AP BIO Unit 2: ECOLOGY
This unit will focus on ecosystems and all of the biotic and abiotic factors that influence
how they function. The general message of this unit refers to the AP Biology “Big Idea”
of biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess
complex properties.
Chapter 56 - Ecology of Individuals and Populations
Read Chapter 56.
Quiz on vocabulary ___
Chapter 57 - Community Ecology
Read Chapter 57
Homework- 1) Define, then give and explain an example for each of the
following terms: Warning Coloration; Cryptic Coloration; Batesian
Mimicry; Muellerian Mimicry
2) Symbiotic relationships- list all of the types, distinguish between them,
and clearly explain one example of each.
Quiz on Chapter - ______
Predator/Prey Lab
Chapter 55 – Behavioral Biology
Read 55.4 through 55.8
Animal Behavior Lab
Chapter 58 - Dynamics of Ecosystems
Read the chapter
Homework - Sketch the Carbon Cycle and Nitrogen Cycle. Be sure to
include text that explains the transitions from one arrow to the next.
You should be able to answer the questions p1228-1229
Chapter 59 - The Biosphere
Skim the chapter so that you can make a chart of the “7 Major Biomes”
with the following headings and then fill it in.
Geographic region
Annual precipitation
Characteristic flora
Characteristic fauna
Homework - Aquatic Biomes - Define the following:
neritic zone
photic zone
pelagic zone
eutrophic
benthic zone
oligotrophic
abyssal zone
AP Lab #12 Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity
TEST ON- _________
Preparing for the Ecology Test. For this test, you will need to create a series of outlines
breaking down the chapters and emphasizing the important parts. Key vocabulary is on
the back.
Population Ecology
Population
Dispersal patterns
Metapopulations
Source-sink populations
Demography- factors affecting (fecundity, mortality, generation time)
Survivorship curve
Semelparity
Iteroparity
Population growth
Exponential growth model
Carrying capacity (K)
Logistic growth model
Sustainable yield
Sigmoid growth curve
Density-dependent factors
Density- independent factors
K-selected species
r- selected species
Community Ecology
Interactions among competing species
Community
Niche
Inter/intraspecific competition
Fundamental/realized niche
Resource partitioning
Competitive exclusion
Sympatric species and Character Displacement
Predator/prey cycle
The Different Defenses against predators
Symbiosis
Commensalism
Mutualism
Parasitism (different types of)
Coevolution
Dominant Species vs. Keystone Species
Animal Behavior
Learning and the types of conditioning
Imprinting
Behavioral Rhythms
Communication and how it affects courtship
Orientation and Migration
Taxis and Kinesis
Dynamics of Ecosystems
All chemical cycles except Phosphorous (water, carbon, nitrogen)
Understand trophic level relationships (autotrophs, heterotrophs, primary consumers, etc.)
The types of ecological succession and the effects on species richness
Primary productivity
Gross/net productivity
Biosphere
General characteristics of the different major biomes
Vocabulary associated with the different aquatic zones