What is on this Cambridge International IGCSE Biology keywords and key terms list?

It is a topic-organised glossary of important biology terms with short, exam-style definitions aligned to Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) (0610). It is designed for “define”, “state”, “outline” and “explain” questions where precise vocabulary earns marks.

How should I use this Biology glossary alongside past papers?

Tick terms when you can recall them without reading the answer, then check your wording against mark schemes. Pair vocabulary practice with past papers for IGCSE Biology (0610) so you apply terms in context.

Is this the same as a revision checklist or a formula sheet?

No. Revision checklists help you track which syllabus topics you have covered and your confidence—separate pages on Tutopiya. Formula sheets summarise equations and quantitative relationships. This page is only a definitions and key-terms glossary for Biology.

Can I download this Biology keywords and key terms list for free?

Yes. After a quick free sign-up you can download a UTF-8 CSV (opens in Excel or Google Sheets) or open a print-friendly page and save as PDF. Browsing the list on the page is free.

Is this Biology list aligned to the 0610 specification?

Topic groupings and wording follow Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) for Cambridge International IGCSE. Always confirm final learning objectives and any regional options in your official specification and recent examiner reports for your exam session.

Why focus on definitions instead of full notes?

Mark schemes reward correct technical terms and clear links between ideas. A compact glossary lets you drill the exact language examiners expect for Biology at IGCSE, separate from longer notes or topic trackers.

Biology (0610) Keywords & Key Terms — Definitions Glossary | IGCSE Cambridge International

Topic	Level	Keyword	Definition
Characteristics of living organisms	Essential	Movement	Living things move or move parts of themselves (animals, plants in growth).
Characteristics of living organisms	Essential	Respiration	Release energy from nutrients — not the same as breathing.
Characteristics of living organisms	Essential	Sensitivity	Detect and respond to stimuli (internal or external).
Characteristics of living organisms	Essential	Growth	Permanent increase in size or cell number.
Characteristics of living organisms	Essential	Reproduction	Produce offspring of the same species.
Characteristics of living organisms	Essential	Excretion	Remove metabolic waste and toxic substances.
Characteristics of living organisms	Essential	Nutrition	Obtain and use food for energy and materials.
Characteristics of living organisms	Core	Metabolism	Sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.
Cell structure & microscopy	Essential	Cell	Basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.
Cell structure & microscopy	Essential	Unicellular	Organism made of a single cell.
Cell structure & microscopy	Essential	Multicellular	Organism made of many cells, often specialised.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Cytoplasm	Jelly-like substance where many reactions occur; contains organelles.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Cell membrane	Partially permeable barrier around cytoplasm; controls what enters and leaves.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Cell wall (plants)	Outer wall of plant cells made of cellulose — strength and support.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Nucleus	Contains genetic material (DNA) on chromosomes; controls cell activities.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Mitochondria	Organelles where aerobic respiration occurs — release usable energy.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Chloroplast	Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs — contain chlorophyll.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Ribosome	Site of protein synthesis.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Vacuole (plant)	Large permanent vacuole containing cell sap — support and storage.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Organelle	Membrane-bound structure with a specific function inside a cell.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Prokaryotic cell	Simple cell without a nucleus (e.g. bacteria) — DNA in a loop.
Cell structure & microscopy	Core	Eukaryotic cell	Cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Cell structure & microscopy	Advanced	Magnification	Image size ÷ real size (same units).
Cell structure & microscopy	Advanced	Resolution	Ability to distinguish two points as separate — finer detail.
Movement across membranes & transport	Core	Diffusion	Net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to lower concentration.
Movement across membranes & transport	Core	Osmosis	Net movement of water through a partially permeable membrane from dilute to more concentrated solution.
Movement across membranes & transport	Core	Active transport	Movement of substances against a concentration gradient using energy (often ATP).
Movement across membranes & transport	Core	Facilitated diffusion	Diffusion through membrane proteins — still down a concentration gradient.
Movement across membranes & transport	Core	Partially permeable membrane	Allows some substances through but not others.
Movement across membranes & transport	Advanced	Surface area to volume ratio	Smaller cells have relatively larger SA:V — improves diffusion efficiency.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Essential	Enzyme	Biological catalyst — usually a protein; speeds reactions without being used up.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Active site	Region where the substrate binds and reaction occurs.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Substrate	Molecule the enzyme acts on.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Product	Molecule(s) formed.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Catalyst	Speeds a reaction; unchanged at the end of the reaction.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Denatured	Permanent change in enzyme shape — active site no longer fits substrate.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Advanced	Optimum temperature	Temperature at which enzyme activity is highest — too high denatures.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Optimum pH	pH at which enzyme activity is highest.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Carbohydrate	Energy source and structural role — e.g. starch, cellulose, glucose.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Protein	Made of amino acids; enzymes, structural roles, transport in blood.
Enzymes & biological molecules	Core	Lipid	Fats and oils — energy store, insulation, cell membranes.
Transport in plants	Essential	Xylem	Dead hollow tubes (vessels) — transports water and mineral ions upward from roots.
Transport in plants	Core	Phloem	Living tissue — transports sugars (assimilates) to growing and storage regions.
Transport in plants	Core	Transpiration	Loss of water vapour from leaves through stomata; pulls water up xylem.
Transport in plants	Core	Translocation	Movement of sugars in phloem.
Transport in plants	Core	Stomata	Pores in leaf surface — gas exchange and water loss.
Transport in plants	Core	Guard cells	Control opening and closing of stomata.
Transport in plants	Advanced	Root hair cell	Large surface area and thin wall — efficient water uptake by osmosis.
Human transport & gas exchange	Essential	Artery	Thick muscular elastic wall; carries blood away from heart at high pressure.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	Vein	Thinner wall; valves; carries blood toward heart at lower pressure.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	Capillary	Thin wall, narrow — site of exchange between blood and tissues.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	Double circulation	Blood passes through heart twice per circuit — pulmonary and systemic.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	Haemoglobin	Protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	Plasma	Liquid part of blood — transports dissolved substances.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	Red blood cell	Biconcave; contains haemoglobin; no nucleus in humans.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	White blood cell	Defence — phagocytosis, antibody production.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	Platelets	Blood clotting.
Human transport & gas exchange	Core	Alveolus	Air sac in lungs — large surface area, thin walls, moist — gas exchange.
Human transport & gas exchange	Advanced	Ventilation	Breathing in and out — maintains concentration gradients for O₂ and CO₂.
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Stimulus	Change detected by a receptor.
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Receptor	Detects stimulus (e.g. skin, eye).
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Effector	Produces response (muscle or gland).
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Neurone	Nerve cell — transmits electrical impulses.
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Synapse	Junction between two neurones — chemical neurotransmitter.
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Reflex arc	Automatic rapid response — receptor → sensory neurone → relay → motor neurone → effector.
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Hormone	Chemical messenger produced by endocrine gland; transported in blood.
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Homeostasis	Maintenance of a stable internal environment.
Coordination & homeostasis	Core	Insulin / glucagon	Hormones regulating blood glucose (overview).
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Essential	DNA	Double helix molecule carrying genetic instructions.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Essential	Chromosome	Thread-like structure of DNA and protein — carries genes.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Essential	Gene	Length of DNA coding for a protein (or functional RNA).
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Essential	Allele	Alternative form of a gene at the same locus.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Genotype	Alleles an organism carries.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Phenotype	Observable characteristics.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Dominant allele	Expressed in phenotype if present in heterozygote.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Recessive allele	Only expressed if two copies present (homozygous).
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Mitosis	Nuclear division producing two genetically identical diploid cells — growth and repair.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Meiosis	Produces gametes with half the chromosome number — introduces genetic variation.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Advanced	Natural selection	Environmental pressure favours advantageous alleles — leads to evolution.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Variation	Differences between individuals — genetic and environmental.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Food chain	Linear sequence showing energy transfer from producer to top consumer.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Food web	Interconnected food chains.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Trophic level	Position in a food chain — producer, primary consumer, etc.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Pyramid of numbers / biomass	Represent feeding relationships at trophic levels.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Carbon cycle	Movement of carbon through photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, decomposition.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Nitrogen cycle	Fixation, nitrification, denitrification, uptake by plants — overview.
Genetics, evolution & ecology	Core	Biodiversity	Variety of living organisms in an area.

