AP Biology: Exploring Life at the Molecular, Cellular, and Ecosystem Levels
AP Biology is an advanced course designed to provide a deep understanding of biological principles and concepts. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and the integration of biological systems, preparing students for the AP Biology exam and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the biological sciences.
AP Biology is an advanced course designed to provide a deep understanding of biological principles and concepts. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and the integration of biological systems, preparing students for the AP Biology exam and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the biological sciences.
What You’ll Learn:
- Chemistry of Life:
- Structure and function of biomolecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
- Water’s unique properties and its role in biological systems.
- Enzyme structure, function, and factors affecting enzyme activity.
- Cell Structure and Function:
- Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures and their functions.
- Cellular membranes: transport mechanisms and fluid mosaic model.
- Organelles and their roles in energy transformation and molecule synthesis.
- Cellular Energetics:
- Processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
- ATP synthesis and energy flow in living organisms.
- Interdependence of metabolic pathways.
- Cell Cycle and Division:
- The cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis.
- Regulation of the cell cycle and implications for cancer.
- Genetic variation resulting from sexual reproduction.
- Heredity:
- Mendelian genetics: patterns of inheritance and Punnett squares.
- Non-Mendelian genetics, including incomplete dominance and epistasis.
- Molecular basis of inheritance: DNA structure, replication, and gene expression.
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology:
- Transcription, translation, and protein synthesis.
- Gene regulation and mutations.
- Biotechnology applications: CRISPR, gel electrophoresis, and PCR.
- Evolution:
- Evidence of evolution and natural selection.
- Speciation and phylogenetic trees.
- Population genetics and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
- Ecology:
- Ecosystems and energy flow: food chains, food webs, and trophic levels.
- Population dynamics: growth models and limiting factors.
- Biodiversity, conservation, and human impact on ecosystems.
- Organismal Biology:
- Structures and systems in plants and animals.
- Homeostasis and physiological processes.
- Nervous, immune, and endocrine system functions.
- AP Exam Preparation:
- Practice with multiple-choice and free-response questions.
- Strategies for data analysis, graphing, and interpreting scientific research.
- Review of key concepts, lab techniques, and experimental design.
Why Take This Course?
- Earn College Credit: Achieve advanced placement or college credit with a high AP exam score.
- Build a Strong Foundation: Prepare for college-level biology courses and STEM careers.
- Foster Scientific Inquiry: Develop skills in data analysis, experimentation, and critical thinking.
Course Outcome:
Students will master biological principles, develop skills to design and conduct experiments, and gain insights into the interconnectedness of life processes. The course prepares students for success on the AP Biology exam and beyond.
Who Should Enroll:
- High school students with a passion for biology and life sciences.
- Learners preparing for the AP Biology exam.
- Anyone interested in understanding the science of life and ecosystems.