AP Biology Chapters 2 – 5 Study Guide
Chapters Two and Three
You should already know basic chemistry, such as make-up of atoms, what elements, compounds, etc. are. The test will not focus on these elemental concepts but rather on how chemistry affects biology. Specifically review:
How to determine reactivity of elements (valence, valence number, electron arrangement)
What isotopes are, how they differ, how used in biology
Difference in intramolecular bonds: ionic, covalent (polar and nonpolar)
Types of intermolecular bonds: hydrogen bonds, Van der Waals forces
The polarity of the water molecule and how it affects hydrogen bonding
Unique properties of water and how you can explain them using hydrogen bonding: adhesion, cohesion, high specific heat, ice expansion upon freezing, good solvent ability, transpiration, etc. Why this is all important in the living world.
The concept of pH, pH scale, difference in acids, bases, and neutral materials on the pH scale, how to determine concentrations of H and OH ions based on pH numbers, acid rain, coral reef degradation
Buffers, what they are, carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffering system in our bodies, how they work
How to make molar solutions
Chapters Four and Five
A lot of biology (biochemistry) here that you need to know. Specifically think about how structure determines functionality.
Specifically review:
Why carbon is important in the living world, its bonding capabilities, define organic chemistry
The three different types of isomers, identify, why isomers are important
The functional groups in organic molecules, what properties they bestow
Polymers, monomers
How monomers are joined in hydration, condensation reactions, and separated in hydrolysis
Four main types of macromolecules, know:
Their monomers (or components in case of lipids) How you can recognize them
Their functions
Their properties (polar, nonpolar)
Types of linkages that link them together (also role of dehydration synthesis in this)
For carbohydrates – specifically simple sugars and starches, polysaccharides, storage and structural types, plant and animal polysaccharides, chitin
For lipids – they are nonsoluble in water and nonpolar, how specific types are assembled, such as phospholipids, triglycerides, steroids
For proteins – levels of structure, bonding in each level, how structure is achieved and importance, how
mutations affect structure (Sickle Cell Anemia)
For nucleic acids – basic differences in DNA and RNA, base pairing, antiparallel nature of DNA, how shape of DNA determines function
As always, there may be dependent, independent variables, standard deviation, standard error bars, and maybe some math.
Please focus on understanding, not just memorizing!