Download AP Biology - Avon Grove School District

AP Biology Meeting (2016-2017)
Welcome to AP biology! This class is going to be an adventure that will be both challenging and engaging. Next year
each of you will learn a large volume of scientific content. A major component of this class will focus on increasing your
proficiency in conducting labs and writing formal lab reports. In order to be successful in your acquisition of knowledge
and bettering your research and writing skills it will be essential for you to keep up with assignments—this includes the
summer assignment.
Must Do’s for You:
1. Sign up for the AP Biology remind.com! This is not only a way that I can communicate with you but you can
also communicate with me! How to join:
2. Add your name, preferred email address, and grade to my google spreadsheet by going to:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xjoD47dfjmbOJjkwE9fRAhFW5bezqGeazNicTWbWLI4/edit?usp=sha
ring
I recognize that this link is a bear… I’ll remind.com text it out to you 
3. Feel free to contact me with any questions at [email protected] during the summer. I’ll check my email
about once a week. Remember you can also use the remind.com app to chat!
4. Ecology Reading
In order to spend valuable class time together focusing on more difficult and technical concepts there is one unit I’m
going to have you cover on your own—ecology. Ecology is one of the easier, but still WAY cool, biological concepts so
I’m requesting that you cover a major portion of it on your own. You need to read (and perhaps take notes on) the
chapters and sections listed below. Once you have read the chapters there are two assignments you MUST complete
before the first day of school.
AP Biology Summer Assignment-Chapters & Sections to Read (Campbell 10th ed.)
An Intro to Ecology
& the Biosphere
52.1 only the "Microclimate" and "Global Climate Change" sections (1163-1164)
52.2 The structure and distribution of terrestrial biomes are controlled by climate and disturbance
52.3 Aquatic biomes are diverse and dynamic systems that cover most of Earth
52.4 Interactions between organisms and the environment limit the distribution of species
pgs. 1158 -1181
Population Ecology
53.1 Biological processes influence population density, disperation, and demographics
53.2 The expotential model describes population growth in an idealized, unlimited environment
53.3 The logistic growth model describes how a population grows more slowly as it nears carrying capacity
53.4 Life history traits are products of natural selection
53.5 Many factors that regulate population growth are density dependent
53.6 The human population is no longer growing exponentially but is still increasing rapidly
pgs. 1184-1205
Community Ecology
54.1 Community interactions are classified by whether they help, harm, or have no effect on the species involved
54.2 Dominant and keystone species exert strong controls on community structure
54.3 Distrubances infuences species diversity and composition
54.4 Biogeographic factors affect community biodiversity
54.5 DO NOT READ, not relevant for summer work
pgs. 1198-1217
Ecosystems
pgs. 1222-1243
55.1 Physical laws govern energy flow and chemical cycling in ecosystems
55.2 Energy and other limiting factors control primary production in ecosystems
55.3 Energy transfer between trophic levels is typically only 10% efficient
55.4 Biolgical and geochemical processes cycle nutrients between organic and inorganic parts of an ecosystem
55.5 Human activities now dominate most chemical cycles on Earth
Conservation
Biology and
Restoration Ecology
56.1 Human activities threaten Earth's biodiversity
56.4 Restoration ecology attempts to restore degraded ecosystems to a more natural state
pgs. 1245-1250
& 1260-1264
In addition to reading the book and reading on your own I encourage you all to watch the Paul Andersen videos posted
at http://www.bozemanscience.com/ap-biology/. Videos 012, 014, 020, 046, 047, 049, 050, 051, 054, 055 will be
helpful. I may have missed some other videos but these all relate to ecology. If you are a more visual or auditory
learner this may be helpful for you!
Assignment 1 Essays:
These essays are due on the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL and will count as a 45ish point test grade. This will be by far the
easiest test grade of the year so put effort into it.
Questions to Answer for Assignment 1:
1. Make a list of each terrestrial biome mentioned in the chapter with some major characteristics. Identify how
humans have impacted those disturbances.
2. A. Describe the ecological process from soil-free, lifeless community. Include is your answer a discussion of the
causes of succession, the two different types of succession, and species diversity. What represents the
strongest agent of disturbance today?
B. What are pathogens? What are zoonotic pathogens? Give 2 examples of how pathogens have affected the
health of a community. Try and find a pathogen that has influenced our area!
3. A. Describe the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen. Trace these elements as they move through the
biosphere
B. As a biologist why should you care about the sources of carbon and nitrogen in the biosphere? Why would
life cease to exist without them. You may have to think back to intro bio for help here ;-)
C. Provide one well explained example of how human activity has influenced each cycle.
4. Define carrying capacity. Compare and contrast how K-selected and r-selected populations go about reaching
carrying capacity in a specific environment. Provide one example of each type of species and explain how it
aligns, or doesn’t, to the theory of an R or K selected species. If your selected species only partly fits that is OK
just point out why your chosen R or K selected species may defy the typical definition.
5. Population growth is affected by both density-dependent and density-independent factors. Explain the
difference between them. Give 2 examples of density-dependent factors that prevent “uncontrolled”
population growth. Give one example of a density-independent factor and explain how it can limit a
population?
Tips for Answering the “Essay” Questions:
1. Neatly hand write your essays on separate sheets of paper. You can use half of a sheet of notebook paper as I am
looking for quality NOT quantity and fluff, but each essay should be on its own piece of paper NOT the back of
another. The top of each essay should include—Essay # - your first and last name for example: Essay 3 – Casey
Rurode. If you do not follow these instructions, 10 points will be deducted from your final grade on this
assignment.
