AP Biology 2023 Free Response Questions Recap (Part 1)

Presenter

Initial reaction: Complex prompts, but accessible questions.
Common task verbs:
- Describe, Explain, Justify: Each appeared six times.
- Identify: Four times.
- Predict: Three times.
- Other verbs: Calculate, Construct, Determine, State, Support, Represent, Evaluate: Once each.
Each verb typically corresponds to one FRQ point.

Part A: (2 Points)
- Charged phosphate group causes protein conformational change -> Protein becomes inactive.
- Signal amplification possible as multiple proteins phosphorylated, activating intermediaries.
Part B: (3 Points)
- Dependent variables: Activity of APA'S enzyme or amount of PH01 mRNA.
- Negative control used to ensure changes are due to mutation only.
- Mutant strains isolate each protein's function in the pathway.
Part C: (2 Points)
- Highest PH01 mRNA in low phosphate wild type.
- Percentage change calculation: Final minus initial divided by initial x 100.
Part D: (2 Points)
- PH01 expression increases in mutated yeast with non-functional PH085 protein.

Part A:
- Inner mitochondrial membrane key for electron transport chain, electrochemical gradient barrier, and ATP formation.
Part B: (3 Points)
- Graphing requirements: Species on X-axis, mitochondria count on Y; error bars required.
- Statistical observation: More mitochondria in elevated CO2 levels (no overlap in error bars).
Part C: (1 Point)
- Positive correlation between CO2 levels and mitochondria count.
Part D: (1 Point)
- Offspring with green leaves due to mitochondrial DNA inheritance via egg or ovule.
- Phenotypic plasticity: Different phenotypes from same genotype due to environmental response.