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AP Biology
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1st Quarter
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Unit Name: Unit 1: Chemistry of Life


Unit Duration: 5-7 Class periods		PLC Questions I: This first unit sets the foundation for students to understand the chemical basis of life, which
is needed for mastery of future areas of focus and provides students with a survey of the
elements necessary for carbon-based systems to function. Students learn that water and
the properties of water play a vital role in the survival of individuals and biological systems.
They also learn that living systems exist in a highly complex organization that requires input of
energy and the exchange of macromolecules. This unit also addresses in detail how and in what
conformations molecules called monomers bond together to form polymers. The structure of
monomers and polymers determines their function. In the units that follow, students will need to
understand and explain the interaction and bonding of atoms to form molecules.

2.A Describe characteristics of a biological concept, process, or model represented visually. (DOK 1)
1.A Describe biological concepts and/or processes. (DOK 1)
6.E.b Predict the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a biological system based on a visual representation of a biological concept, process, or model. (DOK 5) 		DOKIntroduce (I)
Dev. Mastery (DM)
Master (M)
Reinforce (R)
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Curriculum SourceCollege Board : AP Central
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Essential Question:SYI-1: How are living systems organized in a hierarchy of structural levels that interact?
ENE-1: How does the highly complex organization of living systems require constant input of energy and the exchange of macromolecules?
IST-1: How does heritable information provide for the continuity of life? 		1st2nd3rd4th
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SYI-1.AExplain how the properties of water that result from it's polarity and hydrogen bonding affect its biological function. 2MR
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ENE-1.ADescribe the composition of macromolecules required by living organisms. 1MRR
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SYI-1.BDescribe the properties of the monomers and the type of bonds that connect the monomers in biological macromolecules. 1MR
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IST-1.ADescribe the structural similarties and differences between DNA and RNA. 1IM
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SYI-1.CExplain how a change in subunits of a polymer may lead to changes in structure or function of the macromolecules. 2IIM
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Unit Name: Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function


Unit Duration: 11-13 class periods		PLC Questions I: The cell is the basic unit of life. Cells contribute to the organization of life and provide the
environment in which organelles function. Organelles in turn provide compartmentalization and
organize cellular products for dispersal and waste for disposal. Cells have membranes that allow
them to establish and maintain an internal environment. These membranes also control the
exchange of material with the cell’s external environment—an important, foundational concept.
The maintenance of the internal and external conditions of a cell is called homeostasis. Student
understanding of these concepts will be necessary in later units when the focus of instruction
shifts to cellular products and by-products and when students learn why cellular exchange of
energy and materials matters.
1.A: Describe biological concepts and/or processes. (DOK 1)
6.A: Make a scientific claim. (DOK 6)
2.D.a: Represent relationships within biological models, including mathematical models. (DOK 6)
5.A.d: Perform mathematical calculations, including ratios. (DOK 6)
2.A: Describe characteristics of a biological concept, process, or model represented visually. (DOK 1)
3.D: Make observations or collect data from representations of laboratory setups or results. (DOK 3)
5.D.b: Use data to evaluate a hypothesis (or prediction), including supporting or refuting the alternative hypothesis. (DOK 5)
3.E.b: Propose a new/next investigation based on an evaluation of the design/methods. (DOK 6)		DOKIntroduce (I)
Dev. Mastery (DM)
Master (M)
Reinforce (R)
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Essential Question:SYI-1: How are living systems organized in a hierarchy of structural levels that interact.
ENE-1: How does the highly complex organization of living systems require constant input of energy and the exchange of macromolecules?
ENE-2: What type of membranes do cells have that allow them to establish and maintain internal environments that are different from their external enviornments?
EVO-1: What are the multiple lines of evidence supporting evolution and how are they characterized by a change in genetic makeup of a population over time? 		1st2nd3rd4th
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SYI-1.DDescribe the structure and/ or function of subcellular components and organelles.1IRRM
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SYI-1.EExplain how subcellular components and organelles contribute to the function of the cell2IRRM
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SYI-1.FDescribe the structural features of a cell that allow organisms to capture, store, and use energy.1IM
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ENE-1.BExplain the effect of surface area-to-volume ratios on the exchange of materials between cells or organisms and the environment.2M
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ENE-1.CExplain how specialized structures and strategies are used for the efficient exchange of molecules to the environment.2IM
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ENE-2.ADescribe the roles of each of the components of the cell membrane in maintaining the internal environment of the cell.1M
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ENE-2.BDescribe the Fluid Mosaic Model of cell membranes.1M
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ENE-2.CExplain how the structure of biological membranes influences selective permeability.2M
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ENE-2.DDescribe the role of the cell wall in maintaining cell structure and function.2M
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ENE-2.EDescribe the mechanisms that organisms use to maintain solute and water balance.1M
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ENE-2.FDescribe the mechanisms that organisms use to transport large molecules across the plasma membrane.1M
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ENE-2.GExplain how the structure of a molecule affects its ability to pass through the plasma membrane.2M
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ENE-2.HExplain how concentration gradients affect the movement of molecules across membranes.2M
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ENE-2.IExplain how osmoregulatory mechanisms contribute to the health and survival of organisms.2M
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ENE-2.JDescribe the processes that allow ions and other molecules to move across membranes1M
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ENE-2.KDescribe the membranebound structures of the eukaryotic cell.1MRR
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ENE-2.LExplain how internal membranes and membranebound organelles contribute to compartmentalization of eukaryotic cell functions.2M
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EVO-1.ADescribe similarities and/or differences in compartmentalization between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.1MRR
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EVO-1.BDescribe the relationship between the functions of endosymbiotic organelles and their free-living ancestral counterparts.1M
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Unit Name: Unit 3: Cellular Energetics


Unit Duration: 14-17 class periods		PLC Questions I: In Unit 3, students build on knowledge gained in Unit 2 about the structure and function of
cells, focusing on cellular energetics. Living systems are complex in their organization and
require constant energy input. This unit will provide students with the knowledge necessary to
master the concepts of energy capture and use. Students work through enzyme structure and
function, learning the ways in which the environment plays a role in how enzymes perform their
function(s). Students gain a deeper understanding of the processes of photosynthesis and
cellular respiration, knowledge they will use in Unit 6 while studying how cells use energy to fuel
life processes.
1.B: Explain biological concepts and/ or processes. (DOK 2)
3.C.b: Identify experimental procedures that are
aligned to the question, including identifying appropriate controls. (DOK 1)
6.E.c: Predict the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a biological system based on data. (DOK 5)
6.C: Provide reasoning to justify a claim by connecting evidence to biological theories. (DOK 5)
6.B: Support a claim with evidence from biological principles, concepts, processes, and/or data. (DOK 5)
4.A: Construct a graph, plot, or chart. (DOK 6)
6.C: Provide reasoning to justify a claim by connecting evidence to biological theories. (DOK 5)		DOKIntroduce (I)
Dev. Mastery (DM)
Master (M)
Reinforce (R)
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Essential Question:ENE-1: How does the highly complex organization of living systems require constant input of energy and the exchange of macromolecules? 1st2nd3rd4th
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ENE-1.DDescribe the properties of enzymes.1M
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ENE-1.EExplain how enzymes affect the rate of biological reactions.2M
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ENE-1.FExplain how changes to the structure of an enzyme may affect its function.2MRR
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ENE-1.G
Explain how the cellular environment affects enzyme activity.
2MRR
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