Analyze
Definition
Break something into parts and examine how those parts relate to each other.
Explanation
Analysis goes beyond description. You identify the components, say what each does, and show how they connect or influence one another. Good analytical answers use words such as "this suggests", "as a result" and "this leads to".
Example
Analyze how the structure of a leaf supports photosynthesis.
In an exam
Command-word meanings can vary between subjects, exam boards and mark schemes, so check your own board's guidance. See Exam Command Words: What Each Instruction Asks For.
Common confusion
Analyze is not the same as describe. Describing says what is there; analysing explains how the parts work together.