AP Biology Summer Assignment
Welcome to AP biology! My class is highly intensive, with a lot of material that needs to be covered. Please be aware that part of taking this class is commitment to being on time, on task, and hard working. Although AP Biology is a huge commitment, we will have a lot of fun. I look forward to working with each one of you next year! Here are a few items of interest before you get started on the summer assignment.
I know the words “summer assignment” tends to send chills down any high school student’s spine, but I think that you will find that this assignment will be very beneficial to you as we start the school year in the fall and even a little fun! The reason I am giving you a summer assignment is to keep your mind sharp and thinking, so you are ready to hit the ground running!
Mandatory Assignment 1 Introduction letter
First, I would like to know a little about who you are so your first assignment is to send me an email. Yup….that’s it! Your first AP Biology grade will be sending me an email…if only all of the grades were this easy! I will reply so you have electronic record that your assignment was received. Here is what I would like you to email me before the end of this summer:
Subject Line: AP Biology
Body: Your full name (& nickname that you go by if you have one) & stuff about you!
- Who was your last science teacher? What class?
- What other science classes have you taken? Are planning to take next year?
- What do you like to do (hobbies, sports, music, interests, etc.)?
- Do you have a job or plan on getting a job next year? What kind?
- What are your personal strengths when it comes to learning new material?
- What causes you to struggle in a course?
- What is the most effective way for you to prepare for a test?
- How many AP classes have you taken so far? How many have you passed with a 3 or higher?
- How many AP classes are you taking this year (please list)?
- Have you or will you be taking anatomy and physiology?
- Have you or will you be taking APEs (AP Environmental)?
- Was there anything that you liked or disliked about your earlier biology class?
- What are you looking forward to the most in AP Biology?
- What are you most anxious about in AP Biology?
- Why are you taking AP Biology? What do you hope to accomplish/gain?
Don’t worry! There is no right or wrong answer….be honest so that I can figure out the best way to help you next year! ☺ A word of advice: please remember to use proper salutations, closing, phrasing, etc.
- Join our Remind101 Text Class When I need to send out fast class information quickly or send out reminders I use Remind101. It will send you automatic text messages from me.
Complete the data analysis and graphing packet attached and have it ready to turn in on DAY ONE. The new AP biology curriculum stresses the importance of being able to analyze and graph data. So we will begin our year with a tutorial on data analysis, graphing, and statistical analysis tools that you will use throughout your AP biology year. Graphing exercises are located at the end of this packetJ
Get yourself ready for class! Below is the list of supplies that you will need for class. It is quite a list, but you will need the proper tools to engage in project based, interactive learning, labs and classroom activities.
- Mead/Five star HEAVY DUTY (plastic cover) 5 subject Notebook College ruled. Will be used daily in class for notes and daily activities.
- ONE 1 ½ -2 inch binder White with clear cover for title page. Will be kept in class and used to store Review Materials for AP Bio Exam. This will be your review binder and very important the last quarter of school.
- Composition Lab Notebook, 11 x 9.25 Inches, Can be purchased at Amazon or through various office supply stores Will be used for all required AP biology labs.
- Blue/Black pens and Red Pen (for corrections) – & pencils (for testing days)
- Pack of highlighters (several different colors) for interactive reading and activities
- Post it notes (various sizes and colors – small, medium post-its)
Mandatory Assignment # 5 Summer Reading Assignment (DUE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL)
Pick one books from the Suggested Reading List attached at the end. Borrow books from the school or public library. Write a 2-page (maximum up to 4 sides) book review on the book. The review must include a summary and a personal commentary/reaction to the book. The book review must be legible if hand written. Please include the following information in your Book Review:
- Book Title, Author’s Name(s), Publication Title, Publication Date, and Number of Pages.
- Summarize the book in your own words and analyze the information presented.
- Give your opinions regarding material that you found interesting and controversial. Be aware that just copying scientific jargon will constitute plagiarism. Practice using evidence from the book to justify your opinions.
- If you choose a fictional book, you must also provide a section describing several places within the novel where you found biological sciences portrayed either accurately or fantastically. Please verify the accuracy of the science with a citation of either a website or another hardcopy source.
AWESOME SUMMER!
Mandatory Assignment 3 Graphing and Data skills practice
Math and Statistics for AP Biology – Research the answer to the following questions
- In designing an experiment or other scientific study, why do scientists need to sample from a population rather than using an entire population?
- Suppose you are designing an experiment to test the effects of nicotine on the heart rate of rats. What are the disadvantages of having too small a sample size (i.e., testing on too few rats)? What are the disadvantages of having too large a sample size (i.e., testing on too many rats)?
- Explain the difference between discrete variables and continuous variables. Give an example of each.
- Explain the difference between quantitative and categorical variables. Give an example of each.
- What is a null hypothesis?
- Explain the difference between a Type I error and a Type II error.
- What are some steps that scientists can take in designing an experiment to avoid false negatives?
Graphing Practice
INTRODUCTION
Graphing is an important procedure used by scientists to display the data that is collected during a controlled experiment. Line graphs must be constructed correctly to accurately portray the data collected. Many times the wrong construction of a graph detracts from the acceptance of an individual’s hypothesis
A graph contains five major parts:
- Title
- The independent variable
- The dependent variable
- The scales for each variable
- A legend
- The TITLE: depicts what the graph is about. By reading the title, the reader should get an idea about the graph. It should be a concise statement placed above the graph.
- The INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: is the variable that can be controlled by the experimenter. It usually includes time (dates, minutes, hours, etc.), depth (feet, meters), and temperature (Celsius). This variable is placed on the X axis (horizontal axis).
- The DEPENDENT VARIABLE: is the variable that is directly affected by the independent variable. It is the result of what happens because of the independent variable. Example: How many oxygen bubbles are produced by a plant located five meters below the surface of the water? The oxygen bubbles are dependent on the depth of the water. This variable is placed on the Y-axis or vertical axis.
- The SCALES for each Variable: In constructing a graph one needs to know where to plot the points representing the data. In order to do this a scale must be employed to include all the data points. This must also take up a conservative amount of space. It is not suggested to have a run on scale making the graph too hard to manage. The scales should start with 0 and climb based on intervals such as:
multiples of 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, or 100. The scale of numbers will be dictated by your data values.
- The LEGEND: is a short descriptive narrative concerning the graph’s data. It should be short and concise and placed under the graph.
- The MEAN for a group of variables: To determine the mean for a group of variables, divide the sum of the variables by the total number of variables to get an average.
- The MEDIAN for a group of variables: To determine median or “middle” for an even number of values, put the values in ascending order and take the average of the two middle values. e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 Add 4+5 (2 middle values) and divide by 2 to get 4.5
- The MODE for a group of variables: The mode for a group of values is the number that occurs most frequently. e.g. 2, 5, 8, 2, 6, 11 The number 2 is the mode because it occurred most often (twice)
Problem A:
Using the following data, answer the questions below and then construct a line graph.
| Depth in meters | Number of Bubbles / minute Plant A | Number of Bubbles / minute Plant B |
| 2 | 29 | 21 |
| 5 | 36 | 27 |
| 10 | 45 | 40 |
| 16 | 32 | 50 |
| 25 | 20 | 34 |
| 30 | 10 | 20 |
- What is the dependent variable and why?
- What is the independent variable and why?
- What title would you give the graph?
- What are the mean, median, and mode of all 3 columns of data?
a). Depth : Mean____________Median__________Mode________
b). Bubble Plant A.: Mean ____________Median_________Mode________
c). Bubbles Plant B: Mean ____________Median_________Mode________
Problem B:
Diabetes is a disease affecting the insulin producing glands of the pancreas. If there is not enough insulin being produced by these cells, the amount of glucose in the blood will remain high. A blood glucose level above 140 for an extended period of time is not considered normal. This disease, if not brought under control, can lead to severe complications and even death.
Answer the following questions concerning the data below and then graph it (on the same graph)
| Time After Eating hours | Glucose ml / Liter of Blood Person A | Glucose ml / Liter of Blood Person B |
| 0.5 | 170 | 180 |
| 1 | 155 | 195 |
| 1.5 | 140 | 230 |
| 2 | 135 | 245 |
| 2.5 | 140 | 235 |
| 3 | 135 | 225 |
| 4 | 130 | 200 |
- What is the dependent variable and why?
- What is the independent variable and why?
- What title would you give the graph?
- Which, if any, of the above individuals (A or B) has diabetes?
- What data do you have to support your hypothesis (question number 4)?
- If the time period were extended to 6 hours, what would the expected blood glucose level for Person B?
Problem C
A species of insect has been accidentally introduced from Asia into the US. The success of this organism depends on its ability to find a suitable habitat. The larval stage is very sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity and light intensity. Expose to situations outside the tolerance limits results in a high mortality (death) rate.
Table 3
| Temp. (oC) | Mortality (%) | Relative Humidity(%) | Mortality (%) | Light intensity (fc) | Mortality (%) |
| 15 | 100 | 100 | 80 | 300 | 0 |
| 16 | 80 | 90 | 10 | 400 | 0 |
| 17 | 30 | 80 | 0 | 600 | 10 |
| 18 | 10 | 70 | 0 | 800 | 15 |
| 19 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 1000 | 20 |
| 20 | 0 | 50 | 50 | 1200 | 20 |
| 21 | 0 | 40 | 70 | 1400 | 90 |
| 22 | 0 | 30 | 90 | 1600 | 95 |
| 23 | 20 | 20 | 100 | 1800 | 100 |
| 24 | 80 | 10 | 100 | 2000 | 100 |
| 25 | 100 | 0 | 100 | 2200 | 100 |
On 3 separate graphs, plot line graphs for the effects of temperature, humidity and light intensity on mortality rates.
Final word on graphing and graphs:
Use graph paper if you can (graphs should be free of mistakes)
If you do not have graph paper then you are to draw your own graph by hand.
Hand drawn graphs should be neat and free of mistakes (take your time). Use a ruler!
Make sure all graphs have units associated with them and a legend for more than one data point on the same graph.
My email address is if you have any questions about the summer assignment.
AP Biology Suggested Reading List for the Book Review
The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan
- Rex and the Crater of Doom by Walter Alvarez
Origin of the Species (Any Version) by Charles Darwin
Read an abbreviated version if you can find one –Unabridged version approximately 450 pages.
A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman
On Aggression by Konrad Lorenz
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body by Neil Shubin
The Book of Life: An Illustrated History of the Evolution of Life on Earth by Stephen Jay Gould (Editor)
Your Brain on Food: How Chemicals Control Your Thoughts and Feelings by Gary Wenk (Author)
Dead Men Do Tell Tales: The Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropologist by William R. Maples, Michael Browning (Authors)
The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry by Bryan Sykes (Author)
The Biophilia Hypothesis by Stephen R. Kellert (Editor)
Plague of Frogs: Unraveling an Environmental Mystery by William Souder (Author)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Author)
Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters by Matt Ridley (Author)
Lives of a Cell: Notes of a Biology Watcher by Lewis Thomas (Author)
A General Theory of Love by Thomas Amini, Fari Lannon, Richard Lewis (Author)
And the Waters Turned to Blood by Rodney Barker (Author)
The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story by Richard Preston (Author)
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan (Author)
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart (Author),
Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon’s Army & Other Diabolical Insects by Amy Stewart
