AP BIO VOCAB THAT SHOWS UP ALL THE TIME THROUGH OUT THE COURSE

Adhesion

The attraction between water molecules and different polar substances (e.g., water sticking to the walls of a plant's xylem)

Capillary action

The movement of water up a narrow tube against gravity, driven by a combination of cohesion and adhesion

Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides (glucose), Cell wall (cellouse) and quick cellular energy, glycocen (animal storage), starch (plant storage0

Cohesion

The attraction between water molecules themselves due to hydrogen bonding (e.g., creates high surface tension)

Covalent bond

A strong chemical bond where atoms share electrons. This forms the backbone of all macromolecules

Dehydration Synthesis

A reaction that bonds monomers together to form a polymer by removing a water molecule. Why it matters forever: Every time a cell builds a protein, replicates DNA, or stores sugar, it uses this reaction.

Denaturation

The unraveling of a protein's 3D shape (tertiary structure) due to environmental changes like pH or extreme heat, causing it to lose function. Why it matters forever: This is the central concept for how enzymes stop working in Unit 3

Directionality (5' and 3' Ends)

The orientation of a nucleic acid strand based on its carbon numbering. Why it matters forever: Enzymes can only build DNA and RNA in a 5' to 3' direction (Unit 6)

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partially negative atom (like oxygen or nitrogen). Why it matters forever: This is the glue holding DNA strands together (Unit 6) and the reason proteins fold into specific shapes.

Hydrogen bond

A weak attraction between a partially positive hydrogen atom of one polar molecule and a partially negative atom (like oxygen) of another. This bond gives water all its unique properties.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that breaks polymers down into monomers by adding a water molecule. Why it matters forever: This is how digestion works, and how ATP releases energy to power your cells

Hydrophilic

"Water-loving" (polar/charged) polar head

Hydrophobic

"Water-fearing" (nonpolar) nonpolar tails, forming the cell membrane

Lipids

CHO (and P in membranes), Does not form true polymers (uses fatty acids and glycerol)

Monomers

The single, repeating molecular subunit (the individual "LEGO brick").

Nucleic acids

Nucleotide, CHONP, Made of sugar: a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base, DNA and RNA (store genetic info)

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base

Polarity / Polar Covalent Bond

Unequal sharing of electrons within a molecule, creating partial positive and negative charges. Why it matters forever: This dictates how molecules behave across the cell membrane. Polar things can't pass without help!

Polymer

A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers linked by covalent bonds.

Primary Structure

The unique, linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. Why it matters forever: It is encoded directly by DNA. A change here changes everything else.

Proteins

Amino acid, CHON, Enzymes, folded chains called polypeptides, crucial for enzymes, transport, and signaling

Quaternary structure

The final protein structure formed when multiple polypeptide chains interact (ex: hemoglobin)

R-Group (Side Chain)

The variable portion of an amino acid that determines its unique chemical properties (acidic, basic, polar, or nonpolar). Why it matters forever: a mutation changes one amino acid's R-group, the protein might misfold and fail completely

Secondary Structure

Local folding patterns (alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets) held together by hydrogen bonds along the polypeptide backbones

Tertiary Structure

The overall 3D shape of a single polypeptide, driven by interactions between R-groups (like hydrophobic interactions or disulfide bridges). Why it matters forever: This creates the "active site" for enzymes.