoming pollen grainsCovered in: Flower Structure
Stomata: Tiny pores or openings on the surface of leaves through which plants absorb carbon dioxide from the airCovered in: Photosynthesis
Streptococcus pneumoniae: A bacterium that causes pneumoniaCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System
Style: The stalk that holds the stigma up in positionCovered in: Flower Structure
Sunspots: Dark spots on the sun's surface where it is slightly cooler, affecting how much energy the sun gives offCovered in: Climate Change
Surface area: The total area of the outside of a shape or surfaceCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients · Mechanical and Chemical Digestion · Plant Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Surface runoff: Water flowing downhill across the ground into rivers and eventually the oceansCovered in: Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles · The Water Cycle
Swash: The movement of water rushing up a beach toward the land when a wave breaksCovered in: Waves and Tides
Symptom: An unusual, persistent change away from your normal appearance, bodily function, or behaviourCovered in: Good and Ill Health

T

Tectonic plates: Large sections into which the lithosphere is brokenCovered in: Inside Earth
Temperate forest: A forest found in mid-latitude regions between the tropics and polar areas, experiencing distinct seasonal changesCovered in: The Forests of the World
Temperate maritime climate: A climate type characterized by moderate temperatures without extreme heat or cold, and constant moisture coming off the surrounding oceanCovered in: The UK's Climate · Weather and Climate
Temperate zone: A mild and damp climate zone located further from the Equator, which is where the United Kingdom sitsCovered in: World Climate Zones
Tertiary industry: Economic activity that provides services and sells goods rather than manufacturing physical products, such as healthcare, education, retail, and transportCovered in: Types of Industry
Tides: The regular, predictable rise and fall of sea levels every 12 hours caused by the gravitational pull of the MoonCovered in: Waves and Tides
Tissue: A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific jobCovered in: Multicellular and Unicellular Organisms
Topsoil: The light, nutrient-rich upper layer of soil that plants need to growCovered in: Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles
Tourism: Travel away from home for pleasure, serving as one of the largest global industries and economic driversCovered in: Introduction to Tourism · The UK Coastline
Transnational corporations: Large businesses that operate and run stores in many different countries at the same timeCovered in: Globalisation: An Introduction
Transpiration: The process where plants absorb water through their roots and release it back into the atmosphere through their leavesCovered in: Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles · The Water Cycle
Tree rings: Rings inside a tree trunk where wide rings show warm, wet years and narrow rings show cold, dry yearsCovered in: Climate Change
Tropical and desert zone: A hot and bone-dry zone sitting just outside the equatorial belt, home to the world's largest desertsCovered in: World Climate Zones
Tropical rainforest: A dense forest found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn characterized by year-round heat and heavy rainfallCovered in: The Forests of the World
Type two diabetes: A non-infectious disease where a person's body struggles to control blood sugar levels, linked to lifestyle and obesityCovered in: Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases

U

Unicellular: Made of one single cellCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System
Unicellular organism: A living thing made of a single cell that carries out all seven life processes by itselfCovered in: Multicellular and Unicellular Organisms
Urbanisation: The increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities compared to rural areasCovered in: The Growth of Cities

V

Variation: The differences between individual organisms of the same species, such as why siblings look like individuals rather than identical copiesCovered in: Heredity
Variegated plant: A plant with leaves containing pale or cream patches that have little to no chlorophyllCovered in: Plant Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Vertebrate: An animal that has a backboneCovered in: Classification and Species
Villi: Tiny finger-like folds in the lining of the small intestineCovered in: Absorption and Transport of Nutrients · The Human Digestive System
Vision 2030: Saudi Arabia's national strategy launched in 2016 aimed at economic diversification, major projects, and social reformsCovered in: Natural Resources and the Economy in the Middle East
Visitor economy: The overall financial boost and job creation driven by money spent by tourists in a local areaCovered in: The UK Coastline
Vitamin K: A vitamin produced by gut bacteria that your body needs but cannot makeCovered in: Bacteria in the Digestive System
Volcanic eruptions: A natural cause of climate change where volcanoes release ash that blocks sunlight and carbon dioxide that traps heatCovered in: Climate Change

W

Wave-cut notch: A hollow cut into the base of a cliff by erosion concentrated between high and low tideCovered in: Coastal Erosion
Wave-cut platform: A flat rocky ledge left behind at the base of a retreating cliff as it collapses and moves backwardsCovered in: Coastal Erosion
Waves: The movement of energy across water driven by wind blowing across the surface of the sea or oceanCovered in: Waves and Tides
Weather: The short-term, day-to-day condition of the atmosphere (such as whether it is sunny, rainy, or windy) that can change from hour to hourCovered in: Weather and Climate
World trade: The global exchange of goods and services across national bordersCovered in: Globalisation: An Introduction

X

Xylem: Specialized transport cells that form continuous hollow tubes composed of dead cells with thick walls to carry water upward from roots to leavesCovered in: Plant Cell Structures and Their Functions

Z

Zygote: A single, unspecialized cell formed when a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell during fertilizationCovered in: Stem Cells in Animals