AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021

Page created by Leslie Garner
 
CONTINUE READING
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021

          Text: AP Edition Biology, Eighth Edition. Campbell, Reece 2018

   Happy summer and welcome to AP Biology! I am looking forward to meeting you all, and am
excited to journey through AP Bio with each of youJ

   This summer assignment is meant to accomplish a few things. First, to give you a refresher on
biology concepts that you may have forgotten between now and freshman year. AP Biology
examines college-level content. We cannot efficiently learn these complex scientific principles if
you do not have the basic foundation to build upon. To make sure that each of you has this
foundation, Part 1 of the summer assignment is a worksheet for each of the 8 units that we will
be covering this year. Each worksheet reviews the basic concepts that you will build upon
throughout the year. To complete it, you will use your textbook, prior knowledge, and when
asked to research, the internet. The eight units are as follows:

Unit 1: The Chemistry of Life
Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
Unit 3: Cell Energetics
Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle
Unit 5: Heredity and Genetics
Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation
Unit 7: Natural Selection and Evolution
Unit 8: Ecology

    As we begin to dive into the more complex topics, understanding vocabulary becomes
immensely important. One way to make the vocabulary easier to understand is by understanding
root words. Root words are prefixes or suffixes that have a certain meaning, and can help you
begin to theorize what a word may mean, before you even know the definition. For this reason,
part 2 of the summer assignment is a worksheet on root words. You are given the meaning of a
list of root words, and asked to determine the meaning of some terms without looking them up.
This worksheet will not take you long, however, I suggest making note cards as we will have a
quiz on these root words on Friday of the first full week of school.

   Another integral skill for any scientist is experimentation, and analyzing the results.
Throughout this course, we will be completing several labs. In the scientific community,
experimental results are analyzed, and shared through publication. Without sharing our results,
no progress could ever be made. We will do the same, by writing lab reports for each lab we
complete. In the final part of the summer assignment, you are asked to review the requirements
for a lab report, and provided with a sample lab report and asked to grade it.
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
This assignment is not to be completed virtually. You must print out the document, and complete
it in pen or pencil. A digital copy will not be accepted. The grading breakdown is as follows:

Part 1: Unit Review Guides
Unit 1: 10 points
Unit 2: 10 points
Unit 3: 10 points
Unit 4: 10 points
Unit 5: 10 Points
Unit 6: 10 Points
Unit 7: 10 Points
Unit 8: 10 Points

Total: 80 Points

Part 2: Root Words
20 points

Part 3: Lab Report Requirements:
20 Points

Total for Summer Assignment: 120 Points

The entire packet will be due on the first day of class. Every day that it is submitted late will
result in a 12 point grade deduction(-10%).

Please reach out to me if you have any questions! Again, I am so so so excited for this upcoming
school year and to meet you allJ

Happy Summer!
Ms. Grob
Email: agrob@oaklandcatholic.org
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                    Grob

                 AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021

                         Name: ________________

                                                        1
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                     Grob

                         Part 1: Unit Review Guides

                                                         2
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                                   Grob

                                        Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

         1. Determine what each label in the following picture is, and define the term.

    A:
    B:
    C:
    D:

         2. Explain the relationship between the following terms: atom, bond, molecule.

         3. Water is polar. Explain what this means, being sure to use the terms electronegative,
            partially positive, and partially negative, hydrogen bonds.

                                                                                                       3
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                               Grob

       4. Draw a picture that represents each of the following properties of water, and give a brief
          explanation of how it demonstrates this property:

       5. What does the prefix macro mean?

       6. Fill out the chart on the following page with the essential information about each of the
          macromolecules (also called biomolecules). Your textbook will be extremely helpful, as
          well as the following Amoeba Sisters Video:
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO244P1e9QM

                                                                                                       4
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021   Grob

                                       5
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                                  Grob

                                  Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

       1. Organelle review! Fill out the following chart with information on each organelle. In the
          second column, list the type of cell that the organelle is found in (plant, animal, bacteria),
          and in the third column explain the function of the organelle to the cell.

                                                                                                       6
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                                Grob

       2. Fill out the following diagram comparing and contrasting prokaryotic and eukaryotic
          cells.

       3. Look at the structure of the mitochondria and the chloroplast. Both have adaptations to
          increase the surface area of their inner membranes. Explain why this adaptation is
          important to the cells that they are found in. Be sure that your explanation includes the
          function of each organelle.

       4. An individual has a disease in which their inner mitochondrial membrane does not have
          folds, resulting in a 50% decrease in overall surface area. Predict some symptoms that
          this individual may experience.

