Textbook
Course Syllabus
Advanced Placement Biology
Starr and Taggart. Biology Unity and
Diversity of Life Tenth Edition.
Bellmont, CA. Brooks/Cole-Thomson
Learning, 2004.
Course Overview
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by
biology majors during their first year. After showing themselves to be qualified on the AP Examination,
some students as college freshmen are permitted to undertake upper-level courses for which biology is a
prerequisite. Other students may have fulfilled a basic requirement for a laboratory-science course and will
be able to undertake other courses to pursue their majors. This course surveys molecules and cells, heredity
and evolution, and organisms and populations as per the AP Biology Course Description.
-taken from the course description, AP Program, The College Board.
Course Content
AP Biology covers the above topics by focusing on building a conceptual knowledge of modern biology
by incorporating eight major themes as indicated in the AP Biology course description. Those themes are:
Science as Process; Evolution; Energy Transfer; Continuity and Change; Relationship of structure to
function; Regulation; Interdependence in nature; Science, technology, and society. These themes are
expressed throughout the following subject matter: biochemistry, cell structure and function,
photosynthesis, metabolism, genetics, biotechnology, microbiology, botany, zoology (including anatomy
and physiology), and ecology. Students are exposed to subject matter through lecture, hands-on laboratory
experiments and analysis, worksheets, current research, Internet activities and simulations, projects, essays
quizzes, and tests.
ABILITIES STANDARDS (Apply the following to each course objective)
1.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Be able to apply science to life.
Be able to use knowledge of science to develop abilities.
1. Higher thinking (analyze, solve, decide, evaluate, classify, develop, create, predict, estimate,
generalize).
2. Communication (present, persuade, demonstrate, explain, defend, consider, deduce,
recommend, share).
a. Students should include relevant topic sentence in all communications.
b. Students should communicate in complete sentences that are grammatically correct.
c. Student communication should be clear and concise.
d. Student writing should avoid misspellings and slang.
3. Goal setting and attainment (research, envision, brainstorm, plan, organize, conduct, persist).
4. Experience (collaborate, ethics, relate, summarize, record, interpret, compare, simplify,
conclude).
Be able to use the scientific method with problems and experiments (research, hypothesize,
experiment, evaluate). Also, analysis data for patterns that can be utilized in drawing conclusions to
solve scientific problems.
Be able to use scientific equipment in a proper manner and be able to use technology to assist in
problem solving.
Understand the relationship between humans, the environment, and the earth’s resources (by
applying biological concepts and critical thinking skills to environmental issues and society in order
to promote a healthy world.)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are based on the 3 major topics: Molecules and Cells, Heredity and
Evolution, and Organisms and Populations. Eight major themes are present throughout the 3 major topics
to guide students in their overall study of AP Biology.
THEMES
1. Science as a Process
Each lab is approached with probing questions that provoke students into scientific thought
and data analysis. Students form their own conclusions from this approach. Also, throughout each
unit, students complete critical thinking questions that require knowledge of the unit’s concepts to
solve a problem.
2. Evolution
Throughout the course, students engage in evolutionary questioning of concepts. Some
examples: Why and how do bacteria evolve into drug resistant strains? What are the advantages of
meiosis over mitosis? How does crossing over lead to genetic variation and the biodiversity among
organisms? How did fish gill’s evolve? How did amphibians evolve from fish?
3. Energy Transfer
Students are required to write a paper on the commercial use of either lactate or alcoholic
fermentation. Also, students will answer the following discussion questions: How do energy
transfers occur in cellular activities? What role does energy transfer play within an ecosystem?
4. Continuity and Change
Students will discover the genetic continuity of life by investigating how organisms change
over time. They will explore how mutations can be caused by gene mutation or chromosomal
alteration. Also, students will reflect on how populations, communities, and ecosystems are
effected by global warming and other changes in biotic or abiotic conditions.
5. Relationship of Structure to Function
Students will explore analogous and homologous structures of organisms to determine
evolutionary relationships. Also, students will understand the relationship of structure and function
of the human body.
6. Regulation
Students will investigate the process of regulation in regards to how organisms control the
movement of materials into and out of cells. Students will learn the mechanisms involved in the
movement of materials. Also, students will discover the concept of homeostasis within organisms.
7. Interdependence in Nature
This theme is the major component of ecology. Students will explore how organisms
interact with each other and the living and nonliving components of their ecosystem. Also, students
will learn how organisms genetically evolved to survive with their ecosystem.
8. Science, Technology, and Society
Students will research, write an essay, and lead a class discussion on a bioethical issue.
Some examples include: In vitro fertilization, Surrogacy, RU-486, pre-implantation embryo
screening, cloning, genetically modified crops/animals, animal rights issues, environmental issues,
fetus rights, and gene therapy. Also students will debate on how dumping hazardous wastes effect a
population, community, and ecosystems.
OBJECTIVES
I.
Molecules and Cells
A. Biochemistry
1. Understand the chemical foundations for cells.
a. Be able to draw a model of the structure of the atom.
b. Be able to define isotope, polarity, cohesion, buffers, acids, and bases.
c. Be able to describe the nature of chemical bonds.
d. Be able to explain the properties of water.
2. Understand the carbon compounds in cells.
a. Be able to describe the properties of organic compounds.
b. Be able to explain how cells use organic compounds.
c. Be able to define carbohydrates, lipids, catty acids, triglycerides, amino
acids, proteins, and nucleotides.
d. Be able to write structural formulas for carbohydrates, lipids, and
proteins.
e. Be able to recognize functional groups.
B. Cell Structure and Function
1. Know the process of cell structure and function.
a. Be able to summarize the basic aspects of cell structure and function.
b. Be able to define features of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
c. Be able to define nucleus, nucleolus, endoplasmic reticulum,
mitochondria, organelles, and cytoskeleton.
d. Be able to describe cell movement.
e. Be able to draw and label a plant and animal cell.
2. Know the basic ground rules of metabolism.
a. Be able to summarize energy and the underlying organization of life.
b. Be able to describe energy transfers and cellular work.
c. Be able to summarize enzyme structure and function.
d. Be able to describe factors influencing enzyme activity.
C. Photosynthesis and Metabolism
1. Understand the methods of energy – acquiring pathways in cells.
a. Be able to summarize the process of photosynthesis.
b. Be able to explain the light – dependent and light – independent reactions
of photosynthesis.
c. Be able to contrast C4 and CAM in plants.
2. Understand energy – releasing pathways in cells.
a. Be able to summarize how cells make ATP.
b. Be able explain the Krebs cycle.
c. Be able to contrast lactate and alcoholic fermentation.
D. Cell Reproduction
1. Know the processes of mitosis and meiosis.
a. Be able to describe the cell cycle.
b. Be able to explain the stages of mitosis.
c. Be able to explain the key events of meiosis.
d. Be able to contrast meiosis and mitosis.
e. Be able to compare and contrast asexual and sexual reproduction.
II.
Heredity and Evolution
A. Genetics
1. Know the basic principles of inheritance.
a. Be able to describe Mendel’s experiments, results, and conclusions.
b. Be able to distinguish monohybrid crosses from dihybrid crosses.
c. Be able to use a Punnett square to predict the results of monohybrid and
dihybrid crosses.
d. Be able to distinguish between a point mutation and a frame shift
mutation.
e. Be able to identify external causes of mutation.
f. Be able to explain why sex –linked traits appear more often in males than
in females.
g. Be able to define crossing-over, and tell how it creates genetic variation.
h. Be able to explain gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
B. Biotechnology
1. Understand the process of Recombinant DNA technology
a. Be able to define recombinant DNA, cDNA, restriction enzymes, and
restriction fragment polymorphisms
b. Be able to distinguish between gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain
reactions
C. Evolution
1. Understand the principles of evolution.
a. Be able to describe the emergence of evolutionary thought.
b. Be able to explain microevolution.
c. Be able to define speciation.
d. Be able to explain the macro evolutionary puzzle.
