A.P. Biology
Chapter 2 Objectives
 Define element and compound
 State four elements that are essential to life that make up 96% of
living matter
 Describe the structure of an atom
 Define and distinguish among atomic, number, mass number, atomic
weight, and valence
 Given the atomic number and mass number of an atom, determine the
number of neutrons
 Explain why radioactive isotopes are important to biologists
 Explain how electron configuration influences the chemical behavior
of an atom
 Explain the octet rule and predict how many bonds an atom might
form
 Explain why noble gasses are so unreactive
 Define electronegativity and explain how it influences the formation
of chemical bonds
 Distinguish between nonpolar covalent, polar covalent and ionic
bonds
 Describe the formation of a hydrogen bond and explain how it differs
from a covalent or ionic bond
 Explain why weak bonds are important to living organisms
 Describe how relative concentrations of reactants and products affect
a chemical reaction
Chapter 3
 Describe how water contributes to the fitness of the environment
 Describe the structure and geometry of a water molecule, and explain
what properties emerge as a result of the its structure
 Explain the relationship between polar molecules and its ability to
form hydrogen bonds
 List five characteristics of water that are emergent properties resulting
from hydrogen bonding
 Explain how water’s high specific heat, high heat of vaporization and
expansion upon freezing affect both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
 Explain why water is such a versatile solvent
 Explain the basis for the pH scale
 Explain how acids and bases directly or indirectly affect the hydrogen
ion concentration of a solution.
Chapter 4
 Explain how the electron configuration of carbon determines the kinds
and numbers of bonds carbon will form
 Describe how carbon skeletons may vary and explain how this
variation contributes to the diversity and complexity of carbon
 Distinguish among the three types of isomers: structural, geometric
and enantiomers.
 Recognize the major functional groups and describe the chemical
properties of organic molecules in which they occur
Chapter 5
 List the four major classes of biomolecules
 Explain why organic polymers contribute to biological diversity
 Describe the distinguishing characteristics of carbohydrates, lipids and
proteins
 Be able to provide examples of the functions of each
 Explain the relationship between condensation synthesis (dehydration
synthesis) and hydrolysis)
 Be able to correctly link peptide bonds, glycosidic linkages and esther
linkages to the correct class of biomolecules.
 Describe the characteristics of enzymes
 Explain what is meant by protein denaturation and be able to give
example of factors that influence protein (in particular
enzyme)function
 Describe what happens when a protein denatures (be able to elaborate
or expand upon this point with enzymes)
 Describe the four levels of protein structure
Chapter 8
 Explain the function of enzymes in biological systems
 Explain how enzymes may be controlled or regulated by
environmental conditions such as cofactors, inhibitors, and allosteric
regulators
 Explain the relationship between enzyme structure and it’s specificity