📚 Cambridge Pre-U Science: Glossary & Rapid Memorisation Guide | 剑桥大学预科科学：词汇术语速记指南
As a Cambridge Pre-U Science student, you must master not only concepts but the precise language of science. Misinterpreting a term like ‘electronegativity’ or ‘ecological niche’ can cost marks on structured questions and data analysis. This guide curates high-frequency terminology across Physics, Chemistry and Biology, providing bilingual explanations and memory hooks to speed up your revision.
作为剑桥大学预科科学课程的学生，不仅要掌握科学概念，还需精准理解专业术语。错误解读“电负性”或“生态位”等词汇可能导致在简答题和数据分析中失分。本指南精选物理、化学和生物三科的高频术语，提供中英双语解释及记忆线索，助你高效复习。
1. The Role of Terminology in Pre-U Science | 术语在预科科学中的角色
Pre-U science questions often use specific command words such as ‘explain’, ‘suggest’, or ‘deduce’. Understanding what each demands is half the battle. For instance, ‘explain’ requires a step-by-step justification using scientific principles, whereas ‘deduce’ asks you to derive a conclusion from given information.
预科科学题常用“解释”、“建议”或“推导”等指令词，理解各自要求是解题的关键。例如，“解释”要求用科学原理逐步论证，而“推导”则要求从给定信息中得出一个结论。
Grasping terminology also ensures you use correct units and symbols. In Physics, confusing ‘velocity’ (a vector) with ‘speed’ (a scalar) leads to completely different descriptions of motion. Similarly, in Chemistry, ‘molecule’ and ‘compound’ are not interchangeable, and in Biology, ‘gene’ and ‘allele’ have distinct meanings.
掌握术语还能确保使用正确的单位和符号。在物理中，将“速度”（矢量）与“速率”（标量）混淆会导致对运动的描述完全不同。同样，在化学中，“分子”和“化合物”不可互换，在生物学中，“基因”和“等位基因”含义迥异。
2. Universal Prefixes and Suffixes in Science | 科学中的通用词缀
The prefix ‘hypo-‘ means below or under, as in ‘hypothermia’ (abnormally low body temperature). Its opposite ‘hyper-‘ means above or excessive, seen in ‘hypertension’ (high blood pressure).
前缀“hypo-”意为低于或不足，如“hypothermia”（体温过低）。“hyper-”则相反，表示高于或过量，如“hypertension”（高血压）。
‘Mono-‘ (one), ‘di-‘ (two), and ‘poly-‘ (many) appear in terms like ‘monomer’, ‘dimer’, and ‘polymer’. In Biology, ‘polygenic’ traits are controlled by many genes. In Chemistry, ‘monatomic’ ions consist of a single atom.
“Mono-”（单）、“di-”（双）、“poly-”（多）出现在“monomer”（单体）、“dimer”（二聚体）、“polymer”（聚合物）等词中。在生物学中，“polygenic”（多基因）性状受多个基因控制。化学中，“monatomic”（单原子）离子仅由一个原子构成。
The suffix ‘-lysis’ means breaking down, as in ‘hydrolysis’ (splitting by water) and ‘glycolysis’ (breakdown of glucose). Conversely, ‘-synthesis’ involves building up, as in ‘photosynthesis’ (using light to build sugars).
后缀“-lysis”意为分解，如“hydrolysis”（水解）和“glycolysis”（糖酵解）。相反，“-synthesis”涉及合成，如“photosynthesis”（光合作用）。
‘-philic’ and ‘-phobic’ describe attraction and repulsion. ‘Hydrophilic’ substances attract water; ‘hydrophobic’ ones repel it. This distinction is crucial in cell membrane structure and detergents.
“-philic”和“-phobic”描述吸引与排斥。“Hydrophilic”（亲水）物质吸引水，“hydrophobic”（疏水）物质排斥水。这一区别在细胞膜结构和洗涤剂中至关重要。
3. Physics: Mechanics and Materials | 物理：力学与材料
Displacement is a vector quantity describing the change in position of an object in a specific direction, whereas distance is a scalar representing the total path length travelled.
位移是描述物体位置沿某一方向变化的矢量，而路程是标量，表示运动轨迹的总长度。
Velocity is the rate of change of displacement. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Both are vector quantities. The equation a = Δv / Δt is pivotal in kinematics.
速度是位移的变化率。加速度是速度的变化率。两者皆为矢量。方程 a = Δv / Δt 是运动学的核心。
Newton’s Second Law states that net force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma). Force is measured in newtons (N). A resultant force causes acceleration; without it, an object moves with constant velocity.
牛顿第二定律指出合力等于质量乘以加速度（F = ma）。力的单位是牛顿 (N)。合力产生加速度，没有合力则物体以恒定速度运动。
Stress is force per unit area (σ = F/A), and strain is extension per original length (ε = ΔL/Lₒ). Young’s modulus (E = σ/ε) measures material stiffness. Its unit is pascal (Pa).
