AP Biology FRQ Room

Ace the free response questions on your AP Biology exam with practice FRQs graded by Kai. Choose your subject below.

Which subject are you taking?

Knowt can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.

Pick your exam

AP Biology Free Response Questions

The best way to get better at FRQs is practice. Browse through dozens of practice AP Biology FRQs to get ready for the big day.

  • View all (250)
  • Unit 1: Chemistry of Life (29)
  • Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function (41)
  • Unit 3: Cellular Energetics (25)
  • Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle (24)
  • Unit 5: Heredity (31)
  • Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation (24)
  • Unit 7: Natural Selection (46)
  • Unit 8: Ecology (30)
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

Analyzing the Effects of Temperature on Lipid Bilayer Permeability

A researcher investigates the permeability of synthetic lipid bilayers by encapsulating a fluorescen

Hard

Analyzing the Interaction between Organic Molecules and Solvent Polarity

A researcher examines the solubility of a protein in various solvents with differing polarity indice

Medium

Atomic Structure and Isotopes

This question focuses on isotopes and the calculation of average atomic mass using subatomic particl

Easy

Atomic Structure and Isotopes Analysis

This question asks you to analyze the fundamental components of atoms and examine isotopic variation

Medium

Atomic Structure and Isotopes: Composition of Elements

Discuss the difference between elements and compounds, describing the arrangement of subatomic parti

Medium

Carbohydrate Metabolism and Energy Storage

A biochemist is comparing the metabolism of different polysaccharides involved in energy storage.

Medium

Chemical Bonding: Ionic and Covalent Bonds

Examine the differences between ionic and covalent bonds including examples found in biological mole

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Carbohydrate Storage

Two plant species utilize different carbohydrate storage molecules. Species A primarily stores energ

Hard

Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis Reaction Investigation

A biochemist studies the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis in the formation and brea

Hard

Effect of pH on Hydrolysis Reactions in Polysaccharide Breakdown

A biochemist studies the effect of solution pH on the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of a polysaccharid

Medium

Effects of pH and Temperature on Protein Structure

This FRQ examines how protein structure is influenced by pH and temperature. You will describe the m

Hard

Enzyme Activity and Environmental pH

Analyze how changes in pH affect enzyme activity and structure.

Medium

FRQ 2: Subatomic Particles and Isotopes

Explain the structure of an atom by discussing the roles of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and il

Medium

FRQ 20: Capillary Action in Plants

Capillary action, driven by the cohesive and adhesive properties of water, is essential for water tr

Hard

Hydrogen Bonding and Unique Properties of Water

Analyze how hydrogen bonding influences water’s unique physical properties.

Hard

Hydrogen Bonding and Water's Unique Properties

Analyze the impact of hydrogen bonding on water's physical properties and discuss why these properti

Medium

Hydrolysis of Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides can be broken down into their constituent monosaccharides via hydrolysis reactions.

Hard

Investigating Trace Elements on Photosynthesis Efficiency in Aquatic Plants

A researcher hypothesizes that trace elements, particularly iron (Fe), are critical for efficient ph

Medium

Lipids and Membrane Structure

Examine the structural differences between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and discuss the imp

Hard

Lipids as a Source of Energy and Structural Components

A nutrition scientist is examining how triglycerides stored in adipose tissue serve both as energy r

Medium

Lipids: Structure and Membrane Function

Examine the structural diversity of lipids and how it relates to their function within biological me

Medium

Nucleic Acids and Information Storage

This question explores the structural differences between DNA and RNA and addresses the role of nucl

Easy

Nucleic Acids: Structure, Function, and Polymerization

Explore the structure and synthesis of nucleic acids. Analyze how nucleotide properties contribute t

Hard

Polymerization Reactions: Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis

Discuss the chemical processes involved in polymer formation and breakdown.

Easy

Protein Structure and Mutation Effects

Address the hierarchical structure of proteins and the potential impact of mutations on protein func

Hard

Structure-Function Relationship in Proteins

A molecular biologist investigates how changes in a protein’s primary structure can lead to alterati

Medium

Subatomic Structure and Isotope Variation in Atoms

This FRQ focuses on atomic structure and isotopic differences. You will describe the arrangement of

Medium

Trace Elements and Enzyme Activity

A biochemist hypothesizes that trace elements, such as copper (Cu), affect the activity of a specifi

Medium

Trace Elements and Enzyme Activity

Evaluate the importance of trace elements in supporting enzyme function and overall biological activ

Medium
Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Active and Passive Transport in Cell Membranes

The table below compares different membrane transport mechanisms. Use this information to explain th

Medium

Active Transport and Ion Gradients

This FRQ explores the mechanism of active transport via the sodium-potassium pump and its role in ma

