Download Essay topics for the AP test

Essay topics for the AP test
1.
Describe the parts of natural selection as described by Ernst Mayr. Compare it to Lamarckian evolution and punctuated
equilibrium. What was Darwin’s role in this theory?
2.
Discuss the importance of the six elements SPONCH. In what biochemical substances do they play a major role. Especially
emphasize the role of water and its special characteristics that allow for living systems.
3.
Discuss the 4 polymer/macromolecules in living substances. Be sure to know their subunits, cellular roles, and elemental
composition. List as many examples of each that you can.
4.
Consider prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Discuss the various parts and components of the cells and why
compartmentalization and size limitation are so important.
5.
Explain the fluid mosaic model of the plasma (cell) membrane. List the various molecules and their roles. Also be sure to
discuss the various methods of movement across this membrane- both passive and active transport as well as water potential.
For each method explain at least one example of this happening in a human body.
6.
Discuss the structure and function of an enzyme including the 4 levels of structure of any protein. Discuss how
environmental conditions and other factors can influence the activity of the enzyme.
7.
Compare chemiosmosis in Photosynthesis and respiration. Discuss the similarities and differences. Be sure to discuss the
structure of the chloroplast and mitochondrion and the stages of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
8.
List and explain the function of the cell parts. Indicate which organelles are found in the plant and animal cells. Discuss the
three parts of the cytoskeleton (include structure of each and why they are important.)
9.
Compare mitosis to meiosis. Discuss the cell cycle. Explain the relationship of cancer, asexual/sexual reproduction,
haploid/diploid, and alternation of generations in plants to these.
10. Discuss the various types of Mendelian concepts (dominance, multiple alleles, codominance, pleiotropy, epistasis, incomplete
dominance). Illustrate with a punnett square where it is appropriate.
11. Discuss sex linked traits and linked genes. Explain how they work and how they are different. Include the idea of mapping
chromosomes and crossing over in discussion.
12. DNA: detailed description of its structure, how it is replicated (semi-conservative), direction of strands, and the scientists
that were involved in discovering its structure and importance (at least 7
13. Explain the story of gene expression/ protein synthesis (transcription + translation). Include what, where, and when in the
story.
14. Describe the lac operon in detail. Discuss what organisms have operons and why?
15. Explain in detail the method of gene splicing as it is used in genetic engineering. (Include pallandromes, restriction enzymes,
plasmid, vectors (biological and mechanical), ligase, and other related terms)
16. Explain the two types of viral life cycles. Include an example of a virus that follows each.
17. Mutations, discuss the chromosomal and point mutations and their effect on the organism. Include the importance of the
point in the development of the organism and location in the body where the mutation takes place.
18. Describe the three types of natural selection and an example of each. Which type is most likely to lead to speciation? What
are the two types of speciation?
19. What is a hardy-weinberg population?(5 descriptors) Give examples of how the conditions are not met in real life situations.
(ex. Bottleneck effect, founder effect etc. )
20. What is the difference between macroevolution and microevolution? Discuss each as they relate to humans.
21. Discuss the mechanisms (prezygotic and postzygotic) that can lead to genetic isolation. Include sympatric and allopatric
speciation in your discussion.
22. Discuss the similarities and differences of a bacterium and virus structure.
23. Explain the key characteristics of the 5 kingdoms including cell wall, autotrophy/heterotroph, method of getting food,
eukaryotic/prokaryotic, unicellular/multicellular)
24. Discuss how in the future they may split one kingdom for total of six kingdoms. Explain the key differences that would lead
to such a split.
25. What are the three groups of protists? What are the four phyla of protozoans? Give examples and characteristics for each of
the categories.
26. Compare the bryophytes (mosses) and the pterophytes (ferns) life cycle life style. Discuss plant kingdom evolution from
green algae (protist) to Angiosperms.
27. Discuss the angiosperm reproductive cycle. Include pollen, flowers, seeds and the parts of each.
28. Discuss primary and secondary growth in plants including tissue types, meritstems, and what cells/tissues will become over
time.
29. Compare and contrast: protostomes vs. deuterostomes (4 characteristics), acoeleomate vs. psduedocoelomate vs.
eucoelomates, bilateral vs. radial vs. asymmetry. Include which animal phyla have each of the traits listed.
30. List 5 horomones of plants, their functions, and how they relate to tropisms and photoperiodism
31. Explain the phylogeny of the animal kingdom and its nine phyla we discussed. Explain the key adaptation moving from
phyla to phyla.
32. Key characteristics of each of the nine phyla.
33. Explain how a neuron “works”. Include the passing of information from one neuron to the next across the synapse.
34. Explain how a typical skeletal muscle contracts. Begin with the neuromuscular junction and elaborate on the chemical events
and cell parts which lead up to a contraction.
35. Discuss the function of the nephron. What are the three types of nitrogenous wastes in vertebrates and the advantages of
each. Indicate what animals have each type.
36. List the various types of hormones, the gland that releases them, and their functions. Indicate the two types of hormones and
how they are different in the way they work.
37. Discuss chemical digestion. Indicate the key places and molecules involved in the digestion of lipids, proteins, and
carbohydrates.
38. Discuss the structure of the heart, the stimulation of the heart, and the composition of the blood. Indicate how this has
evolved in the vertebrates and why?
39. Discuss the divisions of the nervous system and how each is important.
40. Explain how carbon dioxide, oxygen, nutrients, waste, water, immunity, clotting agents are transported in the blood.
41. Discuss the various components of the human immune system. List and explain how these can misfunction.
42. Explain the events leading to a successful implantation of a fertilized egg in a human uterus. Emphasize the menstrual cycle.
43. Discuss the events following fertilization ending in fetus formation.
44. Compare the population dynamics of a typical K and r speices. Advantages and disadvantages of each included with
examples
45. Compare learned and innate behavior. List types of learned and instinctual behavior and examples of each.
46. Discuss animal adaptations for
Aquatic lifestyle
Sexual reproduction
Terrestrial lifestyle (animals and plants)
Social living
47. Explain the types of element cycling and the importance of each. Give examples of problems associated with each.
48. Discuss the generalized reactions (hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis/condensation) as they relate to the macromolecules
and ATP.
49. List several differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. What are the two theories of eukaryotic cells evolving
from prokaryotic cells.
50. Discuss several examples of how the surface area/ volume ratio is important in humans.
51. Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration. Include the energy produced, the conditions how each will
occur, what organisms do each, products of each, and the stages of each process.
52. Describe the key components to an experiment from hypothesis (if/then statement) to the statistical tests that could be done (t
test, chi square, regression analysis). Explain each of the components.
53. Explain the causes and effects of the three major global pollution problems: acid rain, global warming and ozone depletion.
54. Discuss the steps of replication. List the differences between the eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms for this process.
55. Discuss nondisjunction, mutation, karyotype, amniocentesis, pedigrees, and inheritance as they relate to genetic disorders.
56. Discuss the three primary types of symbiotic relationships and give examples of each.
57. Discuss the seven classes of the vertebrates and key adaptations of each.