Teacher Resources
New AP* Biology Resources and Guided-Inquiry Labs from Flinn
Four big ideas, more great labs! The revised AP Biology curriculum integrates scientific inquiry and reasoning through a series of student-directed, inquiry-based laboratory investigations. Join Flinn Scientific as we model the inquiry process and demonstrate activities from our new guided inquiry labs for AP Biology. We will share proven strategies for improving students' ability to generate meaningful questions, design experiments, and analyze scientific evidence. Handouts provided for all activities include alignment with the new AP Biology curriculum framework.
*AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in and does not endorse these products.
View and Order our NEW AP Biology Lab Kits here
Videos from the workshop are located on this page below the handouts.
Guided-Inquiry Labs for Advanced Placement Biology Power Point
AP Biology Labs - Materials List
This publication will provide you with a short description of each Advanced Inquiry Lab kit, how the Advanced Inquiry Lab correlates to the College Board Investigative Labs, and also a list of extra materials you may need, such as various tubers for the Water Potential Lab, and turnips for the Enzyme Activity Lab. Additional required lab equipment and supplies such as balances, microscopes, spectrophotometer, colorimeters, and common laboratory glassware, are also listed.
Transition Your Current AP Biology Labs
Scientific inquiry and reasoning are integrated in the revised AP Biology curriculum that will be implemented in 2012−2013 through a series of student-directed, inquiry-based laboratory investigations. As part of the new course requirements, students must complete two inquiry labs for each Big Idea (Evolution, Energy and Communications, Genetics and Information Transfer, and Interactions). The good news is any labs that reinforce one of the Big Ideas can be part of the inquiry investigations! As you update your laboratory syllabus to align with the new AP Biology curriculum framework, don’t abandon the classic labs that you know so well. Re-imagine them instead!
Preview of New Student Laboratory Kits for AP Biology
Flinn Scientific has developed a series of 15 new advanced inquiry lab kits based on the sample investigations in the AP Biology Investigative Labs manual published by the College Board. All kits are available now!
Enzyme Activity Guided Inquiry Lab Turnip Peroxidase
Peroxidase enzymes are widely distributed in plants and animals, including bacteria, to protect cells against the effects of
oxidative stress and cell damage due to hydrogen peroxide. Peroxidases are easily extracted from turnips and other root vegetables and provide a model enzyme for studying enzyme activity—how the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction depends on biotic and
abiotic factors. Enzyme activity studies reflect enzyme structure and function and provide the foundation for understanding the
mechanism or theory of enzyme action.
Karyotyping Cancer Cells
Cancer is a large, overwhelming, and sometimes frightening diagnosis. The concept is to big that we forget that cancer starts
small, at the cellular level. How are cancer cells different than normal cells? The purpose of this activity is to analyze a simulated
karyotype, called an ideogram, in order to identify the genetic composition of both a normal cell and a cancerous cell.
Add Up and Cross Over
Crossing over occurs during metaphase I of meiosis. During crossing over, homologous pairs of chromosomes exchange sections
of DNA that contain the same genes. It is important to note that crossing over does not have to occur during each generation,
nor does it always take place at the same point of exchange. Over time, however, crossing over leads to a greater variety of genes
in a population and contributes to a diversity of characteristics and an overall stronger population. This strength is then reflected in
the ability of the population to adapt to changes in the environment and also to evolve.
An Overview of the Four Big Ideas
Irene Cesa and Maureen Hunt provide an in-depth summary of the changes to the new AP Biology curriculum and labs. Learn how both guided and open inquiry will be a major part of this new format.
Enzyme Activity Guided Inquiry Lab
See how this enzyme activity involving turnips will provide you with a great inquiry lab for your AP Biology class next fall.
Mitosis - Baseline Activity
Use this activity to recognize stages of mitosis in root apical meristem tissue. Compare root tips grown in water to those grown with either a mitosis promoter or inhibitor.
Transition Your Current AP Biology Labs
Maureen Hunt gives several examples of how you can transition your favorite current AP Biology labs to fit the new standards. See examples of where you can add elements of inquiry to the labs you already know.
