Advance Placement Biology

Mrs. Tilley

Lauren.tilley@kerrvilleisd.net

Tivy High School

Welcome to AP Biology! I am excited you have chosen this course. AP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college-level introductory biology course. The intent of the course is to expose students to higher-level biological principles, concepts, and skills and allow them the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-life applications. In the revised AP Biology course, the teacher serves as the facilitator while the students develop as independent thinkers and learners, especially through laboratory investigations. Many concepts that are now considered prerequisite knowledge for the course can be reviewed as home study through the use of rich resources such as assigned websites, WebQuests, and journal articles. You will explore 3 of the textbook chapters The College Board now views as prerequisite knowledge through the following summer assignment. Please feel free to contact me at any time this summer. Attached is an instruction sheet for joining my remind class. I look forward to learning together next year,

Mrs. Tilley

Summer Assignment Instructions:

Part 1: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION

We are going to spend a lot of time together next year, so it’s best if I get a head start on learning a bit about you. Also we will use the Internet next year for this course, so let’s get you used to communicating with me via e-mail. Your first digital assignment is to successfully send me an e-mail.

Draft an e-mail to me following these rules:

a. Use clearly written, full sentences. Do not abbreviate words like you are instant messaging with a friend. Use spell check! This is a professional communication like you would have with a college professor, so let’s practice for your rapidly nearing future!

b. Address it to me at: lauren.tilley@kerrvilleisd.net

c. Make the Subject: “AP Bio: Introduction to ”

(Do not include the quote marks or the brackets, just the words)

d. Now introduce yourself (your name) and tell me a little bit about yourself, for instance:

· What do you like to do (hobbies, sports, music, interests, etc.)?

· Do you have a job?

· Tell me a little bit about your family (Mom? Dad? Guardian? Siblings? Pets?)

· Was there anything that you liked about your earlier biology class?

· What was the last book you read for fun?

- What made you want to sign up for AP Biology?

· What are you looking forward to the most in AP Biology?

· What are you most anxious about in AP Biology?

- What plans do you have for after high school?

e. End the e-mail with a formal closing: “Cordially”, “Sincerely”, “Warm regards”, etc. and add your name as if you signed a letter.

Part II: BIOLOGY IN FOCUS STUDY GUIDES: CHAPTERS 1-3

I have attached the pages of the textbook that will help you answer the following questions. Taking notes is not a requirement but they may be of use to you later in the year. These topics will not be covered in class with the exception of macromolecules and protein structure. You will be tested on the material, so I suggest that you write down specific questions as you read so that I can address these within the first week of class.

Chapter 1: Introduction: Evolution and the Foundations of Biology

1. List the seven properties of life:

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2. What are the emergent properties? Give two examples.

3. Life is organized on many scales. The figure below zooms you in from viewing Earth from space all the way to the level of molecules. Label the figure (also found on page 2 and 3 of your text) and give a brief definition of each level of organization below.

Biosphere-

ecosystem-

population-

organism-

organs/organ systems-

tissues-

cells-

organelles-

molecule-

4. Define each of the following terms:

-eukaryotic cell

-prokaryotic cell

-DNA

-genes

-genome

-negative feedback

-positive feedback

5. Based on the figure answer the following:

-Which level contains the greatest diversity of organisms?

-The least?

-Write the levels in order (most general to most specific)

6. Taxonomy is a branch of biology that names and classifies organisms. Because of new molecular information, there have been many changes in placement of certain groups in recent years. Notice that all life is now organized in your text into 3 domains rather than the 5 kingdoms you may have learned earlier. Put the kingdoms mentioned in the text in the space above the proper domain names shown here.

7. What two main points were articulated in Darwin’s The Origin of Species?

8. What did Darwin propose as the mechanism of evolution?

-summarize this mechanism

9. Study the figure 1.16 on page 10 which shows an evolutionary “tree.”

-what is indicated by each twig

· What do the branch points represent?

· What is the most recent “common ancestor” shared by the bottom three Galapagos finch species.

10. What are the two main types of scientific inquiry? Give an example of each.

11. What are data?

13. Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data:

· which type would be presented in a data chart and could be graphed?

· which type is found in the field sketches made by Jane Goodall?