                                                                                                      7
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                             Grob

       5. The following picture is a snapshot of the cell membrane. Label the picture using the
          following terms: Hydrophobic and hydrophilic (you should use this term twice).

       6. Why is this structure accurately named the “phospholipid bilayer”?

       7. The phospholipid bilayer is selectively permeable. Explain what this means, and why it is
          important to the cell.

       8. Through passive transport, molecules move ________________ the use of energy, from
           an area of _____________ concentration to an area of __________ concentration.
       9. Through active transport, molecules move ________________ the use of energy, from
           an area of ______________ concentration to an area of __________ concentration.
       10. _______________ is the diffusion of water across a membrane.

       11. The following pictures show two concentrations of a molecule separated by a
           semipermeable membrane. Draw an arrow to predict the passive movement of this
           molecule across the membrane.

       12. Define the term diffusion.

                                                                                                  8
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                          Grob

       13. What macromolecule is responsible for helping molecules cross the membrane? Does this
           assistance occur in passive movement, active movement, or both?

       14. Explain the Endosymbiotic Theory.

                                                                                              9
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                             Grob

                                       Unit 3: Cell Energetics

       1. The following image is a representative of an enzyme:

          a. Define enzyme:

          b. What type of macromolecule is an enzyme?

          c. Label the active site of the enzyme. Draw a substrate that would bind to this enzyme,
             and one that would not.

          d. If the enzyme pictured was not translated correctly, and the shape was altered, how
             would this affect its ability to perform it’s function?

       2. Define the term denaturation and some of the factors that can cause it.

       3. Explain the difference between a competitive inhibitor and a noncompetitive
          (allosteric) inhibitor.

       4. What are the first and second laws of thermodynamics?

                                                                                                   10
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                               Grob

       5. Fill out the following chart with information on cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
          (hint: for energy conversion, the types of energy are light energy and chemical energy)

       6. Define the term free energy.

                                                                                                      11
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                               Grob

                             Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

       1. Research cell communication. Find one example of cells that communicate short
          distances, and cells that communicate long distances. Describe each.

       2. In the following drawing, label the steps of the signal transduction pathway: reception,
          transduction, response.

       3. Explain the effect on protein production of one part of the signal transduction pathway
          malfunctioned.

       4. Define the following terms:
          a. Signaling cascade

          b. Kinase

       5. Although bacteria are single celled organisms, they can still exhibit cell-to-cell
          communication through a process called ____________ sensing.

                                                                                                     12
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                               Grob

       6. What molecules are responsible for sending signals throughout our entire bodies? Give an
          example, and the response that it causes.

       7. Define homeostasis.

       8. Compare and contrast positive and negative feedback loops.

       9. a. Briefly explain what happens in each phase of the cell cycle in the table below.

          b. Highlight the phase that the cell spends most of its life in.

          c. What is the G0 phase? Why would a cell enter this phase?

       10. Define mitosis.

       11. Do bacteria go through mitosis? Explain.

                                                                                                  13
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                               Grob

       12. In the following table, draw a sketch of what is occurring during each phase of mitosis
           and give a brief explanation.

       13. Cells go through three checkpoints throughout the cell cycle, one during G1, one during
           G2, and another during mitosis. Explain what the cell is checking for at each checkpoint:
           G1:
           G2:
           Mitosis:

       14. What happens if a cell finds something wrong during a checkpoint?

                                                                                                     14
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                               Grob

                                    Unit 5: Heredity and Genetics

       1. What molecule stores genetic information?

       2. Define chromosome.

       3. Compare the terms haploid and diploid.

       4. Complete the following diagram comparing mitosis and meiosis:

       5. Meiosis I is considered a reduction division. Explain why.

       6. The resulting cells in meiosis are genetically different than one another and the parent
          cell. Explain the following processes, and how they lead to this result:

          Random assortment of chromosomes:

          Crossing over:

                                                                                                     15
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                            Grob

       7. Define each of the following terms:
          Phenotype:

          Genotype:

          Allele:
          Dominant:

          Recessive:

          Homozygous:

          Heterozygous:

       8. Complete the following Punnett square to predict the offspring fur color genotypes and
          phenotypes when a heterozygous brown fur rabbit is crossed with a white fur rabbit.
          Brown fur(B) is dominant over white fur(b).