Medium

Cell Signaling: Receptor-Ligand Dynamics

This FRQ examines receptor-ligand binding data to infer receptor affinity and specificity in cell si

Medium

Cell Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio and Its Effects on Cellular Efficiency

In the study of cell physiology, the relationship between surface area and volume has important impl

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Plant and Animal Cell Structures

The table below compares the presence of specific organelles in plant and animal cells. Use this inf

Easy

Comparative Analysis of Plant and Animal Cells

A biologist is comparing plant and animal cells to understand how structural differences relate to t

Easy

Comparative Analysis: Plant Cells vs Animal Cells

Plants and animals have evolved distinct cell structures. (a) Identify three key structural differe

Easy

Comparing Passive and Active Transport under Variable Conditions

A study compares the efficiency of passive (diffusion) and active transport mechanisms under varying

Hard

Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Structures

A recent media report claims that prokaryotic cells are more efficient in energy utilization compare

Medium

Cytoskeletal Dynamics in Cell Division

This question investigates the kinetics of cytoskeletal polymerization and its role during cell divi

Easy

Cytoskeleton Dynamics in Cell Division

A researcher investigates the role of the cytoskeleton, particularly actin microfilaments, in the pr

Medium

Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells

Plant and animal cells share many features but also display distinct differences. Analyze these diff

Easy

Effect of Temperature on Diffusion Rates

This question involves the design of an experiment to investigate how temperature affects the rate o

Medium

Endocytosis and Exocytosis Mechanisms

This FRQ examines the cellular processes of endocytosis and exocytosis in maintaining homeostasis.

Easy

Fluid Mosaic Model and Plasma Membrane Structure

The plasma membrane is best described by the fluid mosaic model. This question explores the structur

Medium

Fundamentals of Diffusion and Osmosis

An experiment is conducted to observe the movement of solutes and water across cell membranes, highl

Easy

Investigating the Efficiency of Lipid Bilayers in Facilitating Diffusion

A study utilizes artificial lipid bilayers to test their permeability to various solutes. The claim

Easy

Lipid Bilayer Permeability Experiment

In an experiment designed to quantify the permeability of the cell’s lipid bilayer, researchers expo

Hard

Lysosome Activity and Cellular Aging

Design an experiment to examine how lysosomal activity changes in aging eukaryotic cells, especially

Hard

Mechanisms of Bulk Flow

This question focuses on the concept of bulk flow and its significance in biological transport proce

Medium

Microscopy Sample Preparation Fault

Researchers prepared cell samples for electron microscopy to study plasma membrane structures. The s

Hard

Mitochondrial Function and ATP Production

Mitochondria are central to energy production in the cell. (a) Outline the structure of the mitocho

Medium

Mitochondrial Function and ATP Production

A study compared the rate of ATP production in cells with altered mitochondrial efficiency. Research

Easy

Mitochondrial Function and Energy Conversion

Mitochondria convert energy from nutrients into ATP. Answer each part of the question below:

Medium

Mitochondrial Structure and ATP Production

Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, and their structure is closely related to their functio

Medium

Mitochondrial Structure and Function

This question examines the structure of the mitochondrion and its role in ATP production.

Medium

Osmosis and Tonicity in Plant Cells

A botanist investigates how plant cells respond to different solute concentrations by measuring wate

Medium

Plasma Membrane Structure and Function

The plasma membrane is critical for maintaining cellular integrity and regulating exchange. (a) Des

Hard

Plasma Membrane Structure and Function

This FRQ focuses on the structure of the plasma membrane and its role in regulating the movement of

Easy

Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cellular Organization

Answer the following questions comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. (a) List and explain thr

Medium

Protein Processing in the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi Complex

A scientist is studying the secretory pathway in eukaryotic cells. A simplified diagram of the pathw

Medium

Protein Synthesis and Ribosomal Activity Experiment

In a study examining protein synthesis, researchers tracked the production of a fluorescently labele

Medium

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis Efficiency

Design an experiment to evaluate the efficiency of receptor-mediated endocytosis in cells exposed to

Hard

Secondary Active Transport and Glucose Uptake

Design an experiment to assess the efficiency of secondary active transport in glucose uptake in cel

Hard

Sodium-Potassium Pump: Active Transport and Energy Consumption

A biochemist is investigating the sodium-potassium pump in animal cells. The pump moves 3 Na+ ions o

Medium

Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio and Cell Function

A researcher is studying how cell size affects the efficiency of nutrient and waste exchange. Consid

Medium

Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio and Heat Exchange in Organisms

This question connects geometric scaling with physiological processes such as heat exchange in organ

Medium

Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio in Cells

This question explores how cell size affects exchange efficiency via the surface area-to-volume rati

