AP Biology Exam Review Plan

Study Strategy

• Use the Stoplight Method:
  • Green: Topics you know well.
  • Yellow: Topics you know a little.
  • Red: Topics you don't know at all.
• Prioritize Studying:
  • Focus on red items first, then yellow, and finally review green to keep topics fresh.

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

Key Topics

• Water and Hydrogen Bonding:

  • Water is a polar molecule.
  • Forms weak hydrogen bonds.
  • Acts as a universal solvent.
  • Properties: cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, high specific heat.
  • Hydrogen bonds are found in DNA, RNA, proteins, etc.

• Elements of Life:

  • Carbohydrates:
    • Monosaccharides (energy storage)
    • Disaccharides (energy transport)
    • Polysaccharides (starch, cellulose)
  • Lipids:
    • Saturated (solid) vs unsaturated (liquid) fatty acids
    • Functions: energy storage, waterproofing, membrane formation
    • Phospholipid bilayer: hydrophobic tail, hydrophilic head
  • Proteins:
    • Diverse functions: motion, enzymes, structure, transport
    • Composed of amino acids (amino group, carboxy group, R group)
    • Four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary.
  • Nucleic Acids:
    • DNA, RNA (molecules of heredity)
    • Structure: nucleotide monomers, double helix, base pairing rules

Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Key Topics

• Cell Types: Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic cells
• Cell Size: Surface area to volume ratio importance
• Membrane Structure and Function:
  • Selective permeability, fluid mosaic model
  • Membrane transport: diffusion, facilitated diffusion, active transport
• Osmosis and Water Potential: Diffusion of water, effects on cells
• Cellular Compartmentalization: Internal compartments, endomembrane system, mitochondria, chloroplasts

Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

Key Topics

• Enzymes: Function as catalysts, specificity, inhibition
• Metabolic Pathways: Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain
• Photosynthesis:
  • Light reactions: ATP, NADPH production
  • Calvin cycle: Fixation of CO2 into carbohydrates
• Cellular Respiration:
  • Four stages: Glycolysis, link reaction, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain
  • Anaerobic respiration and fermentation

Unit 4: Cell Communication and Feedback

Key Topics

• Cell Communication:
  • Signal transduction pathways
  • G protein-coupled receptors
• Homeostasis and Feedback:
  • Negative vs positive feedback
  • Glucose homeostasis, diabetes

Unit 5: Heredity

Key Topics

• Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction:
  • Production of haploid gametes
  • Crossing over, independent assortment
• Genetic Disorders: Nondisjunction, trisomy, monosomy

Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

Key Topics

• DNA Replication: Semiconservative, leading vs lagging strand
• Transcription and Translation: Process of protein synthesis
• Gene Regulation: Operons, genomic equivalence, epigenetics
• Genetic Engineering: PCR, restriction enzymes, DNA sequencing

Unit 7: Evolution

Key Topics

• Natural Selection: Survival of the fittest, artificial selection
• Population Genetics: Hardy-Weinberg principle, factors causing evolution
• Speciation: Allopatric vs sympatric, reproductive isolation
• Origin of Life: Abiotic synthesis, RNA world hypothesis

Unit 8: Ecology

Key Topics

• Responses to Environment: Case studies on animal behavior
• Energy Flow: Metabolic rate, food webs, energy pyramids
• Population Growth: Exponential vs logistic models
• Species Interactions: Competition, predation, symbiosis
• Human Impacts on Diversity: Habitat destruction, invasive species

Study Resources

• Recommended to use learn-biology.com for interactive learning and practice exams.
• Focus on areas that need improvement based on stoplight method assessment.