📚 Year 11 Cambridge Biology: Vocabulary and Terminology Quick Memory Guide | 剑桥 Year 11 生物：词汇术语速记指南
Biology can feel like learning a new language. For Year 11 Cambridge IGCSE students, mastering the key terms is half the battle. This guide breaks down essential biological vocabulary into manageable groups, reveals the logic behind the words, and provides clever memory hooks to help you recall them with confidence in exams.
学生物有时就像在学一门新语言。对剑桥 Year 11 IGCSE 的学生来说，掌握关键术语是成功的一半。这份指南将核心生物词汇分成易消化的组别，揭示词语背后的逻辑，并提供聪明的记忆钩子，帮助你在考场上自信地回忆起它们。
1. Word Roots for Cell Biology | 细胞生物学的词根
Many cell biology terms come from Greek and Latin roots. Once you know the common building blocks, you can decode unfamiliar words. The prefix 'cyto-' means cell, and '-plasm' refers to the living substance.
许多细胞生物学术语来自希腊语和拉丁语词根。一旦你掌握了这些常见的构词模块，就能解读不熟悉的单词。前缀 'cyto-' 表示细胞，而 '-plasm' 指活质。
- Cytoplasm (cyto- + -plasm): the jelly-like material inside a cell where chemical reactions occur.
细胞质：细胞内发生化学反应的胶状物质。 - Organelle: a tiny 'little organ' within a cell, each with a specific function, e.g. mitochondrion, ribosome.
细胞器：细胞内微小的“小器官”，各有特定功能，例如线粒体、核糖体。 - Cell membrane: a partially permeable barrier that controls what enters and leaves the cell. The word 'membrane' comes from Latin membrana meaning 'thin skin'.
细胞膜：控制物质进出的半透性屏障。'Membrane' 源自拉丁语 membrana，意为“薄皮”。 - Nucleus: the control centre containing genetic material (DNA). Derived from Latin nucleus meaning 'kernel'.
细胞核：含有遗传物质 (DNA) 的控制中心。源自拉丁语 nucleus，意为“果仁”。
Memory tip: Visualise a fried egg – the yolk is the nucleus, the white is cytoplasm, and the shell is the cell membrane. The word 'organelle' sounds like 'organ+elle' (tiny organ), helping you remember they are mini-organs.
记忆提示：把细胞想象成一个荷包蛋——蛋黄是细胞核，蛋白是细胞质，蛋壳是细胞膜。'Organelle' 听起来像 'organ+elle'（小器官），帮你记住它们是微型器官。
2. Photosynthesis and Respiration | 光合作用与呼吸作用
These two life processes share the idea of energy transformation. 'Photo-' means light, 'synthesis' means putting together. Respiration breaks down molecules to release energy.
这两个生命过程都涉及能量转换。'Photo-' 表示光，'synthesis' 表示合成。呼吸作用则分解分子释放能量。
- Photosynthesis: the process by which green plants make glucose using light energy, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), producing oxygen as a by‑product.
光合作用：绿色植物利用光能、二氧化碳和水制造葡萄糖并放出氧气的过程。 - Chlorophyll: the green pigment inside chloroplasts that absorbs light for photosynthesis. 'Chloro-' means green, '-phyll' means leaf.
叶绿素：叶绿体内部的绿色色素，吸收光能用于光合作用。'Chloro-' 意为绿色，'-phyll' 意为叶子。 - Aerobic respiration: the complete breakdown of glucose using oxygen, releasing a large amount of energy. 'Aero-' means air (oxygen).
有氧呼吸：利用氧气将葡萄糖彻底分解，释放大量能量。'Aero-' 意为空气（氧气）。 - Anaerobic respiration: the incomplete breakdown of glucose without oxygen, producing less energy and lactic acid (in animals) or ethanol and CO₂ (in yeast). 'An-' means without.
无氧呼吸：在无氧条件下葡萄糖的不完全分解，产生较少能量和乳酸（动物）或乙醇与二氧化碳（酵母）。'An-' 意为没有。
Memory tip: Think of 'photo' as a camera flash capturing light, and 'synthesis' as a factory building a product. For respiration, note that 'aerobic' classes need lots of oxygen (you pant), while 'anaerobic' sprints leave you sore from lactic acid.
记忆提示：把 'photo' 想象成相机闪光灯捕捉光线，'synthesis' 想象成工厂制造产品。对于呼吸作用，注意有氧运动需要大量氧气（会气喘吁吁），而短跑无氧运动后肌肉酸痛是因为乳酸堆积。
3. Genetic Terminology Decoded | 遗传学术语解读
because the terms look and sound alike. Breaking them into their roots makes them simple: 'homo-' = same, 'hetero-' = different, 'zyg-' = joined (referring to the zygote).
遗传学词汇常让学生混淆，因为这些术语形似音近。把它们拆解成词根就容易了：'homo-' = 相同，'hetero-' = 不同，'zyg-' = 结合（指受精卵）。
- Gene: a short section of DNA that codes for a specific protein, determining a characteristic.
基因：编码特定蛋白质的一段 DNA，决定某一性状。 - Allele: an alternative version of a gene. For example, the gene for eye colour has a blue allele and a brown allele.
等位基因：同一基因的不同形式。例如，控制眼睛颜色的基因有蓝色和棕色等位基因。 - Homozygous (homo- + zyg-): having two identical alleles of a gene (e.g. BB or bb).
纯合子：同一基因的两个等位基因相同 (如 BB 或 bb)。 - Heterozygous (hetero- + zyg-): having two different alleles (e.g. Bb).
杂合子：同一基因的两个等位基因不同 (如 Bb)。 - Genotype vs Phenotype e alleles present), while phenotype is the observable characteristic (what you see). Think 'geno' = genes, 'pheno' = physical appearance.
基因型 vs 表现型：基因型是遗传组成（存在的等位基因），表现型是可观察的特征（你看到的）。记住 'geno' = 基因，'pheno' = 外表。 - Dominant and Recessive: A dominant allele masks the effect of a recessive allele in a heterozygote. Dominant is always expressed if present.
显性与隐性：在杂合子中，显性等位基因掩盖隐性等位基因的效应。显性只要存在就会表现。
Memory tip: Picture a zip: 'homozygous' has identical 'teeth' on both sides, 'heterozygous' has different ones. Phenotype starts with 'ph' like 'photo' – the visible picture of an organism.
记忆提示：想象一条拉链：'homozygous' 两侧有相同的“齿”，'heterozygous' 则不同。Phenotype 以 'ph' 开头，像 'photo'——生物体的可见照片。
4. Ecology and Ecosystems | 生态学与生态系统
Ecology words describe relationships between organisms and their environment. Many start with 'eco-' (house/environment) or end with '-vore' (eating).
生态学词汇描述生物与其环境之间的关系。许多以 'eco-'（房屋/环境）开头，或以 '-vore'（吃）结尾。
- Ecosystem: a unit containing all the organisms (community) and their physical environment, interacting together.
生态系统：包含所有生物（群落）及其物理环境并相互作用的单元。 - Habitat: the specific place where an organism lives.
栖息地：生物居住的特定地点。 - Niche: the role of an organism in its ecosystem, including what it eats, where it lives, and how it reproduces.
生态位：生物在生态系统中的角色，包括吃、住、繁殖方式。 - Producer: an organism that makes its own food, usually by photosynthesis.
生产者：自己制造食物的生物，通常通过光合作用。 - Consumer: an organism that gets energy by eating other organisms. Primary consumers eat producers, secondary consumers eat primary consumers, etc.
消费者：通过吃其他生物获取能量的生物。初级消费者吃生产者，次级消费者吃初级消费者，依此类推。 - Decomposer: an organism that breaks down dead material, returning nutrients to the soil (e.g. bacteria, fungi).
分解者：分解死物、将养分归还土壤的生物（如细菌、真菌）。 - Food web: a network of interconnected food chains showing feeding relationships.
食物网：由相互连接的食物链组成的网络，显示捕食关系。
Memory tip: Think of 'niche' as a 'job' in the ecological community. 'Produce' + 'consumer' remind you of a supermarket: producers make food, consumers buy and eat it.
记忆提示：把 'niche' 想成生态群落中的“职业”。'Producer' 和 'consumer' 让你想起超市：生产者制造食品，消费者购买并吃掉它。
5. Enzymes and Digestion | 酶与消化
Enzymes are biological catalysts, and their names usually end in '-ase'. The first part of the name often hints at the substrate they act on: 'sucr-' (sugar), 'prote-' (protein), 'lip-' (fat).
酶是生物催化剂，其名称通常以 '-ase' 结尾。名称的前半部分往往暗示它们作用的底物：'sucr-'（糖）、'prote-'（蛋白质）、'lip-'（脂肪）。
- Catalyst: a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up. Biological catalysts are enzymes.
催化剂：加速化学反应而自身不被消耗的物质。生物催化剂就是酶。 - Active site: the specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds. The shape must be complementary, like a key in a lock.
活性位点：酶上底物结合的特定区域。形状必须互补，如同钥匙和锁。 - Denaturation: the permanent change in the shape of an enzyme's active site caused by excessive heat or extreme pH, preventing it from functioning.
