AP/ECE Biology

In this unit, students will investigate the chemical foundations of living systems, including the unique properties of water and its role in supporting life. Emphasis is placed on the structure and function of biological macromolecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Students will analyze how these molecules contribute to cellular processes, energy storage, genetic information, and overall organismal function.

In this unit, students will investigate the structure and function of cells, including the organization of cellular components and organelles. Emphasis is placed on how the specialized structures of cells support essential life processes such as transport, communication, and homeostasis. Students will analyze the relationship between cellular structure and function at both the cellular and subcellular levels.

In this unit, students will investigate how living organisms capture, store, and use energy to carry out essential life processes. Emphasis is placed on the transformation of energy through photosynthesis and cellular respiration, as well as the exchange of materials and energy between cells and their environment. Students will analyze how energy flow supports cellular function, growth, and survival.

In this unit, students will investigate how cells communicate, respond to signals, and regulate internal processes to maintain homeostasis. Emphasis is placed on signal transduction pathways, cellular responses to environmental cues, and the regulation of the cell cycle. Students will analyze how cells grow, replicate, and coordinate activities through the transmission of information and the controlled division of cells.

In this unit, students will investigate the mechanisms by which genetic information is inherited from one generation to the next. Emphasis is placed on patterns of inheritance, meiosis, and the role of chromosomes and genes in determining traits. Students will analyze genetic data and use models to predict inheritance patterns and explain the transmission of traits within populations.

In this unit, students will investigate the structure and function of DNA and RNA and their roles in storing and transmitting genetic information. Emphasis is placed on the processes of replication, transcription, and translation, as well as the regulation of gene expression in cells. Students will analyze how genetic information is passed from parent to offspring and how genes influence the development and expression of traits.

In this unit, students will investigate the mechanisms of evolution, with a focus on Darwin’s theory of natural selection and its role in shaping populations over time. Emphasis is placed on the evidence supporting evolutionary change, including the fossil record, comparative anatomy, genetics, and observations of populations. Students will analyze how environmental pressures influence survival and reproduction, leading to changes in the frequency of traits within populations.

In this unit, students will investigate the interactions between organisms and their environment at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. Emphasis is placed on energy flow, matter cycling, population dynamics, biodiversity, and ecological relationships. Students  will analyze how biotic and abiotic factors influence the distribution and abundance of organisms and how changes within ecosystems affect ecological stability.