Medium

Surface Area-to-Volume Ratios and Cellular Function

A recent study aimed to quantify the relationship between cell size and the efficiency of material e

Medium

Vacuoles in Plant and Animal Cells

Vacuoles serve important roles in both plant and animal cells. (a) Identify and compare the functio

Easy

Vesicular Transport Analysis

Researchers designed an experiment to analyze vesicle formation and release during exocytosis in cul

Medium
Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

Analysis of pH Effect on Enzymatic Reaction Rates with Buffer Concentration Variation

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of pH on the activity of alkaline phosphatase using

Medium

ATP Yield in Cellular Respiration

A student analyzes the stages of cellular respiration to determine the ATP yield from glycolysis, py

Medium

ATP Yield Variation with Electron Carrier Molecules

Examine the ATP yield from different electron carrier molecules during cellular respiration. Use the

Hard

Comparative Analysis of C3, C4, and CAM Plants

Different photosynthetic pathways have evolved in plants adapted to varying environmental conditions

Extreme

Comparative Analysis of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

A student compares the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, focusing on the use of

Easy

Competitive Inhibition Mechanism

Design an experiment to examine the impact of a competitive inhibitor on enzyme kinetics using a Mic

Medium

Effects of Temperature and pH on Enzyme Activity

An experiment was performed to assess how temperature and pH influence the activity of a specific en

Hard

Electron Transport and ATP Production Correlation

A graph is provided showing the relationship between the proton gradient and ATP production. Analyze

Medium

Energy Coupling Analysis in Metabolic Reactions

Design an experiment to analyze how energy coupling between ATP hydrolysis and a biosynthetic reacti

Extreme

Energy Diagrams and Reaction Types

This question examines the energy profiles of exergonic and endergonic reactions. The provided energ

Medium

Energy Yield of Aerobic Respiration

Outline the stages of aerobic respiration and calculate the total ATP yield from one molecule of glu

Medium

Environmental Impact on Enzyme Function

This question assesses how extreme environmental conditions affect enzyme structure and function.

Medium

Enzyme Inhibition and Kinetics

This question explores the mechanisms of enzyme inhibition and how they affect reaction kinetics.

Hard

Enzyme Specificity and the Induced-fit Model

This question investigates enzyme specificity and the induced-fit model of enzyme action.

Easy

Experimental Design for Enzyme Activity Under Varying pH

Design an experiment to study how pH affects the activity of an enzyme. Use mathematical modeling to

Hard

Impact of Environmental Conditions on Enzyme Activity

Environmental factors such as temperature and pH have significant effects on enzyme activity and str

Hard

pH Effects on Enzyme Activity

Answer the following questions regarding the effect of pH on enzyme activity.

Medium

Photosynthesis Pigment Absorption

A plant physiologist examines how light energy is captured by photosynthetic pigments during the lig

Medium

Photosynthesis: Light-Dependent Reactions

This question investigates the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, especially focusing on t

Medium

Pyruvate to Acetyl-CoA Conversion

The conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA is a crucial step between glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.

Easy

Quantitative Analysis of Chemiosmosis

ATP synthesis via chemiosmosis is driven by the flow of protons across a membrane. Analyze this rela

Extreme

Role of Cofactors in Enzyme Catalysis

A researcher explores how cofactors and coenzymes enhance enzyme activity in biochemical reactions.

Easy

Temperature Effects on Enzyme Kinetics

This question explores how temperature influences enzyme kinetics and reaction rates.

Medium

The Calvin Cycle and Carbon Fixation Pathways

This question examines the Calvin-Benson cycle along with alternative carbon fixation pathways (C3,

Hard

Thermodynamics in Cellular Metabolism

Explain how the laws of thermodynamics apply to cellular metabolism and discuss the role of reaction

Hard
Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

Assessment of Mitotic Checkpoint Failures in Cancer Cells

This question evaluates the impact of failure in mitotic checkpoints on chromosomal segregation accu

Extreme

Catalytic Receptor Activity Experiment

A study investigates enzyme-linked (catalytic) receptors which possess an extracellular ligand-bindi

Medium

Cell Cycle Checkpoints Analysis

A study using video microscopy captured cells progressing through their cell cycle, highlighting che

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Cell Communication Mechanisms

Multicellular organisms employ various methods for cell communication. Part a: Describe the mechan

Easy

Comparative Analysis of Membrane Receptors

Various classes of membrane receptors differ in structure and function. A researcher is comparing li

Medium

Comparing Signal Transduction Pathways

Cellular communication involves various types of membrane receptors that trigger different intracell

Hard

Cyclins and CDKs: Regulation of the Cell Cycle

Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are central to the regulation of the cell cycle. Part

