AP Biology Summer Reading Assignment

You can access an electronic version of this assignment from the AHS webpage. OR by going to the staff

drop down menu, scroll down to mcgahee and click the link to the teacher website.

Part 1 of this assignment is meant to provide you with a comprehensive review of biochemistry (chps 1-4

and ch 40). There will be a test and presentation over the textbook assignment the first week of school. You

will be given a presentation rubric the first day of school. Part 2 of the assignment is analysis of a

biological non-fiction book. You will complete a journal entry. You will be given instructions on how to

submit your journal entry to turnitin.com on the first day of school.

FIRST familiarize yourself with the College Board website. Click on the link to visit the AP Biology home

pages on College Board website. https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-biology/course-details

Practice navigating around this website. You will use it frequently during the school year to access lab

investigations, practice multiple choice and FRQ exam questions, course outlines, and Big Ideas.

APB is divided into 4 main units of study called Big Ideas. Scroll down webpage and find the BIG IDEAS.

Create a cover page for your summer assignment and list the 4 BIG IDEAS and include the

description of each one.

Part 1. Textbook Assignment: Textbook will be available for pick from the front office: check AHS home

page for pick up days and times. There is also a Campbell Biology 8 edition ebook, which requires an access

code. I will post ebook access codes on my class webpage in June. Go to the AHS homepage, find the staff

drop down menu, scroll down to mcgahee and click the link to the teacher website.

I recommend getting on line access early… i.e don’t wait until the end of July)

Go to http://www.pearsonschool.com/access and use only one of the following codes. Please

do not register multiple times since access is limited.

SSNAST-SNAPK-FINCH-BOTAN-RETOT-SIRES

SSNAST-SNAPK-FINCH-BOTAN-RETOT-FAMES

SSNAST-SNAPK-FINCH-BOTAN-RERUN-WWRSE Include the following RICH Raider Honor Code statement on the cover page of your assignment.

I, ______________, did not copy any part of this assignment from someone else. The work I am turning in

reflects my explanations and my understanding of the topics. The work I am turning in is not some else’s.

Use the following format for organizing your work.

Format:

Answers must be typed.

Include a cover page with your name, the RICH Raider Honor Code statement, and the description of

each BIG IDEA

Begin answering the textbook assignment questions on a separate page.

Label each chapter clearly.

Restate the question when you answer it.

Start a new page with each new chapter.

Content: Include the Textbook Assignment – Questions

Chapter 1

1. Describe the unifying themes that pervade in biological sciences.

2. Explain how regulatory mechanisms, such as feedback systems, control reactions in organisms.

Explain, in detail, one example of a negative feedback system and one example of a positive

feedback system. (This information is also found in more detail in Ch 40)

3. Describe how Charles Darwin’s ideas on descent with modification and natural selection contributed

to the theory of evolution.

Chapter 2

1. Distinguish among nonpolar covalent, polar covalent and ionic bonds. Give specific examples.

2. Explain how a molecule’s shape influences its biological function.

Chapter 3

1. Describe the structure of a water molecule, and explain its properties.

2. Create a chart which includes the 4 emergent properties of water resulting from hydrogen bonding.

3. Distinguish between hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances. Give examples.

4. Explain how acids and bases directly or indirectly affect the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution

and its effect upon living things.

Chapter 4

1. Explain how carbon’s electron configuration determines the kinds and number of bonds that carbon

forms.

2. Describe how carbon skeletons may vary, and explain how this variation contributes to the diversity

and complexity of organic molecules. .

3. Name the major functional groups and describe the chemical properties of the organic molecules in

which they occur.

Chapter 40

1. Define bioenergetics and give four examples of how it helps to explain animal adaptations.

2. Define homeostasis. Describe the 3 functional components of a homeostatic control system. Use

these components to describe a specific animal control system.

3. Describe the natural variations found in the energy strategies of endotherms and ectotherms.

4. Diagram and explain a feedback system for thermoregulation.

PART 2: Non-Fiction Reading Assignment

Choose one of the following non-fiction books to read this summer. Don’t worry about memorizing

detail, but mark passages that are thought provoking.

You will complete a “double journal entry” on the template provided. Scroll down for the template.

Your double journal entry must be typed.

Make sure you save an electronic copy and your teacher will give you instructions on submitting it to

turnitin.com when school resumes in August.

Surviving the Extremes by Kenneth Kamler

Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin

Survival of the Sickest by Dr. Sharon Moalem

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

The Future of the Mind by Micho Kaku

Double Journal Entry template

1. Article citation

Left-hand side- Objective Summary & Highpoints Right-hand side- Subjective Reflections

2. Full summary of reading (10 or 12 sentences someone who

hasn't read the novel could understand)

1. Describe your thoughts on the overall

content of the reading.

2. How did it tie in with your experiences,

beliefs, philosophy, and prior knowledge?

3. Have your ideas changed or been

confirmed? Explain why or why not.

3. 6-10 thought provoking quotes from the reading; cite in

APA format.

1. Do you agree or disagree with each

point? Explain why you included these

quotes.

2. Are you annoyed, impressed, scared,

dazzled or something else entirely?

Explain.

3. Is there anything more you would like to

know about the topic? If not, what did you

learn?

4. Cite literature or research that is in

conflict with the author's position

Summarize and cite it here.

5. How did your reading and research on

this idea change your understanding of this

topic?

4. One question you have. Questions may involve how to

apply this reading to your local context, how the perspective

in this reading fits within your personal paradigm, etc.

1. Why is this question important to you?

2. What are the implications of the

question?

3. Search for literature or research that will

help you answer this question. Summarize

and cite it here. Explain