AP Biology

Avon Lake City Schools

Curriculum Framework

AP Biology

Course Overview:

AP Biology (11, 12) –- 2 semesters –- .50 credit each semester

This program provides an opportunity for high school students to pursue and receive credit for college level Biology course work while in high school. In order to give the students this opportunity, the course is designed to meet the expectations set forth by the AP Biology Course Description and the AP Biology Learning Objectives which can be found at apcentral.collegeboard.com. The AP Biology course is designed to provide a comprehensive first-year college biology experience, both conceptually and in the laboratory. The three main areas of study are molecules and cells (chemistry, cells, and cell energetics), heredity and evolution (heredity, evolution, and molecular genetics), and organisms and populations (diversity, structure, and function of plants and animals, and ecology). Emphasis is placed on problem solving and critical thinking skills. Students are required to take the AP Biology exam. Prerequisites: Regular or Honors Biology, and Chemistry or concurrent with Chemistry, and recommendation of science staff. This class meets eight periods per week for ½ unit of credit each semester. FEE: $25 plus AP Exam Registration

Textbook:

Pearson Biology 10th edition

Online/Supplemental Materials:

AP Classroom

Assessments:

AP Biology Test

Content/Topics/Learning Goals

Subject to Pacing and Schedules

First Quarter

Big idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY:

  • Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations
  • Design and conduct scientific investigations
  • Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications
  • Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking)
  • Recognize and analyze explanations and models
  • Communicate and support a scientific argument.

CELLS:

  • Cellular processes
  • Characteristics of life regulated by cellular processes
  • Photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, cellular respiration

Second Quarter

Big idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes.

CELLS

  • Structure, function and interrelatedness of cell organelles
  • Eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells
  • Cellular processes
  • Cellular communication
  • Characteristics of life regulated by cellular processes
  • Cell division and differentiation

HEREDITY

  • Cellular genetics
  • Genetic mechanisms and inheritance
  • Mutations
  • Modern genetics

Third Quarter

Big idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

HEREDITY

  • Cellular genetics
  • Structure and function of DNA in cells
  • Genetic mechanisms and inheritance
  • Mutations
  • Modern genetics

EVOLUTION

  • Mechanisms
  • Natural selection
  • Mutation
  • Genetic drift
  • Gene flow (immigration, emigration)
  • Sexual selection
  • History of life on Earth
  • Diversity of Life
  • Speciation and biological classification based on molecular evidence
  • Variation of organisms within a species due to population genetics and gene frequency

Fourth Quarter

Big idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

DIVERSITY AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF LIFE

  • Classification systems are frameworks created by scientists for describing the vast diversity of organisms indicating the degree of relatedness between organisms
  • Ecosystems
  • Homeostasis
  • Carrying capacity
  • Equilibrium and disequilibrium

BODY SYSTEMS (INCLUDES DISSECTIONS)

Identify parts and explain how the following systems work:

  • Circulatory system
  • Excretory system
  • Reproductive system
  • Nervous system
  • Digestive system
  • Endocrine system

Updated: September, 2023