AP Biology Exam Study Guide

Exam Information

• The exam will be a mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
• Short answer questions will typically require a one-sentence response maximum.
• The entire exam period should be used, although some students may not require the full two hours.

Resources for Studying

• Review videos from Amoeba Sisters, Bozeman Science, Crash Course, and Khan Academy.
• Study review guides and analysis packets from class, paying attention to areas needing clarification.
• Utilize online study tools like Quizlet.
• Refer to the Mastering Biology videos accompanying the online textbook.
• Use AP Classroom videos and corresponding questions.
• Review vocabulary lists and diagrams from handouts and textbooks.

Study Skills

• Work through blank analysis packets (redo downloads) and verify answers.
• Study with a partner to clarify concepts and discuss alternative approaches.
• Create note guides focused on areas needing the most attention.
• Have someone quiz you based on the study guide, or quiz yourself.
• Utilize flashcards from the textbook's website or Quizlet to review key terms.
• Teach the material to someone else to reinforce your understanding.

Group Goals for Study Guide

• Create lists of concepts, terms, and diagrams, including comparative analyses (e.g., active vs. passive immunity, gametes vs. somatic cells).
• Rate each chapter on a scale of 1 to 3, where 1 represents fewer questions and 3 more questions.

Experimental Design

• Independent Variable: The factor being tested in the experiment.
• Dependent Variable: Measures the impact of the independent variable.
• Control Variables: Factors consistent throughout the experiment.
• Experimental Group: Receives the experimental treatment.
• Control Group: Provides a point of comparison (a basis for comparison).
• Negative Control: A placebo or no treatment group.
• Trials: Number of repetitions in the experiment.
• IV - x-axis; DV - y-axis

Basic Chemistry

• Key elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen (CHON).
• Molecular formulas: Examples include H₂O.
• Energy levels of electrons relate to proximity to the nucleus.
• Chemical bonds (single, double, etc.): Define how atoms share electrons.
• Electronegativity: Measurement of an atom's attraction of electrons within a bond.
• Covalent vs. polar bonds: describe how electrons are shared in chemical bonds.
• How molecule shape directly affects the function of the molecule
• Hydrogen bonds: a special type of covalent polar bonding, readily forms, breaks and re-forms.
• Partial charges: A partial positive or negative charge on an atom within a molecule

Water

• Adhesion: The attraction of molecules of different types.
• Cohesion: The attraction of molecules of the same type (water molecules to water molecules).
• Capillary Action: Refers to spontaneous movement of water in narrow tubes.
• Surface Tension: Liquid's resistance to rupture (caused by cohesion).
• Specific Heat: The amount of heat required to change water temperature.
• Evaporative cooling: Heat is removed when water evaporates from a surface (important for temperature regulation).
• Hydrophobic vs Hydrophilic: describes how substances interact with water molecules. (nonpolar vs polar, respectively).

Carbon Compounds

• Isomers: Molecules with the same molecular formula but different atom arrangements.
• Functional Groups: The specific groups of atoms within molecules that often participate in chemical reactions.
• Functional Group Names and properties: (e.g Hydroxyl, Carboxyl, Amino, etc)

Structure and Function of Biological Molecules

• Analyze Proteins, Carbohydrates, Nucleic Acids, and Lipids.
• Examine macromolecule structure and function.
• Learn structural differences via dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis.

Cell Types and Parts

• Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Identify and understand the functions of different cell parts (organelles).
• Explore the impact of surface area to volume ratio on cell function.
• Understand the difference between mitochondria and chloroplast

Membrane Structure and Transport

• Explain the structure of a cell membrane (phospholipids and proteins).
• Identify and analyze the functions of membrane proteins.
• Explain cell-cell recognition and its importance to the immune system.
• Describe the process of osmosis, including hypo-, hyper-, and isotonic solutions.
• Identify different types of transport proteins (channel and carrier proteins).

Introduction to Metabolism

• Enzymes are proteins that speed reactions, and their function is affected by several factors.
• Enzymes work via "lock and key" substrate interaction and catalytic conversions.
• Understand inhibitor types (competitive and non-competitive)
• Compare Exergonic and Endergonic reactions.
• Compare Catabolism and Anabolism chemical reactions
• Understand spontaneous vs non-spontaneous chemical reactions

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

• Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and Electron Transport Chain
• Role of Oxygen in Respiration.
• Alcoholic and Lactic Acid Fermentation
• ATP Production: The amount of ATP produced during cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis

• Thylakoid membranes, grana, and stroma.
• Light-dependent reactions, the Calvin cycle.
• Different pigments and their role/importance.

Cell Communication

• Ligand-receptor interaction (lock and key analogy)
• Signal transduction stages (reception, transduction, response)
• Signaling cell types: autocrine, juxtacrine, paracrine, endocrine.
• Signal transduction is the communication between cells.

Cell Cycle

• Cell Cycle Stages: G1, S, G2, and M phases.
• Differences between somatic cells and gametes.
• Reasons for cell division
• Interphase, mitosis, cytokinesis

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

• Meiosis and cell division stages in the formation of gametes.
• Meiosis 1 and 2
• Sister Chromatids vs. Homologous pairs
• Haploid (n) and Diploid (2n) cells.
• Genetic Variation: Crossing Over, Independent Assortment, Random Fertilization
• Understand the roles of the different cellular organelles during meiosis

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

• Explain how cells form tissues, tissues form organs, then organs form organ systems, and finally how organ systems create complete organisms.
• Explain differences between endotherms and ectotherms and how they manage their body temperature

Immune System

• Innate vs. Adaptive immunity
• Helper T cells, Killer T cells, B cells, Antibodies
• Antigen vs. Antibody, Allergens
• Autoimmune and Immunodeficiency Diseases.
• Primary and secondary immunities and the curve graph

Hormones and Blood Glucose Control

• Explain the endocrine system's function.
• Analyze the role of specific hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon).
• Describe feedback control in blood glucose regulation

Neural Systems

• Basic neuron parts (e.g., dendrites, cell body, axon, synapse).
• Describe membrane potential differences
• Exocytosis and endocytosis
• Signal transduction in the nervous system

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

• Different receptor types and stimulus detection mechanisms (sensory receptors).
• Action potential (depolarization and re-polarization).
• Sensory receptor types (mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors, electromagnetic receptors, photoreceptors).
• Detail different types of receptors and how they participate in different sensory systems such as hearing, vision, and taste/smell

Additional Information

• Provided approximate number of questions per chapter for exam preparation.

Prepare for your AP Biology exam with this comprehensive study guide. It includes resources like videos, review guides, and online tools to help you grasp key concepts and improve your understanding of the material. Use this guide to create an effective study plan and boost your confidence before the exam.