AP Biology – Semester 1 Review Assignment
You already have a list of topics which will be covered on the semester 1 exam, so
make sure you go over those topics while studying. To help you study, these review
questions should be completed:
Chemistry of Life (chapters 1-5)
1. Distinguish between atoms, ions, and molecules.
2. How are polar molecules different from non-polar molecules in their composition
and behavior? Explain why water is polar and what important properties of water
result from its polarity.
3. Explain the pH scale and how the concentration of hydrogen ions [H+] and
hydroxide ions [OH-] change as you move up or down the scale.
4. Create a table summarizing the functional groups we discussed – what are they
composed of, what are their properties, and which classes of macromolecules
are they found in?
5. For the four classes of macromolecules important in biology, summarize the
composition of each (elements, functional groups, monomers), how each is
made/broken down, and what uses each has in organisms.
6. Distinguish between the three types of isomers discussed. Sketch an example of
each (pairs).
7. How do you know if a reaction is endergonic or exergonic? Sketch a graph of
how the free energy changes during each type of reaction, and also add a line for
the free energy change of a reaction in the presence of an enzyme.
8. How do enzymes function, and what factors affect their functions? Briefly explain
the mechanism and effect of each factor (Ex: competitors, reactant/product
concentration, temperature, pH).
Cells (Chapters 6-7; 11-12)
1. Sketch examples of prokaryotic (bacteria) and eukaryotic cells (plant and animal)
and label the important organelles. Briefly describe the structure and function of
each organelle. Pay particular attention to how each organelle is involved in
protein synthesis and transport – remember, our cells are basically protein
factories!
2. What is the Endosymbiotic theory, and what evidence is there for it?
3. Create a chart or concept map to illustrate the different types of cell transport and
how they are related (Ex: Start by creating separate columns or branches for
active and passive transport and then break those down).
4. Explain how animals in different environments are affected by the process of
osmosis. How do organisms maintain homeostasis in these environments?
5. Briefly explain what happens in each stage of the cell cycle. How is the cell cycle
controlled? Explain the action of cyclins and cdks, as well as the cell cycle
checkpoints. What happens when a mutation causes the cell to ignore these
checkpoints?
Cellular Energetics (Chapters 8-10)
1. How are reactions in a cell coupled? What function does ATP serve in a cell?
2. Why are redox reactions so important in cell chemistry? When looking at a redox
reaction, what is being transferred from one molecule to another?
3. Distinguish between catabolic and anabolic reactions and give examples of each.
4. Summarize the steps of cellular (aerobic) respiration and include a picture to
show the locations and order of these steps and the structure of the
mitochondrion.
5. Through what molecules is energy flowing throughout respiration? (From where
to where?) What purpose does oxygen serve? In the final stages of respiration,
how does the electron transport chain use the energy carried in electrons to
ultimately produce ATP with ATP Synthase?
6. Summarize the reactions of photosynthesis and their locations.
7. Trace the flow of energy during photosynthesis. What purpose does water serve
during the reactions?
8. Distinguish between cyclic and non-cyclic flow.
9. What is photorespiration and what adaptations have evolved to deal with this
problem?
Heredity (chapters 13-16)
1. Summarize the steps of meiosis. Compare/contrast mitosis and meiosis.
2. What are the sources of variation in meiosis, and why are they important?
3. Explain what mistakes can be made during DNA replication and meiosis and give
some examples of chromosomal diseases that can result.
4. Sketch the levels of organization in eukaryotic chromosomes, from the double
helix itself to the packaging that occurs at different levels in a chromosome.
5. Explain Mendel’s laws and how each relates to the process of meiosis and the
structure of DNA.
6. Show Punnett squares for the monohybrid, dihybrid, and sex-linked crosses.
7. Give Examples of sex-linked disorders in humans. Why are males more likely to
get these disorders?
8. What type of sex-determination system do humans have, and what other types
exist (explain each). What pattern would be seen in sex-linked traits under each
system?
9. Define and give an example of epistasis.
10. How are linkage maps created using recombination frequencies? What does it
mean for two genes to be “linked”?
Molecular Genetics (Chapters 17-21)
1. Briefly summarize the experiments we discussed which led to the discovery of
DNA as the genetic material.
2. Sketch a section of double stranded DNA showing the components of each
nucleotide, the base pairing, and the hydrogen bonding between bases.
3. Briefly summarize DNA replication and the enzymes involved.
4. Describe the process of transcription and post-transcriptional processing. How is
this different in prokaryotes compared to eukaryotes?
5. What are the stages of translation?
6. Explain why we use a triplet code (and not some other number) and why the
Genetic Code is support for a common origin for all life.
7. Explain the difference between repressible and inducible operons and give
examples.
8. What types of mutations can occur in DNA (Ex: frame-shift mutation) and what
are the probably effects of each?
Mechanisms of Evolution (Chapters 22-25)
1. Briefly summarize the contributions of the many scientists that added to the body
of knowledge that led to our current understanding of the theory of evolution.
2. Describe the difference between gradualism vs. punctuated equilibrium.
Furthermore, describe how uniformitarianism relates to rate of evolution.
3. Describe natural selection. Describe the factors that are necessary to all natural
selection to occur.
4. Describe the early Earth formation. Describe the conditions on Earth and where
life could have begun. Describe the Miller-Urey experiment and how it lends
support to the abiotic origin of life. Describe how prokaryotes and eukaryotes
could have evolved.
5. Describe the evidence for evolution
a. Fossils
b. Molecular biology
c. Homologous structures
d. Vestigial Organs
e. Embryology
6. Describe the assumptions for Hardy-Weinberg. Set up a few equations utilizing
different allele frequencies and practice Hardy-Weinberg calculations.
7. Know the conditions that result in a population not being in Hardy-Weinberg
equilibrium (natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow . . .)
8. Describe the conditions needed to create new species (speciation).
9. Know the hierarchy of classification from domain to species.
10. Create a phylogenetic tree with a group of organisms. Describe the outgroup
and the ingroups. Explain a shared characteristic vs. a derived characteristic.