AP Biology exam cram study guide 2024
emergent properties
new properties that emerge with each step upward in the hierarchy of life, owing to the arrangement
and interactions of parts as complexity increases
inductive reasoning
reasoning based on observed patterns
polymer
large compound formed from combinations of many monomers
meiosis
a process in cell division during which the number of chromosomes decreases to half the original
number by two divisions of the nucleus, which results in the production of sex cells
repetitive DNA
nucleotide sequences, usually noncoding, that are present in many copies in a eukaryotic genome.
transposons
small mobile DNA segments
homeobox
one of various similar homeotic genes that are involved in bodily segmentation during embryonic
development
genome project
Research and technology development effort aimed at mapping and sequencing some or all of the
genome of human beings and other organisms
adaptations
the behaviors and physical characteristics that allow organisms to live successfully in their
environments
protists
single-celled or simple multicellular eukaryotic organisms that generally do not fit in any other
kingdom
diatoms
unicellular algae that have a unique glass-like wall made of hydrated silica embedded in an organic
matrix
ciliates
a group of protozoans that move by waving tiny, hair-like organelles called cilia
,amoeba
A type of protist characterized by great flexibility and the presence of pseudopodia
gastrula
an embryonic stage in animal development encompassing the formation of three layers: ectoderm,
mesoderm, and endoderm
cephalization
the concentration of nerve tissue and sensory organs at the anterior end of an organism
symmetry
the way an animal's body parts match up around a point or central line
coelom
fluid-filled body cavity lined with mesoderm
sustainable agriculture
farming method that preserves long-term productivity of land and minimizes pollution
nitrogen fixation
process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb and use
(ammonia)
crop rotation
the system of growing a different crop in a field each year to preserve the fertility of the land
epiphyte
plant that is not rooted in soil but instead grows directly on the body of another plant
physiology
processes and functions of an organism
epithelium
membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body
thermoregulation
the maintenance of body temperature within a range that enables cells to function efficiently
metabolic rate
the amount of energy an animal uses in a unit of time
acquired immunity
immunity that the body develops after it overcomes a disease, or through inoculation (such as
vaccination)
,macrophages
engulf bacteria and cellular debris by phagocytosis
inflammatory response
nonspecific defense against infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain
antigen
substance that triggers an immune response
sexual reproduction
process in which genetic material from two parents combines and produces offspring that differ
genetically from either parent
parthenogenesis
asexual reproduction in which females produce offspring from unfertilized eggs
gametogenesis
the development and maturation of sex cells through meiosis
endometrium
inner lining of the uterus
perception
the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful
objects and events
sliding filament model
The theory explaining how muscle contracts, based on change within a sarcomere, the basic unit of
muscle organization, stating that thin (actin) filaments slide across thick (myosin) filaments,
shortening the sarcomere; the shortening of all sarcomeres in a myofibril shortens the entire myofibril
smooth muscle
a muscle that contracts without conscious control and found in walls of internal organs such as
stomach and intestine and bladder and blood vessels (excluding the heart)
exoskeleton
the exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals (especially invertebrates)
including bony or horny parts such as nails or scales or hoofs
compound
a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion
by weight
, hydrogen bond
weak chemical bond formed by the attraction of positively charged hydrogen atoms to other
negatively charged atoms
covalent bond
a chemical bond that involves sharing a pair of electrons between atoms in a molecule
ion
atom that has a positive or negative charge
eukaryotic cells
contain a nucleus and other organelles that are bound by membranes
ribosomes
non membrane bounded organelles responsible for protein synthesis
mitochondria
powerhouse of the cell, produces energy (ATP) from oxygen and sugar
prokaryotic
describes a cell that does not have a nucleus or anyother membrane-covered organelles; also called
bacteria
thylakoids
A flattened membrane sac inside the chloroplast, used to convert light energy to chemical energy
photosynthesis
process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon
dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches
autotrophs
organisms that make their own food
CAM plants
store the organic acids made at night in vacuoles and use them for photosynthesis during the day
when stomata are closed
hybridization
the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
alleles
different forms of a gene
heterozygous
emergent properties
new properties that emerge with each step upward in the hierarchy of life, owing to the arrangement
and interactions of parts as complexity increases
inductive reasoning
reasoning based on observed patterns
polymer
large compound formed from combinations of many monomers
meiosis
a process in cell division during which the number of chromosomes decreases to half the original
number by two divisions of the nucleus, which results in the production of sex cells
repetitive DNA
nucleotide sequences, usually noncoding, that are present in many copies in a eukaryotic genome.