                                                                                                   16
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                             Grob

       9. Pedigrees can be used to track the occurrence of a trait throughout a family.
          a. In a pedigree, what shape represents females?

          b. In a pedigree, what shape represents males?

          c. When a shape is shaded in, what does this represent?

          d. In the pedigree shown below, how are the individuals listed related to one another?

                         A to B?

                         C to B?

                         E to H?

                         G to H?

       10. What does it mean for a trait to be sex linked? Research and give one example.

                                                                                                   17
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                              Grob

                              Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

       1. Research each of the following individuals and describe their contributions to our current
          knowledge of DNA
          a. Francis Crick

          b. James Watson

          c. Rosalind Franklin

          d. Maurice Wilkins

       2. What are the four base pairs of DNA? Which base pairs are complementary?

       3. What are the four base pairs of RNA? Which base pairs are complementary?

       4. Which base pairs are purines and which base pairs are pyrimidines, and what is the
          difference between the two groups? Draw a picture to support your answer.

       5. DNA replication was determined by Meselson and Stahl to be semiconservative. What
          does this mean?

                                                                                                  18
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                             Grob

       6. On the following diagram of DNA replication, draw the following enzymes where they
          would be working: helicase, ligase(x2), DNA polymerase(x2), topoisomerase.

       7. Explain why the replication arrows are working in two separate directions. Be sure to use
          the word antiparallel in your explanation.

       8. What is the “Central Dogma” of biology?

       9. _____________ is the name for the process of making RNA from the code in DNA, and
          _____________ is the name for the process of reading the RNA to assemble the protein.

       10. Define the role of each type of RNA:
           mRNA:

          tRNA:

          rRNA:

       11. Determine the complementary DNA sequence to the one given below

          ACTGGTACTAAGTAC

                                                                                                 19
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                                  Grob

       12. Determine the complementary RNA sequence to the one given below

          ATTGTCGGTATCTCTG

       13. In the following chart, give a brief explanation of each step of translation, being sure to
           include the type/role of each mRNA involved.

       14. Gene expression plays a vital role in multicellular organisms. Why would gene regulation
           be necessary? (hint: think about muscle cells vs skin cells)

                                                                                                         20
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                                Grob

                               Unit 7: Natural Selection and Evolution

       1. a. Every population has variations in phenotypes. These phenotypes can either give an
          organism an advantage, disadvantage, or have a neutral effect, depending on the given
          environment. Think about this: a population of rabbits is living in the snowy tundra. Part
          of the population has white fur, and part of the population has brown fur. Which
          phenotype would give the individual organisms a better chance of survival?

          b. Now, consider the same population living in a dense forest. Which phenotype would
          give the individual organisms a better chance of survival?

          c. So, what determines if a phenotype is advantageous or disadvantageous for survival?

       2. A term used often when discussing natural selection is “survival of the fittest”. In your
          own terms, what makes an organism more fit than another?

       3. Define the following terms:

       a. Convergent evolution

       b. Gene flow

       c. Bottleneck effect

       d. Founder effect

       e. Homologous structures

       f. Extinction

       g. Sympatric speciation

       h. Allopatric speciation

                                                                                                      21
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                              Grob

       4. Use the following images to answer the questions below. The first is an explanation of
          how a phylogenetic tree is read, and the second is an example.

          a. What species shares the most recent common ancestor with butterflies and moths?

          b. What species shares the most distant common ancestor with flies?

       5. What are the criteria for an organism to be considered a new species? Use these criteria to
          explain why a mule is not considered a species?

       6. On the graph’s below, draw lines that represent punctuated equilibrium and gradualism.

                                                                                                   22
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                            Grob

                                          Unit 8: Ecology

       1. Define the terms endotherm and ectotherm. Give an example of each.

       2. Use the Venn Diagram below to compare and contrast autotrophs and heterotrophs.

       3. Look at the following food chain. As plants use the light energy from the sun to grow,
          they accumulate energy stored as biomass. This biomass is then stored in the next
          organism that consumes it. However, there is a slight loss in efficiency. With each
          transfer of energy, only 10% of the biomass is passed on. Use the diagram, determine the
          amount of biomass stored in the final two organisms and fill in the blanks.

       4. Use what you learned in #3 to explain why most food webs never go beyond 4 or 5
          levels.

                                                                                               23
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                             Grob

       5. Provide a definition and example of each of the following types of relationships between
          organisms:

          Mutualism:

          Commensalism:

          Parasitism:

       6. In the following image, circle examples of abiotic factors, and put a square around biotic
          factors.

       7. Research an example of a keystone species. Why is it called a keystone species, and what
          would happen if this species were removed from an environment?

