Advanced Placement Biology Syllabus 2012-2013
Instructor: Chris Carr
Contact information:
e-mail: mrcarrbio@gmail.com
Personal Philosophy
Welcome to AP Biology! I enjoy teaching biology because it helps us understand our
world. A greater understanding of our world allows our students to make informed
decisions regarding their personal health, the environment, and the interconnectedness
between our actions and others.
Course Description:
AP Biology is a class designed for students who have completed Biology and Chemistry
with grades of "B" or better and who are possibly contemplating a major in a science
related field or planning to attend a 4 yr. college. Students earn college credit for the class
by passing the AP Biology exam given on Monday, May 11, 2010. Students will have
their choice of taking the 2009 AP Biology exam for possible college credit or a past AP
Biology exam which will count as their final exam. Students who take the 2009 AP exam
will be excused from taking the final exam.
The class will be conducted at the college level and students are expected to work
accordingly. Students should attend class regularly, except in the case of excused illness.
Students will be expected to come to class prepared and on time. The overall success of
the program depends in large part, on each student meeting their individual
responsibilities. A significant portion of the content of this course will be covered
independently by each student. Allowances should be made for substantial study time.
Required Materials:
3-ring binder with pocketed dividers
Standard size, loose leaf notebook paper
Pencils with erasers
Colored pencils
Folder with 2 pockets for Lab Reports
Graph paper
Black ink pens
Goals:
1.) 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.
2.) To enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills of students using hands-on
labs, readings, collections, independent projects, and class discussions.
3.) To strengthen students’ communication and literacy skills through the use of
written assignments, essays, abstracts, and lab reports.
4.) To prepare and encourage students to continue further study in the Biological
Sciences.
Text:
Campbell and Reese, 2008. Biology, 8th Edition, Benjamin/Cummings Pubs. Co. Inc.
Redwood City, CA.
Major Themes of Advanced Placement Biology:
Throughout the year we will be investigating the major themes of biology listed below.
We will continuously search for new methods to utilize these themes to establish
connections between one topic and another. Each of these major themes is connected and
relevant to every topic in the course.
•Science as a Process
•Evolution
•Energy Transfer
•Continuity and Change
•Relationship of Structure to Function
•Regulation
•Interdependence in Nature
•Science, Technology and Society
Topic Outline:
Percentage
Topic of Course
I. Molecules and Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%
A. Chemistry of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7%
Water
Organic molecules in organisms
Free energy changes
Enzymes
B. Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10%
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Membranes
Subcellular organization
Cell cycle and its regulation
C. Cellular Energetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8%
Coupled reactions
Fermentation and cellular respiration
Photosynthesis
II. Heredity and Evolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%
A. Heredity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8%
Meiosis and gametogenesis
Eukaryotic chromosomes
Inheritance patterns
B. Molecular Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9%
RNA and DNA structure and function
Gene regulation
Mutation
Viral structure and replication
Nucleic acid technology and applications
C. Evolutionary Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8%
Early evolution of life
Evidence for evolution
Mechanisms of evolution
III. Organisms and Populations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50%
A. Diversity of Organisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8%
Evolutionary patterns
Survey of the diversity of life
Phylogenetic classification
Evolutionary relationships
B. Structure and Function of Plants and Animals . . . . . . . . . . 32%
Reproduction, growth, and development
Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations
Response to the environment
C. Ecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10%
Population dynamics
Communities and ecosystems
Global issues
Explanation of the Major Themes
The AP Biology Development Committee has identified eight major themes that recur
throughout the course. As an AP Biology teacher I am emphasizing the pervasiveness
of the themes to assist students in organizing concepts and topics into a
coherent conceptual framework.
I. 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.
Example: The theory of evolution was developed based on observation and
experimentation.
II. Evolution—Evolution is the biological change of organisms that occurs over
time and is driven by the process of natural selection. Evolution accounts for the
diversity of life on Earth.
Example: Widespread use of antibiotics has selected for antibiotic resistance in
disease-causing bacteria.
