9BN0/03 – Dictionary Biology A Level Tutor
Dictionary/Glossary for Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters Nuffield)
for use with Question 8 – Paper 3, June 2026
In paper 3, the last question (question 8) is based on a pre-released scientific article a total of 30
marks.
This document consists of a glossary, words that might be unfamiliar to some of you along with
clear definitions organized by paragraph. This document should help clarify complex terms and
concepts encountered in the scientific article for question 8 for Biology A (Salters Nuffield)
9BN0/03.
(The article is provided by Pearson Edexcel Examination – June 2026)
1
, 9BN0/03 – Dictionary Biology A Level Tutor
Paragraph 1:
Diversity: a wide variety of different kinds.
Inject: force a substance into the body, usually through a bite, sting, or similar wound.
Venom: a toxic secretion made by an animal and delivered into another animal through a
wound.
Incapacitate: make unable to move, escape, or function normally.
Prey: an animal hunted and eaten by another animal.
Repel: drive away or keep off.
Paralysis: loss of the ability to move muscles.
Neurotoxins: toxins that affect the nervous system.
Interfere with: disturb or prevent a normal process from happening.
Paragraph 2:
Versatile: able to be used in many different ways.
Defend: protect from attack.
Competitors: animals of the same species that compete for food, mates, or territory.
Simultaneously: at the same time.
Subdue: bring under control; in this context, weaken or immobilise prey.
Devastating: extremely damaging or harmful.
Consequences: results or effects.
Dual Role: two functions at the same time.
Defensive Aid: something that helps protect an animal.
Branches Of The Animal Kingdom: major evolutionary groups of animals.
Abundance: large amount or widespread presence.
Tree Of Life: the evolutionary pattern showing how living things are related.
Ecological Settings: environmental situations involving interactions between organisms
and their surroundings.
Paragraph 3:
Disrupt: interfere with normal function.
Signalling: the transmission of information between cells.
Neuromuscular Junction: the synapse between a neurone and a muscle cell, where nerve
signals cause muscle contraction.
Mechanisms: ways or processes by which something happens.
Neurone: a nerve cell that carries electrical impulses.
Nerve Impulses / Action Potentials: electrical signals that travel along neurones.
Spasms: sudden, involuntary muscle contractions.
2
Dictionary/Glossary for Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters Nuffield)
for use with Question 8 – Paper 3, June 2026
In paper 3, the last question (question 8) is based on a pre-released scientific article a total of 30
marks.
This document consists of a glossary, words that might be unfamiliar to some of you along with
clear definitions organized by paragraph. This document should help clarify complex terms and
concepts encountered in the scientific article for question 8 for Biology A (Salters Nuffield)
9BN0/03.
(The article is provided by Pearson Edexcel Examination – June 2026)
1
, 9BN0/03 – Dictionary Biology A Level Tutor
Paragraph 1:
Diversity: a wide variety of different kinds.
Inject: force a substance into the body, usually through a bite, sting, or similar wound.
Venom: a toxic secretion made by an animal and delivered into another animal through a
wound.
Incapacitate: make unable to move, escape, or function normally.
Prey: an animal hunted and eaten by another animal.
Repel: drive away or keep off.
Paralysis: loss of the ability to move muscles.
Neurotoxins: toxins that affect the nervous system.
Interfere with: disturb or prevent a normal process from happening.
Paragraph 2:
Versatile: able to be used in many different ways.
Defend: protect from attack.
Competitors: animals of the same species that compete for food, mates, or territory.
Simultaneously: at the same time.
Subdue: bring under control; in this context, weaken or immobilise prey.
Devastating: extremely damaging or harmful.
Consequences: results or effects.
Dual Role: two functions at the same time.
Defensive Aid: something that helps protect an animal.
Branches Of The Animal Kingdom: major evolutionary groups of animals.
Abundance: large amount or widespread presence.
Tree Of Life: the evolutionary pattern showing how living things are related.
Ecological Settings: environmental situations involving interactions between organisms
and their surroundings.
Paragraph 3:
Disrupt: interfere with normal function.
Signalling: the transmission of information between cells.
Neuromuscular Junction: the synapse between a neurone and a muscle cell, where nerve
signals cause muscle contraction.
Mechanisms: ways or processes by which something happens.
Neurone: a nerve cell that carries electrical impulses.
Nerve Impulses / Action Potentials: electrical signals that travel along neurones.
Spasms: sudden, involuntary muscle contractions.
2