2. Understand the principles of evolution and diversity.
a. Be able to discuss the origin and evolution of life.
b. Be able to compare and contrast bacteria and viruses.
c. Be able to draw and label a bacteria and virus.
d. Be able to summarize the growth and reproduction of bacteria and
viruses.
e. Be able to explain different types of protista and fungi.
f. Be able to summarize the evolutionary trends among plants.
g. Be able to compare and contrast invertebrates and vertebrates.
h. Be able to identify and classify various invertebrates and vertebrate.
i. Be able to discuss the emergence of early humans.
III. Organisms and Populations
A. Botany
1. Know plant structure and function.
a. Be able to explain types of plant tissues.
b. Be able to identify shoots, leaves, and roots.
c. Be able to contrast woody and non-woody plants.
d. Be able to explain plant nutrition and transport.
e. Be able to summarize plant reproduction, growth, and development
B. Zoology
1. Explain the relationship between structure and function at all levels of
organization
a. Explain and analyze the relationship between structure and function at the
molecular, cellular, and organ-system level.
b. Describe and explain structural and functional relationships in each of the
six kingdoms.
c. Explain the significant biological diversity found in each of the biomes.
2. Know animal structure and function.
a. Be able to explain types of animal tissue and organ systems.
b. Be able to define homeostasis.
c. Be able to explain neurons and their functions.
d. Be able to contrast the invertebrate and vertebrate nervous system.
e. Be able to identify functional divisions of the vertebrate brain.
f. Be able to summarize sensory receptors and pathways.
g. Be able to explain the integumentary, endocrine, muscular, circulatory,
immune, respiratory, digestive, skeletal, excretory, lymphatic, and
reproductive systems.
C. Ecology
1. Understand the basic principles of ecology and behavior.
a. Be able to explain population ecology.
b. Be able to describe community interactions.
c. Be able to define mutualism, predation, and parasitism.
d. Be able to explain the nature of ecosystems and how energy flows
through them.
e. Be able to summarize the nitrogen and sedimentary cycles.
f. Be able to define biosphere and list the major biomes.
g. Be able to discuss the human impact on the biosphere.
h. Be able to discuss and evolutionary view of behavior.
Additional Resources
Berthelsen. AP Biology. Fourth Edition. D&S Marketing Systems. 2001.
R.F. Heller and R. Heller. Master the AP Biology Test. Fifth Edition. Peterson’s Lawrenceville, NJ.
2001.
Laboratory Requirement
Textbooks
WARD’S Natural Science. AP Biology Resource Manual. Rochester, New York.
1998.
J. Perry, Morton, and J. B. Perry. Laboratory Manual for Biology Unity and Diversity of Life.
Pacific Grove, CA. Wadsworth Group. 2002.
LAB OBJECTIVES
Students will complete the following labs over a course of several class periods as per
corresponding lecture concepts. Students will be required to complete the lab questions and a written
laboratory report that includes an abstract, procedure, analysis, and discussion/conclusion section as per
laboratory report guidelines handout. The lab questions and report are designed to facilitate students in the
process of utilizing experimental data to draw conclusions and solve biological problems.
LABS
Lab #1 Osmosis/Diffusion Lab
Lab #2: Enzyme Catylase Lab
Lab #3 Mitosis/Meiosis Lab
Lab #4 Plant Pigments & Photosynthesis Lab
Lab #5 Cellular Respiration Lab
Lab #6: Restriction Enzyme Digestion of DNA & Electrophoresis
Lab #7: Genetics of Drosophila Lab
Lab #8: Population Genetics and Evolution Lab
Lab #9: Transpiration
Lab #10: Physiology of the Circulatory System
Lab #11: Animal Behavior
Lab #12: Dissolved Oxygen and Primary Aquatic Productivity
Methods of Evaluation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Tests and quizzes (objective and subjective).
Laboratory work (diagrams, reports, analysis questions).
Questions, worksheets, vocabulary.
Internet (real world application) worksheets.
Projects (Creating an Invertebrate Zoo-Book).