III. 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.
Example: 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.
IV. Continuity and Change—All species tend to maintain themselves from
generation to generation using the same genetic code. However, there are
genetic mechanisms that lead to change over time, or evolution.
Example: Mitosis consistently replicates cells in an organism; meiosis (and hence
sexual reproduction) results in genetic variability.
V. Relationship of Structure to Function—The structural levels from molecules
to organisms ensure successful functioning in all living organisms and living
systems.
Example: Aerodynamics of a bird’s wing permits flight.
VI. 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.
Example: Body temperature is regulated by the brain via feedback mechanisms.
VII. Interdependence in Nature—Living organisms rarely exist alone in nature.
Example: 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.
VIII. Science, Technology, and Society—Scientific research often leads to
technological advances that can have positive and/or negative impacts upon
society as a whole.
Example: Biotechnology has allowed the development of genetically modified plants.
Laboratory:
I plan to cover all of the labs in the AP Biology Lab Manual for Students, either exactly
or modified to fulfill my course objectives. These labs will be completed either
electronically using online resources or through actual use of course equipment.
Class Notebook:
All students should maintain an orderly notebook (please obtain a large 3-ringed binder)
organized as you wish. Lecture notes, handouts and study guide assignments should be
included.
Exams:
Exams will be given according to the AP Biology exam format (60% objective, 40%
essay). Exams will be given approximately every three weeks.
Grading:
Grades will be awarded according to the following format:
100% - 90% = A, 89% - 80%= B, 79% - 70% = C, 69% - 59% = D, 58% and below F.
All students are expected to maintain a grade of at least " C" at all times during the year.
Any student earning a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology exam and receiving a passing
grade in the class, will have both semester grades raised one full mark ( ie. if a student
earns a B for both semesters and earns a 4 on the AP Biology exam, both semester grades
would be changed to A).
Student Evaluation and Assessment:
I will use quizzes, homework, unit tests, major projects, lab reports, and research papers
to evaluate and assess my students’ learning.
Online Resources:
College Board AP Biology:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_bio.html
PHS-The Biology Place:
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/
Learn Genetics:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu
Curriculum Map 2009-2010
August/September
October
November
December
A. Chemistry of Life 7%
Water
Organic molecules in
organisms
Free energy changes
Enzymes
B.Cells10%
Prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells
Membranes
Subcellular
organization
Cell cycle and its
regulation
C. Cellular
Energetics 8%
Coupled reactions
Fermentation and
cellular
respiration
Photosynthesis
II. Heredity and
Evolution 25%
A. Heredity 8%
Meiosis and
gametogenesis
Eukaryotic
chromosomes
Inheritance patterns
Exam I.
January
B. Molecular Genetics 9%
RNA and DNA structure and
function
Gene regulation
Mutation
Viral structure and replication
Nucleic acid technology and
applications
Exam II.
February
C. Evolutionary
Biology 8%
Early evolution of life
Evidence for evolution
Mechanisms of
evolution
Exam III.
March/April
III. Organisms and
Populations
50%
A. Diversity of
Organisms 8%
Evolutionary
patterns
Survey of the
diversity of life
Phylogenetic
classification
Evolutionary
relationships
Exam IV.
May
C. Ecology 10%
Population dynamics
Communities and
ecosystems
Global issues
Aquatic Ecology and
Forestry
B. Structure and
Function of Plants
and Animals 32%
Reproduction,
growth, and
development
Structural,
physiological, and
behavioral
adaptations
Response to the
environment
Exam V.
Exam VI.
Exam VIII.
Final or AP Test
Year Calendar of Topics and Activities
August
*Is it Alive?
*Goal Setting
*Scientific
Process
*Writing a
Free
Response
(FR)
Essay
*Atoms
*Ionic
Molecules
*Covalent
Molecules
*Hydrogen
Bonding
*Lab Comparing
Bond
Properties
Watch videos
on
elements,
bonding
and
molecular
interactions.
