AP Biology Unit 1 Flashcards

Water and Its Properties

• Hydrogen bonds in water create unique properties: cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
• Cohesion causes water molecules to stick together, facilitating processes like water transport in plants.
• Adhesion allows water to stick to other surfaces, contributing to phenomena such as capillary action.

Formation of Polymers

• Monomers link to form polymers through a process known as dehydration synthesis.
• Dehydration synthesis involves the removal of water to form covalent bonds between monomers.

Hydrolysis Process

• Hydrolysis is the process where polymers are cleaved back into monomers.
• It involves the addition of water, breaking the covalent bonds.

Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic acids include DNA and RNA, essential for storing and transmitting genetic information.
• They are critical for the inheritance of traits and protein synthesis.

Composition of Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic acids are made from nucleotides.
• Each nucleotide consists of a sugar (deoxy/ribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Amino Acids and Proteins

• Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
• The specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain determines the protein's final structure and function.

Carbohydrate Formation

• Carbohydrates are formed when sugar monomers bond together via dehydration synthesis.
• This process results in the formation of polysaccharides such as starch and glycogen.

Understanding Lipids

• Lipids are nonpolar molecules that include fats, oils, and phospholipids.
• Saturation levels in lipids influence their physical properties and biological functions.
• Commonly, lipids are integral components of cell membranes, contributing to their structure and fluidity.