变性：高温或极端 pH 导致酶活性位点形状永久改变，使其丧失功能。 - Amylase: enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose. Found in saliva and pancreatic juice. (Amyl- refers to starch)
淀粉酶：将淀粉分解为麦芽糖的酶。存在于唾液和胰液中。(Amyl- 指淀粉) - Protease: enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids. (Prote- = protein)
蛋白酶：将蛋白质分解为氨基酸的酶。(Prote- = 蛋白质) - Lipase: enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats) into fatty acids and glycerol. (Lip- = fat)
脂肪酶：将脂肪分解为脂肪酸和甘油的酶。(Lip- = 脂肪)
Memory tip: Every time you see an '-ase' word, think 'makes things ASe-y' (easy) because it speeds up reactions. The lock-and-key model is a classic: enzyme is the lock, substrate is the key.
记忆提示：每当你看到一个 '-ase' 词，就想到它让事情变“容易”（easy），因为它加速反应。锁钥模型是经典：酶是锁，底物是钥匙。
6. Circulatory System and Blood | 循环系统与血液
Terms related to the heart and blood often use 'cardio-' (heart), 'hemo-/haemo-' (blood), 'erythro-' (red), and 'leuko-' (white). Knowing these helps you instantly recognise the meaning.
与心脏和血液相关的术语常使用 'cardio-'（心脏）、'hemo-/haemo-'（血液）、'erythro-'（红）和 'leuko-'（白）。了解这些有助于立即辨认含义。
- Artery: a blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart, usually oxygenated (except pulmonary artery). Walls are thick, elastic, muscular.
动脉：将血液从心脏运走的血管，通常输送含氧血（肺动脉除外）。管壁厚而有弹性、肌肉发达。 - Vein: a blood vessel carrying blood towards the heart, usually deoxygenated. Contains valves to prevent backflow.
静脉：将血液运回心脏的血管，通常输送缺氧血。含有瓣膜防止回流。 - Capillary: a microscopic blood vessel with walls one cell thick, where exchange of substances occurs.
毛细血管：管壁仅一层细胞厚的微小血管，是物质交换的场所。 - Haemoglobin (haemo- + globin): the red protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen. 'Haemo-' = blood, 'globin' = protein.
血红蛋白：红细胞中结合氧气的红色蛋白质。'haemo-' = 血液，'globin' = 蛋白。 - Platelet: a small cell fragment that helps blood clotting.
血小板：帮助血液凝结的小型细胞碎片。 - Ventricle and Atrium: the lower and upper chambers of the heart. 'Atrium' originally means 'entrance hall', reflecting its role in receiving blood.
心室与心房：心脏的下腔和上腔。'Atrium' 原意为“门厅”，反映其接收血液的作用。
Memory tip: Arteries carry blood Away (A for Artery, Away). Veins have Valves. Capillaries are tiny like a capillary tube. 'Erythro-' sounds like 'red' if you imagine a red 'eruption'.
记忆提示：动脉将血液运走 (A 代表 Artery, Away)。静脉有瓣膜 (Vein→Valves)。毛细血管细小如毛细管。'Erythro-' 发音类似 'red' 的“瑞”音。
7. Nervous System and Hormones | 神经系统与激素
The nervous system uses electrical impulses, while the endocrine system uses chemical messengers called hormones. Terms like 'neuro-', 'dendr-', and 'horm-' give away their function.
神经系统利用电脉冲，而内分泌系统利用称为激素的化学信使。'neuro-'、'dendr-' 和 'horm-' 等词缀直接揭示功能。
- Neuron (nerve cell): a specialised cell transmitting electrical impulses. Parts include dendrites (receive signals), axon (carries signals away), and myelin sheath (insulation).
神经元（神经细胞）：传递电脉冲的特化细胞。组成部分包括树突（接收信号）、轴突（传出信号）和髓鞘（绝缘）。 - Synapse: the tiny gap between two neurons where a chemical transmitter (neurotransmitter) passes the signal.
突触：两个神经元之间的微小间隙，化学递质在此传递信号。 - Reflex arc: the pathway taken by a nerve impulse in a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus, bypassing conscious brain control.
反射弧：对刺激做出快速自动应答的神经冲动通路，绕过大脑意识控制。 - Hormone: a chemical messenger produced by an endocrine gland, travelling via the blood to target organs. Examples: insulin, adrenaline.
激素：由内分泌腺产生的化学信使，经血液到达靶器官。例如胰岛素、肾上腺素。 - Homeostasis ll): the maintenance of a constant internal environment. E.g., body temperature (37°C) and blood glucose.
