The New AP Bio
Test Format
The 4 Big Ideas!
1) The process of evolution drives the diversity
and unity of life
2) Biological systems utilize free energy and
molecular building blocks to grow, to
reproduce, and to
maintain dynamic
homeostasis
3) Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and
respond to information essential to life
processes
4) Biological systems interact, and these
systems and
their interactions possess
complex properties
AP Exam Format
Section I
Question Type
Number of
Questions
Part A: Multiple Choice
Timing
63
90 minutes
Part B: Grid-In
6
Section II
Long Free Response
2
Short Free Response
6
80 minutes + 10minute reading
period
Sample Multiple Choice Questions
Things You MUST KNOW for the AP…so far…
Things You MUST KNOW for the AP…so far…
Things You MUST KNOW for the AP…so far…
Things You MUST KNOW for the AP…so far…
Things You MUST KNOW for the AP…so far…
Things you Don’t Need for the AP Test
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Specific steps, names of enzymes and intermediates of the
pathways of burning sugars, fats, and proteins
The specific steps of the Calvin cycle, structure of the
molecules, and the names of enzymes (except ATP
synthase)
The steps of glycolysis or the Krebs cycle, or the structures of
molecules and enzyme names involved
Names of Electron Carriers in the ETC
Details on any Cyclin-Cdk complex or growth factor
Memorizing the names of mitosis
The molecular structures of nucleotides, amino acids, lipids,
and carbohydrates
Functions of smooth ER in specialized cells
Phospholipid synthesis or enzymes inside lysosomes,
peroxisomes, and secretory vesicles
Specific examples of how lysosomes digest material
The molecular structure of chlorophyll
No specific cofactors or coenzymes
What You Need to Know for the Mid-term…
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Functional groups
(properties/structures)
Polymers monomers; how
they form
4 Major Organic Molecules
structure/function
Proteins how they fold and
what effects
structure/function
Free Energy
Metabolic pathways
Kinase/Phosphatase
Enzymatic reactions
Enzyme structure
Enzyme inhibition
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Microscopy
Types of cells and their
characteristics
Cell membranes many many
jobs
Cell Organelles structure
and function
Types of membrane proteins
Membrane Experiments
Active vs. Passive Transport
Diffusion and Osmosis
Calculating Water Potential
Exo/Endocytosis
What You Need to Know for the Mid-term…
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Types of Cell signaling
Steps to signaling
Types of signals
Protein kinase and
Amplification
Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
vs. G-proteins
cAMP vs. IP3/DAG
Steps of Cellular
Respiration
Regulation of Glycolysis
Krebs Cycle and
alternative energy
Electron transport chain
ATP Synthase
Fermentations
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Steps to Photosynthesis
Where does O go?
Chlorophyll and
Carotenoids
Types of Chlorophyll
Photosystems I and II
Calvin Cycle
Rubisco
C4 and CAM
Photorespiration
Cell Cycle and
Checkpoints
Stages of Mitosis
Cyclin/Cdks
Oncogenes and Cancer