This page is your ultimate guide to mastering AP Biology Chapter 2. With interactive flashcards, quizzes, and a glossary, you'll deepen your understanding of key concepts like atomic structure, chemical bonds, and the properties of water. Start practicing now to boost your biology knowledge!
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Important concepts to remember
Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass.
An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions.
An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.
The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different mass numbers.
A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.
An ionic bond is formed when one atom transfers one or more electrons to another atom, resulting in oppositely charged ions that attract each other.
A hydrogen bond is a weak bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.
Polarity refers to the uneven distribution of charge within a molecule, leading to partial positive and negative charges.
The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline).
A buffer is a substance that helps maintain a stable pH by accepting or donating hydrogen ions.
Macromolecules are large, complex molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.
A polymer is a large molecule made of repeating monomers linked together by covalent bonds.
A monomer is a small molecule that can join with other monomers to form a polymer.
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required.
