AP BIOLOGY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

AP BIOLOGY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

Chapters: 1-5

Welcome to AP Biology!

The two main goals of AP Biology are to help you develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to gain

a deeper appreciation of science as a process (as opposed to an accumulation of facts). Because of the rapid pace of

discovery in the life sciences our primary emphasis is on developing an understanding of unifying concepts that

connect the major topics of biology. The AP Biology Curriculum centers around the four Big Ideas and you will

need to not only know these but also understand how they all relate:

- Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

- Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce

and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

- Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life

processes.

- Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex

properties.

In addition the curriculum focuses on 7 Science Practices which you will be held responsible for being able to do:

- Science Practice 1: The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena

and solve scientific problems.

- Science Practice 2: The student can use mathematics appropriately.

- Science Practice 3: The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide

investigations within the context of the AP course.

- Science Practice 4: The student can plan and implement data collection strategies appropriate to a particular

scientific question.

- Science Practice 5: The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence.

- Science Practice 6: The student can work with scientific explanations and theories.

- Science Practice 7: The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts and

representations in and across domains.

What to do before the first day of school:

 AP Biology was designed by a select group of college professors and high school science teachers to be

equivalent to an introductory college biology course. Visit the below College Board site to explore what an

AP Biology course is like:

o https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/exploreap?affiliateId=apcentral&bannerId=exploreap1

 We have a small problem in AP Biology. Each year new advances in science are discovered but the length

of the school year (and when the test occurs) stays the same. What does this mean? We are short on time.

In order to cover ALL of the material, you are responsible for reviewing the Chemistry section on your

own.

 Here is what you are to do:

o Watch the following YouTube videos. Get to know these guys as we will tune into them quite a

bit during the year. These videos are great chemistry reviews.

 These are called Crash Courses with Hank Green. Watch Biology #1 and #2

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3EED4C1D684D3ADF&feature=plpp

 These are called Bozeman Science with Paul Anderson. In addition to having

content videos he also has plenty of information on the AP Exam and curriculum.

So even though I’m only assigning Chemistry video’s now you might want to check

out some of the other ones.

http://www.bozemanscience.com/ap-biology/

For now go to the following website and watch “Mole Conversions” and “Water a

polar molecule”

http://www.bozemanscience.com/chemistry/

o Print and answer the Guided Reading Questions(chapters 1-4): As an AP student it is

important that you are capable of properly reading and gaining information from a science text

book.

o Preview the chapter and focus on:

Key Concept:s

(noted at the beginning of the chapter)

Concept questions

: Concisely answer the questions. Get to the main point and don’t

copy every sentence as you can use these as a study aid in preparation for the AP Exam.

Vocabulary Term:

Define the key terms so that you understand their meaning. Correctly

use as many as possible while answering the concept questions. (You might want to make some type of

vocabulary list or flashcards to use when you review for the AP Exam in May)

Graphics:

(read the captions and see if you understand the figure) You can gain much

understanding from simply looking at the “pictures” and captions in a textbook.

Summary of Key Concept

s: Read thoroughly at the end of each chapter.

o Print and complete the Chemistry Review(Attached). As an AP Biology student the expectation

is that if you don’t know it, find it out!! Use all of your resources!!!

o Print and complete the Biology Prefixes and Suffixes(attached). Because vocabulary in this

course can be a stumbling block, you need to take some time to review the scientific Latin/Greek

roots that form many of our scientific terms. It will make life in AP Biology much easier if you

KNOW these roots.

o Print and complete the BioCoach Acitivty on Building BioMolecules(attached): This is

where we will begin in our Chemistry of Life Unit after a couple of quick labs on water and buffers.

This is an excellent introduction connecting Chemistry with Biology.

 Be prepared for a quiz during the first couple of days!!! This quiz will be on Chemistry and some common

biology terms (made from the prefixes and suffixes).

I truly am looking forward to working with you next year! Don’t procrastinate on this assignment but don’t let it

keep you from having a wonderful summer!!!

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

Fred and Theresa Holtzclaw

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Name_______________________Period___________

Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

Begin your study of biology this year by reading Chapter 1. It will serve as a reminder about biological

concepts that you may have learned in an earlier course and give you an overview of what you will

study this year.

1. In the overview, Figure 1.3 recalls many of the properties of life. Label the seven properties

illustrated here, and give a different example of each.

Concept 1.1 Themes connect the concepts of biology

2. What are emergent properties? Give two examples.

3. Life is organized on many scales.

Figure 1.4 zooms you in from

viewing Earth from space all the

way to the level of molecules. As

you study this figure, write in a

brief definition of each level.

biosphere

ecosystem

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

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community

population

organism

organs/organ systems

tissues

cells

organelles

molecules

4. Our study of biology will be organized around recurring themes. Make a list here of the themes

that are presented, and give an example that illustrates each theme. Watch for these themes

throughout your study this entire year. This will help you see the big picture and organize your

thinking. (Go to the Summary of Key Concepts at the end of the chapter for a concise look at the

themes.)

Theme 1 Example

Theme 2:

Theme 3:

Theme 4:

Theme 5:

Theme 6:

Theme 7: (Find it in 1.2.)

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

Fred and Theresa Holtzclaw

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5. As you read this section, you will be reminded of things you may have studied in an earlier course.

Since this material will be presented in detail in future chapters, you will come back to these ideas,

so don’t fret if some of the concepts presented are unfamiliar. However, to guide your study, define

each of the terms in bold as you come to them.

eukaryotic cell

prokaryotic cell

DNA

genes

genome

negative feedback/positive feedback

Concept 1.2 The Core Theme: Evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life

6. Life is organized into groups. Study Figure 1.14.

• Which level contains the greatest diversity of organism?

