AP Biology Study Guide Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are organic compounds?

Molecules that release energy

Molecules that contain carbon (correct)

Molecules that dissolve in water

Molecules that are not made of carbon

What is a hydrolysis reaction?

A compound that dissolves in water and is the decomposition of something in the presence of water.

What is a dehydration reaction?

Releases water.

What do oxidation-reduction reactions involve?

Gain or loss of electrons. Signup and view all the answers

What are anabolic reactions?

Create larger molecules from smaller ones. Signup and view all the answers

What do catabolic reactions do?

Break down larger molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What is an exergonic reaction?

Releases energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is an endergonic reaction?

Requires energy. Signup and view all the answers

What properties make water essential to life on earth?

Its polar nature leads to surface tension and makes it an effective solvent. Signup and view all the answers

What are enzymes?

Proteins that facilitate reactions by binding to the substrate and reducing the activation energy. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up all living matter?

Nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Signup and view all the answers

Why is carbon considered the main element of life?

Because of the variety of organic compounds it can form. Signup and view all the answers

What are hydrophilic compounds?

Compounds that easily dissolve in and mix with water. Signup and view all the answers

What are hydrophobic compounds?

Compounds that do not dissolve in water. Signup and view all the answers

In a reaction, what does (s) signify?

Indicates that the substance is in a solid state. Signup and view all the answers

In a reaction, what does (aq) signify?

Indicates an aqueous state. Signup and view all the answers

What does hydrolysis involve?

Donating a water molecule by splitting it into H+ and OH-. Signup and view all the answers

What are ionic reactions?

Occur when one atom donates an electron to another atom. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during oxidation and reduction?

The terms are coupled. Signup and view all the answers

How can the loss and gain of electrons be viewed?

By creating half reactions for the compounds involved. Signup and view all the answers

What do anabolism and catabolism describe?

Different ways of describing oxidation-reduction reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is anabolism?

The process of synthesizing simple substances into complex materials. Signup and view all the answers

What is catabolism?

The breakdown of complex material into simple parts. Signup and view all the answers

What do exergonic and endergonic reactions explain?

The use or generation of energy. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a water molecule?

Two H atoms bonded covalently to a single O atom. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two characteristics of water?

It has a polar nature leading to surface tension and is a good solvent. Signup and view all the answers

What is activation energy?

The energy required before a reaction can take place. Signup and view all the answers

What role do enzymes play?

They lower the activation energy and make reactions happen. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the catalase enzyme exist?

To remove H2O2, which is dangerous to living cells. Signup and view all the answers

If the free energy change of a reaction is greater than zero, what does this indicate?

The reaction is nonspontaneous. Signup and view all the answers

What does selectively permeable mean regarding the cell membrane?

It allows certain things through while keeping others out. Signup and view all the answers

Water diffuses across what during osmosis?

The membrane from areas of lesser to greater solute concentration. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Organic Compounds

Molecules that contain carbon, fundamental to life.

Hydrolysis Reaction

Decomposes compounds in the presence of water; also dissolves in water.

Dehydration Reaction

A process that releases water when molecules are formed.

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Involve the transfer of electrons; oxidation is the gain, while reduction is the loss of electrons.

Anabolic Reactions

Build larger molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy input.

Catabolic Reactions

Break down larger molecules into smaller units, releasing energy.

Exergonic Reaction

Energy-releasing processes, resulting in a net release of free energy.

Endergonic Reaction

Energy-consuming processes that require an input of energy.

Properties of Water

Polar nature allows for high surface tension (capillary action) and effective solvation; expands upon freezing.

Enzymes

Proteins that lower activation energy, facilitating biochemical reactions by binding to substrates.

Composition of Living Matter

Composed of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

Importance of Carbon

Central element of life due to its ability to form a diverse range of organic compounds.

Hydrophilic Compounds

Substances that readily dissolve and mix with water.

Hydrophobic Compounds

Substances that do not dissolve in water; they repel water.

Reaction State Indicators

(s) indicates a solid state; (aq) indicates an aqueous (water) state.

Hydrolysis Mechanism

Involves water molecule donation, splitting into H+ and OH- to interact with different molecules.

Ionic Reactions

Occur when one atom transfers an electron to another, resulting in charged ions.

Coupled Reactions

Oxidation and reduction happen simultaneously during reactions.

Electron Transfer Observation

Half reactions can be used to visualize the loss and gain of electrons.

Anabolism and Catabolism

Processes that describe the use of oxidation-reduction reactions in biosynthesis and breakdown.

Anabolism Details

Synthesis of complex materials from simpler substances (similar to reduction).

Catabolism Details

Breakdown of complex materials into simpler components (similar to oxidation).

Energy Reactions

Exergonic and endergonic reactions explain energy usage and generation in biological processes.

Water Molecule Structure

Formed by two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom.

Characteristics of Water

Sticky due to polar nature, allowing high surface tension; also a good solvent.

Activation Energy

Minimum energy required for a reaction to occur, supplied from the environment.

Role of Enzymes

Enzymes lower activation energy, facilitating natural molecular reactions.

Function of Catalase

Enzyme prevalent in tissues, removes harmful hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from metabolism.

Free Energy and Reaction Spontaneity

A reaction is nonspontaneous if the free energy change is greater than zero.

Selectively Permeable Membrane

Cell membrane allows specific substances through while restricting others.

Water Diffusion

Water moves through membranes via osmosis, from regions of low to high solute concentration.

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Description

Prepare for the AP Biology exam with these flashcards covering key concepts in organic compounds, hydrolysis, dehydration, and redox reactions. Each card provides essential definitions to help reinforce your understanding of biological processes.