Download AP Biology Summer Assignment 2015 Students must complete this

AP Biology Summer Assignment 2015
Students must complete this assignment by the first week of school in September 2015. The first exam, which will
be during the first week of school, will cover the information in this packet. You may use the textbook to complete
the assignment along with other reliable web resources.
Be sure to explain concepts in your own words. The assignment may be typed or handwritten and must be YOUR
own work.
Copying of another student’s paper will not be permitted and student will not be accepted!
The assignment is on my website, which can be accessed using the NHS High School homepage
Completion of this summer assignment allows us to cover more of the material covered on the AP Biology exam.
The assignment covers the 4 Big Ideas of the course
I hope you look forward to a fun and challenging year in AP Biology!
Sincerely,
Ms. Christine Procaccino
AP Biology Teacher [email protected]
Student Name:________________________________________________________
Email:_________________________________________________
Grade for the 2013/2014 school year (circle one):
Sophmore
Junior
Senior
The AP Biology course is centered on 4 Big Ideas
Big Idea 1: The diversity and unity of life can be explained by the process of evolution.
Big Idea 2: Biological systems use energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and
maintain homeostasis (regulation).
Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information critical to life processes.
Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these interactions possess complex properties.
Your Task~ Using your AP Biology textbook or other resources, answer the following essential
questions on the big ideas of the course. Be sure to provide specific examples when applicable. Most
of the questions are a review from Academic or Honors Biology
BIG IDEA 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
Essential Questions /Enduring Understandings
 Natural & Artificial selection
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
In your own words, define natural selection.
What factors drive natural selection?
Provide an example of how natural selection has affected prokaryotes (bacteria)?
Provide an example of how natural selection has affected a plant species?
Provide an example of how natural selection has affected an animal species?
In your own words, define natural selection.
Provide an example of a species of prokaryote (bacteria) that has experienced artificial
selection.
8. Provide an example of a species of plant that has experienced artificial selection.
9. Provide an example of a species of animal that has experienced artificial selection.
 Origin of Life
10. Describe one of the most accepted theories of how life began.
11. Explain the theory of the formation and evolution of the first cell.
 Genetic drift
12. In your own words, define genetic drift.
13. Provide a real-life example of an organism that has experienced genetic drift.
14. What effect does genetic drift have on genetic variation?
 Evidence of evolution
15. Name 3 sources of evidence that supports the theory of evolution.
16. Explain why evolution is considered a “theory”?
17. Describe the process of endosymbiosis. What was created by this process? How does this
theory support the theory of evolution?
18. Identify vestigial structures and provide examples.
19. Contrast Homologous & Analogous structures and provide examples of each.
 Adaptations?
20. Provide an example of an adaptation that prokaryotes possess that promotes their survival.
21. Provide an example of an adaptation that plants possess that promotes their survival.
22. Provide an example of an adaptation that animals possess that promotes their survival.
BIG IDEA 2: Biological systems utilize energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to
maintain homeostasis.
Essential Questions /Enduring Understandings
 Carbon as a versatile molecule to build organic compounds
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Explain why carbon is such a versatile molecule that makes up organic compounds.
Identify 4 organic compounds.
Describe the role of plants in the Carbon cycle.
Describe the role of animals in the Carbon cycle.
Compare hydrolysis and dehydration reactions. Provide examples of each.
 Homeostasis & Feedback Mechanisms
5. Provide an example of how plants maintain homeostasis.
6. Provide an example of how animals maintain homeostasis.
7. Compare positive and negative feedback systems. Provide an example of each type of
feedback.
8. Describe a consequence of unregulated homeostasis.
9. Compare Hypertonic, Hypotonic,& Isotonic solutions and describe how plant and animal
cells respond in each of the solutions.
 Cellular Energy & Enzymes
10. How does ATP power cellular work?
11. How do enzymes control the rate of chemical reactions?
12. Describe how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are inter-dependent processes.
 Cell Membrane & Transport
13.
14.
15.
16.
Describe how the cell membrane plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis.
Contrast active & passive transport.
Describe how plants use the cell membrane to transport in order to maintain homeostasis.
Describe how animals use the cell membrane to transport in order to maintain homeostasis.
BIG IDEA 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life
processes.
Essential Questions /Enduring Understandings
 Genetic code
1. Describe where prokaryotes (bacteria) store their genetic information. How many
chromosomes do they have?
2. Describe where plants and animals (eukaryotes) store their genetic information.
3. Compare & contrast DNA & RNA.
 Sexual & Asexual Reproduction
3.
4.
5.
6.
Describe the process by which prokaryotes (asexually) reproduce.
Contrast Mitosis & Meiosis. Be sure to identify at least 3 differences.
Explain how meiosis creates genetic diversity.
Describe how the following genetic disorders are inherited (ex. Autosomal
dominant/recessive, sex-linked)
 Genes & Proteins
7. Describe the process of DNA replication.
8. Describe the purpose of protein synthesis
Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these interactions possess complex properties.
Essential Questions /Enduring Understandings
 Populations & Communities
1. Identify 2 population growth patterns.
2. Explain the role of keystone species in a community. Provide an example of a keystone species.
3. Explain the effects of introducing an invasive species into a community. Provide an example of an
invasive species.
 Organism Interactions
4. Describe each of the following interactions between organisms: Parasitism, Predation, Mutualism,
and Commensalism.