稳态：维持恒定内环境。例如体温 (37°C) 和血糖。
Memory tip: 'Neuron' sounds like 'New-ron', a new electric wire. 'Synapse' can be remembered as 'sin-apse' (a gap you must cross). 'Homeostasis' = 'homeo' (like home) + 'stasis' (steady) – keeping your body as steady as your home thermostat.
记忆提示：'Neuron' 像新电线。'Synapse' 记作 'sin-apse'（必须跨越的缝隙）。'Homeostasis' = 'homeo'（如家） + 'stasis'（平稳）——像家中恒温器一样维持平稳。
8. Disease and Immunity | 疾病与免疫
The body defends itself against pathogens using a vocabulary rich in 'anti-' (against), 'immuno-' (protected), and '-itis' (inflammation).
身体使用丰富的词汇来防御病原体，包含 'anti-'（反对）、'immuno-'（受保护）和 '-itis'（炎症）。
- Pathogen producing): a microorganism that causes disease, e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists.
病原体：引起疾病的微生物，例如细菌、病毒、真菌、原生生物。 - Antigen (anti- + -gen): a foreign molecule (often on pathogen surface) that triggers an immune response.
抗原：引发免疫应答的外来分子（常位于病原体表面）。 - Antibody (anti- + body): a Y-shaped protein produced by lymphocytes that binds to a specific antigen to mark it for destruction.
抗体：由淋巴细胞产生的 Y 形蛋白质，与特定抗原结合，标记其待摧毁。 - Phagocyte ting, -cyte = cell): a white blood cell that engulfs and digests pathogens (phagocytosis).
吞噬细胞：吞食并消化病原体的白细胞（吞噬作用）。 - Vaccination: introduction of a dead or weakened pathogen to stimulate antibody production and memory cells, providing long-term immunity.
疫苗接种：引入灭活或弱化的病原体，刺激抗体生成和记忆细胞，提供长期免疫。 - Antibiotic : a chemical that kills bacteria or stops their growth, but does not work against viruses.
抗生素：杀死细菌或抑制其生长的化学品，但对病毒无效。
Memory tip: 'Anti-body' fights against foreign bodies. 'Phago-' relates to 'eating' – imagine a white cell 'feasting' on bacteria. '-itis' as in tonsillitis, appendicitis means inflammation of that organ.
记忆提示：'Antibody'（抗体）对抗 'foreign body'（异物）。'Phago-' 意为吃——想象白细胞“盛宴”般吞噬细菌。扁桃体炎、阑尾炎中的 '-itis' 表示该器官发炎。
9. Classification and Biodiversity | 分类与生物多样性
The hierarchical system of naming and grouping organisms uses Latin and binomial nomenclature. Memorising the sequence of taxa (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species) can be made fun with mnemonics.
生物命名和分组的层级系统使用拉丁语和双名法。记忆分类阶梯（界、门、纲、目、科、属、种）可通过趣味助记句完成。
- Species: a group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. The basic unit of classification.
物种：能够互相交配并产生可育后代的一群生物。分类的基本单位。 - Binomial system: naming species using two Latin words – Genus (capitalised) and species (lower case), e.g. Homo sapiens.
双名法：用两个拉丁词命名物种——属名（大写）和种名（小写），如 Homo sapiens。 - Five Kingdoms: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Prokaryotes (bacteria), Protoctists (unicellular eukaryotes like Amoeba).
五界系统：动物界、植物界、真菌界、原核生物界（细菌）、原生生物界（单细胞真核生物如变形虫）。 - Vertebrate: an animal with a backbone, divided into five classes: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.
脊椎动物：有脊椎骨的动物，分为五纲：鱼纲、两栖纲、爬行纲、鸟纲、哺乳纲。 - Biodiversity: the variety of living organisms in an area; includes species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
生物多样性：某一地区生物的种类多样，包括物种多样性、遗传多样性和生态系统多样性。
Memory tip: To remember the taxonomic order use the classic mnemonic: King Praveen Came Over For Good Soup (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species). For the five vertebrate classes: For All Rainy Beaches Make (Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals).
记忆提示：可用经典助记句记忆分类顺序：King Praveen Came Over For Good Soup（界门纲目科属种）。五大脊椎动物类群：For All Rainy Beaches Make（鱼两栖爬行鸟哺乳）。
10. Laboratory and Investigation Vocabulary | 实验与探究词汇
Practical work in biology has its own set of terms. Getting these right in exams can boost your marks in the alternative-to-practical paper.
生物实验也有自己的术语集。在考试中准确使用它们能提高实验替代卷的分数。
- Independent variable: the factor you deliberately change in an experiment.
