AP Biology 13 Required Labs — Free Sprint Reference

Quick Glance — all topics in this unit

Priority, exam format, and the trap that most often costs the point. Transcribed from page 1 so this content is searchable.

Topic	Priority	Format	Key trap / must-know
INV 1 Artificial Selection	★★★	FRQ	Heritable variation causes phenotype shift across generations; bar graph: mean ± SE.
INV 2 Mathematical Modeling	★★★	FRQ	Hardy-Weinberg and evolutionary forces: use p+q=1 and p² + 2pq + q² = 1; start from q².
INV 3 Comparing DNA Sequences	★★★	FRQ	Molecular evidence for evolution and phylogeny: % DNA or amino acid similarity → build cladogram.
INV 4 Diffusion & Osmosis	★★★	FRQ	Water potential, osmosis direction, solute effects. % mass change = (final − initial) ÷ initial × 100.
INV 5 Photosynthesis	★★★	FRQ	Rate of photosynthesis vs light, CO2, temperature effects. Floating leaf disk assay: ET₅₀ and rate = 1/ET₅₀.
INV 6 Cellular Respiration	★★★	FRQ	O2 consumption by seeds, temperature effects. Respirometer rate; subtract bead control.
INV 7 Cell Division: Mitosis & Meiosis	★★★	FRQ	Mitotic index = cells in mitosis ÷ total cells × 100.
INV 8 Bacterial Transformation	★★★	FRQ	DNA uptake and antibiotic selection. Transformation efficiency = colonies / μg DNA.
INV 9 Restriction Enzyme Analysis & Gel	★★★	FRQ	Restriction digest and fragment separation. Smaller fragments travel farther; use ladder.
INV 10 Energy Dynamics	★★	MCQ, FRQ	Energy transfer efficiency across trophic levels. % energy transfer = energy out / energy in × 100.
INV 11 Transpiration	★★★	FRQ	Water loss via stomata and environmental effects. Potometer rate = distance moved / time.
INV 12 Fruit Fly Behavior	★★	MCQ, FRQ	Taxis, kinesis, and behavioral choice. Choice chamber percentages and chi-square vs expected 50/50.
INV 13 Enzyme Activity	★★★	FRQ	Effect of pH, temperature, substrate, inhibitor on rate. Absorbance over time; initial rate = slope of early points.