AP Biology Course Syllabus 2009-2010
This is a draft of the concepts that we will cover and the projected dates. Expect an exam for each section covered
within the three major units (meaning that exams will each cover at least 2 chapters, and may cover up to 5 or 6)
UNIT I: MOLECULES AND CELLS
A. CELLS (August 7 - 28)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
6. A Tour of the Cell.
7. Membrane Structure and Function.
11. Cell Communication.
Lab

AP Lab 1: Diffusion and Osmosis
B. BIOCHEMISTRY (August 31 - September 14)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
2. The Chemical Context of Life.
3. Water and the Fitness of the Environment.
4. Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life.
5. The Structure and Function of Macromolecules.
8. An Introduction to Metabolism.
Lab

AP Lab 2: Enzymes—An investigation of the time course of a reaction
involving the enzyme catalase and its substrate hydrogen peroxide.
C. PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND RESPIRATION (September 15 – October 2)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
10. Photosynthesis.
9. Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Chemical Energy.
Labs

AP Lab 5: Respiration in Seeds—The measurement of oxygen
consumption by a small organism (peas) using a manometer
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AP Lab 4: Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis
AP Lab 12: Dissolved Oxygen Lab – Effects of Photosynthesis and
Respiration on dissolved oxygen concentrations.
FALL BREAK (OCTOBER 5 – 9)
UNIT II: GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
A. CELLULAR REPRODUCTION & MENDELIAN GENETICS (Oct. 13 – Nov. 4)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
12. The Cell Cycle.
13. Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles.
14. Mendel and the Gene Idea.
15. The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance.
16. The Molecular Basis of Inheritance.
Labs

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AP Lab 3: Mitosis Study
AP Lab 7: Drosophila genetics—an investigation of the inheritance
of mutations in the fruit fly.
B. MOLECULAR GENETICS (November 5 - 25)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
17. From Gene to Protein.
18. The Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria.
19. Eukaryotic Genomes: Organization, Regulation, and Evolution
20. DNA Technology and Genomics.
21. The Genetic Basis of Development.
Labs

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Meiosis study
AP Lab 6: Molecular Biology—Bacterial Transformation and PCR
C. EVOLUTION (November 30 – November 11)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
22. Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life.
23. The Evolution of Populations.
24. The Origin of Species.
25. Phylogeny and Systematics.
Lab

AP Lab 8: Population Genetics and Evolution—Looking at how natural
selection affects gene frequencies in a population using the HardyWeinberg equilibrium.
------------------------------ END OF FIRST SEMESTER ---------------------------
****INTERSEMESTER ASSIGNMENT – Due Jan. 5 – Introduction to Ecology reading and
questions (beginning with Chapter 50)
UNIT III: ORGANISMS AND POPULATIONS
A. ECOLOGY (January 5 – 20)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
50. An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere.
51. Behavioral Ecology
52. Population Ecology
53. Community Ecosystems
54. Ecosystems.
55. Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology
B. PLANTS: DIVERSITY, ANATOMY, & PHYSIOLOGY (January 22 – February 10)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
29. Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land.
30. Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants.
35. Plant Structure, Growth, and Development.
36. Transport in Vascular Plants.
37. Plant Nutrition.
38. Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology.
39. Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals.
Labs

AP Lab 9: Transpiration—How different environmental factors affect the
rate of evaporation of water from leaves.
C. ANIMALS: DIVERSITY, ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, & BEHAVIOR (Feb. 12 – Apr. 14)
Readings in Biology by Campbell (7th ed.):
41. Animal Nutrition.
42. Circulation and Gas Exchange.
43. The Immune System.
44. Osmoregulation and Excretion.
45. Hormones and the Endocrine System.
46. Animal Reproduction.
47. Animal Development.
48. Nervous Systems.
49. Sensory and Motor Mechanisms.
Labs
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AP Lab 11: Behavior and Habitat Selection
AP Lab 12: Circulatory System Lab
REVIEW FOR AP EXAM (April 16 through beginning of May)
May 11: AP Biology Exam!!
EXPLANTION OF THE MAJOR BIOLOGICAL THEMES
There are eight themes that can be applied to all of the concepts we will learn. As we progress
through the material, you will be reflecting on how each concept learned relates to the unifying
themes in biology.
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 thediversity of life on Earth.
Example: Widespread use of antibiotics has selected for antibiotic resistance in diseasecausing 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.