AP Biology Review: Units 5-8

Introduction

• Presenter: Melanie King from Absolute Recap, Ultimate Review Packet
• Content coverage: Units 5-8 for AP Biology
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour
• Participation via chat encouraged
• Importance of downloading accompanying guided notes for active practice
• Video available on YouTube for later review

Resource Guide

• Guided Notes: Free to download, includes learning objectives
• Ultimate Exam Slayer: Register for free for resources
  • Introduction, Resources, Videos, Practice Problems
  • Live Exam Review Sections (1-4 and 5-8)

Unit 5: Heredity

• Key Figures: Gregor Mendel (famous monk in genetics)
• Learning Objectives:
  • Reproductive cycles of plants/animals not required
  • Reproductive cycles may appear in questions with context provided
• Chromosomes and Meiosis:
  • Duplicate chromosomes and stages of cell division
  • Diploid (2n) vs. Haploid (n) cells
  • Crossing over during Prophase I
  • Chromatin vs. Chromosome
• Genetic Problems:
  • Mendelian genetic ratios (e.g., dihybrid cross 9:3:3:1)
  • Mendel’s Laws: Independent Assortment and Segregation
  • Sex-linked recessive disorders (e.g., color blindness)

Practice Problems

• Sample problems related to genetic inheritance patterns, pedigrees
• Mention of somatic cells and gametic cells in mutations

Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

• Cell Cycle:
  • Interphase, S phase, G1, G2, and Mitosis
  • Cytokinesis in animal vs. plant cells
  • G0 phase - Cell cycle arrest
• DNA and RNA:
  • DNA structure: antiparallel strands, nucleotide components
  • DNA replication: leading and lagging strands
  • RNA transcription: mRNA codon chart, central dogma
• Gene Regulation:
  • Prokaryotic (promoters, operators) vs. Eukaryotic (transcription factors)
  • Negative feedback in gene regulation

Unit 7: Natural Selection and Evolution

• Evidence for Evolution:
  • Fossil records, biogeography, homologous/vestigial structures
  • Molecular evidence
• Hardy-Weinberg Principle:
  • Conditions for equilibrium
  • Strategies for solving Hardy-Weinberg problems
• Phylogeny:
  • Use of cladograms and phylogenetic trees
  • Understanding relatedness through common nodes

Unit 8: Ecology

• Energy Flow:
  • Trophic levels and energy transfer (10% rule)
  • Producers and their role in ecosystems
• Population Dynamics:
  • Exponential vs. logistic growth
  • Factors influencing population size
• Community Interactions:
  • Importance of biodiversity for community resilience

Practice Questions

• Application of ecological principles in practice problems
• Human impact on environments and species

Conclusion

• Upcoming review sessions and final tips
• Encouragement to use additional resources and practice questions
• Next live review sessions: April 29th and May 3rd at 9 PM EST

Note: Additional practice and review resources are available through the Ultimate Exam Slayer and Absolute Recap platforms. Make sure to utilize these for comprehensive preparation.