Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

Which term describes the capacity to cause change?

1. Energy

2. Force

3. Power

4. Work

The correct answer is: Energy

The term that best describes the capacity to cause change is energy. Energy is a fundamental concept in biology and physics that refers to the ability to perform work or cause a change in a system. It exists in various forms, such as kinetic, potential, thermal, chemical, and more, and it can be transferred between systems or converted from one form to another. For example, in biological systems, energy from food is converted into ATP, which powers cellular processes and facilitates changes in metabolism and movement. While force, power, and work are related concepts, they do not directly define the capacity to cause change. Force is an interaction that causes an object to accelerate, power refers to the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred, and work specifically relates to energy transfer when a force is applied over a distance. Therefore, energy is the most comprehensive term that encompasses the ability to bring about change in various contexts.