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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 (25)
  • Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function (31)
  • Unit 3: Cellular Energetics (29)
  • Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle (29)
  • Unit 5: Heredity (33)
  • Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation (24)
  • Unit 7: Natural Selection (60)
  • Unit 8: Ecology (19)
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

Atomic Structure and Isotopes Analysis

Investigate the nature of atomic structure by analyzing a table that summarizes various isotopes of

Medium

Carbohydrate Metabolism and Energy Storage

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

Medium

Carbohydrates: Structures and Reactions

Compare the different types of carbohydrates and their roles in biological systems.

Easy

Comparative Analysis of Biomolecular Structures

A cell biologist is comparing the four major classes of organic molecules to understand their struct

Easy

Dehydration Synthesis and Its Biological Applications

This FRQ explores the process of dehydration synthesis in the formation of biomolecules. You will de

Easy

Designing a Cellular Component Experiment

A researcher is examining the effect of trace elements on enzyme activity in plant cells. The experi

Medium

Evaluating Chemical Bonding in Organic Molecules

In an advanced organic chemistry lab, a student compares the strengths of ionic, covalent, and hydro

Medium

Evaluating the Relationship Between Molecular Structure and Biological Function

This FRQ challenges you to examine how the structure of various organic molecules determines their b

Extreme

Examining the Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Catalysis with pH Drift

A researcher performs an enzyme kinetics study by incubating reactions at different temperatures and

Extreme

Experimental Design: Enzyme Kinetics Under Acidic Conditions

A researcher tests the effect of pH on the kinetics of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction.

Hard

FRQ 3: Chemical Bonds in Biological Compounds

Compare ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonds, emphasizing their formation and roles in maintaining th

Easy

FRQ 19: Comparative Analysis of Bonding in Biological Systems

Contrast hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds in terms of their strength, stability, and roles in biolo

Medium

Hydrolysis and Polymer Breakdown

This question assesses your understanding of the hydrolysis process in breaking down polymers and it

Hard

Investigating Nucleic Acid Polymerization via Hydrolysis Reaction

A researcher studies the hydrolysis of RNA under acidic conditions to break it down into individual

Medium

Lipid Saturation and Membrane Fluidity

Analyze how the degree of saturation in lipids influences membrane fluidity and cellular function.

Hard

Macromolecular Comparisons: Organic Compounds in Life

Compare the four major classes of organic molecules in terms of their structure, function, and synth

Hard

Nucleic Acids: Structure and Information Storage

A genetics laboratory is studying bacterial DNA mutations following exposure to a mutagen. Answer th

Medium

Organic Molecules: Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis

Examine the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis in the formation and breakdown of poly

Medium

Polymerization vs Hydrolysis Mechanisms in Biochemical Reactions

Compare the mechanisms and biological contexts of polymerization and hydrolysis reactions.

Medium

Polysaccharides and Their Biological Functions

Examine the structural differences among various polysaccharides and discuss how these differences r

Easy

Protein Structure and Mutation Analysis

A molecular biologist is investigating the structure of proteins and the effects of mutations.

Medium

Role of Polysaccharides in Organismal Structure and Energy Storage

A botanist examines the roles of various polysaccharides in plants and animals. Answer the following

Easy

Structure and Function of Carbohydrates

This FRQ examines the formation and function of carbohydrates. You will explore how monosaccharides

Medium

Trace Elements and Enzymatic Activity

Discuss the importance of trace elements in cellular metabolism and enzymatic function.

Medium

Trace Mineral Deficiency and Metabolic Health

Medical researchers are investigating how deficiencies in trace minerals impact metabolic health.