Essays
Midterm and Final Exams
Grading
AP and Dual-enrollment courses are designed to prepare students for college. Both offer the
opportunity to earn credits while in high school. As such they involve rigorous study and challenging
assignments. To prevent any misunderstandings concerning the importance of the assignments, the
following guidelines were agreed upon by the AP department.
Daily Assignments
(Examples: textbook questions, worksheets, video questions, simulations, homework, etc.)
Must be turned in the next day, if not, you will receive a zero!
Other Assignments
(Reports, research assignments, lab reports, presentations, etc.)
All assignments must be turned in on the established due date; if you know that you will be late with an
assignment, notify your teacher. If you don’t notify your teacher beforehand, your assignment will be
considered late and will be subject to a deduction of 5 points for every day it is late.
On going reading assignments will be assessed daily. All must be completed by the day after the reading is
assigned or you will receive a zero!
Summer assignments are considered a requirement of AP courses. Meetings will be held to explain the
assignment, you are required to attend or give notice BEFOREHAND that you will be unable to attend.
You are required to submit your assignments by the due dates in the manner chosen by your instructor. If
assignments are not turned in on time, you will receive a zero!
In order to pass the course, students must meet all course requirements. Recipe for a successful AP
Biology course: Read the assigned chapters within the text before class. This will eliminate the need to
take detailed notes and will aid in the recognition of lecture information that is not covered in the text.
Students are responsible for all information including lecture, text, videos, simulations, lab, and all
handouts given in class. Grading is based on the total points accumulated during each marking
period.
93-100 = A
83-92 = B
73-82 = C
70-72 = D
69 and below = F
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and cheating WILL NOT be tolerated! Both are considered below the standards of an AP
student. If you are caught either cheating or plagiarizing your assignment will be given an automatic zero.
Plagiarism is defined as the willful copying of another’s work. If you willfully copy another’s work and
change one or two words, it is still considered plagiarism. A good rule to follow is if there are more than 5
words used in your sentence that belong to someone else, it is plagiarized.
Projects or assignments involving collaboration should include individual thoughts. If assignments are
identical, they will be considered to be plagiarized and you will both (or all) receive a zero!
According to school policy, the student will receive a zero for the assignment, 1 hour detention and
suspension from the honor roll.
COURSE OUTLINE
This is subject to change. Content may be covered faster or slower than the provided dates. These dates do
not reflect snow days, field trips, or other activities that may delay the coverage of the subject matter.
Week 1 Review Summer Assignments: Chapters 1, 2, 4 &5
(Intro to Bio, Basic Chemistry, and Cells)
Major Concept Quizzes: Chapters 1, 2, 4, & 5
AP Lab #1 Osmosis/Diffusion Lab Report
Week 2 Chapter 3 Carbon Compounds in Cells
Quiz: Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, & Functional Groups
Test: Carbon Compounds
Week 3 AP Lab #1 Lab Report Due
Chapter 6: Metabolism
AP Lab #2: Enzyme Catylase Lab
Test: Metabolism
Week 4 AP Lab #2 Lab Report Due
Chapter 7: Photosynthesis
AP Lab #4 Plant Pigments & Photosynthesis Lab
Quiz: Photosynthesis
Week 5 Chapter 7: Photosynthesis
Test: Photosynthesis
Week 6 AP Lab #4 Lab Report Due
