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Practical Skills

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9 views38 pages

Practical Skills

Uploaded by

bongi.mk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Life Sciences Practicals

The Scientific
Method
The Scientific Method

► Aim
► What do you hope to achieve during this investigation?
► Must mention BOTH variables
► “To determine…” / “To investigate…”
► Investigative question
► Must be a question (needs a question mark)
► Basically rephrasing the aim as a question
► Must mention BOTH variables
The Scientific Method

► Hypothesis
► Statement (NOT a question)
► Use your knowledge to tell me what you think is going to happen.
► Must mention BOTH variables AND describe the relationship between them.
► Answers your investigative question
The Scientific Method

► Independent Variable
► Variable you are directly manipulating
► Dependent Variable
► Variable you are measuring
► DEPENDS ON the independent variable.
The Scientific Method

► Controlled / Fixed Variables


► Factors that need to be kept constant to ensure that the results are not
influenced by factors other than those that you are testing.
► Control experiment
► An “extra” experiment that you do so that you have something to compare
your results to
► It does not have the independent variable

Controlled variable ≠ Control experiment!!!


The Scientific Method

► Safety precautions
► Chemicals (poisonous, corrosive, flammable)
► Flame of Bunsen Burner…
► Conduct experiment
► Work neatly and carefully
► Measure accurately (Remember error of parallax – see later)
The Scientific Method

► Record results
► Choose a suitable way to represent your results (tables, graphs,
etc.) – see later
► Analyse and interpret results
The Scientific Method

► Conclusion
► Is your hypothesis correct?
► Answers your investigative question
► Must be based on your results, NOT on what you think
► Must mention BOTH variables AND describe the relationship between them.
► Evaluate your results
► Are your results reliable? How did you make sure that they are?
► How would you improve the investigation?
Tables

► Must have a heading – Above table, underlined, BOTH variables


► Each column must have a heading
►
WRONG!!!
Units must be in the column headings and NOT in the table – E.g.
Length (mm)
► Independent variable: Left column
Volume of water (mℓ) Length of plant
► Dependent variable: Right column 2 6 mm
3 8 mm
4 10 mm
RIGH 5 12 mm
Bar graphs

► Data that is NOT continuous


► Heading
► Independent variable: X-axis (horizontal)
► Dependent variable: Y-axis (vertical)
► Label both axes (with units)
► Scale on both axes must be correct
► Columns – Same width
► Must be spaces between bars – same width
► Plot accurately
► Key when necessary
Histograms

► Data that is continuous


► Examples of continuous data…?
► Heading – Underlined, BOTH variables
► Independent variable: X-axis (horizontal)
► Dependent variable: Y-axis (vertical)
► Label both axes (with units)
► Scale on both axes must be correct
► Columns – Same width
► NO SPACES between bars
► Plot accurately
► Key when necessary
Line graphs

► Used to examine trends


► Heading – Underlined, BOTH variables
► Independent variable: X-axis (horizontal)
► Dependent variable: Y-axis (vertical)
► Label both axes (with units)
► Scale on both axes must be correct
► Plot accurately – Use X’s; Use a sharp pencil
► Key when necessary
Drawings

► Heading
► Underlined, below drawing
► Must mention scale, cross-section, longitudinal section, etc.
► Drawing
► Use a sharp HB pencil
► Do NOT colour or shade
► Size – Usually half an A4
► Shape, scale and proportion - Important
Drawings

► Label lines
► Pencil
► Must NOT cross one another
► NO arrows, only lines
► Must touch the structure it is labelling
► Use a ruler!!!
► Labels
► Pen
► To the right of the drawing
Magnification of a microscope

►
Actual size calculations

Measure as accurately as possible!

These formulae are NOT given in your


exam… and it WILL be asked
When magnification is given

►
When magnification is given

Measure in mm!!!

Micrographs usually
have the scale written
on or next to them
When a scale bar is given

SCALE
BAR
Error of parallax

► Look directly above your


ruler when measuring
length.
► Make sure you read
volumes at eye level
klet
o
S e e prac b o
Lab Equipment
Not accurate enough to
measure volume.
Rather use a syringe /
measuring cylinder.
Remove from plastic
cover.
Don’t hold bulb of
thermometer.
Read at eye level.
Only read temp when
liquid stops moving.
Lab safety
Dress code

• Always wear CLOSED shoes and a lab coat when conducting


experiments.
• Wear safety goggles when necessary.
• Long hair must always be tied back to avoid catching fire.

Accidents / breakages

• Report all accidents, First Aid emergencies and breakages to your teacher.
• Never pick up broken glass with your bare hands. Ask the teacher or lab
assistant for help. Sweep up the glass and dispose of it in the designated
container
General behaviour

• No eating or drinking in the lab


• Always follow instructions
• Work carefully and neatly. Do not run or play in the lab

Lab setup

• Keep pathways clear. Bags and other belonging should be kept outside.
• Never leave your experiment unattended.
• Keep your work bench neat and organised at all times.
• Remember to clean your work bench properly once your experiment is
complete.
Working with chemicals

• Use a spatula to transfer chemicals – Not your bare hands


• Never smell gasses directly. Always fan a little gas towards your
nose instead.
• Never taste anything in the lab.
• Do not touch your face, eyes, mouth or body while working with
chemicals.
• Dispose of chemical waste properly. Your teacher will tell you
where to dispose of chemical waste. Solid waste should not be
placed into the sink.
Working with chemicals

• Always read the label on the chemical bottle to make sure you are
using the right chemical. Remember to put the bottle back in the
original place immediately after use.
• Handle flammable liquids with great care. Keep anything
flammable away from the naked flame.
• Handle concentrated acids and alkalis with great care.
• Never return unused (left-over) chemicals to their original
container.

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