Medium
Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Active Transport and Ion Pumps

Active transport mechanisms allow cells to move substances against their concentration gradients. Ex

Hard

Active Transport: The Sodium-Potassium Pump

The sodium-potassium pump maintains essential ion gradients across the plasma membrane. Answer the f

Hard

Analyzing Cytoskeleton's Role in Maintaining Cell Shape

The table below reports the degree of cell deformation under mechanical stress for cells with an int

Easy

Calculation of Surface Area and Volume: Cubical Cell Model

This question involves calculating the surface area and volume of a cell modeled as a cube and discu

Easy

Cell Signaling: Receptor-Ligand Dynamics

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

Medium

Cilia and Flagella: Structure and Function

Cilia and flagella are specialized structures that aid in cell movement. Answer the following:

Easy

Comparative Analysis of Plant and Animal Cells

Plant and animal cells exhibit distinct structural features that reflect their functions. Answer the

Easy

Comparative Function of Ribosomes

Ribosomes play a critical role in protein synthesis, and their structure varies between prokaryotes

Medium

Comparative Structure of Plant and Animal Cells

Plant and animal cells exhibit several distinct structural differences. Use the provided table to he

Easy

Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ in several fundamental aspects, leading to differences in co

Medium

Cytoskeletal Dynamics in Cell Division

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

Easy

Cytoskeletal Elements and Vesicle Transport

In a study of intracellular transport, researchers examined the effect of cytoskeletal inhibitors on

Hard

Diffusion and Facilitated Diffusion Rates

This FRQ examines the rate of molecular transport across membranes via diffusion and facilitated dif

Medium

Endocytosis and Exocytosis Mechanisms

A researcher investigates how cells internalize and secrete materials through endocytosis and exocyt

Easy

Endocytosis Inhibition Study

An investigation into receptor-mediated endocytosis was carried out by treating cultured cells with

Hard

Golgi Complex in Protein Processing and Vesicle Packaging

The table below compares protein modification levels in cells with a functional Golgi complex versus

Hard

Integration of Cellular Organelles: Experimental Design

This question requires you to integrate your understanding of several cellular organelles and design

Extreme

Kinetics of Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

This question integrates data analysis with kinetic concepts to understand receptor-mediated endocyt

Extreme

Mechanisms of Secondary Active Transport

Secondary active transport uses the energy stored in electrochemical gradients to move substances ac

Hard

Membrane Transport: Diffusion and Osmosis

This question examines membrane transport through calculations using the water potential equation an

Medium

Microscopy and its Applications in Cell Biology

Microscopy is a fundamental tool for exploring cell structure. Compare and contrast light microscope

Medium

Microscopy in Cellular Biology

This question explores the application of different microscopy techniques in cellular biology.

Easy

Modes of Endocytosis: Comparing Pinocytosis and Phagocytosis

Design an experiment to compare the rates of pinocytosis and phagocytosis in a cell culture model.

Easy

Osmosis and Water Potential in Plant Cells

A botanist is studying water movement in plant cells. The following table provides experimental data

Hard

Plant Cell Osmotic Behavior in Different Solutions

A plant cell is placed in three different solutions whose solute concentrations are listed in the ta

Medium

Plasma Membrane Structure and Function

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

Hard

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

Role of Cell Surface Markers in Immune Recognition

A recent report asserts that variations in glycoprotein expression on cell surfaces directly influen

Hard

Temperature Effects on Membrane Fluidity

Temperature plays a key role in determining the fluidity of cellular membranes. Examine the impact o

Medium

The Nucleus and Genetic Material Organization

Explore the structure and function of the nucleus in eukaryotic cells. Answer the following parts:

Medium

Vacuoles in Plant and Animal Cells

Vacuoles play different roles in plant and animal cells. Answer the following:

Easy
Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

Allosteric Regulation and Enzyme Activity

Examine the concept of allosteric regulation in enzymes and analyze its effects on enzyme activity u

Hard

Analysis of Mitochondrial Proton Gradient Formation

Researchers isolated mitochondria to study the formation of the proton gradient during oxidative pho

Hard

Cellular Energy Balance and Entropy

A researcher examines how cells maintain order amid the increase in entropy predicted by the Second

Medium

Comparative Analysis of ATP Yield in Aerobic versus Anaerobic Conditions

A lab experiment was conducted to compare ATP production in isolated muscle tissues under aerobic an

Hard

Electron Transport and ATP Production Correlation

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

Medium

Energetics of ATP Hydrolysis and Reaction Coupling

In many cellular processes, the energy from ATP hydrolysis is used to drive endergonic reactions. Ad

Hard

Energy Yield of Aerobic Respiration

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

Medium

Enzyme Denaturation and Reversibility

Enzyme function is highly dependent on environmental conditions. Investigate the causes of enzyme de

Medium

Enzyme Inhibition: Competitive vs. Noncompetitive

Using the data provided below, compare the effects of competitive and noncompetitive inhibition on e

Medium

Enzyme Kinetics and Substrate Saturation

In an experiment, a researcher measured the reaction rate of an enzyme-catalyzed process at various

Medium

Enzyme Saturation and Reaction Rate

A researcher examines how increasing substrate concentration affects an enzyme's reaction rate. Data

Easy

Enzyme Specificity and Active Site Dynamics

Enzymes are highly specific catalysts in biological reactions. Their function depends on precise int

Medium

Enzyme Specificity and the Induced-fit Model

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

Easy

Enzyme-Substrate Interaction and Reaction Rates

Analyze the enzyme‐catalyzed reaction rates using the data provided and answer the following parts.

Medium

Impact of Environmental Conditions on Enzyme Activity

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

Hard

Impact of pH on ATP Hydrolysis Rate

Review the table below showing rates of ATP hydrolysis at various pH levels. Analyze the data to det

Easy

Impact of Temperature on Enzyme Activity

Design an experiment to evaluate how temperature affects the catalytic activity of lactate dehydroge

Medium

Integrated Metabolic Pathway Analysis

A researcher examines the contributions of different stages of cellular respiration to the overall p

Extreme

Investigating Allosteric Regulation

A researcher studies an enzyme that is regulated by an allosteric inhibitor. The enzyme activity is

Hard

Investigation of ATP Synthase Activity via Proton Gradient Manipulation

Design an experiment to determine how alterations in the proton gradient across the mitochondrial in

Hard

pH Effects on Enzyme Function

This question investigates how pH influences enzyme structure and function.

Easy

Photosynthesis Efficiency: Light Reactions Analysis

Photosynthesis involves capturing light energy through pigment absorption. Analyze the differences i

Hard

Proton Gradients in Cellular Energy Conversion

A researcher is exploring how proton gradients are generated and utilized in mitochondria and chloro

Hard

Reaction Coupling and ATP Hydrolysis Calculations

Cells frequently couple exergonic and endergonic reactions to drive unfavorable processes. Use the p

Hard

Reaction Coupling in Metabolic Pathways

Define reaction coupling in cellular metabolism and design a hypothetical pathway where it is essent

Extreme

Reaction Coupling in Metabolic Pathways

Reaction coupling enables cells to drive endergonic processes. Analyze a coupled reaction scenario.

Extreme

Role of Cofactors in Enzyme Catalysis

A researcher investigates how varying concentrations of the cofactor Mg2+ affect the activity of an

Hard

Temperature Effects on Enzyme Kinetics

A biochemist examines how temperature influences enzyme activity in controlled experiments.

Medium

Thermodynamic Principles in Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration must obey the principles of thermodynamics. Use the provided energy data to ana

Medium
Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

Advanced G-Protein Signaling Cascade Analysis

Prolonged exposure to a ligand can lead to receptor desensitization in G-protein coupled signaling c

Extreme

Cancer Biology: Oncogenes vs. Tumor Suppressor Genes

This question explores the genetic basis of cancer by distinguishing between oncogenes and tumor sup

Medium

Catalytic Receptors and Enzyme Activation

Design an experiment to test whether ligand concentration affects the enzymatic activity of a cataly

Medium

Cell Cycle Checkpoints and DNA Damage Response

Construct a detailed experimental plan to investigate the activation of cell cycle checkpoints in ma

Hard

Cell Cycle Dysregulation and Apoptosis

Failure of cell cycle checkpoints can lead to uncontrolled cell division and trigger programmed cell

Hard

Cell Division Regulation: Unicellular vs. Multicellular Organisms

Cell division is regulated differently in unicellular and multicellular organisms. Part a: Compare

