The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition is a guided review through all eight units of study. Season one focuses on broader themes while the second season dives into the details. Episodes recAP content and skills in the areas of chemistry, cell structure and function, energy, communication, evolution, genetics, and ecology. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get podcasts, download the accompanying study guides for extra practice, and follow along on social media for the question of the day and course updates!
Time to Practice!
The AP® Biology Ultimate Review Packet is the APsolute best way to prepare for the exam in May! Fully alligned with the College Board curriculum, it includes unit summary videos, study guides, practice sheets, practice videos, multiple choice questions and a full length practice exam.
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TRAILER
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition - TRAILER
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition, hosted by Melanie Kingett, will be your guide to scoring the five!
EPISODE 1
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition - AP® Overview and Exam Structure
In this pilot episode, Melanie unpacks the AP Program and describes how the newly designed Biology Exam is structured for 2020.
EPISODE 2
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition - Big Ideas and Science Practices
In this episode, Melanie explains the main themes and skills that students will continually see throughout all eight units of the course.
EPISODE 3
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition - Units and Exclusions
In Episode 3, Melanie draws the line between what you need to know and what you don’t.
EPISODE 4
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition - Water Chemistry
Episode 4 is all about WATER! In the first of the content episodes, we zoom in to the elemental level and discuss water structure and its correlating properties.
EPISODE 5
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition - Biological Molecules
We learn that you are what you eat in Episode 5. Melanie explores the four types of biological molecules in both structure and function.
EPISODE 6
The APsolute RecAP: Biology Edition - Elements of Life
In Episode 6, Melanie recaps elements of life and shares two mnemonics - OSHMERG (1:03) and CHNOPS (4:00).
EPISODE 7
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Surface Area to Volume Ratio
We find out why there are no elephant sized Amoebas in Episode 7. Melanie begins with recapping the difference between the definitions of surface area and volume.
EPISODE 8
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Cell Structure and Function
Episode 8 will recap how cell organization is crucial to efficient functioning. Melanie distinguishes between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in domain and design.
EPISODE 9
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Transport
In Episode 9, Melanie reviews all things transport - active and passive. Do you know who is invited to the party?
EPISODE 10
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Enzymes and Energy
Melanie balances the world of physics with biology in Episode 10. We don’t want to break the Laws of Thermodynamics!
EPISODE 11
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Photosynthesis
Deep breath! Episode 11 will recAP photosynthesis - the process of converting light energy into chemical energy. Do you know why plants are green?
EPISODE 12
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Cellular Respiration
Episode 12 begins with a Latin lesson, *spirare.* Melanie pulls the oldest three stooges trick in the book to remind students of the products of cellular respiration
EPISODE 13
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Cell Communication
In Episode 13, Melanie recAPs the ways in which cells communicate through cellular signals, called ligands. Do you remember playing telephone as a kid?
EPISODE 14
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Feedback
In Episode 14, Melanie explains why your parents are always telling you to put on a sweatshirt rather than adjust the thermostat in your house!
EPISODE 15
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Cell Cycle and Regulation
Melanie reviews several reasons for cell division in Episode 15.
EPISODE 16
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Mitosis vs. Meiosis
Episode 16 gets some swanky tunes for sex cell and fertilization discussions.
EPISODE 17
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - DNA
Melanie recaps DNA in all its coiled and condensed forms during Episode 17. Beginning on the most microscopic level Melanie reviews the nucleotide monomer structure.
EPISODE 18
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Genetics
Episode 18 recAPs all things Mendelian and Non-Mendelian in the genetics world.
EPISODE 19
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - DNA Replication
Melanie recAPs DNA Replication by reviewing the role of enzymes. DNA Replication is semiconservative and occurs during the S phase...
EPISODE 20
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Central Dogma
Episode 20 dives into all things transcription and translation with the Central Dogma! Don’t forget that you are what your proteins produce.
EPISODE 21
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Gene Regulation
Operons! Get your operons here! Episode 21 explains how the same DNA instructions can indicate Gene regulation begins with chromatin structure.
EPISODE 22
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Updated Exam Structure
Deep breath! Episode 22 answers all of your questions about the updated exam structure. When is the exam going to be?
