AP Biology Exam Review - Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to cell structure and function in AP Biology.

Cell Structure

The arrangement of and relationships between the parts of a cell.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

Plasma Membrane

A biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of a cell from the external environment.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model that describes the arrangement and movement of the molecules that make up a cell membrane.

Selective Permeability

The ability of a membrane to allow certain substances to pass through while restricting others.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis and transportation within a cell.

Rough ER

The part of the endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes and is involved in protein synthesis.

Smooth ER

The part of the endoplasmic reticulum that is not studded with ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Golgi Complex

An organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for ATP production through cellular respiration.

Lysosomes

Membrane-enclosed sacs containing hydrolytic enzymes for digestion and waste processing.

Vacuoles

Membrane-bound sacs used for storage and maintaining turgor pressure in plant cells.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

Concentration Gradient

The difference in concentration of a substance across a space, influencing the movement of substances.

Osmoregulation

The process by which organisms regulate the water and electrolyte balance in their bodies.

Facilitated Diffusion

The passive transport of molecules across a biological membrane via specific transmembrane proteins.

Active Transport

The movement of molecules across a membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, requiring energy.

Endocytosis

The process by which cells internalize substances by engulfing them in a membrane-bound vesicle.

Exocytosis

The process by which cells expel material in vesicles that fuse with the plasma membrane.

Tonicity

The ability of a solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Isotonic Solution

A solution with an equal concentration of solutes as another solution.

Aquaporins

Channel proteins that facilitate the rapid transport of water across cell membranes.

Cell Compartmentalization

The division of cellular functions into different membrane-bound regions.

Endosymbiosis

The evolutionary theory explaining the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic organisms.