Medium

Cell Migration and Developmental Patterning

Design an experiment to study the migration patterns of cells during development in a tissue model,

Medium

Chemical Inhibition of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

Design an experiment to test how a chemical inhibitor affects the functioning of ligand-gated ion ch

Hard

Chemotaxis in Unicellular Organisms

A researcher is investigating the chemotactic response of a bacterial species to an attractant. The

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Cell Communication Types

Cells communicate through both short-range and long-range signals. Diffusion is a key mechanism in s

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Mitosis and Cytokinesis

A study compares the process of mitosis in two different cell types—one with rapid division and anot

Hard

Comparative Analysis of Receptor Types in Signal Transduction

An article compares three classes of membrane receptors: ligand-gated ion channels, catalytic recept

Hard

Comparative Signal Transduction in Cancerous vs. Normal Cells

Construct an experimental plan to compare the activation of signal transduction pathways in cancerou

Extreme

Cyclin-Dependent Kinases and Cell Cycle Progression

An experiment measured cyclin concentrations during different phases of the cell cycle. The data bel

Hard

Cytokinesis and Mitotic Spindle Dynamics

During cell division, cytokinesis physically separates the cytoplasm of the dividing cell, concludin

Medium

Effects of Temperature on Mitotic Duration

Design an experiment to determine how temperature variations affect the duration of mitosis in eukar

Medium

Evaluating Oncogenic Activation Effects on Mitotic Rate

This question examines how oncogenic activation can influence the rate of cell division by altering

Extreme

Experimental Analysis of S Phase Duration

A researcher uses a thymidine analog to monitor DNA replication over time in asynchronously dividing

Hard

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

Interaction Between Cancer and Cell Cycle Regulation

A genetic mutation affecting a key checkpoint protein has been identified in certain cells, disrupti

Extreme

Interphase Dynamics and DNA Replication

A scientist measures the DNA content of a population of fibroblast cells over time during interphase

Medium

Mitosis and Chromosome Segregation

This question focuses on the stages of mitosis and the mechanisms that ensure accurate chromosome se

Easy

Mitosis Stages and Chromosome Behavior

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

Easy

Mitosis: The Dance of the Chromosomes

Mitosis is a critical process for cell division. Refer to the provided diagram to answer the questio

Medium

Negative Feedback in Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

This question explores homeostatic regulation through negative feedback mechanisms, focusing on bloo

Easy

Receptor Mutation: Effects on Signal Transduction

Mutations in receptors can drastically alter signal transduction. Part a: Explain how a mutation i

Hard

Signal Transduction Cascade and Amplification

Signal transduction pathways are essential for converting external signals into cellular responses t

Hard

Signal Transduction Cascades: Ligand-Receptor Binding

Design an experiment to measure the activation of a receptor by a specific ligand and the resulting

Hard

Temporal Dynamics of Cyclin Concentrations

A graph displays changes in cyclin concentration (in arbitrary units) over time during the cell cycl

Hard
Unit 5: Heredity

Analyzing Genotype-Phenotype Discrepancies

Although genotypes determine potential phenotypes, environmental factors can lead to differences in

Medium

Analyzing Meiotic Errors: Nondisjunction Effects

In an experiment, two groups of cells undergo meiosis. Group A experiences nondisjunction during ana

Extreme

Application of Mendelian Principles in Plant Breeding

A plant breeder performs a cross between a heterozygous tall, yellow-flowered plant (TtYy) and a sho

Medium

Application of the Product Rule in Predicting Combined Traits

In a genetic study, the probability of obtaining a tall plant is given as 3/4 and the probability of

Easy

Codominance and Polygenic Inheritance

Beyond simple dominance relationships, traits can exhibit codominance and polygenic inheritance. Des

Medium

Comprehensive Analysis Integrating Meiotic Processes, Test Crosses, and Inheritance Patterns

A comprehensive study was conducted integrating data from meiotic analysis, test crosses, and phenot

Extreme

Determining Genotype via Test Cross in Fruit Flies

In a population of fruit flies, a dominant phenotype is exhibited by individuals that may be either

Easy

Differences Between Meiosis I and II

Meiosis is divided into two successive divisions, each with unique characteristics. Compare and cont

Hard

Dihybrid Cross and Independent Assortment

A dihybrid cross examines the inheritance of two independent traits simultaneously. Consider a cross

Medium

Dihybrid Cross and Probability

Analyze a dihybrid cross (AaBb x AaBb) and apply probability rules to predict offspring phenotypes.

Hard

Dihybrid Cross Experiment Error Analysis

A researcher performed a dihybrid cross using plants with two traits—seed shape and seed color—expec

Medium

Efficiency of Gametogenesis in Different Organisms

Two organisms were studied for the efficiency of gamete production. The table below presents the per

Medium

Environmental Effects on Phenotypes

Environmental factors can modify which traits are expressed by an organism. Answer the following: (

Easy

Environmental Influence on Phenotypic Plasticity

Two genetically identical plants are grown under different conditions: one in an optimal environment

Medium

Gamete Production and Anomalies in Spermatogenesis

In an experiment to study spermatogenesis, a researcher examined testicular tissue from lab animals

Medium

Gametogenesis Differences: Spermatogenesis vs. Oogenesis

Gametogenesis is the process by which germ cells develop into mature gametes. This question compares

Easy

Gregor Mendel's Monohybrid Cross

Mendel’s experiments with pea plants provided evidence for the Law of Dominance. Consider the follow

Easy

Haploid vs Diploid Analysis and Gamete Formation

A researcher is investigating the fundamentals of cell division and gametogenesis. The study compare

Easy

Identifying Conceptual Error in Plant Hybridization Experiment

Researchers conducted a plant hybridization experiment by crossing two species with distinct petal c

Medium

Impact of Linked Genes on Recombination Rates

Two linked genes, A and B, have a recombination frequency of 10%. Answer the following:

Hard

Investigating Incomplete Dominance in Snapdragon Flowers

A botanist investigates the inheritance pattern of flower color in snapdragons by crossing a true‐br

Medium

Investigating Sex-Linked Inheritance Patterns via Pedigree Analysis

Design an experiment or study to determine the inheritance pattern of a sex-linked trait (e.g., colo

Medium

Linked Genes and Recombination Mapping

Genes that are located close together on the same chromosome can be inherited together due to geneti

Extreme

Mapping Linked Genes Using Recombination Frequency Data

Design an experiment to map the relative positions of three linked genes in a plant species using re

Hard

Mitochondrial Inheritance: An Experiment in Maternal Effects

A team of researchers investigated mitochondrial inheritance by comparing offspring traits from reci

Easy

Non-Mendelian Inheritance Patterns: Incomplete Dominance and Codominance

Compare and contrast two non-Mendelian inheritance patterns— incomplete dominance and codominance—us

Medium

Non-Mendelian Inheritance: Codominance in Flower Color

A researcher is investigating flower color in a plant species known to have codominant alleles for r

Easy

Non-Mendelian Inheritance: Incomplete Dominance and Codominance

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

Easy

Nondisjunction and Down Syndrome

Errors during meiosis can lead to nondisjunction, resulting in abnormal numbers of chromosomes. Anal

Extreme

Probability in Genetic Crosses

Apply the rules of probability to predict outcomes in genetic crosses. Use both the product rule and

Easy

Quantitative Analysis of Crossing-over Frequency

Calculate the recombination frequency using experimental data and discuss how this measurement is us

Hard

Recombination Frequency and Gene Mapping

Consider three linked genes A, B, and C. The recombination frequency between A and B is 15% and betw

Hard

Recombination Mapping and Gene Order Determination

Given recombination frequencies between three linked genes (A, B, and C) where the frequency between

Medium
Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

Antiparallel Structure of DNA and Its Functional Implications

The antiparallel orientation of DNA strands is a key feature of the double helix. Answer the followi

Easy

Cell-Free Translation System: Ribosome Binding Site Error

A researcher develops a cell-free system to study translation by combining purified mRNA, ribosomes,

