Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
AP Biology
Summer Reading Guide Packet
Name _________________________
Chapter 1: Exploring Life
1. Briefly explain the properties of life listed below:
a. Order
b. Evolutionary adaptation
c.
Response to the environment
d. Regulation
e.
Energy processing
f.
Growth and development
g. Reproduction
2. Diagram or define the ten levels of biological organization
3. Explain or diagram how energy moves through an ecosystem
4. How does DNA function in a living cell?
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
5. Complete the following chart:
Quality
Prokaryotic Cells
Eukaryotic Cells
Relative size
What types of
organisms?
Possess a Nucleus?
Two other organelles
present
6. Define the concept of emergent properties and explain how it relates to “being alive”.
7. What is Reductionism? Why is it useful in the Biological sciences?
8. How does Systems Biology differ from Reductionist ways of looking at Biology?
9. Diagram a flow-chart for a negative feedback system (living or non-living):
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
10. Why is classification of living organisms necessary to understanding biology?
11. Explain the meaning of the phrase “Form fits Function.”
12. What does the statement “there is unity in diversity” mean in terms of biology and why is it said that “Evolution is
the unifying theme of biology?”
13. How is Discovery Science different from Hypothesis-Based Science?
14. What's a model? How are they useful? What are their limitations? Are models accurate representations of actual
things?
15. Draw a diagram explaining the relationship between science and technology.
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life
1. What is the relationship between the term “element” and “compound”?
2. Label the diagram below and define the terms that you use to label them.
3. Using only the periodic table, explain how can you tell the following:
a. The number of protons in an atom
b. The number of electrons in an atom
c. The atomic mass of an atom
4. How is atomic mass different from atomic weight?
5. What is an isotope and what is “special” about radioactive isotopes?
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
6. Explain scientific uses of radioactivity.
7. Explain how the movement of electrons relates to the concept of potential energy – use the diagram below to help
answer the question.
8. What determines interactions between atoms? Why are valence electrons important?
9. Define the following terms:
a. Chemical bond
b. Covalent bond
c.
Single bond
d. Double bond
e.
Valence
f.
Electronegativity
g. Nonpolar covalent bond
h. Polar covalent bond
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
16. What is the difference between a structural and molecular formula?
17. How do ionic bonds compare with covalent bonds?
18. Compare and contrast hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions.
19. Based on the reading, give an example of how molecular shape is critical in a living system.
20. Define dynamic chemical equilibrium in terms of quantities of reactants and products.
Chapter 3: Water and the Fitness of the Environment
1. Why is water considered a polar molecule?
2. Briefly define each property of water, explain how molecular polarity or hydrogen bonding contributes to the
property and how each property is useful for living things.
a. Cohesion
b. Adhesion
c.
Surface tension
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
d. High specific heat
e.
Heat of vaporization
f.
Evaporative cooling
3. What is unique about the density of water?
4.
Define the following terms:
a. Solute
b. Solvent
c.
Aqueous solution
d. Hydrophilic
e.
Hydrophobic
f.
Hydration shell
g. Molarity
5. Label the diagram below to demonstrate the dissociation of the water molecule and then relate this diagram to
pH.
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
6. What defines an acid and a base?
7. Why are “apparently” small changes in pH so important in biology (hint: how much more acidic is a solution with
a pH of 6 compared to a solution with a pH of 7)?
8. What is a buffer? Explain the necessity of the carbonic acid buffer system in human blood.
9. What is acid precipitation and how is it harmful to living organisms?
Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
1. Why is organic chemistry so important in the study of biology?
2. Explain how the ideas of vitalism and mechanism differ? Is either one correct?
3. What is special about carbon that makes it the central atom in the chemistry of life?
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
4. Use the diagram below to label and contrast the three types of isomers.
5. Create a table below: after each functional group – draw the structure, note the functional properties and answer the
miscellaneous question.
Functional
Structure
Functional Properties
Miscellaneous Question
Group
What common beverage (though
not for you) features this
functional group?
Hydroxyl
What is the difference between a
ketone and an aldehyde?
Carbonyl
Name one acid that features the
carboxyl group:
Carboxyl
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
Find a picture of an amino acid
and draw it here:
Amino
What type of biological molecule
contains sulfur?
Sulfhydryl
Phosphate
Phosphates are high in energy.
Can you name a biological
molecule that uses phosphates for
energy?
Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Macromolecules
1. Identify the monomer, polymer, condensation reaction, and hydrolysis in the diagram below.
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
2. What are the three hexose (“six carbon”) monosaccharides?
3. What is a glycosidic linkage and what do the numbers 1-4 and 1-2 relate to?
4. Compare and contrast the two storage polysaccharides.
5. Compare and contrast the two structural polysaccharides.
6. Why are lipids grouped together?
7. What are the building blocks of fats?
8. Contrast saturated and unsaturated fats – how does their structure determine their function?
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
9. Label the molecule below.
10. How would you recognize a basic steroid molecule?
11. List at least five functions of proteins:
12. What are the names for the monomers and polymers of proteins? Why do they have these names?
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
13. Label the diagram below concerning the catalytic cycle of an enzyme:
14. Draw two amino acids – note the amino group, the carboxyl group and the alpha carbon, circle the water
molecule to be removed and then note the peptide bond formed when the two are joined.
15. Explain what determines the four levels of protein structure –
a. Primary
b. Secondary
c.
Tertiary
d. Quaternary
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Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke
16. How does the characteristics of an amino acid – nonpolar, polar, acidic or basic relate to the tertiary and
quaternary structure of a protein?
17. Why is denaturation important and how is it caused?
18. BRIEFLY Describe the technique of x-ray crystallography.
19. What is the role of nucleic acids in biological systems?
20. Label the blank diagram below:
21. BRIEFLY explain how the structure of DNA allows it to be copied.
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Reading for Comprehension Campbell’s Biology, Chapter 50 All answers are to be completed on your own paper, neatly written. Each part is to be clearly separated from the others by written heading. Include your name, the title of the assignment, and chapter number on your answer sheet. Late assignments will not be accepted. Directions for part 1: Answer the following questions. 1. What is ecology? 2. Why has ecology traditionally been a descriptive science and not an experimental science? 3. What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors? 4. What is an ecosystem and what does in include? What is the biosphere? 5. What causes the seasons on Earth? 6. What causes a rain shadow? 7. Describe the vertical stratification of aquatic biomes. Note that this description is for both freshwater and marine biomes. 8. Define detritus. How is it important to an aquatic ecosystem and where does it come from? 9. Explain the difference between natural eutrophication and cultural eutrophication. Discuss some of the causes of cultural eutrophication. See page 1204 in chapter 54 for additional information. 10. List and briefly describe 8 major terrestrial biomes. 11. List and briefly describe 3 major regions of the marine biome. Directions for part 2: Complete the Self quiz at the end of the chapter. After completing the questions, check your answers from the key at the end of the review. After the letter of each correct answer, explain why it was correct. This may entail describing why the other answers are incorrect. Directions for part 3: Complete the following questions. Outline form is NOT acceptable. Labeled diagrams may be used to supplement discussion, but in no case will a diagram alone suffice. It is important that you read each question completely before you begin to write. 1. How is population size regulated by abiotic and biotic factors? Describe four abiotic factors in your explanation and give examples of how that factor affects a specific population. 2. Describe homeostasis (chapter 40) and how different organisms maintain homeostasis. Discuss the meanings of regulators and conformers. In you discussion, describe why few organisms can be considered perfect regulators or perfect conformers. Reading for Comprehension Campbell’s Biology, Chapter 51 All answers are to be completed on your own paper, neatly written. Each part is to be clearly separated from the others by written heading. Include your name, the title of the assignment, and chapter number on your answer sheet. Late assignments will not be accepted. Directions for part 1: Answer the following questions. 1. What is the difference between proximate and ultimate questions? 2. What is a FAP and what causes it? 3. What is meant by optimal foraging? 4. Explain the distinction between learning and maturation. Give an example that illustrates this difference. 5. Compare and contrast the movement behaviors of Kinesis and Taxis. Why can they be easily confused? 6. What is polyandry? Give an example. 7. What is meant by parental investment? 8. What is agonistic behavior? 9. What are pheromones? Give an example of their usefulness. Directions for part 2: Complete the Self quiz at the end of the chapter. After completing the questions, check your answers from the key at the end of the review. After the letter of each correct answer, explain why it was correct. This may entail describing why the other answers are incorrect. Directions for part 3: Complete the following questions. Labeled diagrams may be used to supplement discussion, but in no case will a diagram alone suffice. It is important that you read each question completely before you begin to write. 1. Describe each of the following animal behaviors as revealed in studies performed by the given researcher. A. Fixed action patterns and Nikolaas Tinbergen B. Imprinting and Konrad Lorenz C. Classical Conditioning and Ivan Pavlov D. Bee communication and Karl von Frisch 2. Describe the principle of altruism and explain how this practice can lead to the genetic viability of the individual in addition to that of the population. Reading for Comprehension Campbell’s Biology, Chapter 52 All answers are to be completed on your own paper, neatly written. Each part is to be clearly separated from the others by written heading. Include your name, the title of the assignment, and chapter number on your answer sheet. Late assignments will not be accepted. Directions for part 1: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. Draw the growth curve of a population living under ideal, unlimited conditions. What is the name of this type of growth and what is its distinguishing characteristic? Why is this type of growth rarely if ever observed? 2. Given that the US birth rate is currently at replacement level fertility, why is our population growing? 3. Describe what is likely to happen to a population that far exceeds the carrying capacity of its ecosystem. Explain your answer. 4. Distinguish between K selected and r selected populations. What type of populations would humans be? 5. What general shape of an age structure diagram would lead a person to predict a large population increase? 6. Name and describe the most common pattern of dispersion. 7. Based on the data from pages 1154 and 1155, what type of survivorship curve would the ground squirrel display and why? 8. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of increased age at first reproduction. Give an example of a species that has a low age at first reproduction and an example of a species that has a high age at first reproduction. 9. Describe the following symbols used in population growth models: N, B, D, t, r, rmax, K, b, d. 10. Discuss an example of an organism that undergoes regular, periodic cycles in population. Discuss some of the hypotheses as to why these cycles occur. Directions for part 2: Complete the Self quiz at the end of the chapter. After completing the questions, check your answers from the key at the end of the review. After the letter of each correct answer, explain why it was correct. This may entail describing why the other answers are incorrect. Directions for part 3: Complete the following questions. Labeled diagrams may be used to supplement discussion, but in no case will a diagram alone suffice. It is important that you read each question completely before you begin to write. 1. Describe density‐dependent and density‐independent limiting factors. Discuss two populations, one limited by density‐independent factors and the other limited by density‐dependent factors. 2. Describe an experiment using Daphnia as the experimental organism that will illustrate population growth and carrying capacity. Provide a problem statement and a hypothesis as well as an anticipated graph of the hypothetical data