• The least?

• Write out the levels of organization in order.

• Most people use a mnemonic device

to remember these levels. If you have

one, write it here.

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

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7. Taxonomy is the branch of biology that names and classifies organisms. Because of new molecular

information, there have been many changes in placement of certain groups in recent years. Notice that

all life is now organized in your text into 3 domains rather than the 5 kingdoms you may have learned

earlier. Put the kingdoms mentioned in the text in the space above the proper domain names shown

here.

Bacteria Archaea Eukarya

8. What two main points were articulated in Darwin’s The Origin of Species?

9. What did Darwin propose as the mechanism of evolution? Summarize this mechanism.

10. Study Figure 1.22, which shows an evolutionary “tree.” What is indicated by each twig? What do

the branch points represent? Where did the “common ancestor” of the Galápagos finches

originate?

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

Fred and Theresa Holtzclaw

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Concept 1.3 Scientists use two main forms of inquiry in their study of nature

11. What are the two main types of scientific inquiry? Give an example of each.

12. What is data?

13. Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data. Which type would be presented in a data

chart and could be graphed? Which type is found in the field sketches made by Jane Goodall?

14. In science, how do we define hypothesis?

15. A scientific hypothesis has two important qualities. The first is that it is testable. What is the

second?

16. Are scientific hypotheses proved? Explain your answer!

17. Look at Figure 1.24. Use it to write a hypothesis using the “If . . . then . . .” format.

18. What is a controlled experiment?

19. The text points out a common misconception about the term “controlled experiment”. In the snake

mimicry experiment, what factors were held constant?

20. Why are supernatural explanations outside the bounds of science?

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

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21. Explain what is meant by a scientific theory by giving the three ways your text separates a theory

from a hypothesis or mere speculation.

Testing Your Knowledge: Self-Quiz Answers

Now you should be ready to test your knowledge. Place your answers here:

1. __________

2.__________

3. __________

4. __________

5. __________

6. __________

7. __________

8. __________

9. __________

10. _________

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life

Fred and Theresa Holtzclaw

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Name_______________________Period___________

Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life

This chapter covers the basics that you may have learned in your chemistry class. Whether your

teacher goes over this chapter, or assigns it for you do review on your own, the questions that follow

should help you focus on the most important points.

Concept 2.1 Matter consists of chemical elements in pure form and in combinations called

compounds

1. Define and give an example of the following terms:

matter

element

compound

2. What four elements make up 96% of all living matter?

3. What is the difference between an essential element and a trace element?

essential element

trace element

Concept 2.2 An element’s properties depend on the structure of its atoms

4. Sketch a model of an atom of helium, showing the electrons, protons, neutrons, and atomic

nucleus.

5. What is the atomic number of helium? _________ Its atomic mass? ________

6. Here are some more terms that you should firmly grasp. Define each term.

neutron

proton

electron

atomic number

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atomic mass

isotope

electron shells

energy

7. Consider this entry in the periodic table for carbon.

What is the atomic mass? ______ atomic number? _______

How many electrons does carbon have? _______ neutrons? _______

8. Which is the only subatomic particle that is directly involved in the chemical reactions

between atoms?

9. What is potential energy?

10. Explain which has more potential energy in each pair:

a. boy at the top of a slide/boy at the bottom

b. electron in the first energy shell/electron in the third energy shell

c. water/glucose

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life

Fred and Theresa Holtzclaw

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11. What determines the chemical behavior of an atom?

12. Here is an electron distribution diagram for sodium:

a. How many valence electrons does it have? ______ Circle the valence

electron(s).

b. How many protons does it have? ______

Concept 2.3 The formation and function of molecules depend on chemical bonding between atoms

13. Define molecule.

14. Now, refer back to your definition of a compound and fill in the following chart:

Molecule? (y/n) Compound? (y/n) Molecular Formula Structural Formula

Water

Carbon dioxide

Methane

15. What type of bond is seen in O

? Explain what this means.

16. What is meant by electronegativity?

17. Explain the difference between a nonpolar covalent bond and a polar covalent bond.

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life

Fred and Theresa Holtzclaw

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18. Make an electron distribution diagram of water. Which element is most electronegative? Why

is water considered a polar molecule? Label the regions that are more positive or more

negative. (This is a very important concept. Spend some time with this one!)

19. Another bond type is the ionic bond. Explain what is happening in the figure below (2.14):

20. What two elements are involved above?

21. Define anion and cation. In the preceding example, which is the anion?

22. What is a hydrogen bond? Indicate where the hydrogen bond occurs in this figure.

23. Explain van der Waals interactions. Though they represent very weak attractions, when these

interactions are numerous they can stick a gecko to the ceiling!

AP Biology Reading Guide Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life

Fred and Theresa Holtzclaw

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24. Here is a list of the types of bonds and interactions discussed in this section. Place them in

order from the strongest to the weakest: hydrogen bonds, van der Waals interactions, covalent

bonds, ionic bonds.

STRONG

WEAK

25. Use morphine and endorphins as examples to explain why molecular shape is crucial in biology.

Concept 2.4 Chemical reactions make and break chemical bonds

26. Write the chemical shorthand equation for photosynthesis. Label the reactants and the

products.

27. For the equation you just wrote, how many molecules of carbon dioxide are there? _____

How many molecules of glucose? _________ How many elements in glucose? _________

28. What is meant by dynamic equilibrium? Does this imply equal concentrations of each reactant

and product?

Testing Your Knowledge: Self-Quiz Answers

Now you should be ready to test your knowledge. Place your answers here:

1._______ 2._______ 3._______ 4._______ 5._______ 6._______ 7._______ 8._______