Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

In the context of energy, what does the term 'capacity to do work' refer to?

1. Power

2. Energy

3. Force

4. Mass

The correct answer is: Energy

The term 'capacity to do work' directly relates to the concept of energy. In physics and biology, energy is defined as the ability to perform work or to bring about change. This underlying principle is essential in various biological processes, where energy transforms to drive reactions, transport molecules across membranes, or facilitate movement. The concept encompasses various forms of energy, including kinetic, potential, thermal, and chemical energy, all of which play critical roles in biological systems. While power, force, and mass are related concepts, they do not specifically define the ability to do work. Power is the rate at which work is performed or energy is transferred, force relates to the interaction that causes an object to accelerate, and mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Each of these has its own significance but does not represent the general idea of having the capacity to perform work like energy does.