AP Biology Study Guide Flashcards

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.