AP Biology Ultimate Guide (copy) (copy)

What are elements?

Substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

List the four main elements essential for life.

Oxygen (O), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N).

What are trace elements?

Elements required by an organism only in very small quantities.

Define subatomic particles.

Particles smaller than an atom, including protons, neutrons, and electrons.

What is an ionic bond?

A bond formed between two atoms when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to the other.

What is a covalent bond?

A bond formed when electrons are shared between atoms.

Define cohesion in relation to water molecules.

The tendency of water molecules to stick together.

What is capillary action?

The ability of water to rise up through roots, trunks, and branches of trees due to cohesion and adhesion.

What indicates an acidic solution?

A solution that contains a lot of hydrogen ions (H+).

What is a polymer?

A chain of building blocks that make up macromolecules.

What are the four classes of organic compounds central to life?

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

What are monosaccharides?

Simple sugars that are the building blocks of carbohydrates.

Define glycosidic linkage.

The bond formed when two monosaccharides join together.

What is the function of cellulose in plants?

It provides structural support in the cell walls.

What are amino acids?

Building blocks of proteins that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

What is a peptide bond?

The bond formed between two amino acids.

What defines the primary structure of a protein?

The linear sequence of amino acids.

What is the role of triglycerides in the body?

They store fat in adipose tissue.

Define phospholipids.

Molecules consisting of two fatty acid tails and one negatively charged phosphate head.

What is the function of cholesterol?

It increases membrane fluidity and is important for making certain hormones and vitamin D.

What are nucleic acids?

Molecules made up of nucleotides that include DNA and RNA.

What is the pH scale used for?

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

What happens to water in hydrolysis?

Water breaks the bond between two monomers in a polymer.

Define organic molecules.

Molecules that contain carbon.

What are saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds.