AP Biology Final Project
Name:
The College Board has identified eight major themes that recur throughout the AP Biology
course. You will find these themes, along with a few others, in Chapter 1 of your textbook and
short descriptions are included at the end of this document. This study tool connects the eight
AP themes to the course topics. The topics are listed under each of the themes. You are to
provide an example from each topic that represents that theme. Your examples are to be original
(not from your textbook pg.vii), and thoroughly explained.
This is an electronic assignment and is not to be printed. Submit it as an attachment to email, or
some other form of file transfer (jzagray@gmail.com).
Science as a Process: Chemistry of Life (This one is done as an example. Replace with yours.)
X-ray crystallography helps scientists determine the three dimensional structure of proteins.
Science as a Process: Cells
Science as a Process: Cellular Energetics
Science as a Process: Heredity
Science as a Process: Molecular Genetics
Science as a Process: Evolutionary Biology
Science as a Process: Diversity of Organisms
Science as a Process: Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
Science as a Process: Ecology
Evolution: Chemistry of Life
Evolution: Cells
Evolution: Cellular Energetics
Evolution: Heredity
Evolution: Molecular Genetics
Evolution: Evolutionary Biology
Evolution: Diversity of Organisms
Evolution: Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
Evolution: Ecology
Energy Transfer: Chemistry of Life
Energy Transfer: Cells
Energy Transfer: Cellular Energetics
Energy Transfer: Heredity
Energy Transfer: Molecular Genetics
Energy Transfer: Evolutionary Biology
Energy Transfer: Diversity of Organisms
Energy Transfer: Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
Energy Transfer: Ecology
Continuity & Change: Chemistry of Life
Continuity & Change: Cells
Continuity & Change: Cellular Energetics
Continuity & Change: Heredity
Continuity & Change: Molecular Genetics
Continuity & Change: Evolutionary Biology
Continuity & Change: Diversity of Organisms
Continuity & Change: Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
Continuity & Change: Ecology
Relationship of Structure to Function: Chemistry of Life
Relationship of Structure to Function: Cells
Relationship of Structure to Function: Cellular Energetics
Relationship of Structure to Function: Heredity
Relationship of Structure to Function: Molecular Genetics
Relationship of Structure to Function: Evolutionary Biology
Relationship of Structure to Function: Diversity of Organisms
Relationship of Structure to Function: Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
Relationship of Structure to Function: Ecology
Regulation: Chemistry of Life
Regulation: Cells
Regulation: Cellular Energetics
Regulation: Heredity
Regulation: Molecular Genetics
Regulation: Evolutionary Biology
Regulation: Diversity of Organisms
Regulation: Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
Regulation: Ecology
Interdependence in Nature: Chemistry of Life
Interdependence in Nature: Cells
Interdependence in Nature: Cellular Energetics
Interdependence in Nature: Heredity
Interdependence in Nature: Molecular Genetics
Interdependence in Nature: Evolutionary Biology
Interdependence in Nature: Diversity of Organisms
Interdependence in Nature: Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
Interdependence in Nature: Ecology
Science, Technology & Society: Chemistry of Life
Science, Technology & Society: Cells
Science, Technology & Society: Cellular Energetics
Science, Technology & Society: Heredity
Science, Technology & Society: Molecular Genetics
Science, Technology & Society: Evolutionary Biology
Science, Technology & Society: Diversity of Organisms
Science, Technology & Society: Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
Science, Technology & Society: Ecology
Major Themes
Science as a Process - Science is a way of knowing. It can involve a discovery process using
inductive reasoning, or it can be a process of hypothesis testing. Ex. development of the cell
theory or the theory of evolution
Evolution - Biological change of organisms that occurs over time, which is driven by the process
of natural selection. Evolution accounts for the diversity of life on Earth. Ex. development of
antibiotic-resistant disease-causing bacteria
Energy Transfer - Energy is the capacity to do work. All living organisms are active (living)
because of their abilities to link energy reactions to the biochemical reactions that take place
within their cells. Ex. the energy of sunlight, along with carbon dioxide and water, allows plant
cells to make organic materials, synthesize chemical energy molecules, and ultimately release
oxygen to the environment
Continuity and Change - All species tend to maintain themselves from generation to generation
using the same genetic code. However, their are genetic mechanisms that lead to change over
time, or evolution. Ex. mitosis consistently replicates cells in an organism; meiosis (and hence
sexual reproduction) results in genetic variability
Relationship of Structure to Function - The structural levels from molecules to organisms
ensure successful functioning in all living organisms and living systems. Ex. aerodynamics of a
bird’s wing permits flight
Regulation - Everything from cells to organisms to ecosystems is in a state of dynamic balance
that must be controlled by positive or negative feedback mechanisms. Ex. control of body
temperature by the brain
Interdependence in Nature - Living organisms rarely exist aline in nature. Ex. microscopic
organisms can live in a symbiotic relationship in the intestinal tract of another organism; the
host provides shelter and nutrients, and the microorganisms digest the food
Science, Technology, and Society - Scientific research often leads to technological advances
that can have positive and/or negative impacts upon society as a whole. Ex. biotechnology and
the development of the Hepatitis B vaccine and genetically modified plants; environmental
consequences of toxic wastes or global warming