AP BIOLOGY EXAM REVIEW 2025
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
Random mutation - Answer-mutations in organisms that, overtime, increases the
variation that allows populations to evolve
Adaptation - Answer-inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of
survival
evolutionary fitness - Answer-success in passing genes to the next generation
sexual selection - Answer-when individuals select mates based on heritable traits
genetic drift - Answer-random change in allele frequencies that occurs in small
populations
Species - Answer-A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile
offspring.
reproductively isolated - Answer-unable to interbreed under normal circumstances to
produce fertile offspring
divergent evolution - Answer-when two or more species sharing a common ancestor
become more different over time
pre-zygotic barriers - Answer-A reproductive barrier that impedes mating between
species or hinders fertilization if interspecific mating is attempted
post zygotic barriers - Answer-prevent the hybrid zygote from developing into a viable,
fertile adult
Speciation - Answer-the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
Polyploidy - Answer-condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes
convergent evolution - Answer-Evolution toward similar characteristics in unrelated
species
allopatric speciation - Answer-The formation of new species in populations that are
geographically isolated from one another.
,sympatric speciation - Answer-The formation of new species in populations that live in
the same geographic area
Hardy-Weinberg Principle - Answer-principle that allele frequencies in a population will
remain constant unless one or more factors cause the frequencies to change
endotherms - Answer-animals that generate their own body heat through metabolism
ex: polar bears, humans
ectotherms - Answer-animals that lack an internal mechanism to control body
temperature; they regulate temp behaviorally by seeking out cool or warm places ex:
lizard on a warm rock
behavior - Answer-how organisms cope with their environment
instinct - Answer-inborn, innate unlearned behavior
learning - Answer-change in behavior due to an experience
pheromones - Answer-biochemical odorants emitted by other members of its species
that can affect an animal's behavior or physiology ex: female insects give off their
pheromones, they attract males from great distances
symbiotic relationship - Answer-The relationship between two species that live in close
association with each other
mutualism - Answer-a relationship between two species in which both species benefit
ex: lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic algae
commensalism - Answer-an association between two organisms in which one benefits
and the other derives neither benefit nor harm ex: remoras attach themselves to the
backs of sharks
parasitism - Answer-one organism benefits and the other is harmed ex: mosquito and a
human
photoperiodism - Answer-a plant's response to seasonal changes in length of night and
day ex: plants bloom based on the amount of uninterrupted darkness
Cohesion - Answer-an attraction between molecules of the same substance, like water
and water
Adhesion - Answer-An attraction between molecules of different substances, like and
water and another substance
, surface tension - Answer-the force that acts on the surface of a liquid and explains why
an insect can "walk" on water
heat capacity - Answer-the number of heat units needed to raise the temperature of a
body by one degree.
expansion on freezing - Answer-water forms a crystalline structure that expands and is
less dense than its liquid state
adhesive - Answer-able to stick fast to a surface or object; sticky.
capillary action - Answer-ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the
assistance of, or even in opposition to, external forces like gravity
acidic - Answer-pH less than 7 due to a higher concentration of H+ ions
basic - Answer-pH greater than 7 due to a higher concentration of OH- ions
neutral - Answer-pH of 7
Alkaline - Answer-basic or having a pH of greater than 7
pH scale - Answer-measurement system used to indicate the concentration of hydrogen
ions (H+) in solution; ranges from 0 to 14
organic compounds - Answer-carbon-based molecules
inorganic compounds - Answer-Compounds that do not contain carbon
Polymer - Answer-A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers
linked together.
