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VISUAL SYNTHESIS 1.1 THE FOUR BIG IDEAS OF AP BIOLOGY
We can describe four Big Ideas that connect and unite the many dimensions of biology: Evolution, Energetics, Information
Storage and Transmission, and Systems Interactions. These four ideas are introduced in Unit 1 and will be visited again and again
throughout the book. By the time you finish this book, you will have an understanding of how life works, from the molecular
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The Four Big Ideas of AP® Biology

Winter Summer
Energetics
Evolution investigates changes in the
genetic makeup of a population over time. Through
the process of natural selection, species become
adapted to their environments. For example,
ancestors of the snowshoe hare and Canada lynx
evolved to have adaptations that increased their
survival and reproduction. This includes the hare’s
ability to change coat color with the seasons.

fPo

Biosphere

Ecosystem Information Storage
y
y
t
er
er
t
st
st
ems I
n
ems I
n
tions
ac
S S
tions
Systems Interactions
ac
y the c
omponen
ical
e
xamines the w
ts of biolog
a
Community examines the way the components of biological and Transmission
ac
em
t with and aff
t one another
ec
st
. A sy
st
ems in
systems interact with and affect one another. A system
sy
er
t
.
e
ge as the biospher
can be as small as a c
ell or as lar
Population can be as small as a cell or as large as the biosphere.
New properties of biological systems emerge through
Individual New pr oper ties of biolog ical sy st ems emer ge thr ough
Cell
anada lynx and
the interactions of organisms such as Canada lynx and
the in
er
ganisms such as C
t
tions of or
ac
snowshoe hares, and through interactions between
sno w shoe har es , and thr ough in t er ac tions bet w een
species and their environment.
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