AP Bio - Vocabulary Power

The process by which an organism adjusts to its environment in order to survive and reproduce successfully.

Topic: Evolution

The Hardy-Weinberg equation is used to calculate allele frequencies in a population and predict genetic equilibrium.

Topic: Evolution

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can result in genetic variation within a population.

Topic: Evolution

Archaea are single-celled microorganisms that are similar to bacteria but have distinct genetic and metabolic characteristics.

Topic: Classification & Biological Diversity

Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can be found in various environments. They have a simple structure without a nucleus and can be beneficial or harmful to humans and the environment.

Topic: Classification & Biological Diversity

Active transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration, requiring energy in the form of ATP.
Topic: Cells

Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy by capturing sunlight and converting it into glucose.

Topic: Cells

Mitochondrion is a double-membrane-bound organelle found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. It is the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for generating most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through cellular respiration.

Topic: Cells

A cellular organelle responsible for protein synthesis. It reads mRNA and assembles amino acids into polypeptide chains during translation.

Topic: Cells

A network of membrane-bound sacs and tubules studded with ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis and processing in eukaryotic cells.

Topic: Cells

A cell organelle is involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage in eukaryotic cells. It lacks ribosomes on its surface.
Topic: Cells

A membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells. It contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls cell activities.

Topic: Cells

The movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

Topic: Cells

A sac in cells that stores water, nutrients, and waste. In plants, it helps maintain shape and regulates substances in the cell.

Topic: Cells

Anaphase is a stage in cell division where the sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell, ensuring each daughter cell gets a complete set of chromosomes.

Topic: Cell Division

Centrioles are cylindrical structures in animal cells that help in cell division. They aid in organizing spindle fibers during mitosis.

Topic: Cell Division

A chromosome is a structure made of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information. It's found in the nucleus and determines an individual's traits.

Topic: Cell Division

Crossing over is a process during meiosis where chromosomes exchange genes, creating new combinations. It increases genetic diversity.

Topic Cell Division

Cytokinesis is the process where the cell's cytoplasm divides into two daughter cells after separating the chromosomes during mitosis or meiosis. It's important for growth and development, and creating new cells.

Topic: Cell Division

Diploid (2n) refers to a cell with twice the number of chromosomes as a gamete (n), with one chromosome in each pair coming from each parent. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in their diploid cells.

Topic: Cell Division

Haploid (n) refers to a sex cell with one set of chromosomes, while diploid cells have pairs of chromosomes. Humans have 23 chromosomes in their haploid cells.

Topic: Cell Division

Homologous chromosomes are a pair of chromosomes with the same size, shape, and carry genes for the same traits, one from each parent. They exchange genetic material during meiosis, resulting in new gene combinations in the offspring.

Topic: Cell Division

Interphase is the longest stage of the cell cycle, where the cell grows and prepares for cell division. It has three stages: G1, S, and G2, where DNA replication occurs. It's a critical stage in ensuring the cell is healthy and ready to divide.

Topic: Cell Division

Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the usual number of chromosomes. It involves two rounds of cell division, resulting in the formation of four haploid daughter cells. Meiosis is critical for sexual reproduction and ensures each organism has a unique combination of genes.

Topic: Cell Division

Metaphase is a stage in cell division where chromosomes line up in the center of the cell, forming the metaphase plate. Spindle fibers attach to the centromeres, ensuring each daughter cell gets a complete set of chromosomes. It's followed by anaphase.

Topic: Cell Division

Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells. It has four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. It's critical for growth and repair in multicellular organisms.

Topic: Cell Division

Prophase is a stage in cell division where chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes. The nuclear envelope breaks down, spindle fibers form at opposite poles, and chromosomes are moved to the center. It ensures proper chromosome separation during mitosis or meiosis.

Topic: Cell Division

Telophase is the last stage of cell division, where the chromosomes reach opposite poles and a new nuclear envelope forms around each set. Spindle fibers disassemble, and the cell begins to divide into two daughter cells.

Topic: Cell Division

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule that carries genetic information of all living things. DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell and is replicated and passed on from parent to offspring during cell division.

4 different nucleotide bases:

Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine,

Topic: Molecular Genetics

Hydrogen bonding occurs between molecules, where a hydrogen atom attracts a more electronegative atom. It's a weak bond but important in many biological and chemical processes. It plays a critical role in the structure and function of biological molecules such as proteins and DNA.

Topic: Molecular Genetics

RNA is a molecule that plays a vital role in gene expression and protein synthesis. It's similar to DNA but typically single-stranded. RNA is involved in transcription, translation, and RNA editing.

Topic: Molecular Genetics

Transcription is the process of copying genetic information from DNA into RNA. It's essential for gene expression and protein synthesis. RNA polymerase binds to the DNA promoter, reads the DNA template strand, and synthesizes a complementary RNA molecule by adding nucleotides. It occurs in the nucleus of the cell in eukaryotes and in the cytoplasm in prokaryotes.

Topic: Molecular Genetics

In Mendelian genetics, dominant refers to a genetic trait that is expressed when an individual has one or two copies of the dominant allele. The presence of the functional protein masks the effect of the non-functional protein, resulting in the dominant trait being expressed. Dominant inheritance follows the principles of Mendelian genetics.

Topic: Mendelian Genetics

Heterozygous means having two different alleles of a gene. It results in a genotype that has one dominant allele and one recessive allele. Heterozygous individuals are also called carriers because they carry a recessive allele that is not expressed in their phenotype but can be passed to their offspring.

Topic: Mendelian Genetics

Homozygous means having two identical alleles of a gene. The resulting genotype has two dominant alleles or two recessive alleles. Homozygous individuals are used in genetic studies to determine whether a trait is dominant or recessive.

Topic: Mendelian Genetics

In Mendelian genetics, recessive refers to a genetic trait that is expressed only when an individual has two copies of the recessive allele. The recessive trait is not expressed because the recessive allele codes for a non-functional protein that cannot produce the trait. The presence of the dominant allele masks the effect of the recessive allele. Recessive traits are represented by a lowercase letter.

Topic: Mendelian Genetics

ATP is a molecule that serves as the primary energy carrier in living organisms. It's made up of three phosphate groups, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base called adenine. ATP provides energy for cellular processes by releasing energy when a bond is broken between the second and third phosphate groups. It's produced by cellular respiration and constantly being synthesized and broken down in cells.

Topic: Metabolism

Circadian rhythm is a 24-hour internal biological process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It's controlled by an internal biological clock in the brain and is responsible for regulating physiological processes such as hormone production, body temperature, and metabolism. The circadian rhythm is influenced by external factors such as light and darkness and disruptions can have negative health effects.

Topic: Physiology

A biome is a large geographical region characterized by specific climatic and environmental conditions. Biomes are classified based on physical and biological features, including dominant plant species, animal populations, and ecological communities. Examples of biomes include tropical rainforests, deserts, grasslands, tundras, and oceans. Each biome has unique characteristics and supports diverse life forms adapted to the specific conditions.

Topic: Ecology

A food chain is a sequence of organisms in an ecosystem where each organism represents a link that transfers energy and nutrients from one organism to another. The food chain starts with a primary producer and ends with apex predators. Food chains help maintain the balance of energy and nutrients and can be affected by climate change, habitat loss, and human activities.

Topic: Ecology