AP Biology for a 3rd Grader – The Complete Story of Life

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from AP Biology, explained simply for better understanding.

Atoms

The tiny building blocks that make up all matter; essential ingredients for life.

Molecules

Made when atoms snap together; examples include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Molecules that serve as life’s fuel snacks.

Lipids

Molecules that act as waterproof walls and long-term energy storage.

Proteins

Molecules that function as machines for life.

Nucleic acids

Molecules that serve as instruction manuals, such as DNA.

Water

Essential for life; functions like a magic cooking pot.

Cohesion

The action of water molecules sticking to each other.

Diffusion

The process of particles moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Active transport

The movement of substances across a cell membrane using energy.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Nucleus

The part of the cell that acts like the mayor’s office, containing the cell’s DNA.

Mitochondria

Cell organelles known as power plants that generate energy.

Ribosomes

Cell structures that function as factories for making proteins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

The network in cells that acts like highways for transport.

Golgi apparatus

The part of the cell that acts like a post office, packaging and distributing proteins.

Lysosomes

The garbage trucks of the cell that break down waste.

Cell membrane

The structure that acts as the border of the cell with guards.

ATP

A molecule that serves as tiny batteries for cells.

Cellular respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose into energy.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Glycolysis

The first step of cellular respiration where glucose is broken down.

Krebs cycle

The stage of cellular respiration that occurs in the mitochondria.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

The final stage of cellular respiration where ATP is produced.

Light reactions

The first phase of photosynthesis where light energy is captured.

Calvin cycle

The second phase of photosynthesis where carbon dioxide is converted into glucose.

DNA

The molecule that acts like a cookbook for the cell, containing instructions.

Genes

Specific sections of DNA that serve as recipes for proteins.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA information to RNA.

Translation

The process of reading RNA to make proteins.

Mutations

Changes in the DNA sequence that can affect how genes work.

Gene regulation

The process by which cells control which genes are expressed.

Operons

Clusters of genes that are regulated together.

Transcription factors

Proteins that help turn specific genes on or off.

Evolution

The process by which species change over time, like game updates.

Variation

Differences among individuals within a species.

Competition

The struggle between organisms for limited resources.

Drift

Random changes in gene frequency in a population.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species.

Ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Food chains

A series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.

Energy pyramids

A representation of the energy flow in ecosystems.

Biotechnology

The use of living systems and organisms to develop products, including techniques like PCR and CRISPR.

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction, a technique used to amplify DNA.

Gel electrophoresis

A method for separating DNA fragments based on size.

CRISPR

A technology that allows for the editing of DNA.

Plasmids

Small, circular DNA molecules used in genetic engineering.

Recipe

A set of instructions for creating a specific dish, akin to gene expression.

Ecosystems

Communities of living organisms interacting with their environment.

Worker cells

Cells that carry out functions and tasks according to the recipes coded in DNA.