Monomer - Answer-A simple compound whose molecules can join together to form
polymers
Carbohydrates - Answer-macromolecule made up of monosaccharides
Monosaccharides - Answer-monomer of carbohydrates like glucose
disacharidases - Answer-carbohydrates made up of TWO monosaccharides like
maltose
poysaccharides - Answer-polymer of carbohydrates that is made of up of many
monosaccharides like starch and glycogen
Glucose - Answer-monosaccharide that gets broken down in cellular respiration
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
Random mutation - Answer-mutations in organisms that, overtime, increases the
variation that allows populations to evolve
Adaptation - Answer-inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of
survival
evolutionary fitness - Answer-success in passing genes to the next generation
sexual selection - Answer-when individuals select mates based on heritable traits
genetic drift - Answer-random change in allele frequencies that occurs in small
populations
Species - Answer-A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile
offspring.
reproductively isolated - Answer-unable to interbreed under normal circumstances to
produce fertile offspring
divergent evolution - Answer-when two or more species sharing a common ancestor
become more different over time
pre-zygotic barriers - Answer-A reproductive barrier that impedes mating between
species or hinders fertilization if interspecific mating is attempted
post zygotic barriers - Answer-prevent the hybrid zygote from developing into a viable,
fertile adult
Speciation - Answer-the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
Polyploidy - Answer-condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes
convergent evolution - Answer-Evolution toward similar characteristics in unrelated
species
allopatric speciation - Answer-The formation of new species in populations that are
geographically isolated from one another.
,sympatric speciation - Answer-The formation of new species in populations that live in
the same geographic area
Hardy-Weinberg Principle - Answer-principle that allele frequencies in a population will
remain constant unless one or more factors cause the frequencies to change
endotherms - Answer-animals that generate their own body heat through metabolism
ex: polar bears, humans
ectotherms - Answer-animals that lack an internal mechanism to control body
temperature; they regulate temp behaviorally by seeking out cool or warm places ex:
lizard on a warm rock
behavior - Answer-how organisms cope with their environment
instinct - Answer-inborn, innate unlearned behavior
learning - Answer-change in behavior due to an experience
pheromones - Answer-biochemical odorants emitted by other members of its species
that can affect an animal's behavior or physiology ex: female insects give off their
pheromones, they attract males from great distances
symbiotic relationship - Answer-The relationship between two species that live in close
association with each other
mutualism - Answer-a relationship between two species in which both species benefit
ex: lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic algae
commensalism - Answer-an association between two organisms in which one benefits
and the other derives neither benefit nor harm ex: remoras attach themselves to the
backs of sharks
parasitism - Answer-one organism benefits and the other is harmed ex: mosquito and a
human
photoperiodism - Answer-a plant's response to seasonal changes in length of night and
day ex: plants bloom based on the amount of uninterrupted darkness
Cohesion - Answer-an attraction between molecules of the same substance, like water
and water
Adhesion - Answer-An attraction between molecules of different substances, like and
water and another substance
, surface tension - Answer-the force that acts on the surface of a liquid and explains why
an insect can "walk" on water
heat capacity - Answer-the number of heat units needed to raise the temperature of a
body by one degree.
expansion on freezing - Answer-water forms a crystalline structure that expands and is
less dense than its liquid state
adhesive - Answer-able to stick fast to a surface or object; sticky.
capillary action - Answer-ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the
assistance of, or even in opposition to, external forces like gravity
acidic - Answer-pH less than 7 due to a higher concentration of H+ ions
basic - Answer-pH greater than 7 due to a higher concentration of OH- ions
neutral - Answer-pH of 7
Alkaline - Answer-basic or having a pH of greater than 7
pH scale - Answer-measurement system used to indicate the concentration of hydrogen
ions (H+) in solution; ranges from 0 to 14
organic compounds - Answer-carbon-based molecules
inorganic compounds - Answer-Compounds that do not contain carbon
Polymer - Answer-A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers
linked together.
Monomer - Answer-A simple compound whose molecules can join together to form
polymers
Carbohydrates - Answer-macromolecule made up of monosaccharides
Monosaccharides - Answer-monomer of carbohydrates like glucose
disacharidases - Answer-carbohydrates made up of TWO monosaccharides like
maltose
poysaccharides - Answer-polymer of carbohydrates that is made of up of many
monosaccharides like starch and glycogen
Glucose - Answer-monosaccharide that gets broken down in cellular respiration
