Cheat Sheet
4 sections
•
16 key points
1
Evolution & Natural Selection
Natural selection acts on phenotypes, not genotypes
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium: p² + 2pq + q² = 1 (no evolution occurring)
Five conditions for H-W equilibrium: no mutation, random mating, no selection, large population, no gene flow
Evidence for evolution: fossil record, homologous structures, molecular biology, biogeography
2
Cell Energy: Photosynthesis & Respiration
Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ (light-dependent + Calvin cycle)
Cellular respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP
Glycolysis → Krebs cycle → Oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain)
Chemiosmosis uses the proton gradient to drive ATP synthase
3
Genetics & Heredity
Mendel's laws: segregation (alleles separate) and independent assortment
Linked genes violate independent assortment; recombination frequency maps distance
Gene regulation: operons (lac/trp) in prokaryotes, transcription factors in eukaryotes
Mutations: point (silent, missense, nonsense), frameshift (insertion/deletion)
4
Ecology & Interactions
Energy flows through trophic levels; only ~10% transfers up each level
Biogeochemical cycles: carbon, nitrogen, water, phosphorus
Population growth: exponential (J-curve) vs. logistic (S-curve, carrying capacity K)
Community interactions: competition, predation, mutualism, parasitism, commensalism
Sample Flashcards
Card 1 of 6
Question
What are the four 'Big Ideas' of AP Biology?
Answer
1) Evolution 2) Cellular Processes (energy & communication) 3) Genetics & Information Transfer 4) Interactions (ecology)
Click the card to flip
Quick Quiz
1. Which condition would cause a population to NOT be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?
2. During cellular respiration, where does the electron transport chain occur?
3. Approximately how much energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?
4. A nonsense mutation results in:
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics are on the AP Biology exam?
The AP Biology exam covers four big ideas: Evolution, Cellular Processes (energy and communication), Genetics and Information Transfer, and Interactions (ecology). Questions test conceptual understanding, data analysis, and experimental design.
How many questions are on the AP Biology exam?
The exam has two sections: 60 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes) and 6 free-response questions (90 minutes), including 2 long-form and 4 short-answer.
What score do I need to get college credit?
Most colleges accept a score of 4 or 5. Some accept a 3. Check your target school's AP credit policy for specifics.
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