AP Bio Unit 1 Flashcards

Flashcards on AP Biology Unit 1

Polar Molecule

A molecule with unequal electron sharing between atoms, creating partial positive and negative regions. Water is a polar molecule.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak intermolecular bond between a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partially negative atom (e.g., oxygen or nitrogen).

Cohesion

The property of water where hydrogen bonds form between water molecules, leading to high surface tension and other unique properties.

Adhesion

The property of water where hydrogen bonds form between water molecules and other substances or surfaces.

Surface Tension

The force exerted by water molecules on the surface of a body of water, creating a net-like effect due to cohesion.

Acidic Solution

A solution with a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) than hydroxide ions (OH-), resulting in a pH below 7.

Basic Solution

A solution with a higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) than hydrogen ions (H+), resulting in a pH above 7.

CHNOPS

An acronym that represents the key elements of life: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.

Monomer

A small building block molecule that can combine with other similar molecules to form a larger polymer. (e.g. glucose)

Polymer

A large molecule made up of many repeating monomer subunits. (e.g. polysaccharides)

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction where two monomers are joined together by removing a water molecule, synthesizing a polymer.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction where a polymer is broken down into monomers by the addition of a water molecule.

Phosphate Group

A functional group (PO4) important for energy exchange (ATP) and found in DNA.

Methyl Group

A functional group (CH3) that can silence DNA and make molecules nonpolar or hydrophobic.

Hydroxyl Group

A polar functional group (OH) that makes molecules hydrophilic or water-soluble.

Carbonyl Group

A polar functional group (C=O) that makes molecules hydrophilic or water-soluble.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group (COOH) essential in amino acids, making them acidic.

Amino Group

A functional group (NH2) essential in amino acids, making them basic.

Sulfhydryl Group

A functional group (SH) that can form stabilizing bonds in proteins.

Acetyl Group

A functional group that can activate DNA through acetylation.

Carbohydrates

One of the four major types of macromolecules, including sugars, disaccharides, and polysaccharides, used for energy storage and structural roles.

Monosaccharide

A simple sugar and carbohydrates monomer (e.g., glucose).

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of two monosaccharides linked together (e.g., lactose).

Polysaccharide

A large carbohydrate polymer composed of many monosaccharides linked together (e.g., starch, cellulose).

Lipids

One of the four major types of macromolecules, including fats, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids, characterized by being wholly or partly nonpolar.

Triglyceride

A fat molecule used for energy storage, composed of glycerol and three fatty acids.

Phospholipid

A lipid with a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail, forming the structural framework of cell membranes.

Protein

A macromolecule built from amino acid monomers, with diverse functions including enzymes, structural components, and transport.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules (DNA and RNA) responsible for storing and transferring genetic information.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, involved in energy exchanges. Also a nucleotide monomer of RNA