Download Free Response Unit 7

Free Response Unit 7
AP Biology
1. 1999 Scientists recently have proposed a reorganization of the phylogenetic system of
classification to include the domain, a new taxonomic category higher (more inclusive)
than the Kingdom category, as shown in the following diagram.
Universal ancestor
Domain Bacteria
(Eubacteria)



Domain Archae
(Archaebacteria)
Domain Eukarya
(Eukaryotes)
Describe how this classification scheme presents different conclusions about the
relationships among living organisms than those presented by the previous fivekingdom system of classification.
Describe three kinds of evidence that were used to develop the taxonomic scheme
above, and explain how this evidence was used. The evidence may be structural,
physiological, molecular, and/or genetic.
Describe four of the characteristics of the universal ancestor.
2. 2002 The complexity of structure and function varies widely across the animal kingdom.
Despite this variation, animals exhibit common processes. These include the following:
 Transport of materials
 Response to stimuli
 Gas exchange
 Locomotion
a. Choose two of the processes above and for each, describe the relevant structures
and how they function to accomplish the process in the following phyla.
Cnidaria (e.g., hydra, jellyfish)
Annelida (e.g., earthworm)
Chordata (e.g., mouse)
b. Explain the adaptive (evolutionary value(s) of the structural examples you
described in part a.
3. 2007 Cephalization and development of a brain were important steps in animal evolution.
a. Discuss the evolutionary origin and adaptive significance of cephalization in
animal phyla.
b. Describe the development of the nervous system in the vertebrate embryo.
c. At the sound of shattering glass, people quickly turn their heads. Discuss how the
human nervous system functions to produce this type of response to an external
stimulus.
4. 2004 Organisms rarely exist alone in the natural environment. The following are five
examples of symbiotic relationships.
 Plant root nodules
 Digestion of cellulose
 Epiphytic plants
 AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
 Anthrax
Choose FOUR of the above and for each example chosen,
a. identify the participants involved in the symbiosis and describe the symbiotic
relationship, and
b. discuss the specific benefit or detriment, if any, that each participant receives
from the relationship.
5. 2011 During an investigation of a freshwater lake, an AP Biology student discovers a
previously unknown microscopic organism. Further study shows that the unicellular
organism is eukaryotic.
a. Identify FOUR organelles that should be present in the eukaryotic organism and
describe the function of each organelle.
b. Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles found in eukaryotes.
However, prokaryotes must perform many of the same functions as eukaryotes.
For THREE of the organelles identified in part (a), explain how prokaryotic cells
carry out the associated functions.
c. According to the endosymbiotic theory, some organelles are believed to have
evolved through a symbiotic relationship between eukaryotic and prokaryotic
cells. Describe THREE observations that support the endosymbiotic theory.