AP Bio Unit 1

Carbohydrate Function

Provides quick energy, short-term energy storage (like plant starch and animal glycogen), and cell structure (like plant cellulose).

Starch

A carbohydrate made of glucose chains that plants use to store short-term energy.

Glycogen

A carbohydrate made of glucose chains that animals use to store short-term energy in liver and muscles.

Lipids Definition

Nonpolar macromolecules (fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids) used for long-term energy, cell membranes, and signaling.

Lipid Structure

Made of glycerol and fatty acids (not true polymers); phospholipids have a phosphate group, and steroids have a four-ring structure.

Lipid Function

Stores long-term energy, builds cell membranes, insulates and protects organs, and acts as chemical messengers (hormones).

Saturated Fatty Acid

A straight-chain lipid packed tightly with hydrogens; solid at room temperature (like butter).

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

A bent-chain lipid containing double bonds that prevent tight packing; liquid at room temperature (like oil).

Fats

Lipids that store energy, support cell function, and insulate mammals to keep them warm.

Steroids

Lipids shaped like four rings that act as hormones to control growth, metabolism, and balance.

Phospholipid

A lipid with a water-loving head and fat-loving tail that builds the double-layered cell membrane.

Nucleic Acid Structure

Made of nucleotide monomers (sugar, phosphate, base); DNA is a double strand, and RNA is a single strand.

Nucleic Acid Function

DNA stores genetic blueprints, while RNA transmits instructions to build proteins.

Protein Structure

Amino acids linked by peptide bonds, folded into unique 3D shapes across four structural levels.

Protein Function

Acts as enzymes, builds structures, transports molecules, communicates between cells, and fights disease (antibodies).

Independent Variable

The factor that the scientist changes or manipulates in an experiment (the "If…" part of a hypothesis).

Dependent Variable

The factor that is measured or changes because of the independent variable (the "Then…" part of a hypothesis).

Statistics

Mathematical methods used to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data.

Descriptive Statistics

Math tools used purely to summarize, describe, and display the details of a specific sample data set.

Inferential Statistics

Math tools used to make predictions or draw conclusions about a larger group based on sample data.

Sample

A small, randomly selected group chosen to represent a whole population.

Statistical Population

The entire group of individuals or objects that a scientist wants to study.

Standard Deviation

A metric showing how spread out data numbers are from the average; higher means more spread out.

Confidence Interval

A calculated range of values where we are 95% certain the true population average actually sits.

Standard Error of the Mean (SEM)

A metric measuring how accurately a small sample average represents the true population average.

Chi-Square

A statistical test used to see if actual experimental counts (observed) match predicted expectations (expected).

Carbohydrate Elements

Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in a strict 1:2:1 ratio (C:H:O).

Lipid Elements

Mostly Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen (long hydrocarbon tails); sometimes contains Phosphorus.

Protein Elements

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen (C, H, O, N); sometimes contains Sulfur.

Nucleic Acid Elements

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus (C, H, O, N, P).