AP BIO (concise)

Elements
  • All life forms consist of matter, made up of elements.
  • Essential Elements of Life: 96% of living mass is from 4 elements:
    • Oxygen (O)
    • Carbon (C)
    • Hydrogen (H)
    • Nitrogen (N)
  • Other important elements: Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Sodium, Chlorine, Magnesium.
  • Trace Elements: Iron, Iodine, Copper.
Subatomic Particles
  • Atoms: Smallest unit of an element; building blocks of matter.
  • Subatomic Particles:
    • Protons: Positively charged, found in nucleus.
    • Neutrons: No charge, found in nucleus; isotopes vary in neutrons.
    • Electrons: Negatively charged, orbit nucleus, low mass.
  • Atomic Number: Number of protons.
  • Mass Number: Total of protons and neutrons.
Compounds
  • Compounds: Result of 2 or more elements combined; possess different properties.
  • Types of Bonds:
    • Ionic Bonds: Transfer of electrons between atoms (metal + nonmetal).
    • Covalent Bonds: Sharing of electrons (nonmetal + nonmetal).
Water: The Versatile Molecule
  • Water is a polar molecule; significant properties include:
    • Cohesion: Sticking to itself (transpiration).
    • Adhesion: Sticking to other substances (capillary action).
    • High heat capacity: Stabilizes temperature of organisms.
    • Hydrophilic & Hydrophobic interactions.
Acids and Bases
  • pH Scale: Measures how acidic or basic a solution is (1-14).
    • Acids (1-7): More H+.
    • Bases (7-14): More OH⁻.
Organic Molecules
  • Organic Compounds: Contain carbon.
  • Types of Organic Macromolecules:
    • Carbohydrates: Sugars, energy storage.
    • Proteins: Amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
    • Lipids: Hydrophobic molecules, energy storage, membrane structure.
    • Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA for genetic information.
Cell Structure and Function
  • Cell Theory: Cells are basic unit of life.
  • Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells:
    • Prokaryotic: Smaller, simpler, no nucleus.
    • Eukaryotic: Larger, complex, with membrane-bound organelles.
Transport Across the Plasma Membrane
  • Membrane Transport:
    • Passive Transport: No energy (diffusion, osmosis).
    • Active Transport: Requires energy (against concentration gradient).
Cellular Respiration
  • Process: Converts glucose into ATP in presence of oxygen (Aerobic), or without oxygen (Anaerobic).
  • Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, Electron Transport Chain.
Genetics and Evolution
  • Mendelian Genetics: Inheritance patterns; dominant vs. recessive traits.
  • Natural Selection: Adaptation and survival of the fittest, variation in populations.
  • Population Genetics: Hardy-Weinberg principle to model genetic variation.
Ecology and Behavior
  • Ecological Interactions: Food chains, ecosystems, nutrient cycles.
  • Behavioral Ecology: Animal responses to environment, social structures, communication.
Exam Preparation
  • Focus on major concepts and terminology.
  • Utilize diagrams and summaries for complex processes like cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
  • Review mechanisms of genetic inheritance and key principles of evolution.