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Unit 2 Resources by Chapter and Section
What you need to know for the AP® Test
What you need to know for the AP® Test
Essential Questions to be answered:
What is the defense of the origin of eukaryotic cells?
How do the mechanisms for transport across membranes support energy conservation?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cellular compartmentalization?
How are living systems affected by the presence or absence of subcellular components?
Content Knowledge (click to open)
Unit Learning Objectives for Unit 2 - Cells from the AP® curriculum
Explain how the structure and function of subcellular components and organelles contribute to the function of cells.
Explain the effect of surface area-to-volume ratios on the exchange of materials between cells or organisms and the environment.
Explain how specialized structures and strategies are used for the efficient exchange of molecules to the environment.
Describe the roles of each of the components of the cell membrane in maintaining the internal environment of the cell.
Describe the Fluid Mosaic Model of cell membranes.
Explain how the structure of biological membranes influences selective permeability.
Describe the role of the cell wall in maintaining cell structure and function.
Describe the mechanisms that organisms use to maintain solute and water balance.
Describe the mechanisms that organisms use to transport large molecules across the plasma membrane.
Explain how the structure of a molecule affects its ability to pass through the plasma membrane.
Explain how concentration gradients affect the movement of molecules across membranes.
Explain how osmoregulatory mechanisms contribute to the health and survival of organisms.
Describe the processes that allow ions and other molecules to move across membranes.
What is NOT covered in this unit?
Here is a list of topics that we will cover in future units.
Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration: In unit 3 (Cellular Energetics) will cover in-depth the processes of the mitochondria and chloroplast.
Cell reactions and enzymes: In unit 3 (Cell Energetics) the function of enzymes, a type of protein will be covered.
Use of ATP: The processes creating and using ATP will be covered in unit 3 (Cell energetics).
Protein synthesis: In unit 6 (Gene Expression) the process of reading nucleotide code and creating proteins using ribosomes (made in the nucleolus).
Textbook Resources
Textbook Resources
Unit 2 Cells - Chapters 4 & 5
4.1 Cellular Level of Organization
4.1 Cellular Level of Organization
Topic(s) 2.1, 2.2
Learning Outcomes
1. Explain why cells are the basic unit of life.
2. List the tenets of cell theory.
3. Compare surface-area-to-volume ratios for large and small cells.
Resources
4.2 Prokaryotic Cells
4.2 Prokaryotic Cells
Topic(s) 2.1, 2.2
Learning Outcomes
Examine the evolutionary relatedness of prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaeans.
Describe the fundamental components of a bacterial cell.
Resources
4.3 Introducing Eukaryotic Cells
4.3 Introducing Eukaryotic Cells
Topic(s) 2.1, 2.2, 2.9, 2.10
Learning Outcomes
Explain how membranes compartmentalize a cell.
Examine how organelles divide cellular work.
Apply the endosymbiosis theory to eukaryotic cell structure.
Resources
4.4 The Nucleus and Ribosomes
4.4 The Nucleus and Ribosomes
Topic(s) 2.1
Learning Outcomes
Describe the structure and function of the nucleus.
Distinguish the flow of information from DNA to a protein.
Explain the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis.
Resources
4.5 The Endomembrane System
4.5 The Endomembrane System
Topic(s) 2.1
Learning Outcomes
Explain the importance of the endomembrane system in cellular function.
Examine how ER, Golgi, and lysosome membranes differ from one another.
Describe how endomembrane vesicles are able to fuse with organelles.
Resources
4.6 Other Vesicles and Vacuoles
4.6 Other Vesicles and Vacuoles
Topic(s) 2.1
Learning Outcomes
Describe the role of peroxisomes and vacuoles in cell function.
Contrast peroxisomes and vacuoles with endomembrane organelles.
Resources
4.7 The Energy-Related Organelles
4.7 The Energy-Related Organelles
Topic(s) 2.1
Learning Outcomes
Compare the energy management of cellular respiration versus photosynthesis.
Describe the evidence that suggests chloroplasts and mitochondria are derived from ancient bacteria and endosymbiosis.
Explain why increased membrane surface area is necessary for chloroplast and mitochondrial function.
Resources
4.8 The Cytoskeleton
4.8 The Cytoskeleton
Topic(s) 2.1
Learning Outcomes
Compare the structure and function of actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.
Describe how motor molecules interact with cytoskeletal elements to produce movement.
Explain the diverse roles of microtubules within the cell.
Resources
5.1 Plasma Membrane Structure and Function
5.1 Plasma Membrane Structure and Function
Topic(s) 2.3, 2.4
Learning Outcomes
Distinguish between the different structural components of membranes.
Explain the functional benefits of using membrane-bound cellular compartments.
Describe the diverse role of proteins in membranes.
Compare membrane permeability for polar and nonpolar molecules.
Resources
5.2 Passive Transport Across a Membrane
5.2 Passive Transport Across a Membrane
Topic(s) 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8
Learning Outcomes
Describe how molecules move from high to low concentration.
Compare diffusion and osmosis across a membrane.
Differentiate between hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic solutions for animal and plant cells.
Resources
5.3 Active Transport Across a Membrane
5.3 Active Transport Across a Membrane
Topic(s) 2.5, 2.8
Learning Outcomes
Explain how active transport moves substances across a membrane.
Compare the energy requirements of passive and active transport.
Contrast the active transport of large and small substances into a cell.
Resources
5.4 Modifications of Cell Surfaces
5.4 Modifications of Cell Surfaces
Learning Outcomes
Explain the role of the extracellular matrix in animal cell behavior.
Compare the structure and function of adhesion, tight, and gap junctions in animals.
Contrast cell to cell junctions between animals and plants.
Resources
Unit 2 Slides from Class
Unit 2 Slides from Class
2.1a Cellular Structure: Subcellular Components
2.1 Cell Structures AND Subcellular components.pptx2.1b. Cellular Structure and Function
2.2 Cell Structure.pptx2.2 Cell Size
2.3 Cell Size.pptx2.3 Plasma Membrane
2.4 Plasma Membranes.pptx2.6 Facilitated Diffusion & 2.7 Tonicity
2.7 Facilitiated Diffusion & Osmosis Tonicity.pptx2.4 Membrane Permeability
2.5 Membrane Permeability.pptx2.8 Mechanism of Transport
2.8 Mechanisms of Transport.pptx2.5 Membrane Transport
2.6 Membrane Transport.pptx2.9 Compartmentalization & 2.10 Origins of Organelles
2.10 2.11 Compartmentalization.pptxUnit 2 Lesson Videos
Unit 2 Lesson Videos
Click link above.
Click link above.
Equations to "Know How to Use" from the Formula Sheet
Equations to "Know How to Use" from the Formula Sheet
Surface Area / Volume
Surface Area / Volume
Water Potential
Water Potential
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