AP bio flash cards

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, typically smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that have a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, generally larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing energy (ATP) through cellular respiration.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle involved in protein and lipid synthesis, existing in two forms: rough (with ribosomes) and smooth (without ribosomes).

Diffusion

The passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The process of moving molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP).

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the structure of cell membranes as a mosaic of various components, including phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Signal Transduction Pathways

Processes by which cells respond to external signals through a series of molecular events that lead to a cellular response.

Metabolic Pathways

Series of chemical reactions within a cell, divided into anabolic (building) and catabolic (breaking down) processes.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.

Glycolysis

The first step in cellular respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP.

Natural Selection

A process in evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Gene Expression

The process by which the information encoded in a gene is used to produce a functional gene product, usually a protein.

CRISPR

A revolutionary biotechnology tool used for editing genomes, allowing for the modification of DNA at specific locations.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers, consumers, and decomposers that represent different levels of energy transfer.

Population Growth Models

Mathematical models that describe how populations grow, commonly represented as exponential or logistic growth.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.

Krebs Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA, producing ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

Calvin Cycle

A series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis that occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts, where carbon fixation occurs, ultimately producing glucose from carbon dioxide.

Organelle Functions

The specific activities performed by cellular organelles, such as energy production in mitochondria, protein synthesis in ribosomes, and photosynthesis in chloroplasts