Biology Paper 5 Practical

Biology practical:
Food Tests:
Test for glucose/reducing sugar:

1. Add Benedict's solution into a sample solution in a test tube.
2. Heat at 60-70 *c in a water bath for 5 minutes.
3. Take the test tube out of the water bath and observe the colour.
4. A positive test will show a colour change from blue to orange to brick red.
Test for starch:

1. Add drops of iodine solution to the food sample.
2. A positive test will show a colour change from orange-brown to blue-black.
Test for protein:

1. Add drops of Biuret solution to the food sample.
2. A positive test will show a colour change from blue to violet/purple.
Test for lipids:

1. Food sample is mixed with 2cm^3 of ethanol and shaken.
2. The ethanol is added to an equal volume of cold water.
3. A positive test will show a cloudy emulsion forming.
Test for vitamin C:

1. Add 1cm^3 of DCPIP solution to a test tube.
2. Add a small amount of food sample (as a solution)
3. A positive test will show the blue colour of the dye disappearing.
Planning Questions:
● decide what the experiment is on (like diffusion, osmosis, photosynthesis)

● use the same apparatus; describe what you're going to vary and what must be kept constant-
decide which is the dependent and independent variable (eg light intensity? CO2 conc? or gas
produced?)
● how will you vary (count bubbles? use gas syringe?)---always ask yourself: is it a comparison
● units--same volume, same mass, same concentration
● What are the constants? How will you keep them constant?
● give a brief description of the steps; if time is required, BE SPECIFIC.
● inference: in some experiments you need a control, but don't write anything which isn't required
otherwise
● precautions (FREE MARK!!!)
CO2:
● a non-chemical source: gas cylinder

● the gas is supplied through a bubbler.
● to measure CO2 concentration: use probe with meter
Temperature:
● method of controlling: use an electronic water-bath (a beaker of boiling water)-depends on the

experiment
● use an electronic thermostat
● heat screen*/ heat filter
*for uniform distribution of heat.
● incubator
● digital/mercury thermometer
● for food tests, such as Benedict's test, the temp must be above 80'C.
Control:
● in an exp with living organisms, the control must be a dead organism

● whatever factor is being used in the question is emitted from the control
● For counting chromosomes and making them visible, the growing regions of the plant are cut
● cut surface of the specimen
● chromosomes are counted by placing cut surface under a high power light microscope(with high
magnification)
● How to make chromosomes visible?
● > add dye/stain them
● > Examples of dyes:
1. methylene blue
2. aceto-carmine
3. aceto-orcein
Time:
Always mention:
1. - the method of timing (stopwatch/ wall clock)

2. -precise time
3. -mention the time according to the need
Teacher's advice: Don't be vague when mentioning the time period; be sensible, realistic and precise!
Sample Size:
● the larger the sample size, the more reliable the results.
● When making concentrations, the minimum number you should make is 3. Ideally, the number of
conc you're going to make must be 5.
● mass must be the same when comparing two samples.
Measuring:
● use mm calipers
● a ruler- calibrated to cm or mm
● measuring cylinders
● syringe, pipette
● weighing scale/ electronic balance
● digital/mercury thermometer
Measuring plant length:
1. use ruler
2. use a thread
Plants:
● always use same species

● same developmental age
● keep in mind the size of leaves, size of roots, and the number of roots (and leaves).
Environmental conditions:
1. light intensity
2. temperature
3. humidity
4. CO2 and O2 concentrations
5. wind
6. water
7. mineral content
● shoots of same size/length

● when the plant is placed in water, the stem must be cut slanted under water to prevent any
air-locking
● use of bung or air-tight screw to prevent evaporation of water
● in some questions, you'll see a screw: it's there for resetting the apparatus
● accuracy factor: measure properly and cut using a thread
● to control the surrounding temperature, plant experiments must be done in a thermostatically
controlled room
● When using a suspension, always use either same mass or same volume
● in a question on dry mass (and you're dealing with seeds): the water is removed (evaporated) by
placing seeds in an incubator or oven but never use bunsen flames-it damages the seed!
● when cutting the leaf in discs for comparing the rate of photosynthesis (or cutting anything, such
as a potato):
● the size and cross-section must always be the same
● always cut the curved edges out and cut out a flatter surface from the center
● same mass of germinating seeds
Enzymes:
● temperature, pH, and substrate concentration

● When varying the concentration of the enzyme, then the substrate concentration must be kept
constant
● temp control: use water bath
● pH control: use buffer solution
Humans:
● measurement of height, sex, heart rate, disease

● Reliability factors:
1. age group
2. gender
3. body mass/size
4. genetics/race
5. state of health
6. time of the day the test is being conducted
7. any tolerance or addiction
8. use of any stimulant or depressant
9. metabolism
Metabolic activity decreases with age!!!
Population:
● sigmoid curve: drawing, labeling, and the reasons behind every phase
● What decreases population?
1. destruction of habitat
2. disease
3. food availability
4. migration and emigration
5. increase in predators
6. increase in parasite
7. lesser nesting places
8. hibernation
9. accumulation of toxic waste
10. for plants: -> increased grazing -> environmental factors: natural disasters, soil erosion ->
deforestation: causes soil erosion
● IMPORTANT LIMITING FACTORS!!!!
● Food Availability and Disease!!!
(Calibration time is adjusting time)
>Repeat 3 times to be certain that the results are consistent-do not change the parameter
>large sample size
Why repeat?
● increases the certainty that the results are consistent
● so that anomalous results can be removed
● permit variance from mean
● to take an average
Accuracy:
● means measuring in a reliable manner, for example:

1. weighing scale
2. thermometer
3. vernier calliper
4. measuring cylinder
5. gas syringe
● use of a buffer solution to maintain pH

● using sol of known conc (by serial dilution)
● comparing colours of sol by a colorimeter
● larger number of known conc
● washing syringes and pipettes
● mixing and stirring for uniformity to prevent settling of suspension
● in microscopy: eye-piece graticule
● to measure the surface area, the specimen is placed on a grid, where the full squares, half or
more than half are taken into consideration
● FILTERING AND CENTRIFUGING: the suspension spins and the more dense sinks at the bottom

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Biology practical:

Test for glucose/reducing sugar:

Test for starch:

Test for protein:

Test for lipids:

Test for vitamin C:

● decide what the experiment is on (like diffusion, osmosis, photosynthesis)

● a non-chemical source: gas cylinder

● method of controlling: use an electronic water-bath (a beaker of boiling water)-depends on the

*for uniform distribution of heat.

● in an exp with living organisms, the control must be a dead organism

1. - the method of timing (stopwatch/ wall clock)

Measuring plant length:

● always use same species

● shoots of same size/length

● temperature, pH, and substrate concentration

● measurement of height, sex, heart rate, disease

Metabolic activity decreases with age!!!

(Calibration time is adjusting time)

>large sample size

● means measuring in a reliable manner, for example:

● use of a buffer solution to maintain pH

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