AP Biology Curriculum Recap

Introduction

• Recap of entire AP Bio curriculum
• Covers all 8 units with top terms, concepts, and equations
• Emphasis on triage method for studying
• Use stoplight method (Green, Yellow, Red) to prioritize study areas

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

• Water Properties: Polarity, hydrogen bonds, cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, high specific heat, universal solvent
• Elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur
• Biological Molecules:
  • Carbohydrates: 1:2:1 ratio (C:H:O), energy storage, structural materials
  • Lipids: Nonpolar, hydrocarbon chains, steroid rings, saturated/unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipid bilayer
  • Proteins: Polypeptides, amino acid monomers, structural diversity, cellular roles (enzymes, transport, receptors)
  • Nucleic Acids: Nucleotide monomers, DNA, RNA, dehydration synthesis, hydrolysis reactions

Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Types: Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
• Surface Area to Volume Ratio: Importance for material exchange
• Organelles: Membrane-bound (ER, Golgi), exceptions (ribosomes, mitochondria, chloroplasts)
• Transport:
  • Active Transport: ATP required, against concentration gradient
  • Passive Transport: Diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, aquaporins
  • Vesicle Transport: Endocytosis, exocytosis

Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

• Enzymes: Active sites, lower activation energy, not used up, can be denatured or inhibited
• Photosynthesis:
  • Chlorophyll, light energy, electron carriers, 3-carbon molecule
  • Light Reaction: Thylakoid membranes
  • Calvin Cycle: Stroma
• Cellular Respiration:
  • Glucose oxidation, hydrogen ion gradient, ATP
  • Glycolysis: Cytoplasm
  • Krebs Cycle: Mitochondrial matrix
  • ETC: Cristae
• Fermentation: NADH regeneration for glycolysis
• Fitness: Survival and reproduction suited to environment

Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

• Signaling: Autocrine, paracrine, endocrine
• Signal Transduction Pathway:
  • Reception: Ligand binding
  • Transduction: Signal amplification
  • Response: Gene expression, additional signaling, apoptosis
• Feedback Mechanisms: Positive vs. negative feedback
• Cell Cycle:
  • Interphase: G1, (G0), S, G2
  • Mitosis: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase
  • Cytokinesis: Division of cytoplasm
  • Regulation: Cyclins, CDKs, checkpoints

Unit 5: Heredity

• Meiosis: Nuclear division for gamete formation, increases genetic diversity
• Genetic Diversity: Pairing, crossing over, independent assortment
• Patterns of Inheritance:
  • Mendelian: Monohybrid, dihybrid crosses
  • Non-Mendelian: Incomplete dominance, co-dominance, linked genes, sex-linked traits
• Genetic Disorders: Non-disjunction, deletion, inversion, translocation
• Genetic Analysis: Punnett squares, pedigrees, probability, chi-square

Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

• Nucleic Acids: DNA (double-stranded, deoxyribose, A-T, C-G), RNA (single-stranded, ribose, A-U)
• DNA Replication: Semi-conservative, DNA polymerase, leading/lagging strand
• Central Dogma: Transcription (nucleus), translation (ribosome)
• Gene Regulation: Operons (prokaryotes), transcription factors (eukaryotes)
• Biotechnology: PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, DNA sequencing

Unit 7: Natural Selection

• Natural Selection: Genetic variation, survival, reproduction
• Evolution: Change in allele frequency, natural selection, mutation, non-random mating, gene flow
• Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: Solve for recessive allele frequency
• Evidence for Evolution: Fossils, biogeography, homologous/vestigial structures, molecular comparisons
• Speciation and Extinction: Phylogenetic trees, cladograms

Unit 8: Ecology

• Organism Interactions: Communication, response to environment
• Energy Flow: Trophic levels, autotrophs to heterotrophs
• Population Growth: Factors, equations (Simpson's diversity index, exponential, logistic growth)
• Community Dynamics: Niches, keystone species, invasive species
• Community Relationships: Predation, competition, symbiosis
• Human Impact: Habitat modification, extinctions

Conclusion

• Summary of 8 units
• Differential weighting on the exam
• Triage study strategy: Red, yellow, green
• Additional resources available