September
*Making
Solutions
*Review of pH
*Quiz
*Structural
Rearrangements
*Functional
Groups
*Energy
*Enzymes
*FR
*AP Lab #2 Enzymes
Watch videos on
enzymes and
energy changes
in
a chemical
reaction.
Review:
*Organic
Molecules
*Organic
Molecules
* FR
*Test on Review
Topics
Watch videos on
the molecules of
life.
Cell
Components:
*Intro to Cells
*Review of
Microscope
Technique
*FR
*Model Building,
Prokaryotic Cells
*Grade an FR
*Eukaryotic Cells
*Endomembrane
System
*Cell Mobility
*Review of Cell
Parts
*AP Lab #1 Diffusion and
Osmosis
Watch videos on
prokaryotic and
October
Cellular Energy:
*Glycolysis
*Krebs Cycle
*Electron
Transport
System
*Efficiency
*FR
*Cell
Respiration
Simulation
*Fermentation
*AP Lab #5 Cell Respiration
Watch videos on
cell respiration.
Photosynthesis:
*Leaf Structure
*AP Lab #4A Plant Pigments
*Light Capture
*Light Reactions
*Dark Reactions
Photorespiration
*CAM
Photosynthesis
*FR
*AP Lab #4B Photosynthesis
Watch videos on
photosynthesis.
Cell
Communication
and Mitosis:
*Test on Cell
Respiration and
Photosynthesis
*Cell Signals Reception
*Cell Signal
Analogies
*Share Cell
Signal
Analogies
*FR
*Mitosis Models
*AP Lab #3A Mitosis
*Cancer
*FR
Watch videos on
November/December January
AP Lab #8 Inheritance: *Gene
Expression
*Genetic
Problems
*Fruit Flies
*Pedigrees and
Inheritance
Patterns
*Fruit Flies
*Gene Linkage
*Sex Linkage
*Fruit Flies
*Karyotyping
*Fruit Flies
*FR
*Chi-Squared
*Poster
Presentations
*Extra time to
catch up if
needed
Watch videos on
Mendelian
genetics.
Gene Expression:
Veteran’s Day
*Protein and DNA
*Model DNA
*Replication
*FR in class
*Transcription
and Translation
*FR
*Making Proteins
*Review Game
Watch videos on
transcription and
translation.
Viruses/Bacteria
And Eukaryotic
Genome:
*Test - Genetics
Part A
*Viruses
*Begin Poster
Presentations
*Operons *Gene Control
*Bacterial Life
Cycles
*AP Lab #6A Transformation
Population
Genetics:
Watch videos
on
the formation
and
changes of the
planet.
Review of
Evolution:
*Evolution
Review
Game Show
*Evolution
Review
Game Show
*Evolution
Review
Game Show
*Evolution
Review
Game Show
*Mammal
Taxonomy
Project
Watch videos
on
evolutionary
change on
earth.
Taxonomy:
*Phylogenetic
Hypotheses
*Protein and
DNA
Data Bases
*Prokaryotic
Evolution
*FR
*Protists *My
Favorite
Protist
Presentations
*Multicellular
Development
*Phylogeny
Mobiles
Watch videos
on
protists.
eukaryotic cells.
Membrane
Transport:
*Finish Lab #1
*Fluid Mosaic
Model
*FR
*Active
Transport
Simulation
*Review for Test
*Test - Cell Parts
and Membrane
Traffic
*Step-wise
Energy
Use
*Redox
reactions
*Practice a timed
FR
Watch videos on
cell membrane
transport.
cellular
communication.
Meiosis and
Intro
to Genetics:
*AP Lab #3B
&
C - Meiosis
*Haploid/Diploid
Life Cycles
*Group FR
*Test on Cell
Signals and Cell
Division
*Mendel’s Laws
*Monohybrid
Crosses
*AP Lab #7 Fruit Flies
Watch videos on
mitosis and
meiosis
*FR
Watch videos on
viral and bacterial
life cycles.
