AP Biology Notes

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary and concepts in AP Biology, covering topics from chemical bonds to macromolecules.

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group with the chemical formula −OH and composed of one oxygen atom covalently bonded to one hydrogen atom ( R )

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element but have a different number of neutrons

Radioactive Isotopes

Nuclei are unstable and dissipate excess energy by spontaneously emitting radiations in the form of alpha, beta and gamma rays

Acids

Excess of OH- (under 7)

Bases

Excess of H+ (above 7)

PH Values

Logarithmic scale to measure acidity and basicity

Mono/Simple Sugar

Energy source including glucose, galactose, and fructose (C6 H12 O6)

Di/Transport Sugar

Two mono combined including lactose and sucrose (C12 H22 O11)

Poly/Starch

Energy storage = 3 or more mono combined ex. starch (alpha glucose) and cellulose (building the cells wall/structure in plants but the beta glucose in our bodies means we are unable to break it down = fiber)

Fat

Long-term energy storage and the fat molecule has a glycerol backbone

Saturated Fat

A short glycerol backbone and fatty acids that each contain a long linear or branched chain of carbon atoms (single bonded) and solid at room temperature (animal fats)

Unsaturated Fat

At least one double bond in the fatty acid chain; improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation, stabilize heart rhythms (liquid at room temperature like veg. oil)

Phospholipids

Hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails derived from fatty acids and hydrophilic (polar) heads containing a phosphate group

Steroids

Carbon rings and chemical messengers (hormones)

Glycogen

Multibranched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as a form of energy storage and releases glucose into the bloodstream to be used as fuel for the cells

Bile Salts

Positively charged and hydrophobic on one end and the other is negatively charged

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

Carries cholesterol to the liver (good cholesterol)

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

Transports cholesterol to the cells and blocks blood vessels in the heart (bad cholesterol)

Proteins primary structure

The sequence of amino acids linked together to form a polypeptide chain

Proteins secondary structure

Alpha helix + beta pleated sheets + hydrogen bonds in a 3D repeating pattern

Proteins tertiary structure

3D but not repeating creating unique shape necessary for specific function

Proteins quaternary structure

2 or more peptides combined (hemoglobin or ribosomes) made from hydrophobic interactions (hydrogen bonds)

Human Insulin

Lowers blood glucose levels

Types of Bonds

Hydrogen: interaction between 1 hydrogen molecule and 1 non-hydrogen molecule; a weak, short-lived bond = constantly breaking and reforming (single bond)

Covalent

Strong bond in which atoms share electrons (2 bonded)

Ionic

Electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions in a chemical compound (3 bonds)

Polar Covalent

Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons in a covalent bond (ex. water)

Non Polar Covalent

Elections are shared equally