required practicals

edexcel igcse

• 2.9 practical: investigate food samples for the presence of glucose, starch, protein and fat

• 2.12 practical: investigate how enzyme activity can be affected by changes in temperature

• 2.14B practical: investigate how enzyme activity can be affected by changes in pH

• 2.17 practical: investigate diffusion and osmosis using living and non-living systems

• 2.33B practical: investigate the energy content in a food sample

• 2.23 practical: investigate photosynthesis, showing the evolution of oxygen from a water plant, the production of starch and the requirements of light, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll

• 2.39 practical: investigate the evolution of carbon dioxide and heat from respiring seeds or other suitable living organisms

• 2.45B practical: investigate the effect of light on net gas exchange from a leaf, using hydrogen-carbonate indicator

• 2.50 practical: investigate breathing in humans, including the release of carbon dioxide and the effect of exercise

• 2.58B practical: investigate the role of environmental factors in determining the rate of transpiration from a leafy shoot

• 3.5 practical: investigate the conditions needed for seed germination

• 4.2 practical: investigate the population size of an organism in two different areas using quadrats

• 4.4B practical: investigate the distribution of organisms in their habitats and measure biodiversity using quadrats

• 5.6 practical: investigate the role of anaerobic respiration by yeast in different conditions

aqa gcse

• Required practical activity 1 use a light microscope to observe, draw and label a selection of plant and animal cells. A magnification scale must be included.

• Required practical activity 2 investigate the effect of antiseptics or antibiotics on bacterial growth using agar plates and measuring zones of inhibition.

• Required practical activity 3 investigate the effect of a range of concentrations of salt or sugar solutions on the mass of plant tissue.

• Required practical activity 4 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.

• Required practical activity 5 investigate the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme.

• 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.

• Required practical activity 6 investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis using an aquatic organism such as pondweed.

• Required practical activity 7 plan and carry out an investigation into the effect of a factor on human reaction time.

• Required practical activity 8 investigate the effect of light or gravity on the growth of newly germinated seedlings. Record results as both length measurements and as careful, labelled biological drawings to show the effects.

• Required practical activity 9 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.

• Required practical activity 10 investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring pH change.