AP Biology Unit 1 Terms

Covalent Bonds (non-polar)

Elements share one or more electrons.

Covalent Bonds (polar)

Unequal sharing of electrons cause elements to have partial charges that are attracted to opposites.

Hydrogen Bonds (H-Bonds)

Polar bond specifically with Hydrogen.

Ionic Bonds

Attraction between oppositely charged atoms causing a transfer of electrons.

Polar

Molecules have partial charges.

Non-polar

Molecules don't have partial charges, they equally share electrons (covalent bond) charges.

Hydrophilic

Molecules that love water; will point themselves towards water.

Hydrophobic

Molecules that hate water; will push themselves towards the middle to "hide" from water.

Cohesion

Ability to stick to each other.

Adhesion

Ability to stick to other molecules/surfaces.

Capillary Action

Allows water to move up the body against gravity.

Surface Tension

Ability to resist separation when under tension or stress.

Heat Capacity

Amount of heat needed to raise 1g of water 1 degree Celsius.

Heat of Vaporization

Amount of heat needed to turn a liquid into gas.

Organic Chemistry

The study of compounds with covalent bonded carbon.

Organic Compounds

Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen.

Carbon Chains

A line of connected carbon atoms.

Hydrocarbons

Organic molecules consisting only of carbon and hydrogen.

Functional Groups

Chemical groups attached to the carbon skeleton that participate in chemical reactions.

Nitrogen

Builds proteins and nucleic acids.

Phosphorus

Builds nucleic acid and lipids.

Biological Macromolecules

Large molecules that are carbon-based and make up every living organism.

Carbohydrates

Saccharides (sugars) made from carbon chains or rings.

Proteins

Made from amino acids.

Lipids

Fats made of long carbon chains.

Nucleic Acids

DNA, RNA, ATP (energy).

Monomers

Single macromolecules.

Polymers

Many monomers bonded together, forming a specific substance (repeating units).

Reactants

Beginning molecules of the reaction.

Products

End molecules of the reaction.

Dehydration Reaction

Bonds two monomers with the loss of H2O.

Hydrolysis

(Hydro = water, lysis = to break) = adding water to break bonds.

Monosaccharide

One sugar ring (ex./ glucose).

Disaccharide

Two sugar rings (ex./ sucrose).

Polysaccharide

Three or more sugar rings (ex./ starch).

Denaturation

A process modifying the molecular structure of a protein, often due to changes in heat, salinity and pH.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Lipids with a single bond that can be stacked together tightly; solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Lipids with at least one double bond that cannot bend or stack; liquid at room termperature.

Steroids

Lipids that are identifiable by their four fused rings.

Phospholipids

A lipid with a hydrophillic (head) and hydrophobic (tail) part.