Advanced Placement Biology Essential Elements
(Essential elements are related to the College Board AP Biology curriculum.)
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State the scientific method; know its components and how it is applied to fields of biology.
Identify an experimental control and why it is critical.
Identify variables – dependent and independent.
Identify major characteristic found in all living things.
List the levels of classification and concept of hierarchical order.
Identify differences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Describe the major characteristics of the five kingdoms of life.
Define evolution.
Provide evidence that supports an evolutionary view of life.
Define natural selection.
Explain the role of natural selection in the process of evolution.
Describe the mechanisms that account for speciation and macroevolution.
Describe Neo Darwinism and/or Neoevolution.
Describe structure of the atom.
List and explain types of bonding; ionic, covalent, hydrogen, Van der Waals
Describe an ion.
Describe the major groups of polyatomic and diatomic ions.
Describe major types of organic and inorganic functional groups and their characteristics.
Describe an isotope.
Describe the three main biological uses of isotopes.
Define condensation synthesis.
Describe dehydration synthesis (decomposition).
List the unique chemical and physical properties of water.
Describe the structure of water and it’s polar nature.
Explain how the polarity of water results in its unique characteristics.
Describe what pH is (include acids and bases).
Explain the role of the carbon atom in organic chemistry.
Explain how organic polymers contribute to biological diversity.
Describe how covalent linkages are formed and broken in organic polymers.
Describe the distinguishing characteristics of carbohydrates and how they are classified.
List the four characteristics of sugars.
Describe the important function of each type of carbohydrates.
Describe the distinguishing characteristics of lipids and how they are classified.
Describe the unique properties and importance of the each of the five groups of lipids.
Describe the distinguishing characteristics of nucleic acids.
Describe and be able to draw the parts of a nucleotide.
Describe the unique properties biological importance of the each of three groups of
nucleic acids: DNA, RNA, and ATP.
Summarize the functions of each of the three types of nucleic acids.
Describe the 3-D structure of DNA, and distinguish between pyrimidine and purine bases
Describe the historical background of the human genome project.
Explain the role of proteins in organisms.
List and recognize the four components of an amino acid.
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Explain how amino acids contribute to biological diversity.
Describe how and where peptide bonds are formed and broken in proteins.
Define four levels of protein structure.
Describe primary structure of proteins.
Define the two types of secondary structure, and explain the role of hydrogen bonds in
maintaining the structure.
Explain how weak interactions and disulfide bridges contribute to tertiary protein.
Describe quaternary structure in a protein.
Describe how proteins are made and modified within a cell.
List the major groups of proteins and give examples of each.
Distinguish between kinetic and potential energy.
Distinguish between open and closed systems.
Distinguish between entropy and enthalpy
Explain the induced fit theory of enzyme function.
Explain how enzyme activity can be controlled by environmental factors such as
coenzymes, cofactors, enzyme inhibitors and allosteric regulators.
Distinguish between allosteric activation and cooperativity
Describe enzymes and give examples of their functions.
Explain the induced fit theory of enzyme activity.
Explain the major environmental factors that effect enzyme function.
Explain how negative feedback works to regulate metabolic pathways.
Describe the structure of the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane
Describe diffusion and osmosis and factors that contribute to them.
Distinguish between passive and active transport, and explain the mechanisms of each.
Describe the types of pumps and channels found in the plasma membrane.
Explain how and when receptor-mediated endocytosis works.
Explain the difference between phagocytosis and pinocytosis.
Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Describe the structure of a typical bacterial cell.
Describe and give examples of factors that limit cells size.
Describe the structure and function of the subcellular organelles found in eukaryotic cells.
Describe cell division: interphase and DNA replication, mitosis, and cytokinesis
Describe cellular specialization.
Define cancer, its causes, and its treatments.
Explain cell death (apoptosis).
Explain the recycling of ATP.
Describe the process of cellular respiration.
Describe glycolysis, where it occurs in the cell, and the amount of energy released.
Describe the krebs cycle, where it occurs in the cell, and the amount of energy released.
Describe the electron transport system, its location, and the amount of energy released.
Explain how fermentation is an alternative pathway.
Explain how plants and other autotrophs are the producers of the biosphere.
Describe the structure of a chloroplast.
Explain the pathways of photosynthesis.
Describe the structure of a leaf, including microscopic anatomy.
Describe the Calvin cycle and where it is located.
87. Describe the dark reaction and where it is located.
88. Discuss the mechanics of C4 and C3 plants, which are alternatives to harsh climates.
89. Describe factors that affect population dynamics including predation, competition for food,
habitat, mates.
90. Explain food webs, trophic levels, pyramids of energy and pyramid of biomass.
91. Describe symbiotic relationships: mutualism, parasitism, predation.
92. Describe the major land and water ecosystems.
93. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of RNA and DNA.
94. Describe how DNA replicates itself in both eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells.
95. Describe bacterial structure and replication.
96. Describe viral structure and replication.
97. Describe new DNA technology and applications.
98. Review and discuss how sex cells are produced.
99. Explain Mendelian genetics including dominant and recessive traits.
100. Describe sexual inheritance and non-sex linked traits.
101. Review the major characteristics of each of the five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi,
Plantae and Animalia.
102. Review evolutionary relationships among the five kingdoms.
103. Describe the anatomy and physiology of all major animal tissue types.
104. Identify the major organ systems, list the organs found in each, and their primary functions.