AP Biology
Chemistry of Life Subunits & Objectives
water
* explain polarity and hydrogen bonding as it relates to the properties of water
* describe four properties of water that are important to life
* show why water makes a good solvent
* explain the concept of pH and how this affects organisms
* define buffer and give one example from a living system
* explain the concepts of diffusion and osmosis
organic molecules
* describe the atomic structure of carbon and explain why it is considered the backbone
of life
* list the name, structure and function of the seven chemical groups that are key to
functioning biomolecules.
* describe the structure, function, and building blocks of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids,
and nucleic acids
* detail the four levels of protein structure and describe the chemical bonds involved
* describe the history of our knowledge of DNA & RNA structure
enzymes
* describe how activation energy is involved in chemical reactions
* explain what an enzyme is and how it works
* list four different ways an enzyme can lower activation energy
* relate substrate specificity to enzyme action
* describe factors that can affect the activity of enzymes
* explain how allosteric regulation controls enzyme activity
thermodynamics
[PUT WITH CELLULAR ENERGETICS UNIT]
* explain the concept of metabolism
* describe the various forms of energy and how these relate to organisms
* explain the laws of energy transformation
* relate the concepts of free energy, enthalpy, and entropy
* compare and contrast endergonic and exergonic reactions
* list the three types of work a cell can perform
* describe the structure of ATP, its regeneration and how it performs work
AP Biology
Chemistry of Life Subunits & Key Terms: define each using complete sentences.
water
polarity
adhesion
temperature
joule
heat of vaporization
aqueous
molarity
acid
pH buffer
hydrogen bond
surface tension
heat
kcal (Calorie)
solute
hydrophilic
hydrogen ion
base
cohesion
specific heat
calorie
evaporation
solution
hydrophobic
hydroxide ion
neutral solution
major elements of life
isomers (& examples)
double bond
hydrocarbons
functional groups
activation energy
enzyme-substrate complex
denatured
competitive inhibitors
feedback inhibition
transition state
active site
cofactors
noncompetitive inhibitors
potential energy
catabolic pathways
chemical energy
nonspontaneous process
free energy
exergonic
ATP
metabolism
anabolic pathways
entropy
system
enthalpy
endergonic
hydrolysis
organic molecules
organic chemistry
carbon skeleton variation
covalent bond
enzymes
catalyst
substrate
induced fit
coenzyme
allosteric regulation
thermodynamics
kinetic energy
metabolic pathway
thermal energy
spontaneous process
surroundings
equilibrium
energy coupling
phosphorylated