AP BIOLOGY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT 2015
Purpose: This summer you will delve into the world of biology like you never thought you would in those hot
summer months!
This summer assignment has been designed for four purposes:
· to get you to think during those summer months to keep your mind sharp, because I will expect a lot out of it
come September!
· to have you review major concepts in biology, which we will build upon in AP Biology, through non-classroom
methods of learning.
· to have you earn strong grades to help you begin the first quarter with confidence.
· to enable us to hit the ground running in September as you will understand the major themes and skills of the
class before you walk in the door.
Instructions: Below is a list of items to complete for your summer assignment. You will be asked to read the book
“Survival of the Sickest” by Sharon Moalem. While reading this book you will complete assignments on each
chapter. You will also be asked to complete the FlinnPrep online student prep course for AP Biology.
Due Dates:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
All assignments must be completed.
Signed syllabus and safety contract: due by June 24th.
Sign into our google classroom: by June 24th
Letter of introduction: due by July 1st.
Survival of the Sickest assignment must be posted to our google classroom by 11:59 pm July 30th.
FlinnPrep course: must be completed by the first day of school.
Assignments:
2 • GOOGLE CLASSROOM:
How to sign into Google Classroom for the first time
a. Go to gmail.com
b. If you already have a gmail account, click “Add account”.
Your new username format is: firstname.lastname@bpsstudents.braintreeschools.org
If your last name is composed of 2 words, put an underscore (like this “_”) between the
words
Your temporary password in WELCOME2015$
It is case-sensitive. You will be prompted to change it the first time you log in. Change
your password to something you will remember and do not give it out to anyone else.
c. Go to classroom.google.com. If it prompts you to log in, use your new gmail account and
password from #2 above.
d. Click the + in the top right corner
e. Enter the class code given to you by your teacher
Class Code: pctx22u
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3 • LETTER OF INTRODUCTION: We are going to spend a lot of time together next year, so it’s best if I get a head
start on learning a bit about you. Also we will use the Internet next year for this course, so let’s get you used
to communicating with me via e-mail. Your first digital assignment is to successfully send me an e-mail. Due
date: July 1, 2015
Draft an e-mail to me following these rules:
a. Use clearly written, full sentences. Do not abbreviate words like you are instant messaging with
a friend. Use spell check! This is a professional communication like you would have with a
college professor, so let’s practice for your rapidly nearing future!
b. Address it to me at: jpasseggio@braintreema.gov
c. Make the Subject: “AP Bio: Introduction to <Insert Your Name Here>”
(Do not include the quote marks or the brackets, just the words)
d. Now introduce yourself (your name) and tell me a little bit about yourself, like:
· What do you like to do (hobbies, sports, music, interests, etc.)?
· Do you have a job?
· Tell me a little bit about your family (Mom? Dad? Guardian? Siblings? Pets?)
· Was there anything that you liked about your earlier biology class?
· What was the last book you read for fun?
· What are you looking forward to the most in AP Biology?
· What are you most anxious about in AP Biology?
f. End the e-mail with a formal closing: “Cordially”, “Sincerely”, “Warm regards”, etc. and add
your name as if you signed a letter.
4 • SURVIVAL OF THE SICKEST:
- Read the book, “Survival of The Sickest”, by Sharon Moalem. You may borrow the book
from the library, purchase it at a bookstore or even purchase it used on Amazon. The
images and disputable claims are attached to this packet.
 Before reading each chapter, predict what you think the chapter may be about
based on the image provided. This should be typed and will be turned in as part of
your assignment.
 After you read the chapter, explain how the image related to the chapter and
dispute the “disputable claim” using specific evidence from the book.
 The images and disputable claims are attached to this document.
 Work on this book will be graded as a lab grade. Your work should be typed and
posted to google classroom by July 30th.
5 • FLINNPREP COURSE:
- You will receive an invitation by email to join of FlinnPrep classroom. You will need to
accept this invitation and register for the class. The cost of the FlinnPrep course is $49.95,
which you will pay when you complete your registration. If you are unable to afford this
cost, please see Dr. Rees before the end of the school year.
 Complete all content for each of the ten units
 Complete quiz at the end of each unit
 This work will be graded as a quiz grade. All work must be completed by September
3rd.
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Survival of the Sickest Images and Disputable Claims
Chapter 1: Ironing It Out
Dispute: Higher amounts of iron in the body are good because they will eradicate any diseases in the body.
Chapter 2: A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Temperature Go Down
Dispute: Diabetes has never been beneficial whatsoever to human health.
Chapter 3: The Cholesterol Also Rises
Dispute: The history of specific populations does not make them more susceptible to certain diseases than others.
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Chapter 4: Hey, Bud, Can You Do Me a Fava?
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Dispute: Since plants are primary producers they are meant to be eaten and do not need to defend themselves.
Chapter 5: Of Microbes and Men
Dispute: The evolution of microbes and humans are mutually exclusive and all microbes are bad for humans
because of their parasitic characteristics.
Chapter 6: Jump into the Gene Pool
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Dispute: Mutations are always random and are never beneficial.
Chapter 7: Methyl Madness: Road to the Final Phenotype
Dispute: The foods a grandmother consumes while pregnant and her attitude towards her child cannot affect the
genes of her child, much less those of her grandchildren.
Chapter 8: That’s Life: Why You and Your iPod Must Die
Dispute: Your body is not programmed for death; aging and death are unwanted and unplanned processes.
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