Summer time AP Biology preparations

AP Central provides an excellent overview of what you can expect in AP Biology at
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_bio.html?biology

Texts: Biology by Campbell/ Reece 5th edition will be checked out for students to use at home during notetaking. (several people have checked these out for use over the summer, if you missed that opportunity, then consider purchasing the book on your own from Amazon ~$5)
Our text for use during class is Biology by Campbell/ Reece the 8th Edition

Web resources to help in your review:
If you discover additional websites that would be helpful in learning about any of the listed topics, please respond through a comment and share that website...

A. Cells and Plant cells specifically: http://www.life.uiuc.edu/cgi-bin/plantbio/cell/cell.cgi
Prokaryotes verses Eukaryotes
Cell organelles and their function

B. Cell Membrane with visuals: http://www.johnkyrk.com/cellmembrane.html
Structure
Function in transport and homeostasis

C. Metabolism and energy in cells
Chemistry for biology review. Plus, problem sets in all areas, onion tip simulation, and smoke in lungs lab:
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/DEFAULT.html
ATP as the energy currency
http://www.biologyinmotion.com/atp/index.html
Enzymes: make-up and general functions
http://www.biologyinmotion.com/minilec/wrench.html

D. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis: A bit advanced, but very helpful site modeling the processes: http://www.johnkyrk.com/
General equation and purpose
CO2/ O2 Cycle
Role of producers and consumers in ecosystems

E. Cell division: Fantastic review of Cell division and general cell size.
http://www.cellsalive.com/cell_cycle.htm
Cell cycle
Binary fission and mitosis
Meiosis
Sexual vs. asexual reproduction

F. Genetics: Comprehensive Genetics site http://www.dnalc.org/home.html
Mendel’s experiments
Genetic crosses using punnett squares
DNA, RNA, & proteins
DNA Replication, transcription, and translation

G. Evolution:
Theories http://tolweb.org/tree/phylogeny.html
Darwin and Natural Selection http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/index.html
Evidence for evolution

DNA replication and Protein Synthesis

DNA replication:
Animation at - http://www.johnkyrk.com/DNAreplication.htmlProtein Synthesis:
Basic animation at - http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=AP1302

Classification of life

Here's a table to help you compare the various domains

http://www.bio.miami.edu/~cmallery/150/scimeth/c8.27.table2.domains.jpg

Cells and cell function

Helpful websites:
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/biocoach/cells/intro.html

Review of AP labs

Links to reviews of all 12 labs:
http://www.ekcsk12.org/faculty/jbuckley/aplabreview/index.htm

See below for direct links:
Lab 1: Diffusion and Osmosis
http://www.ekcsk12.org/faculty/jbuckley/aplabreview/lab01.htm

Tools for learning

http://www.thinkfinity.org/ http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/lessons2/lessons.html http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/

Reviewing for the AP biology exam

Purchase a review book of your own and begin reading the sections as the class covers them. Do practice problems and look-up ones that you get wrong. Mark-up these books to show helpful ways you think you'l remember things.

Web review:
General review: http://www.jdenuno.com/APBiology/APBioCTY.htm

Root words pdf: http://www.jdenuno.com/PDFfiles/RootWords.pdf

Keep an orderly notebook, grouped by topic. Draw your ideas and keep them a large reference pages.... Use the activity discs from the Campbel Biology and run through practice questions.

Plants and Transpiration

Transpiration Lab: http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab9/intro.html
Complete each activity and move to the "next".

Type-up the analysis of results from the AP packet....
http://www.ekcsk12.org/faculty/jbuckley/aplabreview/transpirationlab.htm

Review of this lab 9:
http://www.ekcsk12.org/faculty/jbuckley/apbio/transpirationactivities.htm

A water potential tutorial:
http://www.neosci.com/demos/10-1041_Cell%20Processes/Presentation_6.html

Osmosis and permeability tutorials: http://biog-101-104.bio.cornell.edu/BioG101_104/tutorials/osmosis.html

Practicing for the AP Biology Essay

What strategies do you recommend for taking the free-response? Share your ideas in the "comments" section.

Section II: Free-Response In the free-response section, you'll be asked to write persuasive and coherent essays for four broad questions. Your answers will demonstrate your reasoning and analytical skills, as well as your ability to synthesize material from several sources. Each of the four essays is given equal consideration when tallying your final score. The free-response section usually includes: one question on molecules and cells one on genetics and evolution two on organisms and populations (usually one of these requires an experimental set-up) But, since there is some overlap between these areas, some questions may cover more than one topic. Also, keep in mind that the questions may go beyond your book learning and require you to analyze and interpret data or information from your laboratory experience. Remember to write all answers to the free-response questions in essay form. Outlines and unlabeled diagrams are not acceptable final answers.
The free response make-up 40% of your toal AP score. You will have: 90 minutes to complete 4 essays. There will be a 10 minute "reading" time before you are allowed to open your "blue book" and begin writing.

21 tips on tackling the essays:
http://kvhs.nbed.nb.ca/gallant/biology/free_response_tips.html

Older essays with rubric by Topic: http://apbio.biosci.uga.edu/exam/essays/html/index.html#subject

Newer essays by year: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/biology/samp.html?biology