AP Bio: Unit 1
Student Objectives 2014-15
p. 1
Unit 1 - Biochemistry & Cells - Student objectives:
Scientific Method (Bozeman video)
Ch 4: Carbon & the Molecular Diversity of life
Ch 5: The Structure & Function of Macromolecules
Ch 7: A Tour of the Cell
Ch 5A (Bio in Focus): Cell Membranes and Cell Signaling
Scientific Method:
1. Define and give examples of the following terms, and apply these terms to a given experiment:
Hypothesis, Theory, Controlled variable, Independent variable, Dependent variable, Control group, Data,
Conclusion
2. Interpret and create graphs from experimental data.
3. Create data tables to collect experimental data. Be able to analyze experimental data.
Chapter 4: Carbon and the molecular diversity of life (p. 53-55, 57-59)
The Importance of Carbon
1. Explain how carbon’s electron configuration determines the kinds and numbers of bonds that carbon
will form.
2. Describe how carbon skeletons may vary, and explain how this variation contributes to the diversity
and complexity of organic molecules.
3. Explain the role of carbon in the molecular diversity of life.
4. Explain how cells synthesize and break down polymers
Functional Groups
5. Name the major functional groups, be able to recognize them in molecules, and
describe their chemical properties of the organic molecules in which they occur.
Chapter 5: The structure of function of macromolecules
Polymer Principles
1. Explain how monomers are used to build polymers.
2. List the four major classes of macromolecules.
3. Compare condensation and hydrolysis.
4. Explain how organic polymers contribute to biological diversity.
Carbohydrates-Fuel and Building Material
1. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of carbohydrates and explain how they are classified.
2. Distinguish between monosaccharides and disaccharides.
3. Identify a glycosidic linkage and describe how it is formed and be able to draw it.
4. Describe the structure and functions of polysaccharides.
5. Distinguish between the glycosidic linkages found in starch and cellulose and explain why the
difference is biologically important.
Lipids-Diverse Hydrophobic Molecules
1. Explain what distinguishes lipids from other major classes of macromolecules.
2. Describe the unique properties, building-block molecules, and biological importance of the three
important groups of lipids: fats, phospholipids, and steroids.
3. Identify an ester linkage and describe how it is formed.
4. Distinguish between a saturated and an unsaturated fat and list some unique emergent properties
that are a consequence of these structural differences.
Proteins-Many Structures, Many Functions
1. Describe the characteristics that distinguish proteins from the other major classes of
macromolecules and explain the biologically important functions of this group.
AP Bio: Unit 1
Student Objectives 2014-15
p. 2
2.
List and describe the four major components of an amino acid. Explain how amino acids may be
grouped according to the physical and chemical properties of the side chains.
3. Identify a peptide bond and explain how it is formed.
4. Distinguish between a polypeptide and a protein.
5. Explain what determines protein conformation and why it is important.
6. Define primary structure and describe how it may be deduced in the laboratory.
7. Describe the two types of secondary protein structure. Explain the role of hydrogen bonds in
maintaining the structure.
8. Explain how weak interactions and disulfide bridges contribute to tertiary protein structure.
9. Using collagen and hemoglobin as examples, describe quaternary protein structure.
10. Define denaturation and explain how proteins may be denatured.
Nucleic Acids-Informational Polymers
1. Describe the characteristics that distinguish nucleic acids from the other major groups of
macromolecules.
2. Summarize the functions of nucleic acids.
3. List the major components of a nucleotide, and describe how these monomers are linked to form a
nucleic acid.
4. Distinguish between a pyrimidine and a purine.
5. Briefly describe the three dimensional structure of DNA.
Overall
1. Explain how structures of biologically important molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic
acids) account for their functions.
Chapter 7 Tour of the Cell
A Panoramic View of the Cell
1. Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
2. Explain why there are both upper and lower limits to cell size.
3. Explain the advantages of compartmentalization in eukaryotic cells.
The Nucleus and Ribosomes
4. Describe the structure and function of the nuclear envelope
5. Briefly explain how the nucleus controls protein synthesis in the cytoplasm.
6. Explain how the nucleolus contributes to protein synthesis.
7. Describe the structure and function of a eukaryotic ribosome.
8. Distinguish between free and bound ribosomes in terms of location and function.
The Endomembrane System
9. List the components of the endomembrane system, and describe the structure and functions of each
component.
10. Compare the structure and functions of smooth and rough ER.
11. Explain the significance of the cis and trans sides of the Golgi apparatus.
12. Describe the cisternal maturation model of Golgi function.
13. Describe three examples of intracellular digestion by lysosomes, and how it relates to apoptosis. (from
lecture)
14. Name three different kinds of vacuoles, giving the function of each kind.
Other Membranous Organelles
15. Briefly describe the energy conversions carried out by mitochondria and chloroplasts.
16. Describe the structure of a mitochondrion and explain the importance of compartmentalization in
mitochondrial function.
17. Describe the evidence that mitochondria and chloroplasts are semiautonomous organelles.
18. Explain the roles of peroxisomes in eukaryotic cells.
AP Bio: Unit 1
Student Objectives 2014-15
p. 3
The Cytoskeleton
19. Describe the functions of the cytoskeleton.
20. Compare the structure, monomers, and functions of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate
filaments.
Cell Surfaces and Junctions
21. Describe the basic structure of a plant cell wall.
22. Describe the structure and list four functions of the extracellular matrix in animal cells.
23. Explain how the extracellular matrix may act to integrate changes inside and outside the cell.
24. Name the intercellular junctions found in plant and animal cells and list the function of each type of
junction
Chapter 5A (Bio in Focus): Cell membranes & Cell signaling (p. 94-107 only)
Membrane Structure
1. Explain why phospholipids are amphipathic molecules.
2. Describe the fluidity of the components of a cell membrane and explain how membrane fluidity is
influenced by temperature and membrane composition.
3. Explain how cholesterol resists changes in membrane fluidity with temperature change.
Traffic Across Membranes
4. Distinguish between peripheral and integral membrane proteins.
5. List six major functions of membrane proteins.
6. Explain the role of membrane carbohydrates in cell-cell recognition.
7. Explain how hydrophobic molecules cross cell membranes.
8. Distinguish between channel proteins and carrier proteins.
9. Define diffusion. Explain why diffusion is a spontaneous process.
10. Explain why a concentration gradient of a substance across a membrane represents potential energy.
11. Distinguish among hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions.
12. Define osmosis and predict the direction of water movement based on differences in solute
concentrations.
13. Describe how living cells with and without cell walls regulate water balance.
14. Explain how transport proteins facilitate diffusion.
15. Distinguish among osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active transport.
16. Describe the two forces that combine to produce an electrochemical gradient.
17. Explain how an electrogenic pump (i.e. sodium potassium pump) creates voltage across a membrane.
18. Describe the process of cotransport.
19. Explain how large molecules are transported across a cell membrane.
20. Distinguish between pinocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis.