AP Bio
Possible Essay Questions
Cellular Respiration & Photosynthesis
There are several review sheets for you to use that can be found on Weebly.
http://www.loydbiology.weebly.com
The following essay questions are examples of the kinds of questions that you can expect to have to answer
for your unit test essay as well as for the AP Bio exam essay. The AP Bio essays that you will find on the
AP Bio Exam will be a combination of these types of questions. For example: Evolution is the unifying
theme in biology. Therefore, the test development committee will incorporate the theme of evolution as a
subset of three of the four essays. A question may also center on evolution. Another example of a theme
essay is given in the first essay question below.
I have narrowed down the themes that I might use for an essay for this test. Those themes are highlighted.
For “designing an experiment” I have posted a list on Weebly of components to include in your design. You
would be expected to design an extension of one of the two labs that we completed for this unit.
THEME: Relationship of structure to function
Membranes are important structural features of cells.
(a) Describe how membrane structure is related to the transport
of materials across a membrane.
(b) Describe the role of membranes in the synthesis of ATP in either
respiration or photosynthesis.
CELLULAR RESPIRATION / PHOTOSYNTHESIS ESSAY
THEME: Energy Transfer
Describe the similarities and differences between the biochemical pathways of aerobic respiration
and photosynthesis in eukaryotic cells. Include in your discussion the major reactions, the end
products, and energy transfers.
CELLULAR RESPIRATION ESSAY
Explain what occurs during the Krebs (citric acid) cycle and electron transport by describing the
following:
a. The location of the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain in the mitochondria
b. The cyclic nature of the reactions in the Krebs cycle
c. The production of ATP and reduced coenzymes during the cycle
d. The chemiosmotic production of ATP during electron transport
MAJOR THEMES
I.
Science as a Process “Design an Experiment”
II.
Evolution: “How can we tell that Glycolysis is an ancient process?”
III.
Energy Transfer: cellular work, ATP, redox reactions (“follow the electrons.”)
IV.
Continuity and Change: rubisco/photorespiration, C4 and CAM plants.
V.
Relationship of Structure to Function: see example above.
VI.
Regulation: phosphofructokinase/-ATP, -Citrate, +AMP production of pyruvate.
VII.
Interdependence in Nature: producers/consumers.
VIII.
Science, Technology, and Society: Research to genetically modify plants to eliminate
photorespiration in crops.
Mrs. Loyd 
cloyd@waukee.k12.ia.us
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http://loydbiology.weebly.com
10/20/11
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