***AP Biology Thread 2015-2016***

Wow that’s a huge mess. My bio teacher said we can take notes, but I didn’t know we can actually start answering.

Hey, look at this question:

  1. The vertebrate forelimb initially develops in the embryo as a solid mass of tissue. As development progresses, the solid mass near the end of the forelimb is remodeled into individual digits. Which of the following best explains the role of apoptosis in remodeling of the forelimb? (A) Apoptosis replaces old cells with new ones that are less likely to contain mutations. (B) Apoptosis involves the regulated activation of proteins in specific cells of the developing forelimb that leads to the death of those cells. (C) Apoptosis involves the destruction of extra cells in the developing forelimb, which provides nutrients for phagocytic cells. (D) Apoptosis in the developing forelimb triggers the differentiation of cells whose fate was not already determined.

Can somebody please explain why answer B is better than answer C?

For choice C, it isn’t solely to provide nutrients for phagocytic cells. Phagocytic cells are simply intended to destroy molecules.

@JohnTravolski I think the main issue with C is that phagocytes have very little to do with development of the vertebrate forelimb, and the extra cells are not destroyed to provide any nutrients.

Okay, thanks, the only reason I chose that one was because I saw this question on a different practice test:
https://d3jc3ahdjad7x7.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/SJI5NL7tiTFTL7XcjKnSB4Db6Q8fzIU1qfRT4Y0Z83pajwL6.pdf:

  1. The last part of the metamorphosis of a tadpole to an adult frog results in the disappearance of the tail. This stage of development most likely occurs by (A) cells of the tail dying and the nutrients being absorbed and reused by the body (B) shedding of the tail so energy is not spent on maintenance of an unneeded part (C) bilateral division of the tail and fusion with the developing hind limbs (D) individual cells of the tail migrating to the developing gonads

And the answer was A. But I suppose I can see the difference between the two questions now.

Are the tests in the Cliffnotes books a good representation of the real exam?

Are linkage maps on the exam?

@horsesizedduck yes

Does anyone have any tips for how to “interpret” the MC questions from the college board? I know most of the material pretty well (I’ve only ever seen about 2 questions that I totally had no idea) but I keep getting tons wrong from overthinking and just generally misinterpreting the question…

For example…
There was a question on stabilizing selection that showed a graph (no units or labels) and asked what one could interpret from it… The correct answer was that “human babies are usually between 6-8 pounds” or something like that, while the rest of the answers discussed theory. I thought “you can’t interpret actual numbers or subjects from the graph so…” and I chose the theory answer that was the “least” wrong.

Anyone have a suggestion on how to “think” through the MC part?

Also, does anyone have any predictions for the lab part of the exam? My teacher seems pretty convinced that they’re going to do a FRQ based on the transformation (genetic engineering of bacteria) lab…

Does anybody have any general predictions for the whole FRQ part? I’ve noticed that natural selection seems to pop up each year, but does anybody else have ideas?

There’s probably going to be some sort of experiment we have to analyze/find the variables, etc, one of the body systems (immune, endocrine, or nervous). I think they might ask something about photosynthesis since I think they asked about cellular respiration last year. Also ecology seems to be a topic that comes up a lot.

Oh and I noticed that they seem to always ask a question where we have to draw a cladogram or a phylogenic tree.

Guys do you know where I can find some practice chi-square problems. My course completely skipped over them…

Does anyone have a pattern they use for MC?

I like know most of the things, but I seem to overanalyze them which tends to confuse me alot

i am really really really scared for this test bc my teacher didnt teach us about half the content. gonna die

@songmino you will be fine. If you look at the AP BIO mock exam for 2013 you barely have to know any biology. The test is pure drawing relationships from already given information. Having some biology knowledge will definitely benefit you though.

@littlet4lks No, I don’t think the questions on Cliffnotes is an accurate depiction of real AP Bio q’s.

My final hours of being able to study for this test are dwindling. Any specific concepts I should read about/look over one last time before tomorrow?

Any of ya’lls teachers made any predictions on FRQs? haha