ADVANCEMENT PLACEMENT BIOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS MRS. ANGELA FARRONATO Grade Level: AP Biology may be taken in grades 11 or 12. Course Overview: This course is designed to cover all of the material included in a typical introductory biology course at the college level in preparation for the AP Biology Exam. Topics include biochemistry, cell structure and function, metabolism, genetics, molecular basis of inheritance, DNA technology, evolution, microbiology, classification, plants, animals, animal physiology and ecology. This is a laboratory course in which students are expected to use collected data to solve biological problems. AP labs will be investigated in those chapters were they apply, either through wet, dry or virtual labs. Each laboratory experiment will require a written understanding of the experiment by way of a formal lab report. Course Objectives: Demonstrate skills in using various types of biological instrumentation and scientific methodologies. Practice finding and using patterns in collected data to solve scientific problems Exhibit mastery of the major principles of biology Apply biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns. Text: Biology, sixth edition By Neil Campbell & Jane Reece Other Resources: Selected articles covering current research in biology. PA Academic Standards: 3.1 Unifying Themes of Science 3.2 Inquiry and Design 3.3 Biological Science 3.7 Technological Devices 3.8 Science, Technology and Human Endeavors
Major Themes: The following topics will be approached according to the eight major themes including science as process, evolution, energy transfer, continuity and change, structure and function, regulation, interdependence, and science, technology and nature. Lecture Requirements: Class notes will be prepared by the teacher using Power Point. Lectures will cover selected concepts from each textbook chapter, supplemental diagrams, explanations, visuals, examples and demonstrations. Students will be required to print notes prior to the lecture from the teacher s webpage. Students will also be required to keep a 3 ring binder which will include lecture notes, supplemental handouts and additional notes obtained by students from the lecture on loose leaf paper. The binder should also include a section for responses to questions posed in class as well as homework assignments. Lecture Topic Outline: I. Molecules and Cells Cells are the structural and functional units of life; cellular processes are based on physical and chemical changes. A. Chemistry of Life 1. Water (Chapters 1-3) How do the unique chemical and physical properties of water make life on Earth possible? Be able to explain how some life processes directly rely on these properties. 2. Organic molecules in organisms (Chapter 4 and 5) What is the role of carbon in the molecular diversity of life? How do cells synthesize and break down macromolecules? How do structures of biologically important molecules account for their functions? (Theme 5) 3. Free energy changes (Chapter 6) (Theme 3) How do the laws of thermodynamics relate to the biochemical processes that provide energy to living systems? What is activation energy and why is it needed? 4. Enzymes (Chapter 6) Lab #2 (Theme 1) How do enzymes regulate the rate of chemical reactions? How does the specificity of an enzyme depend on its structure? How is the activity of an enzyme regulated? B. Cells 1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (Chapter 7) (Themes 2 & 5) What are their similarities and differences? What are their evolutionary differences?
2. Subcellular organization (Chapter 7) (Theme 5) How does compartmentalization organize a cell s function? How are the structures of various subcellular organelles related to their functions? How do organelles function together in cellular processes? What factors limit cell size? 3. Membranes (Chapter 8) Lab #1 (Theme 1 &4) What is the current model of the molecular architecture of membranes? How do variations in this structure account for functional differences among membranes? How does the structural organization of membranes provide for transport and recognition? What are various mechanisms by which substances cross membranes? 4. Cell Cycle and its regulation (Chapter 12) Lab #3 (Theme 1 & 4) How does the cell cycle assure genetic continuity? How does mitosis allow for the even distribution of genetic information to new cells? What are the mechanisms of cytokinesis? How is the cell cycle regulated? How can aberrations in the cell cycle lead to tumor formation? C. Cellular Energetics (Chapter 6) (Themes 1, 3, 5, 6, 7) 1. Coupled reactions What is the role of ATP in coupling the cell s anabolic and catabolic processes? How does chemiosmosis function in bioenergetics? II. Heredity and Evolution 2. Fermentation and cellular respiration (Chapter 9) Lab #5 How are organic molecules broken down by catabolic pathways? What is the role of oxygen in energy-yielding pathways? How do cells generate ATP in the absence of oxygen? 3. Photosynthesis (Chapter 10) Lab #4 How does photosynthesis convert light energy into chemical energy? How are the chemical products of the light-trapping reactions coupled to the synthesis of carbohydrates? What interactions exist between photosynthesis and cellular respiration? Heredity events control the passage of structural and functional information from one generation to the next. A. Heredity (Themes 1, 2, 3, 6)
1. Meiosis and gametogenesis (Chapter 13) What features of meiosis are important in sexual reproduction? Why is meiosis important in heredity? How is meiosis related to gametogenesis? What are the similarities and differences between gametogenesis in animals and gametogenesis in plants? 2. Eukaryotic chromosomes (Chapter 15 and 19) How is genetic information organized in the eukaryotic chromosome? How does this organization contribute to both continuity of and variability in the genetic information? 3. Inheritance patterns (Chapter 14) Lab #7 How did Mendel s work build the foundation of modern genetics? What are the principle patterns of inheritance? B. Molecular Genetics (Themes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8) 1. RNA and DNA structure and function (Chapter 16 and 17) How do the structures of nucleic acids relate to their functions of information storage and protein synthesis? What are the similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes? 2. Gene regulation (Chapter 18) What are some mechanisms by which gene expression is regulated in prokaryotes and eukaryotes? 3. Mutation (Chapter 16) In what ways can genetic information be altered? What are some effects of these alterations? 4. Viral structure and replication (Chapter 18) What is the structure of viruses? What are the major steps in viral reproduction? How do viruses transfer genetic material between cells? 5. Nucleic acid technology and application (Chapter 20) Lab #6 What are some current recombinant technologies? What are some practical applications of nucleic acid technology? What legal and ethical problems may arise from these applications? C. Evolutionary Biology (Themes 1,2,5, 8) 1. Early evolution of life (Chapter 26) What are the current biological models for the origins of biological macromolecules? What are the current models for the origins of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
