light or gravity on the growth of germinating seeds. Record results as both length measurements and as careful, labelled biological drawings to show the effects. 4.5.4.1 time. AT 3 – selecting appropriate apparatus and techniques to measure the growth of shoots or roots. AT 4 – safe an ethical use of plants to measure physiological function of growth in response to light or gravity. AT 7 – observations of biological specimens to produce labelled scientific drawings. WS 2.2, WS 2.3, WS 2.6, WS 2.7 WS 3.1 Decay (Biology only) Spec ref. Skills Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring pH change Biology 4.7.2.3 AT 1 – use appropriate apparatus to record temperature and pH. AT 3 – the use of appropriate apparatus to measure anaerobic decay. AT 4 – safe use of microorganisms. AT 5 – measurement of rate of decay by pH change. MS 1c, MS 4a, MS 4c WS 2.1, WS 2.4, WS 2.6, WS 2.7 Osmosis Spec ref. Skills Investigate the effect of a range of concentrations of salt or sugar solutions on the mass of plant tissue. Biology 4.1.3.2 Trilogy 4.1.3.2 Synergy 4.1.3.3 AT 1 - use appropriate apparatus to record mass and time. AT 3 - use appropriate apparatus and techniques to observe and measure the process of osmosis. AT 5 - measure the rate of osmosis by water uptake. MS 1a, MS 1c, MS 2b, MS 4a, MS 4b, MS 4c, MS 4d WS 2.1, WS 2.2, WS 2.4, WS 2.6, WS 2.7 WS 3.1, WS 3.2 Enzymes Spec ref. Skills Investigate the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme. Biology 4.2.2.1 Trilogy AT 1 – use appropriate apparatus to record the volumes of liquids, time and pH. AT 2 – safe use of a water bath or electric heater.
Students should use a continuous sampling technique to determine the time taken to completely digest a starch solution at a range of pH values. Iodine reagent is to be used to test for starch every 30 seconds. Temperature must be controlled by use of a water bath or electric heater. 4.2.2.1 Synergy 4.2.1.5 AT 5 – measure the rate of reaction by the colour change of iodine indicator. AT 8 – use of qualitative iodine reagent to identify starch by continuous sampling. (Biology only) MS 1a, MS 1c WS 2.1, WS 2.4, WS 2.5, WS 2.6. WS 3.1, WS 3.2 Food Tests Spec ref. Skills Use qualitative reagents to test for a range of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. To include: Benedict’s test for sugars; iodine test for starch; and Biuret reagent for protein. Biology 4.2.2.1 Trilogy 4.2.2.1 Synergy 4.2.1.5 AT 2 – safe use of a Bunsen burner and a boiling water bath. AT 8 – use of qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules. (Biology only) WS 2.4 Photosynthesis Spec ref. Skills Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis using an aquatic organism such as pondweed. Biology 4.4.1.2 Trilogy 4.4.1.2 Synergy 4.2.2.6 AT 1 - use appropriate apparatus to record the rate of production of oxygen gas produced; and to measure and control the temperature of the water in the 'heat shield' beaker. AT 2 – safe use of a thermometer to measure and control temperature of water bath. AT 3 - use appropriate apparatus and techniques to observe and measure the process of oxygen gas production AT 4 – safe and ethical use and disposal of living pondweed to measure physiological functions and responses to light. AT5 – measuring rate of reaction by oxygen gas production.
MS 1a, MS 1c, MS 4a, MS 4c, MS 3a, MS 3d (HT) WS 2.1, WS 2.2, WS 2.5, WS 2.6 WS 3.1, WS 3.2 Reaction time Spec ref. Skills Plan and carry out an investigation into the effect of a factor on human reaction time. Biology 4.5.2.1 Trilogy 4.5.2 Synergy 4.2.1.6 AT 1 - use appropriate apparatus to record AT 3 – selecting appropriate apparatus and techniques to measure the process of reaction time. AT 4 – safe and ethical use of humans to measure physiological function of reaction time and responses to a chosen factor. MS 4a Field investigations Spec ref. Skills Measure the population size of a common species in a habitat. Use sampling techniques to investigate the effect of a factor on the distribution of this species. Biology 4.7.2.1 Trilogy 4.7.2.1 Synergy 4.4.2.4 AT 1 - use appropriate apparatus to record length and area AT 3 - use transect lines and quadrats to measure distribution of a species AT 4 - safe and ethical use of organisms and response to a factor in the environment AT 6 – application of appropriate sampling techniques to investigate the distribution and abundance of organisms in an ecosystem via direct use in the field AT 8 – use of appropriate techniques in more complex contexts including continuous sampling in an investigation (Biology only). MS 1d, MS 2b, MS 2d, MS 2f, MS 3a, MS 4c WS 2.1, WS 2.2, WS 2.3. GCSE Biology required practical activity: Microscopy Teachers’ notes