自变量：实验中你故意改变的因素。 - Dependent variable: the factor you measure or observe; it depends on the independent variable.
因变量：你测量或观察的因素；它随自变量的变化而变化。 - Control variable: factors kept constant to ensure a fair test.
控制变量：保持恒定的因素，以确保公平测试。 - Reliability: the consistency of results; improved by repeating measurements and calculating an average.
可靠性：结果的一致性；通过重复测量并计算平均值来提高。 - Accuracy: how close a measurement is to the true value.
准确度：测量值接近真实值的程度。 - Magnification n image is compared to the real object. Formula: magnification = image size ÷ actual size.
放大倍数：图像比实物大多少倍。公式：放大倍数 = 图像大小 ÷ 实际大小。 - Diffusion, Osmosis, Active Transport: three methods of movement across cell membranes. Diffusion is net movement from high to low concentration; osmosis is the diffusion of water through a partially permeable membrane; active transport requires energy to move substances against concentration gradient.
扩散、渗透、主动运输：物质跨膜的三种方式。扩散是从高浓度到低浓度的净移动；渗透是水通过半透膜的扩散；主动运输需要能量逆浓度梯度移动物质。
Memory tip: Independent variable – you, the scientist, independently change it. For 'osmosis', think of a 'slow‑mo' water movement. For magnification, use the triangle method: I (image) at the top, A (actual) and M (magnification) at the bottom.
记忆提示：自变量——你作为科学家独立改变的量。'Osmosis'（渗透）想象成水的慢动作流动。放大倍数公式用三角形记忆：I（图像）在顶上，A（实际）和 M（放大）在底部。
11. Tricky Pairs and Commonly Confused Terms | 易混淆词对
Certain word pairs look deceptively similar but have very different meanings. Spotting these traps can prevent lost marks.
一些词对极具欺骗性地相似但含义迥异。识别这些陷阱可避免失分。
| Term A | Term B | Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Gene | Allele | Gene is the section of DNA; allele is a version of that gene. |
| Chromosome | Chromatid | A chromosome is a long DNA molecule; after replication, each identical half is a chromatid. |
| Cell wall | Cell membrane | Cell wall is a rigid outer layer (plants, bacteria, fungi); membrane is a flexible barrier in all cells. |
| Artery | Vein | Artery carries blood away from heart; vein returns blood to heart. |
| Breathing | Respiration | Breathing is the physical movement of air; respiration is the chemical release of energy from food. |
| Excretion | Egestion | Excretion removes metabolic waste (e.g. urea); egestion removes undigested food (faeces). |
Memory tip: For excretion/egestion, note that 'ex-' (out of) the body's cells, whereas 'e-' (out) from the gut. Breathing is an 'in-out' action; respiration is a cellular 'energy factory'.
记忆提示：排泄 (excretion) 与排遗 (egestion) 的区别：'ex-' 表示从身体细胞出来，'e-' 表示从肠道出来。呼吸是“吸进呼出”的动作；呼吸作用是细胞的“能量工厂”。
12. Summary and Final Memory Strategies | 总结与终极记忆策略
Building a strong biology vocabulary is about understanding roots, not rote learning. Use this guide as a reference, and practise explaining terms out loud in your own English and Chinese. Create your own mnemonics for the trickiest terms – the sillier, the more memorable.
建立扎实的生物词汇基础在于理解词根，而非死记硬背。把这份指南当作参考资料，并练习用自己的中英文大声解释术语。为最棘手的术语创造你自己的助记句——越滑稽越好记。
- Flashcards with colour codes: Write the term on one side, definition and etymology on the other. Use different colours for different topics.
彩色编码记忆卡：一面写术语，另一面写定义和词源。按主题使用不同颜色。 - Word map/mind map: Place a process (e.g. photosynthesis) in the centre and radiate related vocabulary.
词汇导图：把一个过程（如光合作用）放在中心，向外辐射相关词汇。 - Teach a friend: Explaining a concept forces you to clarify your own understanding.
教朋友：解释概念能迫使你理清自己的理解。 - Past paper practice: Highlight terminology in mark schemes and note the exact phrasing examiners expect.
真题练习：高亮评分方案中的术语，注意考官期望的准确措辞。
Final tip: Remember that many Cambridge questions test the difference between 'describe' and 'explain' hy it happens, using scientific terminology. Master the words, and you master the subject.
最后提醒：记住剑桥考题常测试 'describe' 和 'explain' 的区别。Describe 是说看到什么；explain 是解释为什么发生，需使用科学术语。掌握词汇，就掌握了这门学科。
Published by TutorHao | Biology Revision Series | aleveler.com
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