Interactive tutorials are blue. Student Learning Guides (SLGs) are red. 

Notes from Mr. W

1. The tutorials and student learning guides below have been updated to align with the College Board’s 2025 Course and Exam Description. We’ve included a (highly recommended) tutorial about functional groups. Our recommended sequence puts proteins (1.7) ahead of nucleic acids (1.8)
2. For students who need additional background in basic chemistry, we have a series of Basic Chemistry tutorials. This optional set of tutorials provides the chemistry background (atoms, molecules, structural formulas, chemical bonding) needed to understand biology. This tutorial is highly recommended for students who haven’t taken a chemistry course. It’s accompanied by this Basic Chemistry Student Learning Guide.

1. Topic 1.1: The Chemistry of Water and Hydrogen Bonding

Topic 1.1, Structure of Water, SLG 

1. 1. Topic 1.1, Part 1: Water, Polarity, and Hydrogen Bonds

   2. Topic 1.1, Part 2: Water Virtual Lab (plus additional key concepts)

   3. Topic 1.1, Part 3: Acids, Bases, and the pH Scale; Topic 1.1 Cumulative Flashcards

2. Topic 1.2: The Elements of Life

Topic 1.2, Carbon, the Elements of Life, and Functional Groups, SLG

1. 1. Topic 1.2: Carbon and the Elements of Life

   2. Topic 1.2a: Functional Groups and Isomers

      • Note: While functional groups are not explicitly in the AP bio standards, they’re extremely useful for understanding the biochemistry you’ll encounter in an AP Bio course.

3. Biochemical Macromolecules

Note: we recommend teaching proteins (1.7) before 1.6 (nucleic acids): hence the order below.

Topics 1.3 – 1.7, Biological Macromolecules SLG

1. 1. Topic 1.3: Monomers and Polymers

   2. Topic 1.4 – 1.6 Overview: The Four Biomolecule Families

   3. Topic 1.4, Carbohydrates

   4. Topic 1.5, Lipids

   5. Topic 1.7: Proteins

   6. Topic 1.6: Nucleic Acids

4. Unit 1 Review Page: Objectives, Flashcards, and Quizzes