Chapter 8: Glycolysis
AP Lab #5 Cellular Respiration Lab
Quiz: Glycolysis
Week 7 Chapter 8: Glycolysis
Test: Gylcoysis
Week 8 AP Lab #5 Lab Report Due
Chapter 9: Cell Division Quiz: Mitosis
Chapter 10: Meiosis Quiz: Meiosis
Test: Cell Division & Meiosis
AP Lab #3 Mitosis/Meiosis Lab Report Due
Week 9 Chapter 11: Observable Inheritance Patterns
AP Lab #7: Genetics of Drosophila
Quiz: Complete, Incomplete, Co-dominance Problems
Week 10 Test: Observable Inheritance Patterns
Chapter 12: Human Genetics
Quizzes: Sex-Linked and Pedigree Problems; Genetic Disorders
Week 11 Chapter 13: DNA Structure and Function
Chapter 14: From DNA to Proteins
Test: DNA Replication, Transcription, & Protein Synthesis
Week 12 Chapter 15: Control Over Genes
Week 13 AP Lab #7 Lab Report Due
Chapter 16: Recombinant DNA & Genetic Engineering
AP Lab #6: Restriction Enzyme Digestion of DNA & Electrophoresis
Week 14 Chapter 16: Recombinant DNA & Genetic Engineering
Test: Controls of Genes and Biotechnology
AP Lab #6 Lab Report Due
Week 15 Chapter 17: Microevolution
AP Lab #8: Population Genetics and Evolution
Week 16 Chapter 18: Speciation
Test: Microevolution & Speciation
Week 17 AP Lab #8 Lab Report Due
Chapter 19: Macroevolutionary Puzzle
Test: Chpt 19
Week 18 Chapter 25: Invertebrates; Chapter 26: Vertebrates;
Chapter 27: Biodiversity
Week 19 Invertebrate Zoobook Project
Test: Chapters 25, 26, & 27 (Vertebrates, and Biodiversity)
Week 20 Chapter 20: Origin and Evolution of Life
Lab: Geological time scale
Test: Chapter 20
Week 21 Review and AP Biology Midterm Chapters 1-16
Week 22 Chapter 21: Prokaryotes and Viruses
Quiz: Bacteria and Virus Structure/Function
Lab: Bacteria plating and transfer
Test: Prokaryotes and Viruses
Week 23 Chapter 22: Protistans
Quiz: Animal-like Protists Structure and Function
Test: Protistans
Week 24 Chapter 24: Fung
Test: Fungi
Week 25 Chapter 23: Plants
Quiz: Body Plan of a Typical Angiosperm
Chapter 29: Plant Tissues
Quiz: External & Internal Anatomy of a Leaf
Chapter 30: Plant Nutrition and Transport
Quiz: Soil Horizons & Root Structure
AP Lab #9: Transpiration
Week 26 Chapter 31 Plant Reproduction
Quiz: Anatomy of a Flower & Life Cycle of a Flowering Plant
Week 27 Chapter 32: Plant Growth and Development
AP Lab # 9 Lab Report Due
Quiz: Seed Structure
Test: All Plant Chapters
Week 28 Chapter 33: Animal Tissues/Organ Systems
Chapter 34: Nervous System
Quiz: Structure of a neuron & brain
Chapter 35 Sensory Reception
Quizzes: Ear & Eye Anatomy
Test: Nervous System & Sensory Reception
Week 29 Chapter 36 Endocrine System
Quiz: Glands & their functions
Chapter 39 Immune System
Test: Endocrine & Immune System
Week 30 Chapter 37 Muscle and Skeletal Systems
Quizzes: Anatomy of the Skin, Skeletal System, & Muscle System
Week 31 Chapter 38 Circulatory System
Quiz: Heart Structure
AP Lab # 10: Physiology of the Circulatory System
Chapter 40 Respiratory System
Test: Circulatory & Respiratory Systems
Week 32 Chapter 41 Digestive System
AP Lab #10: Lab Report Due
Test: Digestive System
Week 33 Chapter 42 Urinary System
Test: Urinary System
Week 34 Chapter 43 Reproductive System
Chapter 44: Human Reproductive System
Week 35 Chapter 45: Population Ecology
AP Lab #11: Animal Behavior
Week 36 AP Lab #11 Lab Report Due
Chapter 46: Social Interactions
Chapter 47: Community Interactions
Chapter 48: Ecosystems Test: Chapters 45, 46, 47, 48
AP Lab #12: Dissolved Oxygen and Primary Aquatic Productivity
Week 37 AP Lab #12: Lab Report Due
Chapter 49: Biosphere
Quiz: Major Biomes
Chapter 50: Humans and the Biosphere
Week 38 AP Biology Final Exam/AP Biology Test
Week 39 Andromedia Strain Video/Discussion
And other current science fiction Video/Discussion
NOTE: At any given time, the instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus.