AP Biology final review

Why are cells so small ?

it maximizes their surface area to volume ratio

what is stoichiometry?

the study of the balance of chemical elements within living organisms and ecosystems

what is polarity ?

the distinct difference in structure or function between opposite ends of a molecule, cell, or organism

What are the characteristics of life?

1. cellular organization

2. growth and development

3. reproduction

4. response to stimuli

5. metabolism

6. homeostasis

7. adaptation to the environment

8. Whatability to evolve

What is the scientific method ?

Problem, Hypothesis, Experiment, Observation, Conclusion

What is qualitative ?

describes characteristics or qualities of a subject using non-numerical terms

What is quantitative ?

the use of mathematical and statistical methods to analyze biological data

what is an atomic structure ?

the arrangement of subatomic particles within an atom

what is an isotope ?

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

what is an isomer ?

a molecule that exhibits different properties or effects compared to its mirror image

what is a protein?

A molecule made up of amino acids

what is a lipid?

fatty compounds that perform a variety of functions in your body

what is a carbohydrate?

sugar molecules

what are nucleic acids?

large bio molecules that play essential roles in all cells and viruses

what is a macromolecule?

a molecule containing a very large number of atoms

Chromosome

a thread-like structure located inside the nucleus of a cell, composed of DNA tightly coiled around proteins

Chromatin

the material of which the chromosomes of organisms

Sister chromatids

one of two identical copies of a chromosome created during DNA replication, joined together at the centromere

Chiasmata

the visible point of contact between two non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes

Synapsis

chromosomes pair up closely together during the prophase I stage of meiosis

Crossing over

the process where genetic material is exchanged between two homologous chromosomes during meiosis

Centromere

region on a chromosome that acts as the attachment point for spindle fibers during cell division

Spindal fibers

attaching to chromosomes and pulling them apart

Karyotype

complete set of chromosomes within a cell of an organism

Why is meiosis essential?

ensures that sexually reproducing organisms produce gametes with the correct number of chromosomes

Genotype

the genetic makeup of an organism

Phenotype

the observable characteristics or traits of an organism

Hybrid

an organism that is the offspring of two different species or subspecies

Purebred

organism that consistently passes on specific traits to its offspring when bred with another organism of the same breed

Homozgous

an organism has two identical copies of the same gene

Heterozgous

an organism has two different allels of a particular gene

Haploid

a cell that contains only one set of chromosomes

Diploid

a cell that contains two complete sets of chromosomes

Gamete

a reproductive cell, also known as a sex cell

Loci

position on a chromosome where a particular gene is located

Allele

one of the alternative forms of a gene that can exist at a specific location on a chromosome

Dominant trait

a characteristic that is expressed in an organism even if only one copy of the responsible allele is inherited (AA, Aa)

Recessive trait

a trait that is only expressed when an individual inherits two copies of the same allele (aa)

Pleiotropy

a single gene influences multiple unrelated phenotypic traits

multiple-allele inheritance

a genetic situation where a single trait is controlled by more than two different alleles within a population

polygenic gene inheritance

a pattern where a single trait is controlled by multiple genes

What are the levels of organization from smallest to largest ?

atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations

Oxidation

a chemical reaction where a molecule loses electrons

Reduction

a chemical reaction that occurs when an atom, ion, or molecule gains electrons

Hyrdophobic

property of molecules that don't mix with water

Dehydration synthesis

the creation of larger molecules from smaller monomers where a water molecule is released

Gene splicing

the process where certain sections of a pre-messenger RNA molecule

Restriction enzymes

proteins isolated from bacteria that act like molecular scissors

Gel electrophoresis

technique that separates DNA, RNA, or proteins by size and charge

Plasmid

a small, circular piece of DNA that exists separately from a cell's main chromosomal DNA