 2009-01-05 - An excellent review of AP Biology
I recently received Cliff's Notes for AP Biology and have been invited to review it. It may be more useful to take one sample AP test cold to diagnose one's rusty areas, rather than go through a complete textbook, such as Campbell's Biology, 7th (AP) Edition. One can then do many of the exercises in the review book, then read Campbell, especially for broad areas like evolution and ecology.
For a review book, it is fairly complete, but lacking in illustrations for information that is best explained in pictures. For instance, the picture of the muscle sarcomere on p. 197 is lacking in detail. Compare it with Robert Griffin's Biology Coloring Book, text-and-plate 40. The questions have the level of difficulty of an AP exam, all to the good, but some questions show an occasional lack of clarity.
Here is one example of a poorly-vetted question. One option for a multiple choice question leads one to choose an answer stating that plasma cells initiate an attack against a specific antigen. But what about B-cells, their precursors? Although this was not an option, it seems to me lacking: Antigen-presenting cells, like macrophages, initiate an attack against a specific antigen by stimulating the T-helper cells, which stimulate the production of B-cells which in turn mature into antibody-secreting plasma cells. This is stated in the text on p. 200, but is apparently contradicted in the multiple choice quiz on p. 204.
Cliff's Notes for AP Biology has ten lab experiments which include restriction enzyme analysis, visualization with (nontoxic) methylene blue and Rf values plotted on semilog graph paper. The book also includes a photosynthesis experiment using DPIP. Rf values are used in the first part, which is simple paper chromatography pigment-tracking experiment. Dr. Phillip Pack has done students (and teachers) a real service by providing such an extensive, thought-provoking review of key experiments.
Interesting facts "around the core" of what's necessary to do well in an AP Biology course are mentioned. For example: The lungs have no countercurrent system, but both glomerulus and loop of Henle have them, as do the small intestine, the liver, and the hypothalamus.
In sum, this review book is of very high quality. It is rigorous, facts and ideas are clearly presented. Apparently for the need of getting the book out the door fast, some of the illustrations are somewhat lacking in detail. But one should not apply the standards of a university-level textbook to a review book.
2008-10-08 - Great for Tests and Quizes!
During my college biology class in High School, I would always do well in the labs but would do poorly in quizzes and tests. I received the book in the mail a day before my test. I read the chapter we were studying on the way to school and I easily passed the test.
2008-09-22 - Best AP Biology Review Guide Around
I've reviewed and used all the other review guides during the last 10 years that I've taught AP Biology and this one is absolutely the best. It's the one I order every year for my AP Biology students. I recommend it highly.
2008-09-20 - CliffNotes A.P. Biology
The book came exactly as it was described and arrived on time so I had it for school.
2008-08-28 - Best review book I've ever used
This book reviews all the material you need to know for the test, in a clear, simple, efficient way. I bought it too late to use it in my AP Biology class, but I'm sure it would be good for that too. I read the whole book the week before the AP test and got a 5.
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