AP Biology: Key Terms
English · 45 cards
Essential vocabulary across the AP Biology units.
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Covalent bond
(Chemistry) A bond formed when two atoms share electrons.
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Hydrogen bond
(Chemistry) A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.
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pH
(Chemistry) A measure of hydrogen ion concentration; the acidity or basicity of a solution.
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Carbohydrate
(Macromolecules) An organic molecule of sugars used for energy and structure.
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Protein
(Macromolecules) A polymer of amino acids that carries out most cellular functions.
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Enzyme
(Macromolecules) A protein that speeds up a reaction by lowering its activation energy.
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Lipid
(Macromolecules) A hydrophobic molecule such as fats and phospholipids.
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Nucleic acid
(Macromolecules) A polymer (DNA or RNA) that stores genetic information.
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Prokaryote
(Cells) A cell lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
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Eukaryote
(Cells) A cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
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Mitochondrion
(Cells) The organelle that produces ATP through cellular respiration.
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Chloroplast
(Cells) The organelle where photosynthesis occurs in plant cells.
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Cell membrane
(Cells) The phospholipid bilayer that controls what enters and exits a cell.
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Diffusion
(Transport) The movement of molecules from high to low concentration.
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Osmosis
(Transport) The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
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Active transport
(Transport) Movement of molecules against their gradient using energy (ATP).
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ATP
(Energy) The molecule that stores and supplies energy for cellular work.
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Cellular respiration
(Energy) The process of breaking down glucose to produce ATP.
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Photosynthesis
(Energy) The process by which plants convert light energy into glucose.
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Glycolysis
(Energy) The breakdown of glucose into pyruvate in the cytoplasm.
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Mitosis
(Cell division) Division producing two genetically identical diploid cells.
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Meiosis
(Cell division) Division producing four genetically varied haploid gametes.
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DNA
(Genetics) The double-helix molecule that carries genetic instructions.
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Replication
(Genetics) The copying of DNA before cell division.
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Transcription
(Genetics) The synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.
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Translation
(Genetics) The synthesis of a protein from mRNA at the ribosome.
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Gene
(Genetics) A segment of DNA that codes for a protein or trait.
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Allele
(Genetics) An alternative form of a gene.
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Genotype
(Genetics) The genetic makeup of an organism.
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Phenotype
(Genetics) The observable physical traits of an organism.
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Dominant allele
(Genetics) An allele expressed when at least one copy is present.
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Recessive allele
(Genetics) An allele expressed only when two copies are present.
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Mutation
(Genetics) A change in the DNA sequence.
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Natural selection
(Evolution) The process by which favorable traits become more common over generations.
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Adaptation
(Evolution) An inherited trait that improves survival and reproduction.
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Speciation
(Evolution) The formation of a new species.
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Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
(Evolution) A state in which allele frequencies stay constant without evolutionary forces.
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Homeostasis
(Systems) The maintenance of a stable internal environment.
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Negative feedback
(Systems) A response that counteracts a change to restore balance.
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Ecosystem
(Ecology) A community of organisms together with their physical environment.
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Producer
(Ecology) An organism that makes its own food, usually via photosynthesis.
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Food web
(Ecology) The interconnected feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
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Carrying capacity
(Ecology) The maximum population size an environment can sustain.
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Biodiversity
(Ecology) The variety of life in an ecosystem or on Earth.
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Carbon cycle
(Ecology) The movement of carbon through organisms, the atmosphere, and the earth.