AP Bio Unit 1: Biochemistry

The pH scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic), with 7 being neutral.

A pH of 7 indicates a neutral solution, where the concentration of hydrogen ions [H⁺] equals the concentration of hydroxide ions [OH^-].

pH + pOH = 14; this equation shows the inverse relationship between the concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in a solution.

An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in cells by lowering the activation energy required.

The active site is the specific region on an enzyme where substrates bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

The four main types are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Proteins perform a variety of functions including acting as enzymes, hormones, and structural components of cells.

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, store and transmit genetic information.

It indicates that the solution is acidic.

It indicates that the solution is basic.