AP BIOLOGY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT 2014-2015
Dr. Jennifer Brakeman
Hello! Welcome to AP Bio!
In order to decrease the stress during the school year, and free up a little review time before the AP exam
in May, we assign homework over the summer.
Instructions
1. Please pick up the AP Biology text book from Dr. Brakeman during finals week – ideally immediately
after your science final.
2. Read on this sheet hints on how to prepare for the test on the first day back (BEFORE FALLOUT)
Read the following 4 chapters CAREFULLY in the AP Biology book:
Starr and Taggart’s BIOLOGY: The Unity and Diversity of Life (13th ed)
Chapter 1: Invitation to Biology
Chapter 2: Life’s Chemical Basis
Chapter 3: Molecules of Life (listen to my podcast (that you can find on Dropbox when I add you) AS you read ch 3!)
Chapter 4: Cell Structure and Function
DO THIS  RECOMMENDED STUDY PLAN
1. Read each chapter VERY carefully.
2. Take notes – but do not copy the book’s wording. Draw pictures and flow charts instead.
3. Look up any unknown words; re-read confusing sections.
4. Great YouTube channels {For best results: watch videos after skimming or reading the relevant sections, and
while taking notes and referring to your book during the videos)
 Crash Course (Biology playlist videos 1-6)
 Bozeman Science (AP Biology essentials playlist videos 1, 21, 51-53)
 Khan Academy (Biology playlist videos 35)
 There are more!
 Once you have watched a video, please consider filling out this short form to let others know about
the video, it’s topic, and what you thought.
5. Be able to design a well-controlled experiment with independent and dependent variables relating to
anything found in the assigned chapters. (The essay will likely ask you to design an experiment)
6. Test yourself with the review, self-quiz, and critical thinking questions at the end of each chapter and with
the companion web site.
 Read this New York Times article to know why testing yourself repeatedly is a great way to learn
7. Test yourself by explaining things to someone else: another student, or anyone who will listen and ask
questions. Teaching is also a great way to learn!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does this test REALLY count toward my first semester grade?
A. Yes, but it’s the equivalent of only ONE QUARTER of a test and you will have about six tests in the first semester,
plus labs and homework assignments, too. In other words, this one test grade won’t make or break your semester
grade. I promise.
Q. How many details should I remember?
A. Pretty much all of them – but knowing how they connect is more important than remembering the vocab words.
Q. Should I be able to draw the chemical structures?
A. Not really, but you should be able to look at any of the macromolecules and identify what type it is and what its
function is.
Q. Is this test as hard as all the other tests in AP Bio?
A. Pretty much.
Q. I qualify for extended time. What should I do?
A. Come see or email me (jbrakeman@headroyce.org) after you get your schedule, but before the day of the test
and we’ll come up with a plan.
Q. Do I really have to do all those recommended things?
A. No, of course not, but students who choose to do them understand the material much better. This material is not
just a chemistry review, but is also the chemical basis for all life on earth (neato, eh?), and therefore the rest of the
year. These are VERY important chapters for you to have a deep understanding of!!!!!
Q. Will there be an essay (also known as a free response question) on the exam?
A. Yes. Essays are worth 50% of each test. I highly recommend that you go to the College Board Biology website
and look over the essays and rubrics for each essay. (Notice the link to free response questions from before 2013
near the bottom). Practice writing several essays relating to the material in chapters 1-4, and then use the rubric to
try to “grade” someone else’s essay.
Instructions on how to write AP Essays:
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The average essay length is about 3/4 of a page if typed and single-spaced. Longer does not necessarily
mean better! Be concise and thorough.
Read and address each part of each part of the question – if you don’t answer all parts of the question, you
cannot get full credit, no matter how well you answered other parts.
Read the essay question carefully.
Spatially organize your essay to reflect the question(s) that were being asked.
You will be awarded points for correct statements that answer the question AND, in many cases, points for
going into more molecular elaboration than the question called for.
The maximum number of points you can earn on an essay is 10. Be sure to give at least 10 discreet bits of
information!
Read the question carefully.
Only answer the question that is asked, though if you have time, elaborate!
Here’s a rule to live by all year:
o IF YOU KNOW IT, SHOW IT! (if you have time)