EPISODE 23
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Lab Experiments
How many lab experiments did you complete this year? Episode 23 recAPs the lab manual published by the College Board.
EPISODE 24
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - FRQ Strategies
Only two FRQs? - Piece of cake! Episode 24 discusses the FRQs on the 2020 exam with a few tips and tricks.
EPISODE 25
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Math Reminders
Episode 25 recAPs the understandings behind the equations and formula sheet.
EPISODE 26
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Listener’s Choice
Episode 26 is our first listener’s choice episode! The first recAP is about membrane proteins - both structure and function.
EPISODE 27
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - AP® Bio & Coronavirus
Episode 27 recaps the connection between the coronavirus and the content on the AP® Bio exam.
EPISODE 28
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Scientists RecAP
Episode 28 recAPs some of the great scientific minds of history.
EPISODE 29
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Test Taking Tips
Melanie wants you to be prepared and calm on May 18th! Episode 29 recAPs test taking tips appropriate to the digital platform.
EPISODE 30
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Osmosis and Water Potential
“Water water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” Episode 30 reviews the passive transport of water and the calculation of water potential
EPISODE 31
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Mutations
You hear mutations - but we hear variation! Mutations have several causes and can be positive, neutral or negative to the phenotype.
EPISODE 32
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - DNA vs. RNA
It’s the battle of the nucleic acids in Episode 32! DNA may have all the information, but RNA does all the work.
EPISODE 33
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Biotechnology
Episode 33 recAPs genetic engineering techniques of biotechnology.
EPISODE 34
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Chloroplasts vs. Mitochondria
Episode 34 finds the similarities and differences between chloroplasts and mitochondria.
EPISODE 35
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Energy and Graphing
Episode 35 reviews graphing essentials and the relationship to energy. It's important to use the most appropriate graph for the data set.
EPISODE 36
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Signal Transduction and the Nervous System
It’s all about maintaining homeostasis in Episode 36!
EPISODE 37
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Chromosomal Inheritance
Sexual reproduction increases genetic diversity in Episode 37.
EPISODE 38
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Listener’s Choice 2
Episode 38 is our second listener’s choice recAP from Instagram topic requests.
EPISODE 39
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - AP® Bio Exam 2020 Recap
Melanie recAPs the 2020 AP® Bio Exam experience in Episode 39.
EPISODE 40
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Natural Selection
Episode 40 recAPs Chucky D and Natural Selection.
EPISODE 41
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Population Genetics
Episode 41 recAPs the random side of evolution.
EPISODE 42
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Evidence of Evolution
Isn’t evolution “just” a theory?
EPISODE 43
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Energy in Ecosystems
We require a constant input of energy to maintain organization, grow and reproduce.
EPISODE 44
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Population Ecology
Population ecology is the study of factors that affect a population and how and why a population changes over time.
EPISODE 45
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Ecosystem Disruptions
Melanie ventures into the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse in Episode 45.
EPISODE 46
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Season 2 Introduction
Biology returns with Season 2! Thank you for helping us reach 31,000 downloads.
EPISODE 47
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Proteins
While the traditional health food pyramid has really gone out the window, there is little argument that lean proteins are essential to a balanced diet.
EPISODE 48
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Carbohydrates
Formed by autotrophs and disassembled by nearly all living things - carbohydrates are the primary source of chemical energy for the cell.
EPISODE 49
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Lipids
Episode 49 recaps these very diverse group of hydrophobic, nonpolar molecules.
EPISODE 50
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells
All living things are categorized into one of two cell types: prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
EPISODE 51
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Dull King Phillip
Remember when Pluto was a planet? Scientists continually restructure their way of thinking as they obtain more data.
EPISODE 52
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - The Endomembrane System
The movement of materials through the endomembrane system is consistent through all eukaryotic cells.
EPISODE 53
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Passive Transport
Episode 53 brings biology, physics and chemistry all together to answer this age old question - why did the fart cross the room?
EPISODE 54
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Active Transport
It's important that cell membranes establish and maintain their internal environments through selective permeability.
EPISODE 55
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Glucose Combusting
Episode 55 recAPs the gummy bear experiment with potassium chloride - combustion!
EPISODE 56
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Activation Energy
Let’s put our sneakers on and go for a run while listening to Episode 56!
EPISODE 57
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Electron Transport Chains
Electrons are going to enter a membranous pinball machine in episode 57.
EPISODE 58
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Enzymes and Pacman
Like Pacman, enzymes have specific shapes, act on smaller molecules and can be destroyed by external factors.
EPISODE 59
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Calvin vs Krebs
If you are ever lucky enough to have a major scientific discovery, you’d probably name it after yourself too.
EPISODE 60
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Cyclins and CDKs
The cell cycle consists of interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis.
EPISODE 61
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Homeostasis
You have the ability to respond to stimuli on so many levels - molecular, cellular, physiological, and behavioral!
EPISODE 62
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Mitosis
What did the cell say when her sister stepped on her foot? MY TOE, SIS! Episode 62 recaps the process of nuclear division
EPISODE 63
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Meiosis
Even the closest siblings are genetically unique, thanks to a microscopic DNA dance known as meiosis. Episode 63 begins with a recap of chromosome structure and homologous pairs.
EPISODE 64
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Mendel’s Rules
If I flip a coin, what are the chances it will land on heads? Find out all about probability according to Mendel in Episode 64.
EPISODE 65
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Breaking Mendel’s Rules
Move aside Mendel! Life isn’t all peas and carrots and some rules are made to be broken. Episode 65 recaps several patterns of non-Mendelian inheritance...
EPISODE 66
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Epistasis
Episode 66 is going to make all your puppy dreams come true! Beginning with a word nerd moment before completing a labrador dihybrid cross.
EPISODE 67
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Codons
UGA and listen to Episode 67! Translation - it's kind of like riding a bike. Once you learn how, you never forget. This episode is all about codons.
EPISODE 68
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Transcription vs. Replication
Episode 68 explores how does the structure of DNA influence the process of replication and transcription.
EPISODE 69
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Crafting a Gene
Melanie gets poetic in Episode 69. Roses are red, violets are blue. If a promoter is blocked this may be untrue. Make sure to appropriately distinguish between genes and alleles.
EPISODE 70
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Helicase Unzips
You have enough DNA in your body to stretch to the sun and back over sixty times. And your cells need to copy it all! Episode 70 recaps the primary enzymes in DNA replication.
EPISODE 71
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Origin of Life
Search for signs of life in Episode 71. Do you know the primordial soup recipe?
EPISODE 72
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
It is not practical to perform a Punnett square analysis on all possible combinations of all members of a population.
EPISODE 73
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Phylogeny
Join Melanie on a 5K in episode 73. Phylogeny studies the evolutionary history amongst groups of organisms. It tells the story of relatedness, the branches in the road.
EPISODE 74
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Common Ancestry
Everything is connected and the evidence is overwhelming. You are in the Domain Eukarya, Kingdom animalia.
EPISODE 75
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Continuing Evolution
Evolution doesn’t have goals or dated deadlines, but simply responds to environmental change.
EPISODE 76
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Responses to the Environment
What does the fox say? ALOT! Each yip, growl, howl and cry is a response to a stimulus in its environment and aids in the fox’s survival and overall reproductive success.
EPISODE 77
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Ecology Equations
Graphs and ecology - they go together like predator and prey. Episode 77 recAPs the four equations discussed in Unit 8.
EPISODE 78
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Biodiversity
What is an ecosystem? Ecosystems have biotic and abiotic components working together in a system.
EPISODE 79
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Community Ecology
Communities with greater biodiversity are more resistant to ecosystem disruptions and environmental change.
EPISODE 80
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Statistics
In AP Biology - Science skill number 5 is titled statistical tests and data analysis. On test day, have your calculator handy and check your equations and formulas sheet.
EPISODE 81
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Listener’s Choice III
Episode 81 will recap multiple topics - it’ our third Listener’s Choice Episode. Cladograms are branching diagrams that show common ancestry among groups of organisms.
EPISODE 82
The APsolute Recap: Biology Edition - Testing Strategies
The exam is almost here! Deep breath! It's one test, on one day. 90 minutes for 60 multiple choice and 90 minutes for 6 FRQs testing all 8 Units of Biology.