       8. Research an example of an invasive species in Pennsylvania. How did it get here, and
          what effect has it has on the ecosystem/native species?

                                                                                                 24
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                   Grob

                               Part 2: Root Words

                                                      25
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                                                  Grob

                                                 Part 2: Root Words

   The main reason students find it difficult to understand science is because of all the hard to write, spell and read
   words. Actually, scientific vocabulary is a hodge podge of little words that are linked together to have different
   meanings. If you learn the meanings of the little words, you'll find scientific vocabulary much easier to understand.

    Word                            Meaning                              Word          Meaning
    a or an                         not or non                           hemo          blood
    meso                            middle                               hyper         above
    endo                            inner, inside                        hypo          below
    aero                            needing oxygen or air                intra         within, inside
    anti                            against                              itis          disease, inflammation
    amphi                           both, doubly                         lateral       side
    aqua                            water                                logy          study of
    arthro                          joint                                lys           break down
    auto                            self                                 meter         measurement
    bi                              two, twice, double                   mono          one, single
    bio                             life, living                         morph         form
    carne                           flesh                                micro         small
    cephal                          head                                 macro         large
    chloro                          green                                multi         many
    chromo                          color                                pod           foot
    cide                            killer, kill, killing                phage         to eat
    cyto                            cell                                 phobia        dislike, fear
    derm                            skin                                 philia        like
    di                              two, double                          plasm         form
    ecto (exo)                      outer, external                      proto         first
    endo                            internal                             photo         light
    epi                             above                                poly          many
    gastro                          stomach                              synthesis     to make
    genesis                         origin, beginning                    sub           lesser, below
    herba                           plants                               troph         eat, consume
    Hetero                          Different                            Therm         Heat
    Homo                            Alike,similar                        Vore          Swallow, devour
    Hydro                           Water                                Zoo, zoa      animal

   What do these words mean? = Use the words above to figure them out, don’t actually look them up.

    1. Hydrology                                                11. Endocytosis
    2. Cytology                                                 12. Insecticide
    3. Protozoa                                                 13. Anaerobic
    4. Epidermis                                                14. Bilateral
    5. Spermatogenesis                                          15. Hypothermia
    6. Cytoskeleton                                             16. Macrophage
    7. Abiotic                                                  17. Photosynthesis
    8. Dermatitis                                               18. Heterotroph
    9. Hemophilia                                               19. Herbivore
    10. Carnivore                                               20. Homology

                                                                                                                      26
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                      Grob

                     Part 3: Lab Report Requirements

                                                         27
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                               Grob

                                     Part 3: Lab Report Requirements
          One important aspect of any science class is laboratory experiences and analyzing the
       results. AP biology is no different. Throughout this course, we will be reenforcing the
       concepts that we learn in class through experimentation. Once the experimentation is
       completed, you will be expected to construct a lab report to analyze and share your results.
       Below is listed the format for a good lab report. Read through, and record any questions that
       you may have.

          •   Title (should be detailed enough to give an overview of the lab. “Enzyme Lab” is too
              vague. “The Effect of Temperature, pH and Salinity on Enzyme Activity” is better.

          •   Background Any pertinent background information should be included as an
              introduction to the lab report.

          •   Purpose/Objective
                 o Include variables (independent and dependent); state specifically what you
                    will be measuring.
                            • Examples:
                               • Good: “To measure the effect environmental variables such as
                                  light intensity, humidity, and wind on the rate of transpiration
                                  in plants”.
                               • Not so good “To look at the effect various conditions on water
                                  loss in plants.”
                        § Variables
                               • Independent—Include the variable(s) and the conditions.
                               • Dependent—State the variable(s) and discuss how it will be
                                  measured.
                               • Identify the control group and the experimental group.
                               • Experimental Controls/Constants—experimental variables that
                                  will be held constant; include at least two.
                 o Hypothesis will also be included in this section.
                               • Should be written as an “If….then” statement
                               • Use clear and precise words
                               • Explain what observations led you to come up with your
                                  prediction..
          •   Procedure
                 o In paragraph form, describe what you did.
                 o Provide a thorough overview, and explain what you are doing.
                 o Do not copy the procedure word for word(if you had lab instructions).
                 o Should include enough detail that someone would be able to replicate your
                    experiment by reading your report.
          •   Data/Observations
                 o Include data tables and any charts and graphs. It is ok to copy/paste data tables
                    I post on my website (for group data).
                 o Charts and graphs should be computer generated.

                                                                                                  28
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                             Grob

                 o All graphs should be based on class data unless otherwise indicated.
                          • Requirements for a good graph:
                              • Title
                              • Label axes with title and units
                              • Calibrate axes in regular increments
                              • Plot all points
                              • Add a line or curve of best fit— NOT a connect the dots graph
                              • Include a legend if more than one set of data is on the same
                                 graph.
                              • Data section should also include a short paragraph describing
                                 observations, or qualitative data.

          •   Conclusion
                o What did you learn by doing this experiment? Explain your findings.
                o Go back to your purpose and answer the question that was posed.
                o Include specific numerical data in the discussion.
                o Include background information on the topic to frame your discussion.

          •   Analysis
                o Answer all analysis questions in the lab handout (or other questions I may
                    specify). For some labs, there may not be any questions.
                o Analyze your data, explaining any possible sources of error, how the
                    investigation could be improved, and any new questions that arise.

      On the following pages, you are given an example of a lab report, as well as a rubric that is
   provided by the AP college board that states the requirements for a good lab report. Read
   through the report, and act as the grader, determining what grade you would give the report. You
   may highlight mistakes, write questions in the margins, and add suggestions for improvement.
   When you are finished, complete the rubric and determine the score!

                                                                                                 29
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                        Grob

                              Protozoan Culture Motion Pattern

                                           Abstract

   Protozoans are unicellular eukaryotes with either plant- or animal-like characteristics.
   Through careful observation, we looked at various protozoan cultures in order to
   identify characteristics associated with cell structure and movement of these one-
   celled organisms. We found that Protists exhibit certain characteristics that allow them
   to be categorized into different groups, mainly determined by their locomotion
   patterns. Despite differences in locomotion and the varying plant-like and animal-like
   organelles, all protists share some characteristics.

                                          Introduction

          Unicellular eukaryotes belong to the kingdom Protista, and are often referred to
   as “protists” or “protozoans.” The name “protozoan” means “first animal,” but
   eukaryotes may display either plant or animal-like characteristics, or a combination of
   both. They are unicellular. Each small protist is a self-supporting unit, carrying out all
   the processes for survival in just one cell. They thrive on moisture and can be found
   on moist soil and in fresh and marine bodies of water. There are about 30,000 known
   species of protozoans, commonly classified according to their movemnt patterns as
   sarcodines—moving with false feet called pseudopodia or, flagellates—moving with
   whip-like structures known as flagella, ciliates—moving with short hairs known as
   cilia, and sporozoans—with no movement. They all have varying shapes, sizes, and
   survival strategies. For example, some may “hunt” small particles of food such as
   bacteria or algae; whereas others may be parasitic, inhabiting larger organisms.
   Despite their differences, all protists have several characteristics in common. In
   addition to a nucleus or nuclei to house their genetic material, most protists have

                                                                                           30
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                         Grob

   mitochondria for certain functions, and vacuoles for digestion and excretion. With the
   help of these and other cellular structure, protists may feed, grow, and reproduce.

          In this lab we saw select examples of protists in order to identify their cellular
   structures, and determine to which group of protista they belong based on their form
   of movement. We also made made drawings of our observations using light and
   dissection microscopes to practice some skills, including making wet-mount slides
   and cell sizing. By observing, drawing, and classifying protista, we learned about the
   cell structure and movement patterns of these one-celled organisms. We also learned
   about the differences and similarities of various protist cells .

          Since we will observe how protists move, it will be interesting to figure out
   patterns of locomotion. For example, what happens when the protist encounters an
   obstacle? Does motion change when the organism is feeding? How does motion relate
   to where the organism lives? What characteristics do the protists exhibit: plant,
   animal, or both? Do the plant/animal characteristics influence motion patterns?

                                            Methods

          Three protists were chosen for observation. See the list of protists below to
   choose three samples. For each of the protists, a pipette was used to extract some
   culture from the culture jar. The drops of culture were placed on a clean microscope
   slide and covered with a slide cover slip. Using a light microscpe, each protist was
   examined at different magnifications until the best field of view was found for
   identifying cellular structures. The color, shape, and motion cellular structures was
   noted. Each of the protists was drawn and the drawings were labeled. Field-of-view,

                                                                                            31
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                      Grob

   magnification, and cell size was noted on the drawings, along with the organism’s
   name and protist group.

