AP biology review for AP exam first 6 quiz topics

1. Chemistry 1. Describe the 3 subatomic particles of an atom. 2. List 3 types of chemical bonds, how they form and their relative strengths. We have not discussed Van der Waals bonds-they are the weakest. 3. Draw 2 water molecules and identify the hydrogen bond and the covalent bonds.

Chemistry 4. How is hydrogen bonding important to the unique properties of water? How is “polarity” of water important? 5. Interpret a pH scale. 6. How can changes in pH alter biological molecules? Biological systems? 7. Why are buffers important to biological systems? Ecosystems? Name a buffer or two.

2.Biological molecules 1. Distinguish between dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis. What is the importance? 2. List the 4 organic molecule groups and the elements contained in each. What functional groups or formulas could be used to recognize each group?

Biological molecules 3. How are each of the 4 organic groups utilized by cells? In other words, what are some of their functions? 4. Describe the 4 levels of protein structure. What sorts of changes can alter structure? 5. How does a protein reach its final folding?

Biological molecules: Carbon 6. What are the properties of carbon that make it so important to biological systems? 7. Describe how carbon cycles through the ecosystem and biological systems.

3. The biosphere & population ecology 1. Describe the abiotic factors determining biomes. 2. How are biomes similar? 3. What changes are occurring that could alter biomes and their ecosystems within?

the biosphere &Population ecology 4. Describe these terms related to populations: density, dispersion, demographics 5. Distinguish b/n exponential and logistic growth models. 6. Explain the difference b/n density dependent and density independent factors controlling populations.

4.Community ecology 1. Distinguish b/n fundamental and realized niche. 2. What is competitive exclusion principle? Provide an example. 3. Know examples of : mutualism, parasitism and commensalism (symbiotic relationships) 4. What is a keystone species? Provide an example. 5. Distinguish b/n primary & secondary succession.

5.Ecosystems 1. Describe how energy flows through an ecosystem in food chains and food webs as compared to matter through an ecosystem. 2. Distinguish b/n gross primary productivity and net primary productivity. 3. Describe the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle in detail. What is their importance to life?

6. Global change 1. Define & Describe the importance of biodiversity. Compare a specific “diverse” ecosystem to one that would be considered “not diverse”. 2. Identify several human activities that are threatening biodiversity. Provide specific examples. – so to say “pollution” is too vague, or to say “cutting down trees” is too vague…