*Cancer
*Poster
Presentations
Early Cellular
Evolution:
*Invertebrates
*Dissection of
Invertebrates
*Comparative
Evolution
*FR
*Dissection of
Vertebrates
*Comparative
Evolution
*Phylogeny
Team
Scramble
Watch videos
on
invertebrates.
Evolution of
Animals:
*Test Evolution
*Tissue
Identification
Lab
*FR
*Nerve
Conduction
*CNS
Stimulation
Exercises
Watch videos
on
the nervous
system.
February
Nervous System:
*Sensory
Perception
*Muscle
Contraction
Models
*FR
*Sensory Organ
Presentations
*Sensory Organ
Presentations
*Guest Speaker Neurologist or
Neurosurgeon
*FR
Watch videos on
the endocrine
system.
Homeostasis and
Endocrine
System:
*Water Balance
and Nitrogenous
Wastes
*FR
*Begin Food
Journal
*Tracking
Endocrine Signals
*Analysis of a FR
*Dissection to
Compare
Homeostatic and
Nervous System
*Guest Speaker Endocrinologist
Watch videos on
the endocrine
system and
homeostasis.
Digestion and Gas
Exchange:
*Intro to Digestion
*Begin Digestion
Self-study
*Lab on Digestive
Enzymes
*FR
*Lab on
Respiration Rates
and Temperature
*AP Lab #10 Circulation
Watch videos on
digestion and gas
March
Immune System: *First
and Second
Lines of Defense
*Rehearsal of
Third Line of
Defense Play
*Performance of
Third Line of
Defense Play
*Pig dissection review of anatomy
*Review of
Anatomy and
Physiology
Watch videos on
the immune
system.
Fungi and Plant
Origins:
*Test - Anatomy
and Physiology
*Fungi
Presentations
*Fungi
Presentations
*Begin Plant
Scavenger Hunt
*Plant Scavenger
Hunt Due
*Major Division
Dissections
*Begin Plant
Visual Dictionary
Watch videos on
fungi and early
plants.
Spring Break
Plant Structures: *Roots,
Stems
and Leaves
*Secondary
Growth Circles for
HW
*Plant Tissues
and Cellular
Growth
*AP Lab #9B Structure of the
Stem
*Transport in
Plants
*Review of Water
Potential
*AP Lab #1E -
April
Plant Nutrition: *Soil
Chemistry
*Root Symbionts
*FR
*Plant Stress
Factors Lab
*Flower
Dissections
*Fruit Dissections
*Seed Displays for
HW
*Mounted Seed
Displays Due
*Plant Hormones
Labs
Watch videos on
plant nutrition.
Plant Hormones: *Inclass FR *Plant Visual
Dictionary Due
*Test on Fungi
and Plants
*Planetary Motion
*Global Climate
*Begin Biome
Dioramas
*Population
Dynamics Game
*Human
Population Growth
Calculations
Watch videos on
plant hormones
and responses to
light.
Ecology: *Distribution of
Life on Earth
*FR
*Biodiversity
*Succession
*Species
Interactions
Scavenger Hunt
*Energy Flow in
Ecosystems
*Food Webs
*AP Lab #12 Dissolved Oxygen
Watch videos on
ecological
principles.
Ecology: *Nutrient
Cycles
*FR
*AP Lab #11 -
May/June
Review: * Review for
AP
Exam
* Review for AP
Exam
* Review for AP
Exam
* Review for AP
Exam
* Review for AP
Exam
Exam Week
Special Topics
exchange, or
watch Lorenzo’s
Oil to discuss the
scientific process.
Reproduction and
Development:
*Mating Strategies
Game
*FR
*Frog Dissection Digestion,
Circulation and
Reproductive
Organs
STDs
*Lab - Sea Urchin
Fertilization and
Development
*FR
*Begin preparation
for Third Line of
Defense Play
Watch videos on
reproduction and growth
Onion Cell
Plasmolysis
Habitat Selection
*Test on Ecology
*Review for AP
Exam
*Review for AP
Exam
Watch videos on
human population
growth and
nutrient cycles.