                                            Results

          All protists that were selected had features in common, but they all moved
   differently. The example protists were: Euglena, Paramecium, and Amoeba.
   Euglena moved with a flagellum and so is classified as a flagellate (see Fig.
   1). Paramecium moved with cilia and so is classified as a ciliate (see Fig. 2).
   Finally, Amoeba moved with a pseudopod, and so is a sarcodine (see Fig. 3). All three
   protists had a nucleus, as expected, but the Paramecium had two nuclei, a
   micronucleus and a macronucleus. The Paramecium and Amoeba both had food and
   contractile vacuoles, but these were lacking in the Euglena. All protists had animal-
   like characteristics. Of the three, Euglena was the only one that had chloroplasts, an
   organelle common in plants.

                                                                                            32
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                        Grob

                                          Discussion

          Protists seem to share certain characteristics even when they are classified into
   different groups. Their organelles are a mixture of animal and plant structures, but
   they all have nuclei, a feature which distinguishes Protists from other unicellular

                                                                                           33
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                        Grob

   organisms. The protists’ motion was consistent with their locomotion organ: cilia,
   flagella, or pseudopod. This motion was very clear under the light microscope, but
   interactions of protists with others in the culture jar we’re better observed using the
   dissection scope. The Amoeba moves by extending part of its cell. This extruding part
   is the pseudopod, and allows the Amoeba to drag itself from one place to another (see
   Fig. 3). Its movement is slow, and changing directions is just a matter of extending a
   pseudopod in a new direction. Amoebas do not seem to have a particular shape, with
   the exception of the pseudopodia that consistently protrude from the cell. This
   shapeless but ever shifting quality of the Amoeba’s shape allows it to surround,
   engulf, and ingest its food by a process called phagocytosis.

          Paramecia are smaller than Amoebas. They move with the help of microscopic
   hair-like structures called cilia, which act like oars to push them through the water.
   They swim by rotating slowly and changing directions often. If
   the Paramecium comes upon an obstacle, it stops, swims backwards, and then angles
   itself forward on a slightly different course. Cilia help the Paramecium move as well
   as feed. When the Paramecia feed, it does so by drawing its food into a funnel-shaped
   opening called the oral groove that is lined with cilia (see Fig. 2). The oral groove is
   like a mouth, taking food in with the help of cilia, which direct and move the food
   inward.

          The Euglena moves rapidly, using its flagellum to propel itself through the
   water rather quickly, shifting directions with whip-like movements. Unlike
   the Amoeba and the Paramecium, the Euglena has plant-like characteristics. It is
   sometimes referred to as a “plant-like” protist. The organelle that gives it this plant-
   like quality is the chloroplast (see Fig. 1), a green organelle responsible for carrying
   out photosynthesis in plants. The Euglena senses light with a light-sensitive organelle

                                                                                              34
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                          Grob

   called the “eyespot,” which directs the organism to a light source strong enough for
   photosynthesis to occur. Since it can undergo photosynthesis, Euglena is able to make
   its own food just like plants.

          The three protists examined in this lab are examples of protists that use
   specialized structures for locomotion. Although the Euglena has some “plant-like”
   characteristics, all protists mentioned above, exhibit animal-like movements. These
   protists exemplify the animal-like and motile types of protozoans. As compared to
   other protists, the animal-like features of the protists we observed allow them to be
   motile. Their motility comes in handy for moving about their environment and finding
   food. They may be contrasted to another class of protist, the sporozoans. Sporozoans
   have no form of locomotion and are primarily parasitic, ingesting their food by
   absorption through their cell membranes. No matter what type of locomotion a protist
   uses, all protists must be able to carry out the metabolic functions of multicellular
   organisms. Based on the observations in this lab, protists are very small yet highly
   complex. They have all the organelles necessary for a variety of functions such as
   digestion, excretion, reproduction, respiration, and movement. Protists are self-
   supporting “one cell factories” churning out all the processes that are usually carried
   out by a highly-organized network of cells.

                                          Conclusion

          In this lab I learned about the structure and function of the smallest eukaryotic
   organisms, the unicellular protists. Although very tiny, these organisms are very
   complex, housing all the necessary life tools in one single cell. This shows that the
   complexity of an organism is not necessarily related to its size. I also learned to
   identify and classify different types of protists. I observed locomotion patterns as well

                                                                                             35
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021                                                   Grob

   as some other things. In doing so, I gained useful microscopy skills such as making
   wet mount slides, finding the proper magnification for viewing, and drawing
   microscope observations with all the proper labels.

                                                                                         36
AP Biology Summer Assignment 2021   Grob

                                      37
You can also read