AP Bio Semester One Exam

Homeostasis

The process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are optimal for survival.

Prokaryote

Single-celled organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

Eukaryote

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes.

Endosymbiosis

A theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic organisms.

Surface area to volume ratio

A measure that examines the size of an object's surface relative to its overall volume, impacting cellular efficiency.

DNA to Protein structure

The process that involves transcription of DNA to mRNA and translation into a protein.

Watson and Crick model

The model of DNA structure that describes its double helix formation.

Ribosomes

Cellular organelles that synthesize proteins.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration.

Diffusion

The process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Osmosis

A special type of diffusion that involves the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Active Transport

The process that moves ions or molecules across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, using energy.

Passive Transport

The movement of substances across a cell membrane without the need for energy input.

Photosynthesis

The process through which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

Cellular Respiration

The metabolic process that converts glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Cell Communication

The process by which cells can detect and respond to signals from their environment.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same genetic material as the parent cell.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney that filters blood to produce urine.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate various functions in the body.

Positive feedback system

A process that aims to amplify changes in the body's system, enhancing the initial stimulus.

Negative feedback system

A process that counteracts changes in the body's system to return to the normal state.

Nonspecific Immunity

The immune response that is not targeted at specific pathogens and is the body's first line of defense.

Specific Immunity

An immune response that is tailored to specific pathogens, involving lymphocytes.

Sperm and Egg Pathway

The route taken by sperm and egg during reproduction leading to fertilization.