Medium

Codon-Anticodon Interaction and Wobble Pairing

Answer the following questions related to the interactions between codons and anticodons during tran

Medium

Comparative Genomics of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

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

Medium

DNA Replication Kinetics

This question explores the kinetics of DNA replication. Imagine a cell where each replication fork s

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

Effects of Topoisomerase Inhibition on DNA Replication Fork Dynamics

In an experiment, a researcher uses a topoisomerase inhibitor to study DNA replication. The resultin

Hard

Epigenetic Modifications and Gene Expression

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

Hard

Evolutionary Impact of DNA Mutations

Discuss how mutations in DNA contribute to evolutionary change.

Medium

Evolutionary Impact of Gene Rearrangements

Gene rearrangements, including duplications and translocations, play a significant role in evolution

Extreme

Gel Electrophoresis and RFLP Analysis

Answer the following questions related to gel electrophoresis and restriction fragment length polymo

Medium

Genetic Mutations and Protein Function Analysis

Evaluate the effects of specific genetic mutations on protein function by analyzing sequence data.

Extreme

Impact of Point Mutations on Protein Function

A genetic analysis of a particular enzyme reveals the presence of various point mutations. A table i

Medium

Interplay of Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation

Examine the sequential processes from transcription to translation and discuss how errors in RNA pro

Medium

Mechanism of Translation

Examine the process of translation and the molecular accuracy mechanisms involved in protein synthes

Medium

Mutation Effects: Frameshift vs. In-Frame Insertions

This question addresses the consequences of insertion mutations on protein structure.

Medium

Mutation Impact on Enzyme Function

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

Extreme

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Technique

Analyze the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as a method for DNA amplification and its applications i

Hard

Quantitative Analysis of DNA Polymerase Proofreading Mechanisms

Design an experiment to evaluate the role of DNA polymerase proofreading in maintaining replication

Hard

Reverse Transcription in Retroviral Life Cycles

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

Medium

Telomeres, Replication, and Cellular Aging

Discuss the structure and function of telomeres, and analyze their impact on cellular aging.

Medium

Transcription Rates and mRNA Production

In an experiment, the transcription rate is measured at 5 nucleotides per second per gene. For an mR

Easy

Translation Efficiency and Codon Usage

A laboratory study examined how codon usage affects translation efficiency in eukaryotic cells using

Hard

tRNA and Codon-Anticodon Pairing

The mRNA sequence 5'-AUG GCU UAA-3' is translated during protein synthesis. Answer the following:

Easy
Unit 7: Natural Selection

Adaptive Radiation and Speciation

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

Hard

Adaptive Radiation on an Isolated Island

On an isolated island, a single ancestral bird species diversified into several species with varied

Medium

Adaptive Traits and Finch Beak Variation

A population of finches exhibits variation in beak size that correlates with environmental condition

Easy

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

Antibiotic Resistance Evolution in Bacterial Populations

In this experiment, a researcher investigates the evolution of antibiotic resistance in a bacterial

Hard

Assessing Different Types of Natural Selection

A biologist conducted experiments on a population of birds with varying beak sizes. The frequency di

Medium

Cladistics and Morphological Homologies

Morphological homologies provide key evidence for common ancestry. Use cladistics to analyze evoluti

Hard

Comparative Analysis of Convergent and Divergent Evolution

Define and compare convergent and divergent evolution, and discuss how these processes are driven by

Easy

Constructing and Interpreting a Cladogram

A cladogram is a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among species. Answer the follow

Medium

Darwin’s Natural Selection Observations

Analyze Darwin’s observations, including the production of excess offspring, competition, and differ

Easy

Darwin's Observations: Differential Survival in Changing Environments

In a forest environment, a population of beetles exhibits two distinct color morphs: light and dark.