2. Make the essays content dense. Essays will be graded on content NOT your delivery or style.
3. Be specific. Define ALL biology vocabulary terms. Use examples whenever possible.
4. You may use outside sources of information in addition to the text book but are required to cite them using APA
citations (in text citations in the essay then make a reference section towards the bottom of the paper (this should
really be its own page but wasting paper for an informal assignment is silly). This site will inform you about both
formats https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Assignment 2 Ecology Scavenger Hunt:
Science is everywhere so go outside and find it! For this part of your assignment you’ll be looking for a real life example
of the following ecological ideas/terms. To ensure that these pictures were truly captured by you, or that you were
present when the picture was taken be sure to include yourself in the photo (i.e take a “selfie”) OR include an item that
is unique to you. For example, I’d put my little pig Petunia in the foreground of every picture. NO, images off the
internet are NOT permitted hence why you need an identifier.
Make a google slides presentation and name it as follows: “Last name, First name-Ecology Hunt” (Rurode, CaseyEcology Hunt). Share this with me at [email protected]. For each term below you should take a picture that shows
this idea in action, include that picture in your google slides presentation, and describe how your picture exemplifies
the given term on the same slide. Yes, you may need to tell a story about what you saw since a picture is a snapshot in
time and just describing your photo may not sufficiently explain your example of ecology in action.
Failure to follow the sharing directions will result in a 10 point maximum deduction. Every student must submit their
unique images with their unique assignment that includes their own descriptions. This assignment is also due on the
first day of school and will be scored as a 45ish point exam grade. Again, it’s the easiest exam grade of the year so aim
high and have fun!
Terms to Find in Action for Assignment 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
10% rule
Abiotic factor (explain how this influences the distribution of living organisms in the ecosystem you captured)
Biotic factor (explain how this influences the distribution of living organisms in the ecosystem you captured)
Defensive adaptations (pick 2 DIFFERENT adaptations and identify the two demonstrated in your photos using
the proper scientific terms)
Detritus
Disturbance
Diversity (take 2 photos of ecosystems and explain which is more diverse and why scientifically)
First trophic level
Herbivore
Interspecific competition
Intraspecific competition
Invasive species
Keystone species
Mutualism
Parasitism
Predatory-prey relationship
Resource partitioning
Secondary consumers
Tertiary consumer
***Think about plants too! Some students tend to only think of animals but plants are great to observe!***
If you need to contact me during the summer or any time throughout the school year next year please email me at
[email protected]. I may send out emails and remind.com reminders over the summer so check your email
every now and then.
Have a fantastic summer, rest up, be safe, enjoy the biology around you and I look forward to next year 
ALL PAGES AFTER THIS ARE 100% OPTIONAL. THEY ARE NOT REQURED.
Name: ________________________________
As you complete the summer assignment feel free to use these study guides to help you focus on the important
content whilst reading. These study guides are NOT mandatory and will NOT be checked for credit but MAY be helpful
when you are reviewing for the AP exam on Monday May 8, 2017!
Chapter 53: Population Ecology
What is population ecology?
Explain the following terms:
 Density
 Dispersion
Check out figure 53.2 to see how population sizes can be measured in nature. How would you respond to the
“Interpret the Data” question?
What is territoriality?
Explain each of the following:
Demography:
Life tables:
Cohort:
Move on and explain:
a) exponential population growth:
b) answer questions 1-3 on page 1192:
What is carrying capacity?
Explain logistic population growth:
Now we tie it together; write a paragraph explaining K-selection vs. r-selection. What kinds of organisms are found in
each?
What is density-dependant population regulation?
What is the significance of each of the following?
-
competition for resources
-
territoriality
-
health
-
predation
-
toxic wastes
-
intrinsic factors
Finally, give a quick overview of human population and carrying capacity:
Chapter 54: Community Ecology
1. What is a community?
-
what was a population?
What are interspecific interactions?
Sometimes, interspecific competition can lead to competitive exclusion. Explain what these terms mean:
Each organism has its own ecological niche. Explain please:
What is resource partitioning?
What is character displacement and how is it related to sympatry. For that matter, what IS sympatry?
Explain predation here:
What are:
a) cryptic coloration:
b) aposematic coloration:
c) Mimicry:
- Batesian:
-
Mullerian:
Quick explanation of parasitism:
Parasite:
Host:
Endoparasite:
Ectoparasite:
Quick overview of disease:
What is mutualism?
…and commensalism?
Give me a quick review on coevolution:
Answer question 2 from page 1215 here:
What is species diversity?
Trophic Structure: Gotta love this stuff!
Construct a simple food chain, and explain the concept:
Now do the same for a food web:
How is a food web different than a food chain?
Some terms:
Dominant species:
Invasive species:
Keystone species:
What is biomass?
Questions page 1221:
1.
3.
What is ecological succession?
Differentiate between primary and secondary succession:
What is a climax community?
Let’s stop here!
Name : ________________________
Chapter 55: Ecosystems
This is the last major chapter we have to cover! There are 2 more minor ones, so don’t quit just yet….
Explain how the second law of thermodynamics applies to ecosystems:
Give a definition and or an example of each of the following:
-
primary producers
-
primary consumers
-
secondary consumers
-
tertiary consumers
-
decomposers
What is detritus?
Questions page 1241:
1.
3.
What is primary production?
Differentiate gross primary and net primary production:
Explain:
(a) Light Limitation:
(b) Nutrient Limitation
What is eutrophication?
Question 4, page 1191:
¡Muy Importante! Trophic Efficiency
Explain trophic efficiency:
Explain the following:
Pyramid of production:
Pyramid of biomass:
Give a short synopsis of each of the following cycles:
(A) Water Cycle:
(B) Carbon Cycle
(C) Nitrogen Cycle
(D) Phosphorus Cycle:
Explain the concept of biological magnification:
…and greenhouse effect: