Ap Bio Review

Polarity

The property of water that allows for hydrogen bonding, helping to stabilize temperature and facilitate chemical reactions.

Cohesion

The tendency of water molecules to stick together due to hydrogen bonds.

Adhesion

The ability of water molecules to stick to other substances.

High specific heat

The property of water that allows it to moderate temperature changes.

Solvent

Water's ability to dissolve polar substances.

Carbon

An element that forms diverse molecules due to its ability to bond with four other atoms.

Hydrocarbons

Organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen.

Polymers

Long molecules consisting of many similar or identical building blocks called monomers.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made of sugars and polymers of sugars, including monosaccharides and polysaccharides.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose.

Polysaccharides

Polymers of monosaccharides, such as starch and cellulose.

Lipids

Organic molecules that include fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

Fats

Lipids made of glycerol and fatty acids, which can be saturated or unsaturated.

Phospholipids

Molecules that form the major component of cell membranes, consisting of a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail.

Steroids

Lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings, such as cholesterol.

Amino acids

Organic molecules that contain a carboxyl group and an amino group, serving as the building blocks of proteins.

Polypeptides

Polymers formed by linked amino acids.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells without a nucleus, including bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Cell Membrane

A phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that encloses the contents of a cell.

Passive Transport

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

Active Transport

The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy in the form of ATP.

Signaling molecules

Molecules, such as ligands, that bind to receptors in the cell communication process.

Cell Cycle

The series of phases that a cell goes through, including interphase and mitosis.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces chromosome number by half for sexual reproduction.

Genetic Variation

Diversity in gene frequencies, resulting from crossing over, independent assortment, and random fertilization.

Mendelian Genetics

The study of inheritance and the laws of segregation and independent assortment.

Chromosomal Abnormalities

Changes to the structure or number of chromosomes, including nondisjunction and translocations.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of converting RNA into a protein.

Operons

A cluster of genes controlled by a single promoter, particularly in prokaryotic gene regulation.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.