AP Biology
Vocabulary Guidelines
You will be creating either 1) a Vocabulary Review Notebook or 2) Vocabulary Notecards for AP
Biology.
1)
Vocabulary Review Notebook:
You can choose either a spiral notebook or a 3-ring binder.
1.
Decorate the cover of your notebook. Include your name, the course (AP Biology), the
school year, and at least one picture / drawing/illustration relating to the course!
Please make this legible.
2. On page 1 label it Table of Contents
3. On page 2 insert this instruction page.
4. Title the next page (page 3), Animal Behavior (Ch. 51), decorate the page and list the
terms to be defined (if not already given to you in a handout).

For each term do the “3 E’s”:
o
Explain the meaning (define the word)
o
Elaborate on the meaning of the term
o
Provide an Example of the term (in words first). Pictures may be
included and are highly recommended to help with the understanding of
the term.

The vocabulary term should be in a different color than the response. For
example if the vocabulary term is written in blue ink, the response should be in
black ink or pencil. The color choice is not what is important, but the contrast
between the colors. Please do not use light/fluorescent yellow or pink. These
are difficult to read.

Example: Fixed Action Pattern
o
o
Explain: a sequence of unlearned acts directly linked to a simple stimulus.
Elaborate: This behavior is usually in response to a sign stimulus, a type of
externa,environmental stimuli. These patterns are unchangeable and usually carried
to completion.
o
Example: A male stickleback fish attacks other male sticklebacks that invade its nesting
territory. The red belly of the intruding male acts as the sign stimulus that releases the
agressive behavior.
2) Vocabulary Notecards
You will need notecards no smaller than 4x6. For each unit you will need some type
of envelope or folder to keep them in so you don’t lose them. These will be a
valuable tool for reviewing for the AP Exam in May.
Include the following information for each notecard:
FRONT:
Unit Name _____________
Card # _______
(Example: Animal Behavior (Ch. 51)
#1
Term
Ex: Fixed Action Pattern
BACK: (See above for examples of explain/elaborate/example)

Explain / Define

Elaborate

Example: