Mr. Brown
AP Biology
(Email: bry_aca_jbr@nwoca.org)
Level: AP BIOLOGY: Honors Level – Junior or Senior
Text: Campbell, Neil A. Biology. (7th Ed.). Redwood City: CA: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co.
Lab Manual: The College Board, AP Program. Advanced Placement Biology Laboratory Manual for Students (edition D).
College Entrance Examination Board.
Requirements: Notebook and Jump/Flash Drive
Lab Requirements: This course places an emphasis on experimentation involving observation and analysis of hands-on investigations. There is a recommended
sequence of laboratory experiences provided by the College Board. Part of the AP exam will be based upon these experiences. Several other selected investigations will
be performed also. Students are required to complete twelve (12) labs set forth by The College Board Advanced Placement Program. Students are
expected to read each lab carefully before coming to the laboratory and are responsible for following all correct laboratory and safety procedures.
Students should also use the lab aid, LabBench, to make sure they understand all lab procedures before beginning a lab exercise. Due to the large
amount of time required for laboratory set-up, it is essential that you are always present on lab days. Please be prepared to stay after school to finish
long labs that you are unable to complete in the allotted lab time. Additional labs will be included such as bioremediation of oil and industrial
pollutants, gram staining techniques, and dissection of the dogfish. Within one week of completing the AP recommended labs, students will turn in
professional quality, typed lab reports in the format provided by the instructor. Lab reports will be weighted and count 40% of each nine weeks grade.
Projects: To be determined each year
Goals:
 To familiarize students with the terminology and concepts of Biology using a theme-oriented approach that emphasizes concepts and science as
a process over knowledge of facts.
 To enhance problem-solving skills of students using hands-on labs, readings, collections, independent projects, and class discussions.
 To strengthen students’ communication skills with the use of written assignments, essays, abstracts, and lab reports.
 To prepare students for further study in the Biological Sciences.
Expectations
1. Keep an up to date notebook: This includes all work completed in chronological order, and your calendar filled in with each day’s assignments from the board.
2. Complete and turn in all assignments: All assignments will be graded. Recommended assignments should be done to reinforce and help you understand the concepts
you are studying.
3. Be prepared for all quizzes: Quizzes are usually announced or are take home, BUT not always! Be ready for a quiz over the material covered the previous day at all
times!
4. Complete all make-up work on time: When you are absent you DO have make-up work to complete. It is the student’s responsibility to get their make-up work from
the teacher.
5. Personal Behavior and Study Skills: Focus on learning the material presented and producing quality work. Grades are important, but learning is the goal.
6. Set, Write Down & Post Goals: Then develop a reasonable plan to achieve those goals.
7. Listen aggressively in class. Pay close attention to the teacher during lectures and other students during group work. Think about what you are hearing. Do you
understand? Ask questions as soon as you realize that you do not understand.
9. Seek help when necessary, at the earliest possible time. Communicate with other students, a study partner, or the teacher.
10. Come prepared for class each day. That means materials, assignments and an understanding of or questions about the materials.
Learner Objectives:
Chemistry of Life
 To understand the unique chemical and physical properties of water and to know how these properties make life on earth possible
 To explain the role of carbon in the molecular diversity of life
 To explain how cells synthesize and break down macromolecules
 To explain the structure of biologically important molecules
 To explain how enzymes regulate chemical reactions
Cells
 To explain the similarities, differences and evolutionary relationships between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
 To understand the current model of membrane structure and to explain how different molecules pass across the membrane
 To show how cells use compartmentalization to organize the various cellular function
 To understand which factors limit cell size and to explain how and why cells divide
Cellular Energetics
 To demonstrate the role of ATP and the chemiosmotic theory in cellular energetics
 To show how organic molecules are catalyzed
 To explain the photosynthetic process and to show how it compares and contrasts with cellular respiration
Heredity
 To explain which features of meiosis are most important to sexual reproduction
 To follow the paths of chromosomes and individual genes through gametogenesis
 To explain how genetic information is organized
 To demonstrate and understanding of the importance of Mendel’s Laws of inheritance
Molecular Genetics
 To know the major types of nucleic acids and explain how their structure is related to their function
 To understand the various mechanisms of gene expression
 To show the forms of gene mutation
 To explain viral structure and replication
 To understand modern biotechnological advances and how they may impact human lives
Evolutionary Biology
 To show and understanding of the current models for the origin of biological macromolecules
 To explain the evidence of evolution
 To demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of evolution at work
Diversity of Organisms
 To explain the main body plans of plants and animals
 To identify a representative organism for the major taxa
 To explain the major characteristics in each primary taxon
 To show evolutionary similarities among related groups
Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
 To show what patterns of reproduction are found in plants and animals and to show how they are regulated
 To understand physiological organization among living things
 To explain how organisms respond to their environment
Ecology
 To show how models can be used to demonstrate population growth


To show how energy flows through ecosystems
To explain how humans may impact the ecosystem around them
AP Biology Syllabus
Days
20
days
Topic of Study
Chemistry &
Biochemistry
Chapters to read
Chapter 1 (summer)
Chapter 2 (summer)
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Labs/Projects
Enzyme Jello Labs
Lab 2: Enzyme Catalysis
Organic Models
Online Links and Activities
Periodic Table
Chemistry Review
Macromolecule Problems
Acids & Bases
pH Problems
AP Themes: Science as a Process, Evolution, Regulation, Interdependence in Nature
15
days
Cells
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Lab 1: Osmosis & Diffusion
Microscopy Lab
QX5 Microscope Lab
Cell Size
Cells Alive!
Cell Cycle & Mitosis
Meiosis
Onion Root Tips
AP Themes: Science as a Process, Evolution, Relationship of Structure and Function, Science Technology and Society
15
days
15
days
Cellular
Energetics
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Lab 5: Cell Respiration
Lab 4: Plant Pigments & Photosynthesis
Chapter 14
Lab 3: Mitosis & Meiosis
Heredity
Chapter 15
Photosynthesis Problem Set 1
Photosynthesis Problem Set 2
Metabolism Problem Sets
The Cell Cycle & Mitosis Tutorial
Online Onion Root Tip Activity
Cell Division Laboratory Tutorial
Problem sets Genetics
Problem sets Human Biology Genetics
On-line Activity Web Karyotyping
AP Themes: Science as a Process, Energy Transfer, Continuity and Change, Relationship of Structure and Function, Science Technology and Society
20
days
15
days
Molecular
Genetics
Evolutionary
Biology
Chapter 16
chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Lab 6: Molecular Biology
Bioremediation of Spilled Oil & Industrial
Pollutants
AP Themes: Evolution, Regulation, Science Technology and Society
Lab 7: Genetics of Drosophila
J. Watson bio
DNA diagrams
Nucleic Acids Practice Test
Molecular Biology
Bacterial Genetics and Recombinant DNA
The Museum of Paleontology (UCMP)
Galapagos Website
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Lab 8: Population Genetics & Evolution
Chapter 28
Gram Staining Lab
Chapter 31
AP Themes: Science as a Process, Science Technology and Society
15
days
25
days
Diversity of
Organisms
Structure &
Function of
Plants
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Lab 9: Transpiration
Introduction to Viruses
Introduction to Protists
Protist Image Data
Introduction to the Fungi
Angiosperm Structure and Function
AP Themes: Energy Transfer, Relationship of Structure and Function, Interdependence in Nature,
20
days
Invertebrates &
Vertebrates
Chapter 32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Invertebrate/Vertebrate Dissections
Virtual Dissections
Interactive Animal Diversity Test
Insects
Netfrog
Whole Frog Project
AP Themes: Evolution, Continuity and Change, Relationship of Structure and Function, Interdependence in Nature,
Arteriosclerosis
Chapter 40
Explore the brain
Chapter 41
Human Biology
Chapter 42
Human Anatomy Online
Chapter 43
Lab 10: Physiology of Circulatory System
15
Structure &
Human Developmental Biology
Chapter 44
days
Function of
Chapter 45
Mink Dissection
Animals
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
AP Themes: Energy Transfer, Relationship of Structure and Function, Interdependence in Nature,
Tall-grass prairie
Chapter 50
Tundra Biome
Chapter 51
5
Lab 11: Behavior
Taiga
Chapter 52
days
Ecology
Lab 12: Dissolved Oxygen & Aquatic
Major world biomes
Chapter 53
Primary Productivity
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
AP Themes: Energy Transfer, Relationship of Structure and Function, Interdependence in Nature, Science Technology and Society
Week 1 assignments: Read Chapters 1 & 2;
Lecture on biological themes & organization;
ASSIGN Project (TBD)
Week 2 assignments: Read chapters 3 & 4;
Lecture: Water's Properties/Importance of carbon & functional groups
Week 3 assignments:
Lecture: Carbohydrates & lipids
Lab 2: Constructing Organic models
Week 4 assignments:
Week 5 assignments:
Notes on proteins & nucleic acids;
TEST over unit 1 - Chemistry & Biochemistry (chapters 1-5)
Lab 1: Osmosis & Diffusion
Read Chapters 7 & 8;
Lecture: Cell organelles & Cytoskeleton
Lab:
Complete lab 1 & work on write up
Week 6 assignments:
Read Chapters 11 & 12;
Lecture cell membrane movement & cell communication
Lab 1- Osmosis Write up DUE
Week 7 assignments: Read chapters 13 & 6;
lecture on cell cycle & division
Project is DUE!!!
Week 8 assignments:
UNIT 2 TEST ON - CELLS!! (chapters 7, 8, 11, 12, 13)
Read chapter 9;
Lecture: Metabolism & cellular respiration
Lab 3: Mitosis & Meiosis
Week 9 assignments: Read chapter 10;
Lecture: Photosynthesis
Lab 4: Plant pigments
End of First Nine Weeks
Week 10 assignments:
Week 11 assignments:
Complete cellular energetics lecture
UNIT 3 TEST over Cellular Energetics! (chapters 6, 9, & 10)
Lab 5: Cellular Respiration; Lab 4 write up due!
Lecture: Mendelian genetics
Video: Gregor Mendel Lab 5 write up due!
Week 12 assignments: Homework on Genetic Crosses;
Read Chapter 15;
Video: Eternal Enemies;
Lecture Chromosomes;
Week 13 assignments: Read Chapter 16;
Lecture: History of DNA UNIT 4 TEST on Heredity!! (chapters 14 & 15);
Week 14 assignments:
Read chapter 17and 18;
Lecture: DNA & its Structure;
Replication & repair
Week 15 assignments:
Read chapter 19;
Lecture: protein Synthesis
Week 16 assignments:
Week 17 assignments: Read chapter 19;
Lecture: transcription;
Lab 6: Transformation
Read chapters 20 & 21;
Lecture: eukaryotic genomes, DNA cloning, DNA technology, & gene expression
Week 18 assignments: UNIT 5 TEST ON Molecular Genetics !! (chapters16-21);
Read chapters 22 & 23;
Lecture on Darwinism
End of 2nd nine weeks and 1st Semester
Week 19 assignments:
Read chapters 23 & 24;
Lecture: Population Genetics and origin of species
Lab 8: Population Genetics
Week 20 assignments: Read chapter 25;
Lecture: Tracing phylogeny;
UNIT 6 TEST on Evolution (Chapters 22-25)
Lab: Evolution of Primates
Week 21 assignments:
Read chapters 26 & 27;
Lecture: Early earth, prokaryotes, & protists;
Retrovirus article abstract due
Lab 8 report due !
Week 22 assignments:
Read chapters 28 & 31;
Lecture on algae & fungi;
Week 23 assignments:
Read chapters 29 & 30;
UNIT 7 TEST on Prokaryotes & Simple Eukaryotes (chapters 26-28, & 31):
Darwin Day Projects due
Lab: Gram Staining
Week 24 assignments:
Read chapters 29, 30 & 35;
Lecture: Bryophytes & seedless vascular plants
Lab: Photosynthesis
Week 25 assignments:
Read chapters 36;
Lecture: Angiosperms
Lab: Transpiration
Week 26 assignments: Read chapter 37;
Lecture: Transport in plants & Plant Nutrition
TEST over Unit 8A on Plants ( Chapters 29, 30, & 35); Lab: Flowers & fruit
Week of 27 assignments: Read Chapters 8 & 39;
Lecture: Plant Control & Development
UNIT 8B TEST on plants (chapters 36-39)
End of Third Nine Weeks
Week 28 assignments: Read chapter 33
Lecture: Invertebrates & introduction to animals
Week 29 assignments: Read Chapter 34;
Lecture: Lower Chordates UNIT 9A TEST on invertebrates (chapters 32&33)
Lab: Animal Behavior
Week 30 assignments:
Read chapter 40 & 41;
Lecture: Vertebrates
UNIT 9B TEST on vertebrates ( chapter 35)
Week 31 assignments:
Read chapters 42 & 43;
Lecture: Animal structure & function & animal nutrition
Week 32 assignments: Read chapters 44-49;
Lecture: Controlling internal animal environments & chemical signals
Unit 10A TEST on Animal Systems (chapters 40-43)
Lab 10 on Physiology of Circulation
Week 33 assignments:
Read chapters 50 - 55;
Lecture: Animal reproduction, development, nervous system, & senses
Unit 10 B TEST on Animal Systems (Chapters 44-49)
Lab 12 Dissolved Oxygen in Ecosystems
Week 34 assignments:
Lecture: Ecology
UNIT 11 TEST on Ecology ! (chapters 50-55)
Week 35 assignments:
Shark Dissection
Week 36 assignments:
Complete Shark Dissection
Exam