Prescribed Labs
The following labs are prescribed and can be assessed in the final exam. The part of the syllabus each practical applies to is stated. Some of the questions in section A of paper 3 may be related to the prescribed practicals or to experimental techniques in general.
Practical 1: Use of a light microscope to investigate the structure of cells and tissues, with drawing of cells. Calculation of the magnification of drawings and the actual size of structures and ultrastructures shown in drawings or micrographs. (Topic 1: Cells - 1.1 Introduction to cells)
Practical 2: Estimation of osmolarity in tissues by bathing samples in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions. (Topic 1: Cells - 1.4 Membrane Transport)
Practical 3: Experimental investigation of a factor affecting enzyme activity. (Topic 2: Molecular Biology- 2.5 Enzymes)
Practical 4: Separation of photosynthetic pigments by chromatograph. (Topic 2: Molecular Biology - 2.9 Photosynthesis)
Practical 5: Setting up sealed mesocosms to try to establish sustainability. (Topic 4: Ecology - 4.1 Species, Communities and Ecosystems)
- Small scale, self sustaining sealed ecosystem
Practical 6: Monitoring of ventilation in humans at rest and after mild and vigorous exercise. (Topic 6: Human Physiology - 6.4 Gas Exchange)
Practical 7 (HL ONLY): Measurement of transpiration rates using potometers. (Topic 9: Plant Biology - 9.1 Transport in xylem of plants)