2. Evidence for evolution (Chapter 23 and 24) What types of evidence support an evolutionary view of life? 3. Mechanisms of evolution (Chapter 24) Lab #8 What is the role of natural selection in the process of evolution? How are heredity and natural selection involved in the process of evolution? What mechanisms account for speciation and macroevolution? What different patterns of evolution have been identified and what mechanisms are responsible for each of these patterns? III. Organisms and Populations The relationship of structure to function is a theme that is common to all organisms; interaction of organisms within their environment is the major theme in ecology. A. Diversity of Organisms (Themes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8) 1. Evolutionary patterns (Chapter 40) What are the major body plans of plants and animals? 2. Survey of the diversity of life (Chapters 27-34) What are representative organisms from the Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya? What are representative members of the major animal phyla and plant divisions? 3. Phylogenetic classification (Chapters 27-34) What are the distinguishing characteristics of each group (domains, kingdoms, and the major phyla and divisions of animals and plants)? 4. Evolutionary relationships (Chapter 25) What is some evidence that organisms are related to each other? How do scientists study evolutionary relationships among organisms? How is this information used in classification of organisms? B. Structure and Function of Plants and Animals (Themes 1, 5, 6, 7) 1. Reproduction, growth, and development (Chapters 35, 38, 46, and 47) Lab #9 What patterns of reproduction and development are found in plants and animals and how are they regulated? What is adaptive significance of alternation of generations in major groups of plants? 2. Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations (Chapters 36, 37, 42, and 51) Lab #10 and #11 How does the organization of cells, tissues and organs determine structure and function in plant and animal systems?
How are structure and function related to various organ systems? How do the organ systems of animals interact? What adaptive features have contributed to the success of various plants and animals on land? 3. Response to the environment (Chapters 39, 48, and 49) What are the responses of plants and animals to environmental clues, and how do hormones mediate them? C. Ecology (Themes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) 1. Population Dynamics (Chapter 52) What models are useful in describing the growth of a population? How is population size regulated by abiotic and biotic factors? 2. Communities and ecosystems (Chapter 53 and 54) Lab #12 How is energy flow through an ecosystem related to trophic structure (trophic levels)? How do elements (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur, and oxygen) cycle through the ecosystems? How do organisms affect the cycling of elements and water through the biosphere? How do biotic and abiotic factors affect community structure and ecosystem function? 3. Global Issues (Chapter 55) In which ways are humans affecting biogeochemical cycles? Laboratory Component: Students will meet for laboratory for a total of 172 minutes per 6 day cycle. That is a double 43 minute lab period is scheduled twice during the 6 day cycle. Prior to each lab experiment, students will be required to read the provided lab write up and respond to any pre-lab questions. Students must familiarize themselves with the protocol to be followed with each experiment to ensure an independent learning experience. Students will work in pairs to complete each lab during the scheduled double period. Students will be responsible for the preparation of all lab materials and equipment set up. Some labs will be investigated through an actual performance of the experiment or through simply reading the lab background and procedures and then using hypothetical data provided by the teacher to do the graphs and analysis questions. Evaluation of the labs will be through a formal lab write or completion of a lab handout.
Laboratory Topics: Diffusion and Osmosis Enzyme Catalysts Mitosis and Meiosis Plant Pigments & Photosynthesis Cell Respiration Molecular Biology Genetics of Organisms Population Genetics and Evolution Transpiration Physiology of the Circulatory System Animal Behavior Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity Course Pacing: Due to the fast pace nature of the course students will be required to cover some topics independently during vacations or when instructional time is lost due to school functions. At the end of April we will be begin an extensive review of materials in preparation for the AP Exam. Students will be provided with an AP Exam Study Guide but may also utilize additional resources from the internet or guides they obtain own their own. During this time we will take at least 2 practice AP exams in class and score them. Because of the intensity of material and the pace of the course students are strongly advised to avoid voluntary absences (vacations, field trips, etc.) The instructor will meet with the students enrolled in the AP Biology course in May of the previous school year. The instructor will review course content, requirements and procedures. At this time students will be given the textbook and will be expected to review basic biological concepts during the summer vacation (cell organelles, general chemistry, mitosis, etc.). Students and parents are to carefully read the syllabus and are required to return the commitment form by the last day of school. Evaluation: Assessment of the material will be made through chapter or unit examinations, quizzes, homework assignments and laboratory reports.
Acknowledgement of Commitment Form I have read the syllabus, understand the course expectations and agree to abide by all course requirements. Signature of student: Date: Student email: Signature of parent / guardian: Date: Parent Contact (email / phone): Please return only the commitment form by the last day of the 2006 2007 school year.