AP Biology Final Study Guide Part 1

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and important terms from the lecture notes on biological macromolecules, membranes, and cellular processes.

Independent Variable (IV)

The factor that is changed between groups; what is being manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The factor that is measured and affected by the independent variable; typically graphed on the y-axis.

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group represented as -OH, found in alcohols such as ethanol.

Monomer

The repeating units that make up polymers.

Polymer

Chain-like macromolecules formed by covalently bonded monomers.

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical reaction that bonds two monomers with the loss of a water molecule (H2O).

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that breaks the bonds in a polymer by adding water.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars with molecular formulas that are multiples of CH2O; primary source of fuel for cells.

Disaccharides

Two monosaccharides joined together by covalent bonds.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides formed through dehydration reactions, used for storage or structure.

Proteins

Molecules consisting of long chains of amino acids; their shape determines their function.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, containing an amino group, carboxyl group, and unique R group.

Peptide Bond

A covalent bond that links amino acids together in a polypeptide.

Nucleic Acids

Polymers made of nucleotides that store, transmit, and express hereditary information.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that makes up cell membranes, allowing selective permeability.

Active Transport

Movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP).

Facilitated Diffusion

The passive transport of molecules through a membrane via transport proteins.

Selective Permeability

The ability of a membrane to regulate what enters and exits a cell.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the structure of cell membranes as a mosaic of different components that can move laterally.

Carbonyl Group

A functional group represented as >C=O, found in sugars.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group represented as -COOH, found in amino acids and fatty acids.

Amino Group

A functional group represented as -NH2, found in amino acids.

Lipids

A diverse group of hydrophobic biological molecules, including fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

Fatty Acid

A long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end; a component of many lipids.

Glycerol

A three-carbon alcohol that serves as a backbone for many lipids.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A type of nucleic acid that stores and transmits genetic information, typically a double helix.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A type of nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis and gene expression, typically single-stranded.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and one or more phosphate groups.

Carbonyl Group

A functional group represented as >C=O, found in sugars.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group represented as -COOH, found in amino acids and fatty acids.

Amino Group

A functional group represented as -NH2, found in amino acids.

Lipids

A diverse group of hydrophobic biological molecules, including fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

Fatty Acid

A long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end; a component of many lipids.

Glycerol

A three-carbon alcohol that serves as a backbone for many lipids.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A type of nucleic acid that stores and transmits genetic information, typically a double helix.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A type of nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis and gene expression, typically single-stranded.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and one or more phosphate groups.

Steroids

Lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings, functioning as hormones (e.g., cholesterol, sex hormones) or structural components.

Phospholipid

A lipid composed of a glycerol molecule, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate-linked head group; it is a major component of cell membranes.

Nitrogenous Bases

The nitrogen-containing components of nucleotides that determine the genetic code. In DNA, these are Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Thymine (T). In RNA, Thymine is replaced by Uracil (U).