5090/32

Biology 5090/32October/November 2010

Cambridge O-Level · Practical Test · worked solutions for every part, with the mark scheme

2
questions
40
marks
75
minutes

Topics Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation · Experimental Contexts · Use of Techniques, Apparatus and Materials · Planning Experiments and Investigations · Observations and Measurements · Microscopy and Biological Drawing

Q120MPlanning Experiments and InvestigationsAnalysis, Conclusions and EvaluationObservations and MeasurementsExperimental ContextsUse of Techniques, Apparatus and MaterialsFree sample

You are required to investigate the effect of three different concentrations of a solution on strips of potato tissue.

(a)
  • Remove the potato tissue from the solution and blot it gently with the paper towel to remove excess liquid.
  • Cut six strips of potato exactly 70 mm70\text{ mm} long by approximately 10 mm10\text{ mm} wide.
  • Label three dishes A, B and C, then place two potato strips in each.
  • Add solutions A, B and C to the appropriate labelled dish, ensuring that the potato strips in each dish are covered by the solution.
  • Note, in Table 1.1, the time when the solutions were added.

Leave at least 30 minutes before returning to complete this question.

Carry on with Question 2 while you wait.

Then:

(i)
  • Remove the strips from solution A, blot them gently.
  • Note the time in Table 1.1.
  • Measure their lengths and record them in Table 1.1.
  • Repeat this procedure for the strips in B and C.
(ii)

Suggest why two strips were used, rather than one, in each solution.

______

1M
(iii)

Explain how your observations do, or do not, support this suggestion.

______

2M
(iv)

Complete Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

solutionconcentration / mol per dm3\text{mol per dm}^3time solution addedinitial lengths / mm\text{mm}mean length / mm\text{mm}time removed from solutionfinal lengths / mm\text{mm}mean length / mm\text{mm}change in length / mm\text{mm}
A0.870 and 7070and
B0.470 and 7070and
C0.170 and 7070and
4M
(b)
(i)

Using the information in Table 1.1 draw a graph, on the axes provided, of mean change in length against concentration of solution.

5M
(ii)

From your graph, determine the concentration of the solution at which there would be no change in mean length of potato strip.

______

2M
(iii)

Explain the significance of this concentration.

______

3M
(c)

Suggest three ways in which this investigation could be improved.

  1. ______
  2. ______
  3. ______
3M

The rest of this paper

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