Biology (0610) — Keywords & Key Terms FAQ

What is on this Cambridge International IGCSE Biology keywords and key terms list?: It is a topic-organised glossary of important biology terms with short, exam-style definitions aligned to Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) (0610). It is designed for “define”, “state”, “outline” and “explain” questions where precise vocabulary earns marks.
How should I use this Biology glossary alongside past papers?: Tick terms when you can recall them without reading the answer, then check your wording against mark schemes. Pair vocabulary practice with past papers for IGCSE Biology (0610) so you apply terms in context.
Is this the same as a revision checklist or a formula sheet?: No. Revision checklists help you track which syllabus topics you have covered and your confidence—separate pages on Tutopiya. Formula sheets summarise equations and quantitative relationships. This page is only a definitions and key-terms glossary for Biology.
Can I download this Biology keywords and key terms list for free?: Yes. After a quick free sign-up you can download a UTF-8 CSV (opens in Excel or Google Sheets) or open a print-friendly page and save as PDF. Browsing the list on the page is free.
Is this Biology list aligned to the 0610 specification?: Topic groupings and wording follow Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) for Cambridge International IGCSE. Always confirm final learning objectives and any regional options in your official specification and recent examiner reports for your exam session.
Why focus on definitions instead of full notes?: Mark schemes reward correct technical terms and clear links between ideas. A compact glossary lets you drill the exact language examiners expect for Biology at IGCSE, separate from longer notes or topic trackers.

Biology — Keywords & Key Terms — Definitions Glossary (2026)

Keywords & Key Terms — definitions

Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610)

Biology (0610) — Keywords & Key Terms FAQ

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