← Biology syllabus

United StatesBiology

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Which elements make up living organisms, and why is carbon central to the molecules of life?

Topic 1.2 Elements of Life: describe the composition of macromolecules required by living organisms and the role of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur in forming them.
A focused answer to AP Biology Topic 1.2, covering the major elements of life (C, H, O, N, P, S), why carbon is the backbone of organic molecules, and which elements each class of macromolecule contains.
9 min answer →

How are macromolecules built from and broken into monomers, and what are the four classes?

Topic 1.3 Introduction to Biological Macromolecules: describe the chemical reactions that build and break biological macromolecules and the structure and function of the four classes.
A focused answer to AP Biology Topic 1.3, covering dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis, monomers and polymers, and the four classes of macromolecule (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids).
9 min answer →

How is the structure of DNA and RNA suited to storing and transmitting genetic information?

Topic 1.6 Nucleic Acids: describe the structural similarities and differences between DNA and RNA and explain how the directionality and base pairing of nucleic acids support their function.
A focused answer to AP Biology Topic 1.6, covering nucleotide structure, the antiparallel double helix, base pairing, the 5' to 3' directionality, and the structural differences between DNA and RNA.
9 min answer →

What are the properties of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, and how do their subunits and bonds determine them?

Topic 1.4 Properties of Biological Macromolecules: describe the properties of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, including the directionality of their structures and how their subunits and bonding give rise to their functions.
A focused answer to AP Biology Topic 1.4, covering carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, the four levels of protein structure, saturated versus unsaturated fats, and how subunits and bonding determine properties and function.
10 min answer →

How do changes to the subunits of a polymer change the structure and function of a macromolecule?

Topic 1.5 Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules: explain how a change in the subunit composition or sequence of a polymer may affect its structure and function.
A focused answer to AP Biology Topic 1.5, covering how the sequence and composition of monomers determine the structure and function of macromolecules, illustrated with proteins, sickle-cell haemoglobin, and the directionality of polymers.
9 min answer →

How do the structure of water and hydrogen bonding give rise to the properties that make life possible?

Topic 1.1 Structure of Water and Hydrogen Bonding: explain how the properties of water that result from its polarity and hydrogen bonding affect its biological function.
A focused answer to AP Biology Topic 1.1, covering the polarity of water, hydrogen bonding, and the emergent properties (cohesion, adhesion, high specific heat, evaporative cooling and the solvent role) that make water essential to life.
9 min answer →