AP Biology Discussion Notes
Thursday 09/10/2015
Goals for Today:
1.Get excited about AP Bio!
2.Get to know each other
3.Learn some unifying themes of
biology
A couple invitations…
-Art!
-Labs!
Species of the Day:
Cicada:
Tibicen pruinosus (Say)
If I made a claim that this “Assassin bug”
was related to the Cicada, I should have
some evidence to support that claim.
List at least 2 pieces of
evidence you would accept as
proof that these 2 insects are
related.
*Think about what evidence you would accept that
2 people are related to each other?
Acceptable Evidence (?)
Question of the Day
How do you typically take notes?
-Do you use a specific pen/pencil/color?
-Ever re-copy notes?
-Have shorthand or abbreviations?
Turn in Notes Article Summary
Note Taking Strategies
● Summarize information!
- Do not write word for word!
-make your own meaningful
abbreviations
● Indicate important information
● Underline vocab words
● Indicate questions or things you want to
come back to
“Big Ideas” for AP Biology
#1 - The process of evolution
drives the diversity and unity
of life.
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#1. New properties Emerge at Each Level in
the Biological Hierarchy.
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#1. New properties Emerge at Each Level in
the Biological Hierarchy.
TIMEOUT:
What is Biological Hierarchy?
What is this term referring too?
Organize the Following:
Cells
Populations
Organelles
Organisms
Tissues
Ecosystems
Biosphere
Community
Organs &
Organ Systems
Molecules
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#1. New properties Emerge at Each Level in
the Biological Hierarchy.
-> Emergent Properties - there are novel
properties at each level of the hierarchy
due to the arrangement/organization and
interactions of parts as complexity
increases
Ex. Brain Injuries (Tissues -> Organs )
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#2. Organisms Interact with Other
Organisms and their Physical
Environment
-Both the organism and the environment are
affected by the interactions between them.
Ex. Plants & other photosynthetic
organisms have generated oxygen in the
air which allows other organisms to
survive.
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#3. Life requires Energy transfer and
transformation
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#3. Life requires Energy transfer and
transformation
How do we get our energy?
How does this plant get it’s energy?
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#4. Structure and Function are correlated at
ALL levels of Biological Organization
-> Analyzing a biological structure gives us
clues about what it does and how it works.
(the opposite can also be true)
Ex. What do you think the function of this
was?
Give evidence of why you think so.
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#5. The Cell is an Organism’s Basic Unit of
Structure and Function
The cell is the smallest unit that can perform
all activities required for life
2 main types of cells:
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#6. The continuity of Life is Based on
Heritable Information in the Form of DNA
DNA is the basis of inheritance, and
responsible for growth and repair in all
organisms.
Themes of Biology a quick guide
#7. Feedback Mechanisms Regulate
Biological Systems.
-> Key to self-regulating (____________)
Feedback - the output, or product, of a
process regulates that very process.
Names Practice
Species of the Day:
Cicada Killer!
Species of the Day:
Cicada Killer:Sphecius speciosus
What do you know about
this cicada killer based on
the Themes of Biology?