AP Biology Research Paper
The following is a list of the possible topic areas for your research paper. It is not comprehensive and you may submit
for approval your own topic statement of choice. Remember that your research paper will require 4-5 scientific sources
and be fully cited within the 5 page double spaced 10 point Arial or equivalent font. In addition please submit a
separate bibliography page and if you choose the format of a separate footnote citation page.
Topic Areas
Evolution
Punctuated Equilibrium
Population Genetics
Speciation
Taxonomy-Domains
Evolution of Birds
Mass Extinctions
Endangered Species
Mullerian mimicry
Batesian mimicry
Dominance hierarchies
Territoriality
Imprinting
Pheromones
Pigments
LDL/HDL
Glycoproteins/MHC proteins
Enzyme structure/function
Phospholipids/membranes
Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
Endosymbiotic theory (of mitochondria/chloroplasts)
Mitochondrial DNA
DNA structure & function
Protein structure & function
Protein synthesis
ATP
Golgi Bodies
Ribosomes/Nuclei
Heterochromatin
Euchromatin
Plasmids
Endoplasmic reticulum
Cilia/flagella/centrioles
Mitochondrial structure & function
Chloroplasts structure & function
Oxidative respiration
Photosynthesis
Chemiosmosis
Cell transport mechanisms
Endocytosis/exocytosis
Active transport
Carrier facilitated transport
Hardy-Weinberg principles
DNA technology
PCR
Recombinant DNA
DNA fingerprinting
Human genome
Genetic transformation
Bacterial transformation/conjugation
Homeotic genes
Cell cycle/cell aging
Meiosis & meiotic errors
Mitosis – telomeres, cancer
Meiotic events & Mendelian laws
Multiple allelism
Polygenic inheritance
Sex-linkage
Chromosome mapping
Nondisjunction
Crossing over
Barr bodies
Embryonic germ layers/development
Blastulation/gastrulation/ neurulation
Embryonic induction
Alternation of generations
Plant hormones: auxins, cytokinins, abscissic acid
Phototropism
Gravitropism
Photoperiodism
Circadian rhythms
Immune response
Immunoglobulins
MHC proteins
Antibody formation
Endocrine hormones
Muscle contraction
Negative and positive feedback control mechanisms
Trophic levels/energy pyramid
Geochemical cycles
Global warming
Greenhouse effect
Ozone depletion
Eutrophication
Acid rain
El Nino/La Nina
Thermal pollution
Ecological niches
Ecological succession
Biome distribution