Sprague Biology
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AP Biology Case Studies
Primary Literature and Featured Scientists

Fall Term 2022

Investigation 1 - Circadian Rhythms in Hibernating Bats

​Hope, P. R. & Jones, G. (2013). An entrained circadian cycle of peak activity in a population of hibernating bats. Journal of Mammology, 94(2), 497–505.
Essay Question 1
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Full Text Article (Hope & Jones, 2013)
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Dr. Paul R. Hope is the Director of Ecological Consultancy Services, Ltd. in the United Kingdom, where he surveys, evaluates, and provides management advice on sites that contain endangered species. He has spent over 1,000 hours using radio technology to survey bat colonies.
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Dr. Gareth Jones is a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. His research interests include echolocation, conservation biology, social behavior, and molecular ecology. His research lab is nicknamed "the batlab".
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University of Bristol
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Bristol, UK

Investigation 2 - Enzymatic Production of Antioxidants from Cheese Waste

​Martín-del-Campo, S. T., Martínez-Basilio, P. C., Sepúlveda-Álvarez, J. C., Gutiérrez-Melchor, S. E., Galindo-Peña, K. D., Lara-Domínguez, A. K. & Cardador-Martínez, A. (2019). Production of antioxidant and ACEI peptides from cheese whey discarded from Mexican white cheese production. Antioxidants, 8(6), 158.
Essay Question 2
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Full Text Article (​Martín-del-Campo et al., 2019)
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Dr. ​Sandra Teresita Martín-del-Campo Barba is an Associate Professor of Food Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. Her research interests include the biochemistry of dairy products, the fermentation process of alcoholic beverages, and food preservation. Before earning a doctorate, she was a quality control manager for a food company.
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Dr. ​María Anaberta Cardador-Martínez is an Associate Professor of Food Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. She specializes in extracting and characterizing biomolecules found in food and is interested in the production of antioxidants from legume proteins and the use of drying in food preservation.
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Tecnológico de Monterrey
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Monterrey, Mexico

Investigation 3 - Opioid Signaling Pathway Activation in Cancer Treatment

Friesen, C., Roscher, M., Hormann, I., Fichtner, I., Alt, A., Hilger, R. A., Debatin, K. M., & Miltner, E. (2013). Cell death sensitization of leukemia cells by opioid receptor activation. Oncotarget, 4(5), 677–690.
Essay Question 3
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Full Text Article (Friesen et al., 2013)
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Dr. Claudia Friesen is a Laboratory Manager at the Institute of Legal Medicine at the University of Ulm in Germany. Her research focuses on the use of opioids to treat cancer. She is known for groundbreaking work demonstrating that methadone may be an effective treatment against leukemia cells.
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Dr. Erich Miltner is the Medical Director at the Institute of Legal Medicine at the University of Ulm in Germany. He oversees the use of forensic science and toxicology at the university hospital.
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University of Ulm
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Ulm, Germany

Investigation 4 - Photoperiod and Light Intensity Effects on Photosynthesis in Algae

​Xu, Y., Ibrahim, I. M., & Harvey, P. J. (2016). The influence of photoperiod and light intensity on the growth and photosynthesis of Dunaliella salina (chlorophyta) CCAP 19/30. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 106, 305–315.
Essay Question 4
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Full Text Article (Xu, Ibrahim, & Harvey, 2016)
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Dr. Yanan Xu is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom. Her research focuses on understanding the environmental conditions that maximize biomass production in algae. Her favorite alga is Dunaliella salina.
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Dr. Iskander M. Ibrahim is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry at Purdue University in the United States. His research focuses on the regulation of genes and biochemical pathways related to photosynthesis.
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Dr. Patricia J. Harvey is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom. Her research interests include the use of autotrophs to capture carbon dioxide and the production of green chemicals and biofuels.
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University of Greenwich
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London, UK

Investigation 5 - Mode of Inheritance of Relative Toe Length

Aigbogun, E. O., Alabi, A. S., Didia, B. C., & Ordu, K. S. (2019). Morton’s toe: Prevalence and inheritance pattern among Nigerians. International Journal of Applied and Basic Medical Research, 9(2), 89–94.
Essay Question 5
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Full Text Article (Aigbogun, Alabi, Didia, & Ordu, 2019)
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Dr. Eric Osamudiamwen Aigbogun, Jr. is the Head of Research at Regions Stroke and Neuroscience Hospital in Nigeria. His research interests include human anatomy and physiology, forensic anthropology, genetics, and public health. He specializes in working with large biomedical data sets.
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Dr. Blessing Chimezie Didia is the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Nigeria. He was previously a medical doctor, an anatomy professor, and a politician. His research focuses on human anatomy and physiology and forensic anthropology.
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University of Port Harcourt
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Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Spring Term 2023

Investigation 1 - Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Alcoholism in Rats

​McCane, A. M., DeLory, M. J., Timm, M. M., Janetsian-Fritz, S. S., Lapish, C. C., & . Czachowski, C. L. (2018). Differential COMT expression and behavioral effects of COMT inhibition in male and female Wistar and alcohol preferring rats. Alcohol, 67, 15–22.
Essay Question 1
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Full Text Article (McCane et al., 2018)
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Dr. Aqilah M. McCane is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience at Oregon Health and Science University in the United States. Her research focuses on the genetic and neurological mechanisms in adolescent rodents which may underly addiction vulnerability in adulthood.
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Dr. Cristine L. Czachowski is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in the United States. Her research focuses on the use of animal models to better understand human alcohol addiction and possible treatments.
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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
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Indianapolis, USA

Investigation 2 - Phylogenetic Relationships Among Cockroach Species

Roth, S., Fromm, B., Gäde, G., & Predel, R. (2009). A proteomic approach for studying insect phylogeny: CAPA peptides of ancient insect taxa (Dictyoptera, Blattoptera) as a test case. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 9(50).
Essay Question 2
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Full Text Article (Roth, Fromm, Gäde, & Predel, 2009)
File Size: 548 kb
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Dr. Steffen Roth is a Collections Manager for the Department of Natural History at the University of Bergen in Norway. His research interests include the collection, conservation, biodiversity, distribution, and evolution of insects in Northern Europe. He has been known to ask for donations of bed bugs found in the wild so he can study their phylogeny and mating behaviors.
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Dr. Reinhard Predel is a Professor of Zoology at the University of Cologne in Germany. He is an entomologist whose research interests include insect biodiversity and the evolution of neuroendocrine systems and venom. 
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University of Jena
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Jena, Germany

Investigation 3 - Toxic Algal Bloom Disruption of Zooplankton Competition

​Tang, H., Hou, X., Xue, X., Chen, R., Zhu, X., Huang, Y., & Chen, Y. (2017). Microcystis aeruginosa strengthens the advantage of Daphnia similoidesin competition with Moina micrura. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 10245.
Essay Question 3
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Full Text Article (Tang et al., 2017)
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Dr. Xuexia Zhu is a Researcher in the Department of Ocean Biology at Hohai University in China. Her research focuses on ecological relationships among algae.
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Dr. Yuan Huang is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Nanjing Normal University in China. Her research interests include marine ecology, interspecific species interactions, and morphological defenses.
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Nanjing Normal University
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Nanjing, China
  • AP Biology
    • Course Information and Documents
    • Primary Literature Case Studies
    • Advice from Former AP Bio Students
    • How to Study Like a College Student
    • Multiple Choice Practice
    • AP Classroom
    • Pupil Path
    • Resources, Links, and Videos from Class
  • Living Environment
    • Course Information and Documents
    • Weekly Reflection Assignment
    • Good Advice from Former Students
    • How to Succeed in this Course
    • Practice Exam Questions
    • Pupil Path
    • Resources, Links, and Videos from Class
  • Forensic Science
    • Course Information and Documents
    • Weekly Reflection Assignment
    • Exam Review Sheets
    • Pupil Path
    • Resources, Links, and Videos from Class
  • Mr. Sprague
    • About Me
    • Find Me
    • My Writing
    • What I'm Reading