{"id":19663,"date":"2018-05-11T16:09:41","date_gmt":"2018-05-11T21:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=19663"},"modified":"2024-04-19T22:37:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T22:37:39","slug":"ap-biology-notes-structures-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/ap-biology\/ap-biology-notes-structures-of-life\/","title":{"rendered":"AP Biology Notes: Structures of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Five\u00a0Things to Know about\u00a0Structures of Life<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Cells are the basic structural and functional units of all known living organisms. There are two major types: prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.<\/li>\n
  2. Prokaryotic cells have no real nucleus, have circular DNA, and reproduce using binary fission. Prokaryotes include archaea and bacteria. These cells are small and move via flagella.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, linear DNA, highly structured cell membranes, and organelles, and they reproduce via mitosis and meiosis. Eukaryotes include protists, fungi, plants, and animals. These cells are large and move via a variety of methods including flagella and cilia.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Cell membranes are made up of a lipid bilayer that includes a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic region. Specific structures embedded within the membrane help to facilitate transport.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. The cell membrane is selectively permeable, meaning it allows certain things through while keeping others out. Water diffuses across the membrane from areas of lesser to greater solute concentration (osmosis). While certain things can cross the membrane in the processes of diffusion or facilitated diffusion, which do not require energy, others require the expenditure of energy for active transport against the concentration gradient.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Key Topics–Structures of Life<\/h3>
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    Remember that the AP Biology exam tests you on the depth of your knowledge, not just your ability to recall facts. While we have provided brief definitions here, you will need to know these terms in even more depth for the AP Biology exam.

    Prokaryotes versus Eukaryotes <\/h4>
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