Medium

Effects of Gene Flow on Allele Frequencies in Populations

Gene flow can alter allele frequencies within a population by introducing new alleles from immigrant

Medium

Environmental Change and Natural Selection in Peppered Moths

This FRQ examines how environmental pollution influences allele frequencies in a peppered moth popul

Medium

Environmental Pressures and Adaptive Traits

Selective pressures from an organism’s environment influence the development of adaptive traits. Use

Medium

Evaluating the Bottleneck Effect in a Mammal Population

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

Hard

Evolution and Genetic Variability: Allele Frequencies Over Time

A study monitored the frequency of Allele A in a given population over five generations. The followi

Medium

Evolution of Enzyme Function in Variable Environments

A study examines the catalytic activity of an enzyme extracted from a plant species and how it chang

Extreme

Evolutionary Fitness and Reproductive Success in Amphibians

A biologist studies an isolated amphibian population to determine how differences in habitat affect

Hard

Evolutionary Stasis and Punctuated Equilibrium

Evaluate the theories of gradualistic evolution versus punctuated equilibrium in explaining patterns

Medium

Examining Stabilizing Selection in a Simulated Environment

Using a computer simulation of a bird population with variable beak sizes, design an experiment to d

Medium

Factors Disrupting Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Discuss the factors that can disrupt Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in a population:

Medium

Fossil Record Analysis and Dating Techniques

Dating methods and fossil records are crucial for understanding evolutionary timelines. Delve into t

Extreme

Fossil Record and Dating Techniques

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

Medium

Gene Flow and Genetic Drift in Small Populations

Examine the influences of gene flow and genetic drift on small populations:

Medium

Gene Flow and Speciation in Island Bird Populations

Bird populations on two nearby islands are occasionally connected by a land bridge, allowing for lim

Medium

Genetic Drift: Bottleneck Effect in a Small Population

A study tracked the frequency of a specific allele in a small population over 10 generations. A grap

Hard

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and Evolutionary Change

A geneticist is studying a large population of beetles assumed to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium w

Medium

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and Population Dynamics

A population is examined for its allele frequencies regarding a particular gene. Assume the initial

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

Impact of Environmental Temperature on Lizard Reproductive Rates

An environmental scientist examines the effects of a gradual temperature increase on a lizard popula

Hard

Impact of Mutation, Genetic Drift, and Gene Flow

Mutations, genetic drift, and gene flow are non-selective mechanisms that can alter allele frequenci

Medium

Impact of Mutations on Microbial Populations

In a controlled experiment, a microbial population is exposed to a mutagen, altering the mutation ra

Hard

Interpreting the Fossil Record

Analyze how the fossil record contributes to our understanding of evolutionary history.

Medium

Lamarckian vs. Darwinian Evolutionary Mechanisms

Compare and contrast Lamarck’s theory of acquired traits with Darwin’s theory of natural selection,

Medium

Long-Term Trends in Evolution: Punctuated Equilibrium vs. Gradualism

Fossil records of a mammalian lineage reveal long periods of little morphological change followed by

Hard

Measuring Evolutionary Fitness in Lizards

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

Easy

Measuring Reproductive Success in Variable Environments

Evolutionary fitness is commonly measured by reproductive success, but environmental factors can inf

Hard

Mechanisms of Speciation: Geographic Isolation and Beyond

Speciation can occur through various mechanisms, including allopatric and sympatric speciation. Usin

Hard

Media Critique: Evaluating Claims of Rapid Evolution

Critically evaluate a media report claiming that evolution can occur within a single generation. Use

Extreme

Mendelian Inheritance and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Misinterpretation

In this experiment, a researcher studies the genetic structure of a small beetle population by genot

Medium

Mendelian Inheritance in Populations

In a population of 200 plants, 150 exhibit the dominant red flower phenotype and 50 exhibit the rece

Easy

Miller-Urey Experiment and the Origins of Life

Analyze the design and outcomes of the Miller-Urey experiment, including its relevance to the RNA-wo

Medium

Modes of Natural Selection: Directional, Stabilizing, and Disruptive

Examine the different modes of natural selection based on the frequency distribution data provided i

Medium

Molecular Evidence for Evolution: Comparative DNA Analysis

This FRQ focuses on how molecular data, such as DNA sequence comparisons, provide compelling evidenc

Hard

Molecular Evidence for Evolution: Comparative Genomics

Comparative analysis of DNA sequences among different species reveals varying degrees of similarity.

