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Practical skills
Revision and exam practice for Practical skills.
8
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
72 min
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OcrGcseBiology A GatewayPractical skills
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8 objective pages available
Observing Specimens and Magnification with Microscopes1 objectives
- Use microscopes and measurement equipment safely to observe specimens, determine magnification and produce labelled scientific drawings.
Testing Food for Biological Molecules (PAG B2)1 objectives
- Use heating equipment and qualitative reagents safely to test food samples for biological molecules.
Ecological Sampling and Measurement Methods1 objectives
- Apply ecological sampling and measurement methods to compare organism distribution and abundance alongside biotic and abiotic factors.
Investigating Factors Affecting Enzyme Reaction Rates1 objectives
- Design and carry out safe measurements of factors that change the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction.
Investigating Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Rate1 objectives
- Investigate factors affecting photosynthesis rate using safe handling, controlled measurements and suitable living material.
Investigating Physiological Responses to Exercise1 objectives
- Investigate physiological responses such as pulse or ventilation rate before, during and after exercise.
Investigating Antimicrobial Treatments on Bacterial Growth1 objectives
- Use safe microbiological methods to investigate how antimicrobial treatments affect growth on a bacterial culture.
Investigating Osmosis in Plant Tissues1 objectives
- Measure how different water potentials affect biological samples and evaluate changes in their length or mass.
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Practice preview
- Unofficial practice material A student investigates the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis using pondweed. They set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram, placing a lamp at different distances from the pondweed and counting the oxygen bubbles produced. Describe a method the student could use to conduct this investigation, including how to make it a fair test and how to improve the reliability of the results. [6 marks] [6 marks]
- A group of students designed an investigation to study how exercise affects pulse rate. They recorded a student's pulse rate before exercise, then after 3 minutes of stepping up and down a low bench, and then every minute for 5 minutes during recovery. The results are shown in the table below: | Time (minutes) | Activity | Pulse rate (beats/min) | |----------------|-------------------|------------------------| | 0 | At rest | 72 | | 3 | Immediately after | 148 | | 4 | Recovery | 120 | | 5 | Recovery | 104 | | 6 | Recovery | 92 | | 7 | Recovery | 80 | | 8 | Recovery | 76 | Explain two safety precautions that should be taken during this investigation. (4 marks) Unofficial practice material [4 marks]
- A student investigates the effect of an antiseptic on bacterial growth. After incubating a bacterial lawn with antiseptic discs, a clear area is observed around one disc. What is this clear area called?
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