Medium

Effects of Toxins on Receptor Function

Certain toxins act as competitive inhibitors by binding to the ligand-binding sites of membrane rece

Medium

G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Specificity

Researchers are analyzing the function of a G-protein-linked receptor in mouse cells by treating the

Medium

GPCR Activation and cAMP Measurement

Design an experiment to measure intracellular cAMP responses to varying concentrations of a GPCR ago

Medium

Hormonal Regulation and Feedback in Blood Glucose Homeostasis

A researcher examines the mechanisms of blood glucose regulation and collects data under various con

Medium

Integration of Cell Communication and Cell Cycle Control in Tissue Repair

A researcher is studying wound healing in epithelial tissue and observes that cell communication thr

Hard

Integration of Taxis and Signal Transduction Pathways

Cells integrate external chemical signals and internal signal transduction mechanisms to navigate th

Easy

Interphase Dynamics and DNA Replication

Interphase is a critical period during which the cell grows and duplicates its genetic material. A r

Easy

Ligand-Gated Ion Channels in Muscle Contraction

A neuromuscular junction study explores the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) on muscle cell contraction

Medium

Mechanisms of Taxis in Unicellular Organisms

Taxis is crucial for the survival of unicellular organisms. Answer the following questions regarding

Easy

Mitosis and Chromosome Segregation

A researcher uses live cell imaging to study mitosis in a population of dividing cells. Some observe

Medium

Mitosis Stages and Chromosome Behavior

Mitosis is the process by which a cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells.

Easy

Positive and Negative Feedback in Cell Signaling

A laboratory study investigates two distinct cellular signaling pathways: one regulated by negative

Medium

Role of G-protein Coupled Receptors in Cell Signaling

G-protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in transmitting external signals into a cell

Medium

Role of GTPases in Regulation of Signal Transduction

G-protein linked receptors utilize GTPases as part of their signal transduction mechanism. Consider

Hard

S Phase DNA Replication Fidelity

A research lab examines the effects of a cyclin inhibitor on the fidelity of DNA replication during

Medium

Signal Amplification in Transduction Cascades

This question examines how signal transduction cascades amplify extracellular signals within the cel

Medium

Unicellular Chemotaxis Analysis

Unicellular organisms often navigate chemical gradients through taxis. In this question, you will ex

Medium
Unit 5: Heredity

Advanced Probability in Dihybrid Crosses

In a dihybrid cross involving two heterozygous traits, a geneticist requires precise probability cal

Extreme

Barr Bodies and X Inactivation

This question examines the process of X-inactivation in female mammals and the role of Barr bodies.

Easy

Chromosomal Crossover Experiment Suspension

A student lab attempted to induce chromosomal crossover events in model plant cells by subjecting th

Extreme

Comparative Analysis of Haploid vs Diploid Cells

Using the provided schematic diagram, compare haploid and diploid cells. In your answer, describe th

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Inheritance Patterns

Modern genetics recognizes both Mendelian and non‐Mendelian patterns of inheritance. Compare and con

Extreme

Crossing-Over and Genetic Diversity

Crossing-over is a critical event in meiosis that increases genetic diversity. Discuss the mechanism

Hard

Designing a Test Cross Experiment

Design a test cross experiment to determine if a tall pea plant is homozygous dominant (TT) or heter

Medium

Dihybrid Cross and Probability: Tall and Yellow Pea Plants

In pea plants, tall (T) is dominant to short (t) and yellow seeds (Y) are dominant to green seeds (y

Medium

Environmental Effects on Phenotypic Plasticity

Examine how environmental factors influence phenotype even when the genotype remains constant.

Medium

Environmental Effects on Phenotypic Plasticity

Researchers examined the effect of environmental conditions on the growth of plants with identical g

Medium

Ethical Implications in Genetic Counseling for Sex-linked Disorders

A recent media report suggests that early genetic screening for sex-linked disorders, such as color

Extreme

Gene Linkage and Recombination Frequencies

A study on linked genes yielded the following recombination frequencies between three genes, A, B, a

Medium

Genetic Variation from Crossing Over

During prophase I of meiosis, crossing over can lead to recombinant chromosomes. Assume the probabil

Hard

Investigating the Law of Segregation with Genotypic Ratios

Mendel observed a 1:2:1 genotypic ratio in the offspring of self-pollinated heterozygous pea plants.

