Pre-AP Biology Exam 1 Preparation Guide
These topics will be covered on the exam.
What are atoms and molecules?
Describe the two most common methods for chemically bonding atoms and molecules to form new
substances.
Water is very important to living systems. A number of water’s most import properties to living things
are a result of a strong intermolecular attraction between water molecules. Name and describe this
intermolecular force.
Contrast ions and atoms of the same element.
Use the pH scale to describe a strong acid and a strong base.
Explain why carbon’s characteristic of having four available valence electrons is important in forming
biological molecules.
Most liquids in biological systems are solutions. Describe the characteristics of solutes and solvents in
solutions.
What are the 4 major types of biological macromolecules?
Describe the identifying structure of the four types of biological macromolecules.
Describe the process of a chemical reaction.
Identify the reactants and products in a written chemical equation.
Chemical reactions can be classified by their tendency to absorb or release energy in order to occur.
Name and describe these two types of reactions.
Chemical reactions require activation energy to proceed. What types of chemicals can be added to
reaction systems that will lower the activation energy and speed up the reaction?
Enzyme function is commonly illustrated using a key and lock model. What is happening when:
The substrate(s) and enzyme come together
The substrate(s) and enzyme are joined
The substrate(s) are released from the enzyme
Describe the structure of a polymer.
What are the functions of the 4 major biological macromolecules?