AP Biology Assignment Sheet for
Origin of Life/ Prokaryotes/Protists/Fungi Unit
Chapters 26-28, 31
Date / Class Discussion Topic/Activity / Learning Objectives / Assignment(Unless otherwise noted assignments are due the next day class meets)
Monday March 17 / Evolution Unit Test / Chapter 26:
1. Describe the four stages of the hypothesis for the origin of life on Earth by chemical evolution.
2. Describe the evidence that suggests that RNA was the first genetic material.
3. Describe the significance of the discovery of ribozymes.
4. Explain how index fossils can be used to determine the relative age of fossil-bearing rock strata.
5. Determine the age of a fossil based on isotopic half -life.
6. Describe the major events in Earth’s history from its origin until 2 billion years ago. In particular, note when Earth first formed, major changes in the atmosphere, when life first evolved and sequential evolution of the different life forms.
7. Describe the mass extinctions of the Permian and Cretaceous periods. Discuss a hypothesis that accounts for each of these mass extinctions.
8. Explain the endosymbiotic theory for the evolution of the eukaryotic cell.
9. Describe the evidence that supports this theory.
10. Describe the timing and significance of the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis.
11. Explain how continental drift explains Australia’s unique flora and fauna.
12. Explain why the five kingdom system has been replaced by a new system with three domains. / · Read Chapter 26
· Reading Guide Chapter 26
· Cut out cartoon cards and place in order
Tuesday March 18 / The Tree of Life
Biological Diversity
Prokaryotes / Chapter 27
1. Explain why it might be said that the history of life on Earth is one long “age of prokaryotes.”
2. Explain why prokaryotes are unable to grow in very salty or sugary foods.
3. State the functions of each of the following prokaryotic features: capsule, sex pilus, nucleiod, plasmid, endospore
4. List the three domains of life.
5. Describe the structure, composition and functions of prokaryotic cell walls.
6. Distinguish the structure and staining properties of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.
7. Explain why disease-causing gram negative bacterial species are generally more deadly than disease-causing gram positive bacteria.
8. Explain how the organization of prokaryotic genomed differs from that of eukaryotic genomes.
9. Distinguish with prokaryotic examples among photoautotrophs, chemoautotrophs, photoheterotrophs and chemoheterotrophs.
10. Distinguish among obligate aerobes, facultative anaerobes, and obligate anaerobes.
11. Explan the importance of nitrogen fixation to life on Earth.
12. Describe the specializations for nitrogen fixation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena.
13. Describe the distinguishing features of methanogens, extreme halophiles, and extreme thermophiles.
14. In general terms describe the role of chemoheterotrophic and autotrophic prokaryotes in the cycling of hemical elements between the biological and chemical components of ecosystems.
15. Describe the mutualistic interaction between humans and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.
16. Distinguish among mutualism, commensalisms, and parasitism. Provide an example of a prokaryote partner in each type of symbiosis.
17. Distinguish between exotoxins and endotoxins and give an example of each.
18. Define bioremediation. Describe two examples of bioremediation involving prokaryotes. / · Read chapter 27
· Reading Guide Chapter 27
Wednesday March 19 / Prokaryotes
Protista / Chapter 28
1. Explain why the kingdom Protista is no longer considered a legitimate taxonomic group.
2. Describe the three ecological categories of protists. Describe why the term protozoa and algae are not useful as taxonomic categories.
3. Describe the evidence that supports the theory that mitochondria and plastids evolved by serial endosymbiosis.
4. Explain how trypanosomes avoid detection by the human immune system.
5. Explain why Plasmodium continues to pose a great risk to human health despite modern medical advances.
6. Identify Apicomplexans as parasitic.
7. Identify Euglena as having both autotrophic and heterotrophic characteristics.
8. Identify the role of dinoflagellates in the ecosystem. Summarize unique characteristics such as red tides and bioluminescence.
9. Distinguish between macronuclei and micronuclei of ciliates.
10. List three differences between oomycetes and fungi.
11. Identify the role of diatoms in the ecosystem, and their unique structural component that makes up their cell wall.
12. Distinguish among the macroalgae: Golden algae, phaeophytes, rhodophyta, and chlorophyta.
13. Identify the function of the thallus, holdfast, stipe and blade.
14. Provide examples of a unicellular, multicellular, colonial and filamentous chlorophyte. / · Read Chapter 27
· Reading Guide Chapter 27
Thursday March 20 / Bacteria, Protista, / Chapter 31
1. List the characteristics that distinguish funge from members of other multicellular kingdoms.
2. Explain how fungi acquire their nutrients
3. Describe the basic body plan of a fungus.
4. Describe the evidence that suggests that Fungi and Animalia are sister kingdoms.
5. Distinguish among the zygomycota, ascomycota and basidiomycota. Include a description of the sexual structure that characterizes each group and list some common examples of each group.
6. Describe some of the roles of fungi in ecosystems.
7. Describe the structure of lichen. Explain the roles of the fungal component of the lichen.
8. Explain how lichens act as pioneers.
9. Describe the role of fungi as agricultural pests.
10. Describe three commercial roles played by fungi. / · Read Chapter 28
· Reading Guide Chapter 28
Friday March 21 / Fungi / · Read chapter 31
· Reading guide chapter 31
Monday March 24 / Lab / · Study for Lab Practical
· Study for Test
· Complete Lab images
· Article is extra credit only
Tues. March 25 / Test chapters 26, 27, 28 31 / · Finish lab images
· Study for Lab Practical
Wed.
March 26 / Lab Practical I / · Read chapter 29
· Reading Guide chapter 29