应力是单位面积上的力（σ = F/A），应变是伸长量与原长之比（ε = ΔL/Lₒ）。杨氏模量（E = σ/ε）衡量材料刚度，单位为帕斯卡 (Pa)。
Work done is the product of force and displacement in the direction of the force. Energy is the capacity to do work. Power is the rate of doing work (P = W/t), measured in watts (W).
功是力与沿力方向位移的乘积。能量是做功的能力。功率是做功的速率（P = W/t），单位为瓦特 (W)。
4. Physics: Electricity, Waves and Modern Physics | 物理：电学、波动与现代物理
Potential difference (voltage) is the work done per unit charge moving between two points. Current is the rate of flow of charge (I = Q/t). Resistance (R = V/I) opposes current flow and depends on material, length, and cross-sectional area.
电势差（电压）是单位电荷在两点间移动所做的功。电流是电荷流动的速率（I = Q/t）。电阻（R = V/I）阻碍电流，取决于材料、长度和截面积。
Frequency is the number of complete wave cycles per second, measured in hertz (Hz). Wavelength is the distance between successive crests. The wave equation is v = fλ. Phase difference describes the shift between two oscillating points.
频率是每秒完整波周期数，单位为赫兹 (Hz)。波长是相邻波峰间的距离。波动方程为 v = fλ。相位差描述两个振动点之间的偏移。
The photoelectric effect demonstrates the particle nature of light. A photon has energy E = hf, where h is Planck’s constant. The electronvolt (eV) is the energy gained by an electron falling through 1 V.
光电效应证明了光的粒子性。光子能量为 E = hf，其中 h 为普朗克常数。电子伏特 (eV) 是一个电子经 1 V 电势差加速获得的能量。
Radioactive decay involves the spontaneous disintegration of unstable nuclei. Half-life is the time for half the nuclei in a sample to decay. Alpha, beta, and gamma emissions differ in ionising ability and penetration.
放射性衰变是不稳定原子核的自发分解。半衰期是样品中一半原子核衰变所需的时间。α、β、γ 射线的电离能力和穿透力各不相同。
5. Chemistry: Atomic Structure and Periodicity | 化学：原子结构与周期性
Atomic number (Z) is the number of protons in the nucleus. Mass number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different neutron numbers.
原子序数 (Z) 是原子核中的质子数。质量数 (A) 是质子与中子数之和。同位素是同种元素中子数不同的原子。
An atomic orbital is a region around the nucleus where there is a high probability of finding an electron. The first ionisation energy is the energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms.
原子轨道是原子核外电子出现概率高的区域。第一电离能是从气态原子中移除一摩尔电子所需的能量。
Electronegativity describes the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons. It increases across a period and decreases down a group. High electronegativity differences lead to ionic bonding.
电负性描述原子吸引键合电子的倾向。它在周期中从左到右递增，沿族从上到下递减。大的电负性差导致离子键。
Periodicity refers to the repeating trends in physical and chemical properties across a period. Examples include atomic radius, ionisation energy, and melting points, all explained by electron structure and nuclear charge.
周期性指物理和化学性质在周期表同一周期中呈现的递变规律。如原子半径、电离能及熔点，均可由电子结构和核电荷解释。
6. Chemistry: Energetics and Organic Reactions | 化学：能量学与有机反应
Enthalpy change (ΔH) is the heat energy transferred in a reaction at constant pressure. Exothermic reactions (ΔH < 0) release energy; endothermic reactions (ΔH > 0) absorb energy.
焓变 (ΔH) 是在恒压下反应中传递的热能。放热反应 (ΔH < 0) 释放能量；吸热反应 (ΔH > 0) 吸收能量。
Activation energy (Eₐ) is the minimum energy colliding particles must possess for a reaction to occur. A catalyst provides an alternative pathway with lower Eₐ, thus increasing reaction rate without being consumed.
活化能 (Eₐ) 是碰撞粒子发生反应必须具有的最小能量。催化剂提供了活化能较低的替代途径，从而加快反应速率而自身不被消耗。
A homologous series is a family of organic compounds with the same functional group and general formula, e.g., alkanes (CₙH₂ₙ₊₂) and alcohols (CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH). Each member differs by a CH₂ unit.
同系物是具有相同官能团和通式的有机化合物族，例如烷烃 (CₙH₂ₙ₊₂) 和醇 (CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH)。各成员相差一个 CH₂ 单元。
Electrophiles are electron-deficient species that accept an electron pair. Nucleophiles are electron-rich species that donate an electron pair. These concepts govern mechanisms like electrophilic addition and nucleophilic substitution.
亲电试剂是缺电子的物种，接受电子对。亲核试剂是富电子的物种，贡献电子对。这些概念支配着亲电加成和亲核取代等反应机理。
7. Biology: Cell Biology and Biochemistry | 生物：细胞生物学与生物化学
Organelles are specialised subcellular structures. The mitochondrion is the site of aerobic respiration, producing ATP. Ribosomes, composed of rRNA and protein, carry out protein synthesis.
细胞器是特化的亚细胞结构。线粒体是有氧呼吸的场所，产生 ATP。核糖体由 rRNA 和蛋白质组成，负责蛋白质合成。
Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules through a partially permeable membrane from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential. Active transport moves substances against their concentration gradient using ATP.
