AP BIOLOGY MIDTERM

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits.

Cladogram

A diagram constructed by shared derived traits to analyze the differences among groups of species.

Biotic Factors

The living aspects of the environment.

Abiotic Factors

The nonliving aspects of the environment.

Levels of Ecology

Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biome, Biosphere.

Exponential Growth

A model of population growth where the population size increases rapidly over time.

Logistic Growth

A model of population growth that accounts for carrying capacity and results in a stabilizing population size.

Symbiosis

Interactions between different species living in close physical proximity.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is not significantly helped or harmed.

Parasitism

A relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds that form between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, significant in water's properties.

Macromolecules

Large complex molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids.

Cohesion

The property of water molecules to stick to each other, contributing to surface tension.

Adhesion

The property of water molecules to stick to other substances.

Phospholipids

Molecules that make up the cell membrane, consisting of hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

Proteins

Macromolecules made of amino acids that perform various functions including enzymatic activity.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules made of nucleotides that direct cellular activities such as cell division and protein synthesis.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

A nucleotide consisting of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups, used as an energy carrier.

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up biochemical reactions by lowering the activation energy.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to yield energy in the form of ATP.

Krebs Cycle

The second stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the mitochondrial matrix and producing NADH and FADH2.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons through redox reactions to create a proton gradient for ATP production.

Chemiosmosis

The process by which ATP is produced as protons flow down the gradient through ATP synthase.

Fermentation

An anaerobic process that allows glycolysis to continue producing ATP without oxygen by converting pyruvate into lactic acid or ethanol.

Photosynthesis

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

Light Dependent Reactions

The part of photosynthesis that converts solar energy into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH) in the thylakoid membranes.

Calvin Cycle

The light-independent reactions of photosynthesis that convert carbon dioxide into glucose.