AP Biology Unit 1 Review

Front

Why is water considered polar?

Back

Water is considered polar due to the presence of polar covalent bonds, where electrons are shared unequally between oxygen and hydrogen atoms, resulting in a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms.

Front

Which of the 4 major macromolecules provides a quick burst of energy?

Back

Carbohydrates provide a quick burst of energy as they are easily broken down into glucose, which is used by the body for immediate energy.

Front

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

Back

Saturated fats tend to be solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature due to the presence of double bonds in unsaturated fats that create kinks in their structure.

Front

Describe the orientation of phospholipids in the cell membrane.

Back

Phospholipids orient in a bilayer with hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads facing the exterior and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails facing inward, away from water.

Front

What is a covalent chemical bond?

Back

A covalent chemical bond is formed when outer-shell electrons of two atoms are shared to satisfy the requirements of both atoms, allowing them to achieve stable electron configurations.

Front

What are the four major macromolecules in biology?

Back

The four major macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Front

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?

Back

The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for cellular processes and serve as structural components in cells.

Front

What distinguishes lipids from other macromolecules?

Back

Lipids are hydrophobic molecules that do not dissolve in water and are primarily used for long-term energy storage, insulation, and making up cell membranes.

Front

What role do proteins play in biological systems?

Back

Proteins serve a variety of functions including catalyzing biochemical reactions (enzymes), providing structural support, transporting molecules, and regulating cellular processes.

Front

What is the structure of a phospholipid?

Back

A phospholipid consists of a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid tails (hydrophobic), and a phosphate group (hydrophilic) that forms the head.