14. In science, how do we define hypothesis?

15. A scientific hypothesis has two important qualities. The first is that it is testable. What is the second?

16. Are scientific hypotheses proved? Explain your answer.

17. What is a controlled experiment?

18. The text points out a common misconception about the term “controlled experiment”. Why is this unrealistic?

19. What are supernatural explanations outside the bounds of science?

20. Explain what is meant by scientific theory by giving the three ways your text separates a theory from a hypothesis or mere speculation.

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21. What is the difference between scientific theories and scientific laws?

22. Can a scientific theory ever become a scientific law?

23. Define each type of variable in an experiment:

-independent variable

-dependent variable

-controlled variable

-treatment group

-control group/control treatment

24. When graphing, which variable goes on the x-axis?

-Which goes on the y-axis?

-Draw and label a conceptual graph with the names of these variables.

25. A good research question involves testing the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Pose a good example of a research question:

26. A good hypothesis for AP Bio involves a prediction of the specific effects and a reason for that prediction. For the research question you posed in #25, write a hypothesis that has both of these parts (a prediction and reason). You should write this as an If, then because statement.

Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life

1. Define and given an example of each term:

-element

-atom

-compound

-molecule

2. What four elements make up 96% of all living matter?

3. Draw a water molecule.

-which element is most electronegative?

-label the regions that are more positive and more negative?

-why is water considered a polar molecule?

4. What is a hydrogen bond? Draw an example.

5. Explain van der Waals interactions. Though they represent very weak attractions when these interactions are numerous they can stick a gecko to the ceiling

6. Use morphine and endorphins as examples to explain why molecular shape is crucial in biology.

7. Write the equation for cellular respiration (chemical shorthand). Label the reactants and products.

8. For the equation you just wrote:

-How many molecules of carbon dioxide are there?

-How many molecules of glucose?

-How many elements in glucose?

9. What is meant by dynamic equilibrium?

-does this imply equal concentrations of each reactant and product?

Chapter 3:

1. Study the water molecule to the right. One the central molecule, label oxygen (O) and hydrogen(H). This figure is found on page 30 of your text.

2. Why is water considered polar?

3. Now add + and - signs to indicate the charged regions of each molecule. Then use a highlighter to trace the hydrogen bonds.

4. Explain hydrogen bonding.

5. How many hydrogen bonds can a single water molecule form?

6. Define hydrophilic and hydrophobic. How does the cell membrane exhibit both of these properties?

7. For each property of water define and provide an example of each

Property

Definition

Example

PIcture

Cohesion and adhesion

moderation of temperature

high specific heat

Expansion upon freezing (density)

Solvent of life- buffer

8. Distinguish between cohesion and adhesion.

9. Which is demonstrated when you see beads of water on wax paper?

10. Which property explains the ability of a water strider to walk on water?

11. Explain how hydrogen bonding contributes to water’s high specific heat.

12. Ice floats! Consider what would happen if ponds and other bodies of water accumulated ice at the bottom. Describe why this property of water is important.

13. Review and define these terms:

-solvent

-solute-

-solution

14. You already know that some materials, such as olive oil, will not dissolve in water, while others, such as salt, will. Explain this property in terms of hydrogen bonding.

15. What two ions form when water dissociates?

16. Water has a pH of 7 and has equal number of H and OH ions. Now define:

-acid

-base

17. On the pH chart, label pH 1-14. Label neutral, acid, base. The pH scale is found on page 35 of your text.

-Indicate the locations of pure water, urine, gastric juice, and bleach

18. Even a slight change in pH can be harmful to living things. How do

buffers moderate pH change?

19. Exercise will result in increased production of CO2, which acidifies

the blood. Explain the buffering system that minimizes blood pH changes.

20. Acid rain is increasing. Explain its sources.

21. Discuss how carbon dioxide emissions affect marine life and ecosystems.

Chapter 4- Organic Chemistry

1. Study this figure of Stanley Miller’s experiment to simulate conditions thought to have existed on early Earth. Explain the elements of the experiment, using arrows to indicate what occurs in various parts of the apparatus.

2. Here is an idea that will recur throughout your study of Biology: change the structure, change the function. To the right are two important hormones regulating gender in humans: testosterone and estradiol (estrogen). Notice how similar these two molecules are, and yet you know what vastly different effects each has. Label which molecule is which and circle the differences between them. This is found on page 44 of your text.

3. There are seven functional groups we will study. Complete the following chart (pg. 43)