Get a head start!!!!

100 words to know before starting AP Biology:

Since AP biology is densely packed with academic vocabulary, tackling some of these terms over the summer will make learning
concepts later on much easier. Your summer assignment is to start learning the following terms & definitions below. You will be
given quizzes with the actual definition or a paraphrased version of the definition and you should be able to give the word being
defined. You will take several vocab quizzes during the first few weeks of the school year. Any student who does not average at
least an 85% on these quizzes will be required to come in at lunch and continue working until they know these terms. Good Luck!! ​☺

Active site: ​The part of the enzyme where the substrate will bind.
Active transport​: The movement of molecules across the cell membrane with the use of ATP.
Alternation of generations​: The life cycle of a plant that includes both a multicellular haploid form and a multicellular diploid
form.
Alveoli: T ​ he functional unit of the lung​.
Amino Acids​: The 20 molecules that are held together by peptide bonds to make up proteins.
Amniotic egg​: The hard shelled egg that allows reptiles and birds to have internal fertilization, but not have to have the organism
created form inside the mother.
Angiosperm​: Flowering plants
Antibodies​: Proteins made by the B cells that immobilize antigens.
Anticodon:​ The three nucleotide combination on the transfer RNA that matches up with the three letter combination (codon) on
the messenger RNA.
Antigen​: The foreign particles or substances that trigger an immune response.
ATP​: A high energy molecule that can be split apart to release energy for many different processes in living things.
Autotroph​: An organism that makes its own food.
Auxins​: Plant hormones that lead to phototropism (the growth response of plants due to light) by elongating the dark side of the
plant.
Binary fission​: The asexual reproduction in bacteria.
Buffer​: A chemical that can release or absorb hydrogen ions depending on the conditions and therefore can maintain the pH of a
solution at a constant level.
Capillary​: the smallest blood vessels that connect veins to the arteries and are the site of all exchange with the environment.
Catalyst​: A molecule that speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy.
Cell Cycle​: The continuous series of events that all somatic cells go through that includes mitosis, cytokinesis, and interphase.
Cell Wall​: Structural part of some cells that can be made of cellulose, peptidoglycan, or chitin depending on what kingdom the
organism belongs to.
Cellular respiration​: The process of breaking down glucose to make ATP energy.
Cholesterol​: The steroid embedded in the cell membrane that keeps the membrane fluid and strong.
Chlorophyll​: The green, light-absorbing pigment in a plant
Chloroplast​: The cell part responsible for photosynthesis in eukaryotic cells.
Chromatin​: The unwound form of DNA that is accessible for making RNA.
Chromosomes​: The condensed form of DNA when it is wrapped up tightly around histone proteins (as seen during metaphase).
Codon​: The three nucleotide combination on the messenger RNA that matches up with the three letter combination on the transfer
RNA (anticodon) and has the information to code for one amino acid
Cohesion​: The attractive force between polar molecules of the same substance (like water sticking to water).
Controlled variables/Constants​: The many characteristics of the experimental group and control group which are held
constant.
Covalent bond​: An intramolecular bond where atoms are sharing electrons equally.
Cuticle​: The waxy protective layer on plants that prevents desiccation (extreme drying out).
Cytokinesis​: After mitosis or meiosis it is the “splitting” of the cytoplasm to form two or four new cells each with its own nucleus.
Dehydration synthesis​: The type of reaction that links together monomers to make polymers and release water in the process.
Diploid​: Cells that have two copies of each kind of chromosome.
DNA ligase​: The enzyme that splices DNA together in genetic engineering and also connects the Okazaki fragments of DNA
replication.
Duodenum​: The primary site of chemical digestion in humans (first section of the small intestine).
Endoplasmic reticulum​: the series of membranes inside the cell that allow for passage of materials through the cytoplasm and
the synthesis of lipids (smooth ER).
Endosymbiosis​: The theory that eukaryotic cells arose from prokaryotic cells that lived closely together to the point that we now
call these former cells “mitochondria” and “chloroplasts”.
Estuary​: The biome created when freshwater mixes with salt water to form brackish water that is one of the most productive
areas on Earth.
Enzyme​: An organic catalyst that lowers the activation energy of chemical reactions in organisms thus increasing the rate of
reaction.
Eukaryotic cell​: A cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
External fertilization​: When an egg and sperm unite outside the body of the mother.
Facilitated transport​: The movement of molecules across the cell membrane with the help of a protein, but without the use of
ATP.
Fruit​: The ripened ovary of a plant.
Gametes​: The haploid cells produced by meiosis.
Gene​: The section of DNA that is responsible for the production of one polypeptide (ultimately influencing the expression of 1
trait).
Genetic engineering​: The process of combining the DNA of two different organisms.
Genome​: The entire haploid set of chromosomes in an individual.
Global Warming​: The increase in carbon dioxide and other gases causes heat to be trapped and thus raises the temperature of
the Earth and possibly could lead to flooding and climate change.
Glycerol​: The three-carbon backbone molecule of the triglycerides.
Glycogen​: The polysaccharide that is how animals store long chains of glucose in their liver.
Gonads​: The site of meiosis in humans that includes the ovaries and testes.
Haploid​: Cells that have one copy of each kind of chromosome.
Homeostasis​: The condition in animals where they keep their internal environment constant for a specific characteristic often as
a result of negative feedback.
Homozygous​: The description of an individual who has the same allele for a trait on both homologous chromosomes (ex: TT or
tt).
Hydrogen bond​: The weak intermolecular bond that forms between a hydrogen atom of one molecule, and an electronegative
atom (like oxygen or nitrogen) of another molecule. H-bonds between water molecules that causes them to “stick” to each other.
Hyphae​: The “body” of the fungus
Hypothesis​: A testable explanation for a question that is often written in if… then… form.
Incomplete dominance​: The type of inheritance where the heterozygous individual has a blend of 2 traits (ex: red+
white​→​pink).
Independent variable​: The one difference between the experimental group and the control group. (Often changed by the
experimenter)
Innate​: Behavior in an organism that is not learned, but is genetically determined (natural inborn behaviors).
Insulin​: The hormone that lowers blood sugar by having it stored as glycogen in the liver and increasing cellular uptake.
Logistic​: The type of population growth where the population has reached the carrying capacity (K​max ​and stays at a relatively
constant level as indicated by an S-curve.
Marker proteins​: Proteins embedded in the cell membrane which allow organisms to differentiate between self and non-self cells.
Meiosis​: The type of nuclear division that leads to four nuclei with a haploid complement of chromosomes produced from one diploid
cell.
Messenger RNA​: RNA made from DNA that carries the nucleotide template to the ribosome for protein synthesis.
Mitochondria​: In eukaryotic cells it is the site of the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain of aerobic cellular respiration
Mitosis​: The type of nuclear division that leads to two nuclei with the entire diploid set of chromosomes.
Mutation​: A change in the DNA either by changing a chromosome’s structure or the order of nucleotides.
Natural selection​: The theory that explains how a population changes over time to reflect the individuals who are most
successful.
Nephron​: The functional unit of the kidney.
Nucleotides​: The monomer subunit that links together along the sugar phosphate backbone to form nucleic acids (DNA/RNA).
Oviduct​: The tube that leads from the ovary to the uterus that is the site of fertilization in humans.
Pancreas​: The gland that releases glucagon and insulin to help control blood sugar.
Passive transport​: The transport of molecules (by diffusion) across the cell membrane without the use of energy.
Photosynthesis​: The chemical reaction that makes glucose and oxygen from water and carbon (CO​2​) in the presence of sunlight.
Pituitary gland​: The gland that controls the release of hormones from many other glands.
Plasma​: The liquid noncellular component of blood.
Plasma membrane​: The outer selectively permeable membrane of A ​ LL​ cells.
Polar bond​: A bond where the atoms are sharing electrons unequally creating small negative and positive charges on the
molecules.
Population​: The members of a species within a specific area that has gene flow between its members.
Primary productivity​: The amount of photosynthesis in an ecosystem.
Prokaryotic​: Cells that have no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.
Protista:​ The kingdom that has predominantly unicellular eukaryotic organisms including algae, protozoans, and slime molds.
Replication:​ The duplication of the DNA during the middle “s phase” of interphase during the cell cycle.
Restriction enzymes​: Enzymes that are used to “cut” DNA into pieces that often have “sticky” ends.
Ribosome​: The part of the cell responsible for synthesis of proteins (via dehydration synthesis of amino acids) using the mRNA
template.
Root​: The structure responsible for water absorption in plants.
RNA​: the single stranded nucleic acid with uracil instead of the thymine found in DNA.
RNA polymerase​: The enzyme that makes RNA from DNA.
Sex chromosomes​: The 23​rd​ pair of chromosomes in humans that determine whether the offspring is male or female.
Species​: A group of similar looking organisms that can reproduce to make fertile offspring.
Spindle fibers​: The microtubules that are used to separate the chromosomes and drag them to separate sides during nuclear
division.
Stomata​: The small openings on the underside of leaves that allow for carbon dioxide to come in and oxygen (and water) to
escape.
Symbiosis​: A long term relationship between organisms of two different species where at least one of the organisms benefits.
Transcription​: The process of making of RNA from DNA.
Transfer RNA​: RNA made from DNA that attaches to specific amino acids and delivers them to the mRNA in the ribosome to be
used in protein synthesis.
Translation​: The process of making proteins from the mRNA template.
Transpiration​: The evaporation of water from the stomata of a leaf that allows water to be pulled up a stem.
Uterus​: The place where the blastocyst implants and grows in a human female.
Xylem​: The vascular tissue in a plant that carries water up from the roots to the rest of the plant.
Zygote​: The cell produced by the union of 2 gametes (ex: the fertilized egg).

VOCAB QUIZ LISTS

Quiz #1 Quiz #2 Quiz #3 Quiz #4

(Intro & chem) (cells, plants, (DNA, genetics) (structures,
processes) reproduction, &
interactions)
Active site: Alternation of generations​: Anticodon: Alveoli:

Active transport​: Antibodies​: Cell Cycle​: Amniotic egg​:

Amino Acids​: Antigen​: Chromatin​: Angiosperm​:

ATP​: Autotroph​: Chromosomes​: Capillary​:

Buffer​: Auxins​: Codon​: Cuticle​:

Catalyst​: Binary fission​: Cytokinesis​: Duodenum​:

​Cholesterol​: Cell Wall​: Diploid​: Estuary

Cohesion​: Cellular respiration​: DNA ligase​: External fertilization​:

Controlled variables​: Chlorophyll​: Gene​: Fruit​:

Covalent bond​: Chloroplast​: Genetic engineering​: ​Global Warming​:

Dehydration synthesis​: Endoplasmic reticulum​: Genome​: Gonads​:

Endosymbiosis​: Eukaryotic cell​: Haploid​: Hyphae​:

Enzyme​: Gametes​: Homozygous​: Innate​:

Facilitated transport​: Mitochondria​: Incomplete dominance​: Insulin​:

Glycerol​: Photosynthesis Meiosis​: Logistic​:

Glycogen​: Plasma membrane​: Messenger RNA​: Nephron​:

Homeostasis​: Primary productivity​: Mitosis​: Oviduct​:

​Hydrogen bond​: Prokaryotic​: Mutation​: Pancreas​:

Hypothesis​: Protista: Replication: Pituitary gland​:

Independent variable​: Ribosome​: Restriction enzymes​: Plasma​:

Marker proteins​: Spindle fibers​: RNA​: . Population​:

Natural selection​: Transpiration​: RNA polymerase​: Root​:

​Nucleotides​: Zygote Sex chromosomes​: Species

Passive transport​: Transcription​: . Stomata​:

Polar bond​: Transfer RNA​: Symbiosis​:.

Translation​: Uterus​:
 Xylem

VOCAB REVIEW ACTIVITY

Active site:

Active transport​:

Alternation of generations​:

Alveoli:

Amino Acids​:

Amniotic egg​:

Angiosperm​:

Antibodies​:

Anticodon:

Antigen​:

ATP​:

Autotroph​:

Auxins​:

Binary fission​:

Buffer​:

Capillary​:

Catalyst​:
Cell Cycle​:

Cell Wall​:

Cellular respiration​:

Cholesterol​:

Chlorophyll​:

Chloroplast​:

Chromatin​:

Chromosomes​:

Codon​:

Cohesion​:

Controlled variables​:

Covalent bond​:

Cuticle​:

Cytokinesis​:

Dehydration synthesis​:

Diploid​:

DNA ligase​:

Duodenum​:

Endoplasmic reticulum​:

Endosymbiosis​:
Estuary​:

Enzyme​:

Eukaryotic cell​:

External fertilization​:

Facilitated transport​:

Fruit​:

Gametes​:

Gene​:

Genetic engineering​:

Genome​:

​Global Warming​:

Glycerol​:

Glycogen​:

Gonads​:

Haploid​:

Homeostasis​:

Homozygous​:

Hydrogen bond​:

Hyphae​:

Hypothesis​:
Incomplete dominance​:

Independent variable​:

Innate​:

Insulin​:

Logistic​:

Marker proteins​:

Meiosis​:

Messenger RNA​:

Mitochondria​:

Mitosis​:

Mutation​:

Natural selection​:

Nephron​:

Nucleotides​:

Oviduct​:

Pancreas​:

Passive transport​:

Photosynthesis

Pituitary gland​:

Plasma​:
Plasma membrane​:

Polar bond​:

Population​:

Primary productivity​:

Prokaryotic​:

Protista:

Replication:

Restriction enzymes​:

Ribosome​:

Root​:

RNA​:

RNA polymerase​:

Sex chromosomes​:

Species​:

Spindle fibers​:

Stomata​:

Symbiosis​:.

Transcription​: .

Transfer RNA​:

Translation​:
Transpiration​:

Uterus​:

Xylem

Zygote