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AP Biology Unit 6  ·  Sprint Review  ·  Free

AP Biology Unit 6 — Gene Expression & Regulation

One-page sprint review

Ten pages on DNA replication, transcription, translation, the lac operon, mutations, and biotechnology — the central dogma in full detail.

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Exam Weight
12–16%
MCQs
7–10
FRQ Appearance
Frequent
Sprint Time
~2.5 hours

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.

TopicPriorityFormatKey trap / must-know
6.1–6.2 DNA Structure & Replication★★★MCQ, FRQSemiconservative; DNA pol only adds 5'→3'; lagging strand → Okazaki fragments + ligase.
6.3 Transcription & RNA Processing★★★MCQ, FRQRNA pol reads TEMPLATE strand 3'→5'; mRNA same as CODING strand (T→U). Introns OUT, Exons IN.
6.4 Translation★★★MCQ, FRQAUG = start (Met); UAA / UAG / UGA = stop (no amino acid); anticodon ≠ codon.
6.5 Gene Regulation★★★MCQ, FRQLac operon: 4 states. Transcription / translation COUPLED only in prokaryotes.
6.6 Cell Specialization★★MCQAll cells have same genome; HOX genes = master regulators.
6.7 Mutations★★★MCQ, FRQPoint mutation = never frameshift; PCR: insertion + deletion ONLY shift the reading frame.
6.8 Biotechnology★★MCQ, DataPCR travels FURTHER (forward +); PCR: 95°C denature → 55°C anneal → 72°C extend.

Topic-by-topic visual review

Nine pages, one topic each. Open the PDF for print quality, or scroll to study on screen.

Cover: Unit 6 overview — the central dogma DNA → RNA → protein with regulation and biotechnology applications.
Cover  ·  Unit 6 overview — the central dogma DNA → RNA → protein with regulation and biotechnology applications.
6.1 DNA Structure & Replication: Antiparallel double helix, semiconservative replication, leading and lagging strand mechanics.
6.1 DNA Structure & Replication  ·  Antiparallel double helix, semiconservative replication, leading and lagging strand mechanics.
6.2 Replication Enzymes: Helicase, primase, DNA polymerase (5'→3' only), Okazaki fragments, DNA ligase.
6.2 Replication Enzymes  ·  Helicase, primase, DNA polymerase (5'→3' only), Okazaki fragments, DNA ligase.
6.3 Transcription: RNA polymerase reads template 3'→5'; mRNA, tRNA, rRNA roles; promoter and terminator.
6.3 Transcription  ·  RNA polymerase reads template 3'→5'; mRNA, tRNA, rRNA roles; promoter and terminator.
6.3 RNA Processing: 5' cap, poly-A tail, splicing — introns OUT, exons IN.
6.3 RNA Processing  ·  5' cap, poly-A tail, splicing — introns OUT, exons IN.
6.4 Translation: Initiation, elongation, termination at the ribosome with tRNA codon-anticodon matching.
6.4 Translation  ·  Initiation, elongation, termination at the ribosome with tRNA codon-anticodon matching.
6.5 Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes: Lac operon four states with lactose and glucose as inputs; trp operon by attenuation.
6.5 Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes  ·  Lac operon four states with lactose and glucose as inputs; trp operon by attenuation.
6.6 Cell Specialization: How identical genomes produce different cell types via differential expression and HOX gene control.
6.6 Cell Specialization  ·  How identical genomes produce different cell types via differential expression and HOX gene control.
6.7 Mutations: Substitution, insertion, deletion — and which cause frameshifts. Silent, missense, nonsense outcomes.
6.7 Mutations  ·  Substitution, insertion, deletion — and which cause frameshifts. Silent, missense, nonsense outcomes.
6.8 Biotechnology: PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction enzymes, transformation, and CRISPR basics.
6.8 Biotechnology  ·  PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction enzymes, transformation, and CRISPR basics.

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