Easy

Mapping Linked Genes Using Recombination Frequencies

A geneticist studying three linked genes, A, B, and C, observes the following recombination frequenc

Hard

Meiosis: Stages and Genetic Variation

This problem explores the stages of meiosis with a focus on Prophase I and its role in generating ge

Medium

Mendel’s Laws: Dominance and Segregation

This question focuses on the fundamental principles of Mendel’s laws. You will describe these laws a

Easy

Mendelian Inheritance and Test Cross

This question involves using a test cross to determine the genotype of a tall pea plant. A tall plan

Hard

Mendelian Inheritance Ratios and the Law of Segregation

In a monohybrid cross between two heterozygous individuals (Tt x Tt), the expected genotype ratio is

Easy

Monohybrid Cross: Tall vs Short Pea Plants

This problem explores Mendel's law of dominance through a monohybrid cross between a heterozygous ta

Easy

Non-disjunction and Aneuploidy Analysis

This question addresses errors during meiosis, specifically nondisjunction, and its consequences for

Hard

Non-Mendelian Inheritance: Incomplete Dominance and Codominance

Describe examples of incomplete dominance and codominance. Then, conduct a genetic analysis of snapd

Easy

Polygenic Inheritance and Environmental Effects on Quantitative Traits

A population biologist is studying a quantitative trait, such as skin pigmentation, which is influen

Hard

Quantifying X-Inactivation via Barr Body Counting in Female Cells

Design an experiment to quantify the extent of X-inactivation in female mammalian cells by detecting

Hard

Recombination Frequency and Gene Mapping

Gene mapping relies on the analysis of recombination frequencies observed during meiosis. Answer the

Hard

Sex-Linked Inheritance Analysis

Analyze a cross between a carrier female for color blindness (X^(C)X^(c)) and a normal male (X^(C)Y)

Medium

Sex-Linked Inheritance and Pedigree Analysis

Sex-linked traits, particularly those located on the X chromosome, often show distinctive patterns i

Hard

Sex-Linked Traits and Pedigree Analysis

Sex-linked traits, often associated with the X chromosome, display unique patterns of inheritance. A

Medium

Test Cross and Genotype Determination

A plant with the dominant phenotype for height could be either homozygous dominant (TT) or heterozyg

Medium

Time-Lapse Microscopy Analysis of Meiosis Stages

Design an experiment using time-lapse microscopy to analyze the dynamics of meiosis in a model cell

Hard

Using Punnett Squares and Test Cross Data to Infer Genotypes in Plants

Design an experiment in which you use Punnett squares in conjunction with test cross data to determi

Easy
Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

Advances in DNA Sequencing Techniques

Examine Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing technologies, and compare their respective

Medium

Bacterial Conjugation and Horizontal Gene Transfer

A study assessed the efficiency of gene transfer via bacterial conjugation across different strains.

Medium

Comparative Genomics of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

This question compares the genome organization in prokaryotes versus eukaryotes. Provide comprehensi

Medium

DNA Sequence Mutation Analysis

Consider the mRNA transcript 5'-AUG UCC GUA AAA UGA-3' derived from a DNA coding sequence. A point m

Easy

DNA Structure and Complementary Base Pairing

A researcher investigates the structure of the DNA double helix to determine how its chemical proper

Medium

DNA Topoisomerase Function and Supercoiling

Proper DNA supercoiling is crucial for many cellular processes. A study investigates the effect of t

Extreme

Epigenetic Modifications and Gene Expression

This question investigates how epigenetic modifications regulate gene expression via chromatin struc

Hard

Evaluating Methods for Enhancing Bacterial Transformation

Design an experiment to compare different methods for introducing a recombinant plasmid into E. coli

Hard

Evaluating the Function of Telomeres and Telomerase

Researchers are investigating the role of telomeres in safeguarding chromosome ends and how telomera

Medium

FRQ 4: RNA Processing and Mature mRNA Formation

A mutation in a critical spliceosomal protein causes unprocessed pre-mRNA to accumulate in the nucle

Hard

FRQ 6: Central Dogma and Gene Expression Regulation

A university lab investigates gene expression by manipulating transcription factors and measuring su

Easy

Gel Electrophoresis Analysis

Explain how gel electrophoresis is used to separate and analyze DNA fragments, and interpret experim

Medium

Gel Electrophoresis and RFLP Analysis

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) can be analyzed using gel electrophoresis. Answer

Medium

Impacts of Genetic Mutations on Protein Synthesis

Considering different types of genetic mutations, answer the following questions regarding their eff

Medium

Leading vs. Lagging Strand Synthesis Analysis

In DNA replication, the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments called Okazaki fragments. Th

Medium

Modeling DNA Helix Unwinding

DNA helicase is essential for unwinding the double helix during DNA replication. Answer the followin

Easy

Mutation Impact on Enzyme Function

Using the experimental data provided, analyze how different types of mutations affect enzyme activit

Extreme

Operon Function in Bacterial Gene Regulation

This question examines the structure and function of bacterial operons and the consequences of regul

Easy

PCR Amplification Experiment

A researcher employs PCR to amplify a specific gene fragment, varying the number of cycles to observ

Medium

PCR Efficiency and Gel Electrophoresis

This question focuses on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent analysis by gel electrop

Hard

Reverse Transcription in Retroviral Life Cycles

Answer the following questions about the process of reverse transcription in retroviruses and its im

Medium

Telomere Shortening and Cellular Aging

Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes but gradually shorten with each cell division. Use the giv

Medium

Transcriptional Inhibition by Regulatory Proteins

A study compared mRNA levels under different regulatory conditions to understand the impact of repre

Easy

Translation Mechanics and Ribosome Function

Discuss the process of translation and the roles of key molecular players involved in protein synthe

Easy
Unit 7: Natural Selection

Adaptations and Fitness in Extreme Environments

Researchers studied a population of plants growing in an environment with extreme temperature variat

Hard

Adaptive Radiation and Speciation

Adaptive radiation is a process in which a single ancestral species diversifies into multiple distin

Hard

Adaptive Radiation and Speciation in Isolated Environments

After a geographical isolation event, a single species was observed to diversify rapidly into severa

Extreme

Analyzing Data: Directional, Stabilizing, and Disruptive Selection

A biologist collects data on a population before and after an environmental change and obtains the f

Hard

Analyzing Different Modes of Natural Selection

A population of insects displays variation in body size under different selection pressures. Using e

Hard

Artificial Selection and Its Effects

In a controlled breeding experiment with domestic dogs, a table of average tail lengths over success

Medium

Darwin vs. Lamarck: Mechanisms of Evolution

The theories proposed by Charles Darwin and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck offer different explanations for h

Medium

Darwin's Observations on Natural Selection

Charles Darwin’s early observations provided the groundwork for the theory of evolution by natural s

Easy

Different Forms of Natural Selection

Define and illustrate the different types of natural selection: directional, stabilizing, and disrup

Hard

Effects of Gene Flow on Subpopulation Divergence

Two subpopulations of the same species are separated by a mountain range, but occasional migration (

Medium

Environmental Change and Allele Frequency Graph

A graph shows the change in allele frequency over 20 generations in a population of insects under a

Hard

Evaluating the Bottleneck Effect in a Mammal Population

After a natural disaster, a mammal population experiences a dramatic reduction in size. Researchers

Hard

Evidence for Evolution: Fossils Analysis

A paleontologist uses fossil records to chart the evolution of a species over millions of years. Ana

Medium

Fossil Record and Dating Techniques

Assess how the fossil record and dating techniques contribute to our understanding of evolutionary h

Medium

Fossil Records and Transitional Forms

Examine the role of the fossil record in supporting the theory of evolution and the concept of trans

Easy

Gene Flow, Immigration, and the Founder Effect

The founder effect describes how a new population started by a few individuals can have a significan

Hard

Genetic Drift and the Bottleneck Effect

Using the data provided in the table, explain how a bottleneck event can impact genetic diversity an

Hard

Genetic Drift in a Bottleneck Event

Genetic drift, particularly in the form of a bottleneck effect, can drastically alter allele frequen

Medium

Genetic Variability and Evolutionary Fitness

Genetic variability is a key factor in evolution. Answer the following:

Medium

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Experiment in Bacterial Populations

A microbiologist wants to investigate whether a bacterial population maintains Hardy-Weinberg equili

Hard

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium in a Fish Population

In a lake, a fish population is assumed to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Researchers observe tha

Medium

Measuring Evolutionary Fitness in Frog Populations

In this experiment, a researcher investigates evolutionary fitness within a frog population by quant

Easy

Measuring Evolutionary Fitness in Lizards

A researcher studying a desert lizard population records variations in tail length and associated re

Easy

Measuring the Impact of Gene Flow in Plant Populations

Design an experiment to investigate how migration between previously isolated plant populations affe

Medium

Miller-Urey Experiment and Organic Compounds

Evaluate the significance of the Miller-Urey experiment in understanding the origin of life on Earth

Medium

Molecular Biology: DNA Sequencing and Phylogeny

Molecular data has become a crucial tool in constructing phylogenies. Consider the following data on

Hard

Molecular Evidence and Evolutionary Relationships

Molecular biology provides a compelling line of evidence for evolutionary relationships through comp

Hard

Molecular Evidence for Common Ancestry

A research study compares the genetic sequence of a particular gene across several mammalian species

Hard

Morphological and Embryological Evidence for Evolution

Evidence for evolution is found in both adult anatomy and embryological development. Address the fol

Easy

Non-random Mating and Hardy-Weinberg Deviations

A table provides data on a population exhibiting non-random mating with an inbreeding coefficient $$

Extreme

Non-Random Mating and Its Evolutionary Consequences

Non-random mating can significantly influence the genetic structure of populations. Answer the follo

Medium

Phylogenetic Tree Analysis and Evolutionary Relationships

Examine a phylogenetic tree to interpret evolutionary relationships among species and differentiate

Medium

Phylogenetic Trees and Cladograms

Evaluate the use of phylogenetic trees and cladograms in determining evolutionary relationships amon

Medium

Population Genetics and Hardy-Weinberg Law

Analyze a population using Hardy-Weinberg principles to evaluate its genetic structure.

