AP Biology Unit 2 Study Guide

AP Biology Unit 2 Study Guide

What is the role of the plasma membrane in cells?

What is the role of the plasma membrane in cells?

The plasma membrane regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, providing structure and protection.

Define osmosis.

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration.

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells by lowering activation energy.

Explain the concept of diffusion.

Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

What is a prokaryotic cell?

A prokaryotic cell is a unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

What are the main functions of ribosomes?

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis by translating messenger RNA into polypeptides.

Define ATP.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy carrier in cells, providing energy for cellular processes.

What is cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP, releasing waste products.

Differentiate between passive and active transport.

Passive transport moves substances across cell membranes without energy input, while active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient.

What is the function of the cytoskeleton?

The cytoskeleton provides structural support, helps in cell movement, and plays a role in intracellular transport.

The process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy is called ________.

Photosynthesis.

The ________ is the fluid component inside the chloroplast where the light-independent reactions take place.

Stroma.

The genetic material of prokaryotic cells is located in the ________ region of the cell.

Nucleoid.

The monomer units that make up proteins are called ________.

Amino acids.

In eukaryotic cells, the ________ is responsible for modifying and packaging proteins for secretion.

Golgi apparatus.

The movement of water and solutes into a plant cell occurs through ________ pressure and osmotic pressure.

Turgor

The primary energy currency of cells is ________ (adenosine triphosphate).

ATP.

The ________ is a network of protein filaments and tubules that helps the cell maintain its shape and aids in movement.

Cytoskeleton.

What is tonicity?

Tonicity refers to the ability of a surrounding solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water.

What are the three types of tonicity?

Hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic.

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

The cell swells and may burst due to water influx.

What occurs in an isotonic solution?

The cell remains the same size as water moves in and out at equal rates.

What is the effect of a hypertonic solution on a cell?

The cell shrinks as water exits the cell.

What is osmoregulation?

Osmoregulation is the process by which organisms regulate water and solute concentrations in their bodies.

How do plant cells react in hypotonic environments?

They become turgid due to water entering, which presses against the cell wall.

What mechanisms do organisms use for osmoregulation?

Organisms can use ion channels, transport proteins, and vacuoles to manage water balance.

Why is osmoregulation important for homeostasis?

It helps maintain the proper balance of fluids, which is crucial for cellular function.

The ________ is the site of protein synthesis within the cell where mRNA is translated into polypeptides.

Ribosome.

The ________ functions as the control center of the cell, housing the genetic material DNA.

Nucleus.

The ________ is the outer membrane that surrounds and protects eukaryotic cells.

Plasma membrane.

In eukaryotic cells, the ________ is responsible for the synthesis of lipids and detoxification of drugs.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

The ________ modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Golgi apparatus.

The ________ are membrane-bound organelles that contain digestive enzymes for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris.

Lysosomes.

The ________ is a membranous structure involved in the production of ATP through cellular respiration.

Mitochondrion.

The ________ is a network of protein filaments that helps maintain the shape of the cell and facilitates cell movement.

Cytoskeleton.

________ are organelles that conduct photosynthesis in plant cells.

Chloroplasts.

The area within the cell excluding the nucleus is known as the ________.

Cytoplasm.

The ability of a membrane to allow certain substances to pass through while restricting others is known as ________.

Selective permeability.

________ is the process by which large molecules move across the plasma membrane via vesicles.

Bulk transport.

The ________ model describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of various proteins embedded in a fluid lipid bilayer.

Fluid mosaic.

Membranes become less permeable to water as the temperature ________.

Decreases.

________ are proteins that assist in the transport of substances across a membrane without requiring energy input.

Facilitated diffusion.

In plant cells, the plasma membrane is located ________ the cell wall.

Inside.

The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane is called ________.

Osmosis.

A solution with a higher solute concentration compared to the cell is termed ________.

Hypertonic.

In a(n) ________ solution, the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Isotonic.

The process by which cells regulate the concentration of their internal environment is referred to as ________.

Homeostasis.