transposons
small mobile DNA segments
homeobox
one of various similar homeotic genes that are involved in bodily segmentation during embryonic
development
genome project
Research and technology development effort aimed at mapping and sequencing some or all of the
genome of human beings and other organisms
adaptations
the behaviors and physical characteristics that allow organisms to live successfully in their
environments
protists
single-celled or simple multicellular eukaryotic organisms that generally do not fit in any other
kingdom
diatoms
unicellular algae that have a unique glass-like wall made of hydrated silica embedded in an organic
matrix
ciliates
a group of protozoans that move by waving tiny, hair-like organelles called cilia
,amoeba
A type of protist characterized by great flexibility and the presence of pseudopodia
gastrula
an embryonic stage in animal development encompassing the formation of three layers: ectoderm,
mesoderm, and endoderm
cephalization
the concentration of nerve tissue and sensory organs at the anterior end of an organism
symmetry
the way an animal's body parts match up around a point or central line
coelom
fluid-filled body cavity lined with mesoderm
sustainable agriculture
farming method that preserves long-term productivity of land and minimizes pollution
nitrogen fixation
process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb and use
(ammonia)
crop rotation
the system of growing a different crop in a field each year to preserve the fertility of the land
epiphyte
plant that is not rooted in soil but instead grows directly on the body of another plant
physiology
processes and functions of an organism
epithelium
membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body
thermoregulation
the maintenance of body temperature within a range that enables cells to function efficiently
metabolic rate
the amount of energy an animal uses in a unit of time
acquired immunity
immunity that the body develops after it overcomes a disease, or through inoculation (such as
vaccination)
,macrophages
engulf bacteria and cellular debris by phagocytosis
inflammatory response
nonspecific defense against infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain
antigen
substance that triggers an immune response
sexual reproduction
process in which genetic material from two parents combines and produces offspring that differ
genetically from either parent
parthenogenesis
asexual reproduction in which females produce offspring from unfertilized eggs
gametogenesis
the development and maturation of sex cells through meiosis
endometrium
inner lining of the uterus
perception
the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful
objects and events
sliding filament model
The theory explaining how muscle contracts, based on change within a sarcomere, the basic unit of
muscle organization, stating that thin (actin) filaments slide across thick (myosin) filaments,
shortening the sarcomere; the shortening of all sarcomeres in a myofibril shortens the entire myofibril
smooth muscle
a muscle that contracts without conscious control and found in walls of internal organs such as
stomach and intestine and bladder and blood vessels (excluding the heart)
exoskeleton
the exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals (especially invertebrates)
including bony or horny parts such as nails or scales or hoofs
compound
a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion
by weight
, hydrogen bond
weak chemical bond formed by the attraction of positively charged hydrogen atoms to other
negatively charged atoms
covalent bond
a chemical bond that involves sharing a pair of electrons between atoms in a molecule
ion
atom that has a positive or negative charge
eukaryotic cells
contain a nucleus and other organelles that are bound by membranes
ribosomes
non membrane bounded organelles responsible for protein synthesis
mitochondria
powerhouse of the cell, produces energy (ATP) from oxygen and sugar
prokaryotic
describes a cell that does not have a nucleus or anyother membrane-covered organelles; also called
bacteria
thylakoids
A flattened membrane sac inside the chloroplast, used to convert light energy to chemical energy
photosynthesis
process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon
dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches
autotrophs
organisms that make their own food
CAM plants
store the organic acids made at night in vacuoles and use them for photosynthesis during the day
when stomata are closed
hybridization
the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
alleles
different forms of a gene
heterozygous
