AP Biology Exam Review & Study Plan

This guide provides a comprehensive review plan for the AP Biology exam, focusing on prioritizing study topics using the stoplight method, and covering key units and topics in the curriculum.

Study Plan

• Stoplight Method:
  • Use three highlighters: red, green, yellow.
  • Green for well-known topics, Yellow for somewhat known, Red for unknown.
  • Prioritize studying: Red items first, then Yellow, and finally Green to keep topics fresh.

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

• Water and Hydrogen Bonding:
  • Water: polar molecule, forms hydrogen bonds.
  • Properties: cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, high specific heat.
  • Hydrogen bonding is crucial in DNA, RNA, proteins.
• Elements of Life:
  • Monomers & Polymers: dehydration synthesis creates polymers; hydrolysis breaks them down.
  • Carbohydrates: Energy storage (monosaccharides), transport (disaccharides), structure (polysaccharides).
  • Lipids: Non-polar, fatty acids (saturated = solid, unsaturated = liquid).
  • Proteins: Diverse functions, made of amino acids (primary to quaternary structure).
  • Nucleic Acids: DNA (heredity, double-stranded, A-T and C-G), RNA (information transfer, catalysis).

Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Types: Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic.
• Cell Size: Surface area to volume ratio importance.
• Membrane Structure: Fluid mosaic model, selective permeability, phospholipids, cholesterol.
• Membrane Transport:
  • Passive transport: Simple & facilitated diffusion.
  • Active transport: ATP-powered pumps.
  • Osmosis: Water diffusion, hypotonic and hypertonic conditions.
• Cellular Compartmentalization:
  • Endomembrane system: nuclear membrane, ER, Golgi.
  • Mitochondria & chloroplasts: endosymbiotic origin.

Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

• Enzymes: Protein catalysts, specificity, denaturation.
• Cell Energy:
  • Metabolic pathways (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, Calvin cycle).
  • ATP: Energy coupling.
• Photosynthesis: Light reactions and Calvin cycle.
• Cellular Respiration:
  • Stages: Glycolysis, link reaction, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain.
  • Anaerobic respiration and fermentation.

Unit 4: Cell Communication & Cell Cycle

• Cell Communication: Signals & receptors, signal transduction, cellular responses.
• Homeostasis & Feedback: Negative (e.g., glucose homeostasis) and positive feedback (e.g., childbirth).
• Cell Cycle & Mitosis: Interphase, mitotic phases, checkpoints, cancer.

Unit 5: Heredity

• Meiosis: Formation of haploid gametes, genetic diversity (crossing over, independent assortment).
• Genetics: Mendel's laws, genetic crosses, linkage, non-nuclear inheritance.

Unit 6: Gene Expression & Biotechnology

• DNA & RNA: Structure, replication, transcription, translation.
• Gene Regulation: Operons, genomic equivalence, epigenetics.
• Mutations: Types and effects on genetic code.
• Genetic Engineering: Techniques, applications.

Unit 7: Evolution

• Natural Selection & Speciation: Mechanisms, Hardy-Weinberg principle, evidence.
• Phylogeny: Cladograms, evolutionary relationships.
• Origin of Life: Abiotic synthesis, RNA world hypothesis.

Unit 8: Ecology

• Responses to Environment: Case studies, analytical skills.
• Energy Flow & Ecosystems: Metabolic rates, food webs, trophic levels.
• Population Growth: Models, limiting factors.
• Species Interactions: Competition, predation, mutualism.
• Human Impact: Biodiversity loss, conservation.

Additional Resources

• Learn-Biology.com: Interactive tutorials, practice questions, and study resources to prepare for the AP Bio exam.

Final Tips

• Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorization.
• Use practice exams to test knowledge and timing.
• Stay organized and plan study sessions ahead.