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ap bio notes

The document outlines key concepts in AP Biology, covering eight units from the chemistry of life to ecology. It includes essential topics such as cell structure, cellular energetics, genetics, gene expression, evolution, and ecological interactions. Each unit highlights important processes, mechanisms, and principles relevant to understanding biological systems.

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5 views

ap bio notes

The document outlines key concepts in AP Biology, covering eight units from the chemistry of life to ecology. It includes essential topics such as cell structure, cellular energetics, genetics, gene expression, evolution, and ecological interactions. Each unit highlights important processes, mechanisms, and principles relevant to understanding biological systems.

Uploaded by

wildsloth4266
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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## 🧬 **AP Biology Notes**

### **Unit 1: Chemistry of Life**


- **Elements of Life:** CHON (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen) are most
abundant.
- **Water Properties:**
- Polar molecule, hydrogen bonding.
- Cohesion, adhesion, high specific heat, universal solvent.
- **Macromolecules:**
- **Carbohydrates:** Monosaccharides (glucose), quick energy.
- **Lipids:** Fatty acids/glycerol, long-term energy, membranes.
- **Proteins:** Amino acids, structure, enzymes, transport.
- **Nucleic Acids:** DNA/RNA, genetic info, made of nucleotides.

---

### **Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function**


- **Cell Types:** Prokaryotic (no nucleus), Eukaryotic (nucleus, organelles).
- **Organelles:**
- Nucleus (DNA), mitochondria (ATP), chloroplast (photosynthesis), ribosome
(protein synthesis).
- **Cell Membrane:**
- Phospholipid bilayer, selective permeability.
- Passive (diffusion, osmosis) vs. active transport (uses ATP).
- **Surface area-to-volume ratio**: limits cell size; higher ratio = more efficient
transport.

---

### **Unit 3: Cellular Energetics**


- **Enzymes:** Lower activation energy, affected by pH, temp, inhibitors.
- **Photosynthesis:**
- Occurs in chloroplasts; Light-dependent reactions + Calvin cycle.
- Converts light energy → chemical energy (glucose).
- **Cellular Respiration:**
- Occurs in mitochondria; Glycolysis → Krebs Cycle → ETC.
- Converts glucose → ATP (energy).

---

### **Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle**


- **Cell Communication:**
- Signal transduction pathways: reception → transduction → response.
- Types: autocrine, paracrine, endocrine (hormones).
- **Cell Cycle:**
- Interphase (G1, S, G2) → Mitosis → Cytokinesis.
- Checkpoints regulate division; apoptosis = programmed cell death.
- Cancer = uncontrolled cell division.

---

### **Unit 5: Heredity**


- **Mendelian Genetics:**
- Law of Segregation & Independent Assortment.
- Punnett squares, dominant/recessive, genotype/phenotype.
- **Non-Mendelian Inheritance:**
- Incomplete dominance, codominance, sex-linked traits.
- **Meiosis:**
- Produces gametes; increases genetic variation (crossing over, independent
assortment).

---

### **Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation**


- **DNA Structure & Replication:** Double helix, complementary base pairing.
- **Transcription & Translation:**
- DNA → RNA (transcription); RNA → protein (translation at ribosome).
- **Gene Regulation:**
- Operons in prokaryotes (lac operon); transcription factors in eukaryotes.
- **Mutations:** Can be silent, missense, nonsense; may impact protein function.

---

### **Unit 7: Natural Selection**


- **Evolution:** Change in allele frequencies over time.
- **Evidence:** Fossils, DNA, embryology, homologous structures.
- **Mechanisms:**
- Natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, mutation.
- **Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium:** No evolution if conditions are met (large pop, no
mutation, etc.).

---

### **Unit 8: Ecology**


- **Ecosystems:** Energy flows (10% rule), nutrient cycles.
- **Population Ecology:** Exponential vs. logistic growth, carrying capacity.
- **Community Interactions:** Competition, predation, symbiosis.
- **Human Impact:** Climate change, biodiversity loss, invasive species.

---

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