Medium

Morphological Homologies: Evidence of Common Ancestry

Using examples of homologous structures, explain how similarities in anatomical features support the

Hard

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift in Evolution

Discuss the roles of mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift as mechanisms that generate genetic vari

Medium

Non-Mendelian Inheritance and Evolutionary Predictions

Non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance add complexity to our understanding of genetic variation. Expl

Extreme

Phylogenetic Trees and Common Ancestry

Phylogenetic trees offer insights into the common ancestry of species. Use the graph provided to ans

Hard

Population Bottlenecks and Founder Effects

Population bottlenecks and founder effects are important examples of genetic drift. Evaluate how the

Medium

RNA World Hypothesis: Experimental Approaches

Discuss the RNA world hypothesis and design a modern experiment to test its predictions regarding th

Hard

Selective Forces: Directional, Stabilizing, and Disruptive Selection

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

Hard

Selective Predation on Peppered Moths

In this experiment, a researcher is investigating the effects of selective predation on peppered mot

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 in Bird Ornamentation

A study on a bird population measured male tail length and the number of mating successes. The data

Medium

Stabilizing vs. Disruptive Selection: An Experimental Analysis

A researcher conducts an experiment to measure the frequency of a continuous trait (such as beak siz

Hard

Studying Gene Flow in Populations

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

Hard

The Bottleneck Effect and Genetic Diversity

A population undergoing a bottleneck event experienced a severe reduction in size. Data on effective

Hard

The RNA World Hypothesis

Discuss the RNA world hypothesis and its significance in explaining the origins of life on Earth.

Medium

The Role of Genetic Drift

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

Hard
Unit 8: Ecology

Acid Rain Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems

An aquatic ecosystem experienced acid rain that lowered the pH from 7.0 to 5.5. Corresponding measur

Easy

Altruistic Behavior and Kin Selection

A behavioral ecologist investigates altruistic behavior in social mammals with a focus on kin select

Hard

Altruistic Behavior and Kin Selection

A behavioral study recorded the frequency of altruistic helping behaviors in relation to the coeffic

Medium

Circadian Rhythms in Plants

A botanist investigates how different light/dark cycles affect flowering time in a plant species kno

Easy

Critical Periods and Imprinting

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

Medium

Differentiating Gravitropism and Thigmotropism in Climbing Plants

Researchers studied climbing plants’ responses to gravitational and touch stimuli, claiming that gra

Hard

Dominance Hierarchies and Territoriality in Social Animals

Social animals often establish dominance hierarchies and territories that structure interactions wit

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

Experimental Analysis of Population Growth in Bacterial Cultures

A microbiologist sets up an experiment to observe the exponential growth of a bacterial culture in a

Easy

Gravitropism in Plant Roots

A plant biologist studies gravitropism by tilting pots containing pea plants and recording the angle

Medium

Growth Curve Analysis

A graph comparing exponential (J-shaped) and logistic (S-shaped) population growth curves for a part

Hard

Human Impact: Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss

A conservation biologist examines the relationship between deforestation rates and species richness

Medium

Learning versus Instinct: Behavioral Adaptations in Navigational Tasks

A study compared the maze navigation times of animals relying solely on instinct versus those allowe

Hard

Logistic Growth and Carrying Capacity

Explore how population growth is limited by the carrying capacity of an environment using the logist

Hard

Photosynthetic Response to Light Intensity in Shade Plants

A plant ecologist investigates the photosynthetic response of shade-adapted plants to varying light

Hard

Phototropism: Light's Influence on Plant Growth

A botanist is studying phototropism in a climbing plant species. The objective is to determine how v

Easy

Plant Tropisms: Phototropism and Thigmotropism

Review the diagram provided that illustrates plant responses to environmental stimuli. The diagram s

Medium

Population Growth Dynamics: Exponential vs Logistic Growth

A biologist studying a closed bacterial culture observes that the population initially grows exponen

Hard

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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.