Study Guide; AP Biology, Unit 1

Tip for studying: For each goal listed below, try to recall any discussion, activity, or example related to that particular goal. Don't be afraid to look back to your notes or website to refresh your memory. This test is fairly comprehensive and covers a large variety of topics. The test is not focused on finite bits of information, but will look at your overall understanding.

1. Describe the characteristics of life, and how those traits can be applied to unknown objects.

How was the case study on nanobacteria used to illustrate both the characteristics of life and how the scientific method was used to answer a question?

2. Explain how life maintains a high degree of organization (cell --> population --> biosphere).

What are emergent properties?

 

3. Understand how taxonomy is used to organize and study organisms found in the natural world.

What are the six kingdoms and what are their main traits?

What are the 3 domains?

How are species named?

What is a cladogram or phylogenetic tree? Be able to analyze one.
Click for an example of a fly cladogram.

 

4. Explain what is meant by the scientific method.

What is the the independent and dependent variable in an experiment?

How can you reduce confirmation bias?

How is inductive and deductive reasoning used in investigations

What is Occam's Razor?

What is an anecdote and why are they not considered evidence?

 

5. Explain what is meant by a scientific theory.

How does this differ from a Law or the way "theory" is used in everyday language. Why is evolution considered a unifying theory?

Why do we avoid the word "prove" in science?

 

6. What are the limitations of science? What subjects are outside the realm of science?

What is meant by "falsifiability" in relation to science?

 

What is meant by "natural causality" in relation to science?

 

7. Review the periodic table.

What information does the atomic mass and number give you?

What is an isotope?

What are the important properties of carbon?

What is a covalent and ionic bond?

8. What are the unique properties of water that make it essential to the existance of life?

What is heat capacity?

What is vaporization?

What is a solvent?

What is cohesion and adhesion?

What is surface tension?

What is density?

9. Describe the carbon atom.

Why does it form long chains?

What is a functional group?

What is an isomer?

10. Understand how monomers combine to create polymers.

What is a dehydration/synthesis reaction?

What is hydrolysis?

What is hydrophobic/hydrophilic?

 

11 . Describe the four macromolecules important to life (organic chemistry).

Macromolecule	Examples	Subunits	Function or Location
Carbohydrate
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids

 

12. Explain enzyme structure and function.

What is the induced fit model?

What is the substrate?

What is the active site?

How does temperate and pH affect the reaction rates of enzymes?

What is a degradation / synthesis reaction?

What factors can affect enzymatic speed?

What is competitive and noncompetitive inhibition?

How would you test the reaction rate of an enzyme?

Describe the relationship between catalase and hydrogen peroxide (consider the enzyme lab)?