Hard

Selective Forces: Directional, Stabilizing, and Disruptive Selection

Natural selection can take different forms. Evaluate the types of selection and interpret data from

Hard

Sexual Selection and Trait Evolution in Peafowl

Analyze the role of sexual selection in driving the evolution of extravagant traits in peafowl.

Medium

Sexual Selection and Trait Inheritance

This question explores the role of sexual selection in driving the evolution of secondary sexual tra

Medium

Sexual Selection and Trait Variation

A study explores the relationship between male tail length and mating success. The graph provided sh

Hard

Simulating Early Earth: The Miller-Urey Experiment

The Miller-Urey experiment attempted to simulate early Earth conditions and resulted in the formatio

Medium

Speciation and Reproductive Barriers

Discuss how reproductive barriers can lead to speciation, focusing on the roles of pre-zygotic and p

Easy

Studying Gene Flow in Populations

Analyze the impact of gene flow on allele frequencies within and between populations. Answer the fol

Hard

Temperature Effects on Enzyme Activity and Evolutionary Adaptation

In an experiment, enzyme activity was measured at various temperatures to assess adaptive responses

Extreme

The Miller-Urey Experiment and the Origin of Life

Explore the experiments and hypotheses related to the origin of life:

Medium

The RNA World Hypothesis and Origins of Life

Scientists continue to explore the origins of life, and one prominent theory is the RNA world hypoth

Hard

The Role of Genetic Drift

Evaluate the role of genetic drift in shaping genetic variation within populations, particularly in

Hard

The Role of Sexual Selection

Examine the role of sexual selection in the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics.

Medium
Unit 8: Ecology

Animal Communication: Pheromones and Dominance Hierarchies

A study on social insects investigates how pheromones influence agonistic behavior and the establish

Hard

Assessing Biodiversity Using Simpson's Diversity Index

A researcher uses Simpson's Diversity Index, given by $$D = 1 - \sum (n_i/N)^2$$, to assess biodiver

Extreme

Carrying Capacity and Population Stability

An ecologist monitors a population of rodents in a confined habitat. The data initially show exponen

Medium

Chemical Communication and Agonistic Behavior in Insects

In a study, researchers examined how varying concentrations of pheromones affect the level of aggres

Medium

Climate Change Effects on Population Dynamics and Distribution

Assess the potential impacts of climate change on species' population growth and geographic distribu

Extreme

Comparative Study of Thermoregulation in Endotherms and Ectotherms

A researcher aims to understand how temperature changes affect behavior in endotherms and ectotherms

Easy

Critical Evaluation of Acid Rain Effects on Ecosystems

An environmental report asserts that acid rain has severely affected plant growth and aquatic life i

Hard

Critical Periods and Imprinting

Examine the diagram provided, which illustrates the imprinting response of hatchling birds over time

Medium

Ecological Pyramids and Energy Transfer

An ecologist studies an ecosystem’s trophic structure using the 10% rule of energy transfer.

Medium

Ecological Succession and Pioneer Species

A researcher investigates the progression of primary succession in a recently disturbed area where p

Medium

Ecological Succession and Pioneer Species

Ecological succession describes the gradual process of change in an ecosystem. Answer the following

Medium

Ecological Succession: Primary Succession in a Barren Landscape

Review the series of illustrations depicting primary succession in a barren landscape. Answer the fo

Medium

Human Impacts on Ecosystems: A Study of Pollutant Toxins

Analyze the table below that presents pollutant concentrations in various ecosystems. Address the fo

Hard

Impact of Toxins in Food Chains

Toxins released into the environment can accumulate in organisms through the process of biomagnifica

Hard

Imprinting and Critical Periods

Imprinting is a rapid form of learning that occurs during a critical period in an animal's early lif

Medium

Imprinting Timing and Responses in Ducklings

Researchers conducted an experiment on ducklings to study the imprinting process. In this experiment

Medium

Keystone Species and Trophic Cascades

An ecologist studied the impact of removing a keystone predator from an ecosystem. The table below c

