AP Biology Exam Review

Overview

• Final review video by Mr. Anderson for the AP Biology exam.
• Answers top 20 questions received from students globally.
• Provides exam setup and strategies.
• Includes shoutouts to students worldwide.

Exam Setup & Strategy

• Two parts: Multiple choice and Free response.

Multiple Choice

• Duration: 90 minutes.
• Includes: 63 multiple choice questions, 6 grid-in questions.
• Use of calculator allowed.
• Strategy:
  • Spend about 1 minute per question.
  • Use process of elimination.
  • No penalty for guessing.
  • Last year needed 79% for a score of 5.

Free Response

• Two long questions and six short questions.
• Total: 80 minutes.
• Strategy:
  • Plan during the 10-minute reading period.
  • Follow descriptive words in questions (Explain, Justify).
  • Give specific evidence when asked.

Key Topics

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

• Large population, random mating, no mutations, no gene flow, no selection.
• Allele frequencies remain constant.
• Equation: p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1.

Chi-squared Test

• Used in genetics and animal behavior.
• Observed vs. expected values.
• Degrees of freedom = number of categories - 1.
• Use critical values from Chi-squared table.

Cellular Respiration

• Glycolysis: Breakdown of glucose (6C) into pyruvate (3C).
• Krebs Cycle: Release of CO2, energy carriers (NADH, FADH2).
• Electron Transport Chain: Proton gradient creation, ATP synthesis.

Photosynthesis

• Light Reactions: Occur in thylakoid membrane, ATP synthesis.
• Calvin Cycle: Occurs in stroma, sugar production.
• Water's role in donating electrons.

DNA & RNA

• DNA Structure: Nucleotide composition, 5’ to 3’ direction.
• RNA vs. DNA: Sugar type, single/double strand.
• Transcription: RNA polymerase, mRNA formation.
• Translation: mRNA codons, tRNA anticodons, protein synthesis.

Cell Cycle

• G1: Cell growth.
• S: DNA replication.
• G2: Preparation for mitosis.
• M: Mitosis (cell division), Meiosis (gamete formation).

Enzymes

• Protein structure, substrate interaction.
• Active site, induced fit mechanism.

Immune System

• Macrophages, antigen presentation, helper T cells.
• Humoral response: B cells, antibodies.
• Cell-mediated response: Killer T cells.

Cell Communication

• Signal transduction pathways.
• Types: Direct contact, neurotransmission, endocrine signaling.

Feedback Loops

• Negative feedback: Glucose regulation (insulin/glucagon).
• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes explanation.

Phylogenetics

• Reading phylogenetic trees: Common ancestors, speciation.
• Evidence: Morphological and molecular (DNA/RNA).

Conclusion

• Encouragement and good luck wishes.
• Shoutouts to students and classes worldwide.
• Reminder to enjoy the summer ahead.