AP Biology AP BIOLOGY BIG IDEAS

AP Biology BIG IDEA #1 The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life. ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS 1A – Change in the genetic makeup of a population over time is evolution. 1B – Organisms are linked by lines of descent from common ancestry. 1C – Life continues to evolve within a changing environment. 1D – The origin of living systems is explained by natural processes.

Organisms don’t adapt; Organisms have adaptations. AP Biology Natural selection Evolutionary change is a product of the process of natural selection Organisms don’t adapt; Organisms have adaptations.

Evolution explains unity & diversity AP Biology Evolution explains unity & diversity Unity what do organisms have in common & why do similarities exist? common biochemistry & physiology evolutionary relationships connected through common ancestor Diversity but why are there differences? natural selection adaptations allow different individuals to survive in different environments

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." AP Biology "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." Theodosius Dobzhansky: Integrating Genetics and Evolution Theodosius Dobzhansky, a Russian geneticist who moved to the United States, provided laboratory evidence for natural selection and variation where previously there had been only field observation. Dobzhansky's work with Drosophila, or fruit flies, provided new evidence that supported Darwin's theory that natural selection, acting on genetic variation in populations, is a driving force in evolution. -- Theodosius Dobzhansky March 1973 Geneticist, Columbia University (1900-1975)

AP Biology BIG IDEA #2 Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis. ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS 2A – Growth, reproduction and maintenance of the organization of living systems require free energy and matter. 2B – Growth, reproduction and dynamic homeostasis require that cells create and maintain internal environments that are different from their external environments. 2C – Organisms use feedback mechanisms to regulate growth and reproduction, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis. 2D – Growth and dynamic homeostasis of a biological system are influenced by changes in the system’s environment. 2E – Many biological processes involved in growth, reproduction and dynamic homeostasis include temporal regulation and coordination.

Energy transfer Life is an open system DECOMPOSERS RULE, too! AP Biology Energy transfer Life is an open system need input of energy energy flows through energy is captured and stored in molecules via photosynthesis energy is released as heat and through cellular respiration need input of materials nutrients are recycled nutrients ENTROPY RULES! DECOMPOSERS RULE, too!

You think they’re eating… They’re harvesting energy! AP Biology Energy utilization Homeostasis Growth Reproduction You think they’re eating… They’re harvesting energy!

AP Biology Form follows function The alignment of structure & function is seen at all levels of biology organ organism cell organelle

Membranes Membranes separate the internal from external AND compartmentalize the internal environment.

Regulation AP Biology Organisms need to maintain a “steady state” in the face of changing conditions maintain homeostasis achieve this through feedback monitor the body like a thermostat turn on when it’s needed, off when its not

Complex Interactions From cells to ecosystems – all life is influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. Life is universal common biochemistry & physiology Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration Feedback loops Life is diverse natural selection adaptations allow different individuals to survive in different environments

Timing All life follows a tempo There is a specific sequence of timing and coordination that allows for life to develop, grow and reproduce.

BIG IDEA #3 Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes. ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS 3A – Heritable information provides for continuity of life. 3B – Expression of genetic information involves cellular and molecular mechanisms. 3C – The processing of genetic information is imperfect and is a source of genetic variation. 3D – Cells communicate by generating, transmitting and receiving chemical signals. 3E – Transmission of information results in changes within and between biological systems.

You can make more, a lot like you! AP Biology Continuity & change Continuity of life is based on heritable information in the form of DNA DNA – the genetic material – carries biological information from one generation to the next T R A I You can make more, a lot like you!

Communication

BIG IDEA #4 Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties. ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS 4A – Interactions within biological systems lead to complex properties. 4B – Competition and cooperation are important aspects of biological systems. 4C – Naturally occurring diversity among and between components within biological systems affects interactions with the environment.

Organization Molecular Level Cellular Level Organism Level Monomers Polymers Cellular Level Nucleus, ribosomes, ER, Golgi App… Organism Level Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System Ecological Level Organism (individual), population, community, ecosystem

Interdependence All parts of the whole are interdependent AP Biology All parts of the whole are interdependent Cell needs organelles… Polymers needs monomers… Populations need other populations in a community…

Organizing systems Eastern gray squirrel AP Biology Making sense out of the diversity Hierarchical scheme Eastern gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis

AP Biology