AP Biology Units 1–5 Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and definitions from AP Biology Units 1-5.

Hypothesis

A testable and falsifiable statement; never proven, only supported.

Independent Variable (IV)

The factor that is changed or manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The factor that is measured or observed in response to the independent variable.

Cohesion

The property of water that allows it to stick to itself, resulting in surface tension.

Adhesion

The property of water that allows it to stick to other surfaces, contributing to capillary action.

High Specific Heat

The ability of water to resist changes in temperature, important for climate and homeostasis.

Denaturation

The process where proteins lose their shape and function due to extreme conditions like heat or pH changes.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that explains the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts as a result of early eukaryotic cells engulfing free-living bacteria.

Photosynthesis

The process that converts light energy into chemical energy, occurring within the chloroplasts.

Cellular Respiration

The process of converting glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and ATP energy.

Membrane Fluidity

The ability of the components of the cell membrane to move laterally within the layer, influenced by temperature and lipid composition.

Mendel's Law of Segregation

The law stating that allele pairs separate during gamete formation, so each gamete carries only one allele for each gene.

Polygenic Traits

Traits that are controlled by multiple genes, resulting in a range of phenotypes.

X-Inactivation

The process in female mammals where one X chromosome becomes inactive, resulting in a mosaic expression of X-linked traits.