Download AP BIOLOGY THEMES

AP BIOLOGY THEMES
• The AP Biology Curriculum Emphasizes
Science as a PROCESS. Students will
focus on experimental design, data
analysis and use of models to
communicate scientific phenomena to
solve scientific problems.
AP BIOLOGY
FOCUSES ON 4
MAJOR THEMES
*Note: The 4 theme system will start in 2012-13.
The four were condensed from the original 8.
BIG IDEA #1:
The process of Evolution drives the
diversity and UNITY of life.
•
•
•
•
Evolution is a change in the genetic makeup of a population over
time, with natural selection as its major driving mechanism.
Scientific evidence (mathematical, anatomical, biochemical,
geological) supports the idea that both speciation and extinction have
occurred throughout Earth’s history and that life continues to evolve
within a changing environment.
All domains of life (archae, Bacteria and Eukarya) share a common
ancestry in that all utilize DNA and RNA as their hereditary carrier and
the code of this language is universal.
LINK TO EVOLUTION DISCUSSION:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/11/2/quicktime/e_s_7.html
BIG IDEA #2
Biological systems utilize free energy and
molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce
and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
•
•
•
•
•
•
All living systems require constant input of free energy and matter to
maintain order.
Free energy can be obtained from electromagnetic radiation(light) or from
chemical bonds of food. (photosynthesis,chemiosynthesis,cell
respiration).
Changes in free energy availability can change a population size or
change an entire ecosystem.
Organisms maintain an ordered internal environment different from their
external environment. In doing so, organisms create an increase in
entropy(disorder) of their surroundings.
What is life? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZskKK_obghI
Entropy and living systems video: (Just know that it takes energy to start reactions)
http://www.learnerstv.com/animation/animation.php?ani=161&cat=biology
(Make notes - Discussion to follow)
Big Idea #3:
Living systems store, transmit and respond to
information essential to life processes.
•
•
•
•
•
Genetic information provides continuity of life and is passed via DNA and/or RNA.
This is true of all living things.
Expression of genetic information involves both cellular mechanisms (cell
components or “machines”) and molecular mechanisms (specific molecules).
Expression of genetic information controls cell products. Expression can be
controlled by both external and internal factors.
Genotype influence phenotype. (Genes control physical and chemical
characteristics. Any change in genotype essentially changes the organism.
Changes in genotype drive evolution.
•
•
•
Example 1: DNA replication http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jtmOZaIvS0
Example 2: Rhodopsin in eye responds to light
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuLR0kzfwBU
Example 3: Using Rhodopsin gene in nerve cells in brain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA67v4vSg00
Big Idea #4:
Biological systems interact, and these systems and
their interactions possess complex properties.
•
•
•
•
“As far as the current mass extinction is concerned, it
isn’t the loss of large animals but the loss of the unseen
complex relationships that is of major concern.”
All biological systems are composed of parts that interact with each
other. These interactions result in characteristics not found in the
individual parts alone. In other words, “the whole is greater than the
sum of its parts.” All biological systems from the molecular level to the
ecosystem level exhibit properties of biocomplexity and diversity.
Together, these two properties provide robustness to biological
systems, enabling greater resiliency and flexibility to tolerate and
respond to changes in the environment. Biological systems with
greater complexity and diversity often exhibit an increased capacity to
respond to changes in the environment.
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVPZ0uQPRPI
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_vbkoeKXB4