AP Biology Unit 3 Review Practice Quiz
Tackle FRQs, MCQs, and test challenges now
Study Outcomes
- Analyze authentic free-response questions to identify key biological concepts.
- Interpret experimental data and graphical representations in AP Biology.
- Synthesize information from cell biology, genetics, and biochemistry topics.
- Apply critical thinking skills to simulate exam conditions and enhance test readiness.
AP Biology Unit 3 Review: FRQ, MCQ & Test Cheat Sheet
- First Law of Thermodynamics - Energy can't be created or destroyed, only transformed into different forms, like light to chemical energy in photosynthesis. This law is the backbone of cellular energetics and explains how cells maintain their power supply. Embrace this concept to understand why your body's energy budget must always balance! IITian Academy Cellular Energetics Notes
- Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG) - ΔG tells you if a reaction runs on its own: a negative ΔG means it's spontaneous, while a positive one needs an energy boost. This handy metric lets you predict whether your favorite reactions will fire up or fizzle out. Mastering ΔG is like having a cheat code for reaction spontaneity! IITian Academy Cellular Energetics Notes
- Enzyme Catalysis - Enzymes work as biological catalysts by lowering the activation energy barrier, so reactions zip along faster without the enzyme being used up. Think of them as molecular matchmakers, bringing reactants together in just the right way. Knowing how enzymes speed things up is key to understanding everything from digestion to DNA replication! Knowunity AP Bio Unit 3 Notes
- Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity - Temperature, pH, and substrate levels can make or break enzyme function, and push them into denaturation if things go too extreme. Imagine Goldilocks testing porridge - enzymes need just the right conditions to stay "just right." Understanding these factors helps you predict when enzymes will be superheroes or sit out the game! Knowunity AP Bio Unit 3 Notes
- Competitive vs. Non‑Competitive Inhibition - Competitive inhibitors block the active site like a party crasher, while non-competitive inhibitors bind elsewhere and change the enzyme's shape. Both strategies slow down reaction rates, but in different ways. Knowing the difference is like spotting the subtle tactics villains use in a superhero movie! Knowunity AP Bio Unit 3 Notes
- ATP: The Energy Currency - ATP packs a punch by storing energy in its high‑energy phosphate bonds and releasing it upon hydrolysis to ADP and inorganic phosphate. It's like the dollar bill of the cell's economy - spend one ATP to power pumps, motors, and metabolic machines. Get comfortable with ATP, and you'll see why it's the universal "coin" for life's transactions! IITian Academy Cellular Energetics Notes
- Cellular Respiration Stages - Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation work in concert to harvest energy from glucose. Each stage yields ATP and NADH, with the big payoff coming in the electron transport chain. Visualize it as a three-act play where each act builds suspense until the final energy-rich climax! Quizlet AP Bio Unit 3 Flashcards
- Photosynthesis Equation & Reactions - The overall reaction (6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O → C₆H₂O₆ + 6 O₂) splits into light-dependent and light-independent (Calvin cycle) reactions. Light reactions capture solar energy to make ATP and NADPH, while the Calvin cycle uses them to build sugars. Memorizing this equation is like unlocking the cheat sheet for how plants power up! Quizlet AP Bio Unit 3 Flashcards
- Electron Transport Chain (ETC) - The ETC shuttles electrons through protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane, pumping protons to form a gradient. This proton-motive force drives ATP synthase like wind powering a turbine. Understanding the ETC is critical to seeing how cells crank out the most ATP per glucose molecule! IITian Academy Cellular Energetics Notes
- Fermentation in Anaerobic Conditions - When oxygen runs low, cells switch to fermentation to regenerate NAD❺ and keep glycolysis rolling, though it nets far fewer ATP. It's like switching to reserve fuel - it gets you by but isn't as efficient. Recognizing fermentation's role helps you appreciate how cells adapt to stressful, oxygen-poor environments! IITian Academy Cellular Energetics Notes