AP BIOLOGY – Summer Preparation
AP Biology curriculum builds upon the concepts learned previously in Biology, in middle school life science
and even topics covered in elementary school! You are expected to remember with little prompting, the
information covered during your freshman or sophomore year in biology class. The textbooks we use will have the
basics (things you should already know) and also the new ideas that you are adding to your knowledge of biology.
We will start the school year with ecology. The objectives listed in this document cover what you will need
to understand also review your understanding of basic biochemistry which was covered in your first high school
biology course.
The topics below are repetitious of ideas already taught to you in past classes, OR, concepts that you can
independently learn. To work on this over the summer, you may use web sources AND/OR purchase a textbook.
The suggested textbook to purchase is Biology Concepts and Connections, 5th edition. On Amazon.com you can
purchase this book for less than $5. Having your own, personal, copy will allow you to write in it, highlight, etc. We
will use this textbook for the majority of the reading assignments. If you do not purchase it, there will be a few
copies to use while at school during FLEX. We highly suggest that you purchase a textbook. You will be issued an
additional, different, textbook (Raven and Johnson, 9th edition) the first day of class.
You are to be very familiar with the topics listed below by the second week of school. You will take a test
on this material. You may take notes, make outlines, draw and label your own diagrams and make tables; whatever
it takes for you to know and understand the content. You may NOT Xerox/scan pages or print out web sources for
use on test. You may NOT use typed/word processed notes. ONLY notes that you hand write can be used on the
test.
Chapter 34 (Concepts and Connections) / Chapter 59 (Raven and Johnson)
Be able to:
 Distinguish between these major terrestrial biomes; Tropical forest (Tropical rain forest), Savanna, Desert,
Chaparral, Temperate grassland, Temperate forest (Temperate deciduous forest), Coniferous forest
(Temperate evergreen forest), Tundra, High Mountains (Mountain zone), with regard to: geographic region,
weather (rainfall, temp., etc.) characteristic flora and fauna.
 Define these terms related to aquatic biomes: neritic zone, pelagic zone, benthic zone, abyssal zone, photic
zone, intertidal, brackish water, estuary, bay.
Chapter 37 (Concepts and Connections) / Chapter 58 (Raven and Johnson)
Be able to:
 Explain how water, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycle or are continually recycled. Understand the
specific vocabulary terms associated with each. This is quite a bit to understand! Work on each cycle
separately- draw, label, etc. Do whatever it takes for YOU to understand it.

Label and describe the parts of a food chain and food web.

Explain how energy flows through trophic levels (it is not recycled!).

Discuss the information illustrated in ecological pyramids. Know what percent of energy is typically passed
to the next level.
Chapter 2 (Concepts and Connections) / Chapter 2 (Raven and Johnson)
Be able to:

Define these terms: matter, element, compound, atomic number, atomic mass, isotopes, reactants,
products.

Distinguish between these different types of bonds: ionic bond, covalent bond, nonpolar covalent bond,
polar covalent bond, hydrogen bond.

Draw a simple model of an element that shows the correct position and number of protons, neutrons and
electrons.

Describe how radioactive isotopes are different from other isotopes and how they are used in research and
medicine.

Know what (exactly) determines an atom’s chemical properties (Why do atoms interact?)

Explain the unique properties of water. Water molecules are cohesive and adhesive. These abilities allow
for properties that are important for supporting life. We will call these properties: excellent solvent,
resistance to temperature change, less dense as a solid, high surface tension, capillary action.

Describe the pH scale and what determines a solutions pH value. Know the function of a buffer.
Chapter 3 (Concepts and Connections) / Chapter 3 (Raven and Johnson)
Be able to:

Describe how the unique structure of carbon leads to so many different organic compounds.

Draw these 6 common functional groups, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, amino, phosphate, and methyl.

Define these terms: macromolecules, polymers, monomers, dehydration reaction, hydrolysis (condensation
reaction), monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide, triglyceride, saturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated
fatty acid, phospholipid, steroids, denaturation, peptide bond, polypeptide, enzyme.

Discuss the structure, monomers, important polymers and their functions for carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, and nucleic acids. (THIS IS A LOT OF INFO- making a table might help!)

Recognize the formulas and diagrams for each organic compound.
We will not spend time reviewing or covering this material in class.
You need to spend as much time on this as needed for YOU to understand and be able to answer questions on
these topics. In the past, students have said (on AVERAGE) that this takes between 7 - 10 hours of time
depending on how much they easily recalled from their biology course. It might take YOU LONGER. Plan
accordingly. Do NOT try to do this in one or two days. Your recall and understanding will not benefit from a
cramming style of learning. Spread it out. Make a plan to take care of this work over a number of days.
AP BIOLOGY is a class that will take considerable effort and time on your part. You need to have excellent work
habits and self-discipline to do well in this course.
Please have a 3-ring binder, pencils, highlighters, and a new composition book (black and white marbled cover)
to use for your biology work. You will also need regular access to a computer and color printer during the year.
You will want to print out slides for the lecture and take notes on them. Slides get posted on Whitlow’s webpage
under the AP BIO link. You will also need to be able to produce graphs on the computer. There are several
websites that can help you learn how to do this and you can also use Microsoft Excel software.
Expect to spend 4-5 hours per week outside of class on reading, studying, rewriting your notes, reviewing, and
writing up labs. This is based on feedback from students who earned a B or better for the course.
AP BIO will be taught by Ms. Whitlow and Ms. Hoffman.
Please read instructions given on this document carefully. Any questions or problems can be addressed the first
couple days of school. Teacher e-mail accounts are not regularly checked during the summer break. Do not
count on a reply until after August 19 when teachers return to work.