Study AP Biology key terms with flashcards covering all 8 units, from chemistry of life through ecology.
Must-Know AP Biology Terms
- Natural Selection: Mechanism of evolution where organisms with heritable traits that improve survival/reproduction leave more offspring. Requires variation, heritability, and differential reproductive success.
- Cell Signaling: Process by which cells communicate: signal molecule binds receptor → transduction cascade → cellular response. Key types: endocrine (distant), paracrine (local), synaptic (neurons).
- Gene Expression: Process from DNA → mRNA (transcription) → protein (translation). Regulation occurs at multiple stages: transcription factors, mRNA processing, translation, post-translational modification.
- Osmosis: Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from high water potential to low water potential (hypotonic → hypertonic).
- Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: Mathematical model (p² + 2pq + q² = 1) describing allele frequencies in a non-evolving population. Requires no mutation, migration, selection, genetic drift, or non-random mating.
- ATP Synthase: Enzyme that synthesizes ATP using the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane (chemiosmosis). Site of most ATP production in cellular respiration.
- Keystone Species: Species with a disproportionately large effect on ecosystem structure relative to its abundance.
AP Biology Practice Questions · AP Bio Study Guide · How to Get a 5 on AP Bio
AP and Advanced Placement are trademarks of College Board. AimFive is not affiliated with or endorsed by College Board.
