AP Biology Exam Study Guide

Course Overview

• Entire course covers every unit, every topic needed for AP Bio exam.
• Includes a checklist for study preparation.

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

• Water Chemistry: Polar molecule, hydrogen bonding, cohesion, adhesion, surface tension.
• Acids and Bases: pH, hydrogen ions, hydroxide ions.
• Elements of Life: CHNOPS - Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur.
• Biomolecules: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
• Monomers and Polymers: Structure and synthesis via dehydration.
• Functional Groups: Phosphate, methyl, hydroxy, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, acetyl.

Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Types: Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic cells.
• Cell Size: Surface area-to-volume ratio.
• Cellular Compartmentalization: Organelles, endomembrane system.
• Cell Membranes: Structure, function, fluid mosaic model.

Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

• Metabolism: Enzymes, metabolic pathways.
• ATP: Structure, function, energy coupling.
• Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration: Light reactions, Calvin cycle, Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, Electron Transport Chain.

Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

• Cell Signaling: Reception, transduction, response.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Homeostasis, negative/positive feedback.
• Cell Cycle: Mitosis, cell cycle regulation.

Unit 5: Heredity

• Mendelian Genetics: Principles of segregation and independent assortment.
• Non-Mendelian Genetics: Linkage, sex-linked traits, polygenic inheritance.

Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

• DNA Structure: Double helix, base pairing, replication.
• Gene Expression: Transcription, translation, regulation.
• Mutations: Types and effects on proteins.

Unit 7: Natural Selection

• Evolutionary Theory: Natural selection, adaptation, speciation.
• Population Genetics: Hardy-Weinberg principle, genetic drift, gene flow.
• Evidence for Evolution: Fossils, molecular biology, comparative anatomy.

Unit 8: Ecology

• Ecosystem Dynamics: Energy flow, food webs, ecological pyramids.
• Population Ecology: Growth models, carrying capacity, population dynamics.
• Community Ecology: Symbiotic relationships, competition, keystone species.
• Biodiversity: Importance, threats, conservation strategies.

Exam Preparation

• Utilize resources like quizzes, flashcards, interactive tutorials.
• Understand concepts thoroughly, focus on areas of difficulty.
• Practice with past exams and review all units and topics.