AP Biology Exam Review Lecture Notes

Overview

• Glenn Wokenfeld (Mr. W) hosts a comprehensive review for the AP Biology exam.
• Focuses on each unit and topic within the course.
• Offers a downloadable checklist for study.
• Key topics include chemistry of life, water properties, biomolecules, cell structure, genetics, evolution, ecosystems, and more.
• Emphasizes understanding and connecting concepts across different biological topics.

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

Properties of Water

• Water is a polar molecule with partial positive (hydrogen) and partial negative (oxygen) regions.
• Hydrogen bonds: weak bonds between molecules, key in biological structures like DNA.

Elements of Life

• Essential elements: CHNOPS (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur).
• Carbon's versatility due to its ability to form four covalent bonds.

Biomolecules

• Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids
  • Monomers form polymers through dehydration synthesis.
  • Hydrolysis breaks polymers into monomers.

Functional Groups and Biomolecules

• Examples: Hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate.
• Functional groups affect molecule behavior in chemical reactions.

Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Cells and Organelles

• Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Eukaryotic organelles: nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, etc.
• Cell membrane structure: phospholipid bilayer, fluid mosaic model.

Transport Across Membranes

• Simple and Facilitated Diffusion: Passive transport, no energy required.
• Active Transport: Requires energy, moves substances against gradient.
• Osmosis: Water movement through semipermeable membrane.

Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

Enzymes

• Catalysts in biological reactions.
• Affected by temperature, pH, substrate concentration.
• Inhibition: competitive vs. non-competitive.

Cellular Respiration

• Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, Electron Transport Chain.
• ATP production through chemiosmosis and oxidative phosphorylation.

Photosynthesis

• Light-dependent reactions and Calvin cycle.
• Role of chlorophyll and light absorption.

Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

Cell Signaling

• Types: Direct contact, paracrine, endocrine, synaptic.
• Ligands and receptors, signal transduction, responses.

Cell Cycle

• Phases: G1, S, G2, Mitosis, Cytokinesis.
• Regulation through checkpoints.
• Role of cyclins and CDKs.

Unit 5: Heredity

Mendelian Genetics

• Law of segregation and independent assortment.
• Punnett squares for predicting offspring genotype/phenotype.

Non-Mendelian Genetics

• Incomplete dominance, codominance, polygenic traits.
• Sex-linked inheritance and pedigrees.

Genetic Variation

• Sources: Mutation, recombination, independent assortment.

Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

DNA Structure and Replication

• Double helix, antiparallel strands, base pairing (A-T, C-G).
• Semi-conservative replication process.

Transcription and Translation

• RNA polymerase, mRNA processing, splicing.
• Ribosomes, tRNA, and protein synthesis.

Gene Regulation

• Operons in prokaryotes, enhancers in eukaryotes.
• Epigenetics and gene expression modulation.

Unit 7: Natural Selection and Evolution

Principles of Evolution

• Natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow.
• Fitness and adaptation, speciation, phylogenetics.

Evidence for Evolution

• Fossils, comparative anatomy, molecular biology.
• Biogeography and embryology.

Unit 8: Ecology

Ecosystems and Energy Flow

• Trophic levels, food chains, and food webs.
• Energy pyramids and ecological efficiency.

Population Ecology

• Growth models: exponential and logistic.
• Carrying capacity and limiting factors.

Biodiversity and Conservation

• Importance of genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
• Human impact on ecosystems, conservation strategies.

Study Strategies

• Utilize interactive tools, flashcards, and quizzes.
• Focus on understanding core concepts and their applications.
• Practice with past exams and questions.