渗透是水分子通过选择透过性膜从水势较高区域向水势较低区域的净移动。主动运输利用 ATP 逆浓度梯度转运物质。
Enzymes are biological catalysts, each with a specific active site complementary to its substrate. The induced-fit model explains how the active site moulds around the substrate. Denaturation alters the shape, rendering the enzyme inactive.
酶是生物催化剂，每种酶有与其底物互补的特定活性位点。诱导契合模型解释活性位点如何围绕底物变形。变性改变形状使酶失活。
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) stores energy in its high-energy phosphate bonds. Hydrolysis of ATP → ADP + Pi releases energy for cellular work. Respiration and photosynthesis regenerate ATP.
ATP（三磷酸腺苷）将能量储存在高能磷酸键中。ATP → ADP + Pi 水解释能供细胞使用。呼吸作用和光合作用再生 ATP。
8. Biology: Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems | 生物：遗传、进化与生态系统
A gene is a length of DNA coding for a polypeptide. An allele is an alternative form of a gene. Genotype describes the genetic makeup; phenotype is the observable characteristic. Homozygous individuals have identical alleles; heterozygous have different.
基因是编码多肽的一段 DNA。等位基因是基因的替代形式。基因型描述遗传组成；表现型是可观察到的特征。纯合子具有相同等位基因，杂合子具有不同等位基因。
Meiosis produces four genetically different haploid gametes. Crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis create variation. Random fertilisation further increases genetic diversity.
减数分裂产生四个遗传上不同的单倍体配子。减数分裂中的交叉互换和独立分配产生变异。随机受精进一步增加遗传多样性。
Natural selection acts on heritable variation. Individuals with phenotypes better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous alleles. This drives evolution.
自然选择作用于可遗传变异。表型更适应环境的个体更有可能存活繁殖，将有利等位基因传递给后代，从而推动进化。
A niche is the role of an organism within its ecosystem, encompassing habitat, interactions, and resource use. Ecological succession describes the gradual change in species composition over time in a given area.
生态位是生物在生态系统中扮演的角色，包括栖息地、相互作用及资源利用。生态演替指给定区域物种组成随时间逐渐变化的过程。
9. Mathematics and Data Terminology in Science | 科学中的数学与数据术语
The independent variable is the one you change or manipulate; the dependent variable is the one you measure. Control variables are kept constant to ensure a fair test. These distinctions are essential for experimental design.
自变量是你改变或操纵的变量；因变量是你测量的变量。控制变量保持不变以确保公平测试。这些区分对实验设计至关重要。
Accuracy reflects how close a measurement is to the true value. Precision reflects the spread of repeated measurements. High precision does not guarantee high accuracy if systematic errors exist.
准确度反映测量值接近真实值的程度。精密度反映重复测量的离散程度。若存在系统误差，高精密度并不保证高准确度。
Uncertainty arises from limitations of the measuring instrument and human judgement. It is often expressed as a range (± half the smallest division). Percentage uncertainty helps compare precision across different scales.
不确定性来源于测量仪器和人判断的限制，常表示为范围（±最小分度值的一半）。百分比不确定度有助于比较不同量程下的精密度。
Significant figures communicate the certainty of a measurement. When calculating, the final answer should have the same number of significant figures as the least certain measurement. The gradient of a line is Δy/Δx.
有效数字传达测量的确定程度。计算时，最终答案的有效数字位数应与最不确定的测量值相同。直线的斜率为 Δy/Δx。
10. Proven Memorisation Strategies for Science Vocabulary | 科学词汇的实证速记策略
Break terms into morphemes: recognising ‘photo’ (light), ‘geo’ (earth), or ‘bio’ (life) instantly decodes dozens of words. Create a personal morpheme chart and add new pieces as you encounter them.
将术语拆分为词素：识别“photo”（光）、“geo”（地）、“bio”（生命）即刻解码数十个词汇。制作个人词素图表并在遇到新部件时不断补充。
Use vivid imagery. For example, picture a hyperactive dog bouncing off walls to remember ‘hyper-‘ means excessive. Associate ‘endo-‘ (inside) with an endoscopy camera going inside the body.
使用生动意象。例如，想象一只极度活跃的狗四处乱跳来记住“hyper-”表示过量。将“endo-”（内部）与内窥镜进入体内联系起来。
Spaced repetition is crucial. Review terminology on days 1, 3, 7, and 21 after first encounter. Use flashcards (physical or digital) with the English term on one side and definition plus Chinese on the reverse.
间隔重复至关重要。在初次接触后的第1、3、7、21天复习术语。使用闪卡（纸质或电子），一面写英文术语，另一面写定义和中文。
Engage in active recall: don’t just read the definition; close the page and say it aloud. Explaining a concept to a peer strengthens neural connections. Link new terms to existing knowledge, e.g., associate ‘phagocytosis’ with the cell ‘eating’ (phago means eating).
进行主动回忆：不要只读定义，合上书本大声说出。向同伴解释概念能强化神经连接。将新术语与已有知识挂钩，例如将“吞噬作用”与细胞“进食”联系（phago 意为吃）。
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