If you look at the AP Biology list there is a huge list for lab equipment and supplies. This is obviously to supply a lab that would teach classes full of students. Not sure how a parent who was homeschooling this class would be able to put the labs together if this is all the equipment needed.

Our school only uses one of the books. My reading of the list of books (at least for AP Bio) is a school only needs to choose one but has a choice as to textbook publisher.