AP Biology Homework
Chapters 44, 46-49
Chapter 44: Osmoregulation and Excretion
1. a. Define osmolarity.
b. How does the term hyperosmotic compare to hypertonic?
c. Describe how marine (salt water) fishes’ kidneys and gills work differently from the fresh
water fishes’ kidneys and gills.
2. Why does it work for aquatic animals to excrete ammonia and not for terrestrial animals?
3. Using figures 44.9, 44.13 - 44.14 to fill in the following table
Excretory system Definition
functions
1. filtration
2. reabsorption
3. secretion
4. excretion
Where is the location of this
process within the body
(Figs 44.13 & 44.14 may help)
You are not responsible for the survey of excretory systems on pages 929-930.
4. (Know the anatomy of fig. 44.13 at all levels. Nothing to answer on paper for this ‘question’ #4)
5. Carefully read pages 933-934 and then sketch (largely) the nephron figure, fig.44.14. At
stages 1-5 of the figure 44.14 write in a few sentences of what is really happening at each of
these 5 stages.
6. Now looking at figure 44.15, using what you have just learned in question #5 above: explain,
as the filtrate descends the loop of Henle,
(a.) Why the filtrate becomes more and more concentrated, up to 1200 mosm/L and then
(b.) As the filtrate ascends the loop of Henle why does the filtrate become less and less
concentrated, eventually reaching 100 mosm/L?
(c.) What happens to the filtrate as it descends the collecting duct?
(d.) How does this movement of water and salt from the nephron’s filtrate contribute to
the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis?
7. How does ADH enhance fluid retention in the kidneys?
8. How do the JGA, Renin, Angiotensinogen, Angiotensin II and Aldosterone work to maintain
blood pressure and blood volume? (Mention each of the 5 terms above in your answer.)
Chapter 46: Animal Reproduction
1. What is parthenogenesis?
What is hermaphroditism?
2. (Know the structure names AND functions of each structure from both figs. 46.9 and 46.10, but there
is nothing to write for this ‘question’.)
3. In the male, three glands add secretions to semen. What are those three glands and what are
their contributions to the semen fluid?
4. How do human menstrual cycles compare/contrast to many other mammal’s estrous cycles?
5. How is human oogenesis different from human spermatogenesis?
6. Fill in the following table using figure 46.13.
Hormone
What is this hormone’s function within the female reproductive cycle?
GnRH
FSH
LH
estrogen
progesterone
7. Fill in the following table using figure 46.14.
Hormone
What is this hormone’s function within the testes?
GnRH
FSH
LH
Testosterone
8. What are the major events that occur during fetal development for each of the three trimester
of pregnancy (write just one or two sentences for each trimester).
9. What are the functions of estrogen and oxytocin during the induction of labor?
Chapter 47: Animal Development
1. Figures 47.3 and 47.6 look very similar. But what is the purpose of each figure?
2. Define the following terms as they relate to human development and put them in the correct
order:
Gastrula (gastrulation)
Fertilization
Morula
Cleavage
Blastula
Neural plate formation
Implantation
3. Describe neural tube formation by answering the following questions: What signals the
formation of the neural plate? Where does it form? Which of the three germ layers gives rise to
the neural plate (and neural tube)?
4. Study Figure 47.16. Sketch the developing embryo from fig 47.14(c). Label each of the
three germ layers with their adult derivatives (listed in 47.16). (THIS IS IMPORTANT AND
SHOWS UP ON THE AP BIOLOGY TEST ALMOST EVERY YEAR!)
Chapter 48: Nervous Systems
1. Sketch and label a vertebrate neuron using figures 48.5, 48.8 and the vocabulary in the
textbook.
2. A neuron at rest maintains a different ion gradient inside the neuron when compared to its
environment (this is called the membrane’s resting potential). The ion gradient is established
and maintained by the Na+/K+ pump (made of Na+ and K+ channels also known as transport
proteins). This pump requires a constant flow of ATP. When certain stimuli trigger the different
channels to open or close the membrane potential changes, thus an action potential may result.
DESCRIBE what happens in the event of a depolarizing stimulus.
3. Using figure 48.12 describe a graded potential and describe an action potential.
4. Draw the graph that is in the center of figure 48.13 (include the x & y axis labels etc.). In
your own words explain the 5 steps that occur to cause an Action Potential. (be sure you
understand this figure and the text that describes it.)
5. Describe figure 48.14 in our own words.
6. Define neurotransmitter and describe what is occurring at the synapse. (explain the 6 steps
from Figure 48.17 in your own words.)
7. What are the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?
8. Draw the adult brain from fig48.23(c) and label each of the major areas of the brain. Then in
your own words make a bulleted list of the function(s) for each area.
Chapter 49: Sensory and Motor Mechanisms
1. Describe the 5 main types of sensory receptors AND list areas of your body where each can
be found.
2. How does the perilymph the cochlea transmit sound waves the hair cells AND how do the
hair cells in your ear help you to hear and also discern pitch?
3. Sketch the eye from figure 49.18 and label the major structures. THEN Using figure 49.23
label the location of the rods and cones within the eye structure.
4. Where is the visual cortex located in the brain?
5. Using the reading on pages 1068-1071 and figure 49.31 & 49.33 describe the role of Ca+ in
muscle contraction.