Hard

Learning Through Habituation Analysis

A behavioral experiment measured the startle response of animals subjected to a repeated startling s

Medium

Metabolic Rate in Endotherms vs Ectotherms

A researcher conducts an experiment aiming to compare the metabolic rate of endotherms and ectotherm

Medium

Modeling Exponential Population Growth

Examine the dynamics of exponential population growth in an ideal environment and discuss its limita

Hard

Pheromonal Communication and Reproductive Behaviors

This question explores the role of chemical signals in reproductive behavior, and asks you to compar

Hard

Photoperiodism and Flowering in Plants

A study investigated how day length influences the number of days required for a plant to flower. Th

Medium

Photoperiodism and Plant Flowering

Plants rely on photoperiodism—the response to the duration of day and night—to time essential proces

Hard

Population Dynamics Calculation

A monitored animal population provided data on births, deaths, and total population size over time.

Medium

Simpson’s Diversity Index and Ecosystem Health

This FRQ assesses your understanding of biodiversity metrics, particularly Simpson’s Diversity Index

Hard

Simpson's Diversity Index: Calculations and Ecological Implications

Simpson's Diversity Index is used to quantify the biodiversity of a community. Answer the following

Hard

Territoriality and Resource Abundance in Lizards

Researchers studied how territory size in a population of lizards is influenced by resource abundanc

Hard

The Role of Keystone Species in Maintaining Ecosystem Balance

A study documents the removal of a top predator in an ecosystem, leading to a trophic cascade and si

Hard

Thermoregulation in Endotherms and Ectotherms

A researcher examines the effect of ambient temperature on metabolic rate in two species: an endothe

Easy

Thermoregulation in Endotherms vs. Ectotherms

Investigate how endotherms and ectotherms regulate their body temperatures and the impact of environ

Easy

Trusted by millions

Everyone is relying on Knowt, and we never let them down.

3M +Student & teacher users
5M +Study notes created
10M + Flashcards sets created
Victoria Buendia-Serrano
Victoria Buendia-SerranoCollege freshman
Knowt’s quiz and spaced repetition features have been a lifesaver. I’m going to Columbia now and studying with Knowt helped me get there!
Val
ValCollege sophomore
Knowt has been a lifesaver! The learn features in flashcards let me find time and make studying a little more digestible.
Sam Loos
Sam Loos12th grade
I used Knowt to study for my APUSH midterm and it saved my butt! The import from Quizlet feature helped a ton too. Slayed that test with an A!! 😻😻😻

Need to review before working on AP Biology FRQs?

We have over 5 million resources across various exams, and subjects to refer to at any point.

Browse top AP materials

We’ve found the best flashcards & notes on Knowt.

Tips from Former AP Students

FAQ

We thought you might have some questions...

Where can I find practice free response questions for the AP Biology exam?
The free response section of each AP exam varies slightly, so you’ll definitely want to practice that before stepping into that exam room. Here are some free places to find practice FRQs :
  • Of course, make sure to run through College Board's past FRQ questions!
  • Once you’re done with those go through all the questions in the AP BiologyFree Response Room. You can answer the question and have it grade you against the rubric so you know exactly where to improve.
  • Reddit it also a great place to find AP free response questions that other students may have access to.
How do I practice for AP AP Biology Exam FRQs?
Once you’re done reviewing your study guides, find and bookmark all the free response questions you can find. The question above has some good places to look! while you’re going through them, simulate exam conditions by setting a timer that matches the time allowed on the actual exam. Time management is going to help you answer the FRQs on the real exam concisely when you’re in that time crunch.
What are some tips for AP Biology free response questions?
Before you start writing out your response, take a few minutes to outline the key points you want to make sure to touch on. This may seem like a waste of time, but it’s very helpful in making sure your response effectively addresses all the parts of the question. Once you do your practice free response questions, compare them to scoring guidelines and sample responses to identify areas for improvement. When you do the free response practice on the AP Biology Free Response Room, there’s an option to let it grade your response against the rubric and tell you exactly what you need to study more.
How do I answer AP Biology free-response questions?
Answering AP Biology free response questions the right way is all about practice! As you go through the AP AP Biology Free Response Room, treat it like a real exam and approach it this way so you stay calm during the actual exam. When you first see the question, take some time to process exactly what it’s asking. Make sure to also read through all the sub-parts in the question and re-read the main prompt, making sure to circle and underline any key information. This will help you allocate your time properly and also make sure you are hitting all the parts of the question. Before you answer each question, note down the key points you want to hit and evidence you want to use (where applicable). Once you have the skeleton of your response, writing it out will be quick, plus you won’t make any silly mistake in a rush and forget something important.