AP Biology Unit 0 and Biological Concepts Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell structure and diversity, taxonomy, endosymbiosis, evolutionary mechanisms, variables, and biological themes based on AP Biology Unit 0 lecture notes.

Cell

The smallest piece of life; all living things are made of cells, and all cells come from preexisting cells.

Control Center

The cellular component that controls the activities of the cell and contains genetic material (DNA or RNA).

Cytoplasm

The fluid, structures, and cytoskeleton inside a cell, representing all cell contents except the genetic material.

Cell Membrane

The outer layer surrounding every cell, composed of lipids, through which all substances entering or exiting must pass.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer surrounding certain cells (such as plant cells) made of carbohydrates that provides structural support.

Unicellular

An organism composed of only one single cell, such as an Amoeba or Bacteria.

Multicellular

An organism composed of many cells working together, such as humans, animals, and plants.

Autotrophic

Organisms (producers) that gain energy by synthesized food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Heterotrophic

Organisms (consumers) that gain energy by consuming organic molecules and eating other organisms.

Organelle

Small, membrane-bound structures inside a cell, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, storing DNA in an open nucleoid region.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a distinct nucleus holding DNA and other specialized membrane-bound organelles.

Archaebacteria

A kingdom of single-celled prokaryotic organisms that can survive in extreme environments, such as acidic conditions.

Eubacteria

A kingdom of common prokaryotic bacteria, some of which are pathogens that cause illness.

Virus

A non-cellular entity that lacks a metabolism, cannot reproduce without a host cell, and cannot survive independently.

Endosymbiosis

The evolutionary theory proposing that eukaryotic cells originated from prokaryotic organisms living inside one another.

Ribosome

A non-membrane-bound cellular structure that synthesizes proteins.

Mitochondria

Membrane-bound organelles responsible for cellular energy production that possess double membranes and self-replicating DNA similar to prokaryotes.

Chloroplasts

Membrane-bound organelles containing pancake-like stacked membranes (thylakoid structures) used for photosynthesis.

Independent Variable

The factor in an experiment that is directly controlled or manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The variable in an experiment that is observed or measured to collect results.

Evolution

A change in the genetic makeup of a population over many generations.

Natural Selection

The evolutionary mechanism ('survival of the fittest') involving genetic variation, overproduction, struggle for survival, and differential reproduction.

Genetic Drift

A mechanism of evolution caused by random events or artificial human impacts that drastically reduces population size and genetic variation regardless of traits.

Phenotype

The physical, observable traits of an organism produced by its genetic code.

Null Hypothesis

A hypothesis stating that there is no statistical relationship or effect between the tested variables.

Alternative Hypothesis

A hypothesis stating that there is a statistically significant relationship or effect between tested variables.

Nucleotide

The basic building block unit of DNA, consisting of bases Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine.

Gene

A small functional segment of DNA located on a chromosome.

Chromosome

A single, coiled DNA molecule that carries multiple genes.

1st Trophic Level

The foundational ecosystem energy level composed of autotrophic primary producers, such as grass.

2nd Trophic Level

The ecosystem energy level composed of primary consumers/herbivores, such as rabbits.

3rd Trophic Level

The ecosystem energy level composed of secondary consumers/predators, such as coyotes.