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IGCSE GUIDE
IGCSE Biology
paper 6 tips!
Examiner’s tips for
biology paper 6
Biology paper 6
tips
ipro
This paper needs to analyze the
relationships between variables and
readings. The questions (topics) required
from paper 6 are:
1. Taking reading from instruments and apparatus
(measuring cylinder,
stopwatch, burette, gas syringe).
2. Measuring length by ruler (take care of required unit
cm or mm)
3. Calculate the magnification and the unit times ( X
)
4. Draw a suitable graph and must include the
following:
5. Appropriate scale.
6. Axes labeled and their units.
7. Plot all points by pencil then pen to be clear
a) Types of graph
– Line graph: when say ‘passing through
points’ or ‘suitable graph’ or ‘when there
is time as variable’. It can be straight
(best fit line) or smooth curve.
– Bar charts: when to compare
– Pie charts: when he draws a pie charts
and figure is given
7. Take readings from graph (Line
graphs) by extending line or curve.
8. Explain results: ethers directly or
inversely proportion and some details
from graph to support your answer.
9. To label some parts (palisade, xylem,
etc. )
10. Purpose of experiment: As control
experiment to compare results
11. Applying some formulas given to
you
12. Complete headings of a table ( g, cm
, s, etc.)
13. Counting and making tally tables
14. Calculate percentage increase or
decrease
15. Safety precautions (fume cupboard,
heat in hot water path, wear gloves and
googles)
16. Giving surface area by counting and
completing squares
17. Experimental accuracy
improvements:Using electronic balance
instead of spatula
Use larger number of sample
Using lid and polystyrene cup in heating experiment
– Using data logger instead of timer and stopwatch
To be fair and keep factors same and constant
Use burette instead of measuring cylinder
Common one: to repeat and take average (mean)
Same apparatus and instruments
Control temp and PH.
18. Classification of innervates (name of
group, feature)
19. Adaptations of animals (ex:
camouflage)
20. pH measured by universal indicator
and pH meter
21. Hydrogen carbonates indicator and
its color.
22. Round results always 2 or 3
significant figures
23. Giving ratios in simplest form.
24. Rate is always: volume of gas/time
taken.
25. Some observations to be recorded.
26. Leaving experiment after heating:
To avoid the effect of the previous one
To provide time to adapt temperature
27. In temperature-enzyme experiment:
Steps to follow are:
Same volume and concentrations of same reagents
Same of volume of same enzyme
Same apparatus used
Same time intervals
Control pH
Apply different temperatures.
Note readings and results
Plot them and compare
Repeat and take average.
28. Steps to follow in pH-enzyme
experiment:
Same volume and concentrations of same reagents.
Same of volume of same enzyme
Same apparatus used.
Same time intervals
Control temperature
Apply different pH
Note readings and results.
Plot them and compare
Repeat and take average
29. In germination experiments where
pH is a variable:
Use same seeds due to age and species
Use same number of seeds
Same of volume of same enzyme
Use same apparatus
Keep time intervals the same
Control temperature
Conduct experiments over different pHs
Note readings and results
Plot them and compare
Repeat and take average
30. Experiments where rate needs to be
calculated:
Add 2~3 cm3 of culture to test tube
Shake it
Connect test tube to gas syringe
Note gas volume
Control temperature
Record time taken by stopwatch
Plot them and compare
Repeat and take average of results
31. Variables to be constant in
experiments involving cooling:
Room temperature
Time interval
Temperature
Volume of water
32. To determine number of stomata:
View the leaf under microscope at high
magnification
Count the number of stomata
Determine the area of stomata
Calculate area of stomata (using a grid)
33. Determining the rate of uptake of
water by plants (transpiration rate)
Conditions to keep constant
Plant species
Number of plants
Volume of water
Time interval
Apparatus
Light intensity
Method
Control pH and temp.
Note readings
plot and compare
Repeats and take average
34. Making brief comparisons
(comprising of number, size, color,
presence of some special parts, shape,
surface area)
35. Drawing certain parts of plant/
animal:
Use a sharp HB pencil.
Draw a clear and similar shape.
Avoiding shading
Make accurate labels (at least 2)
Draw according to the magnification asked in the
paper.
36. Make biological tests: Scientists
often need to know whether or not a
particular type of molecules is present in
a solution. There are number of simple
chemical tests that can be carried out on
biological solutions.
a) A special test for lipids.
An important feature of fats and oils is
that they are insoluble in water. This
means that you cannot make an aqueous
solution of a fat or oil on which to carry
out a biochemical test. However, the fact
that lipids are insoluble forms the basils
of a physical test. This is known as the
emulsion test: How to?
2 cm3 of ethanol are added to the unknown solution,
and the mixture is gently shaken.
the mixture is poured into a test tube containing an
equal volume of distilled water.
If a lipid is present, a milky-white emulsion is
formed.
b. Testing for vitamin C using DCPIP.
Vitamin C takes the color out of a blue
dye called DCPIP.
The number of drops of vitamin C solution needed to
make this happen depends on how concentrated the
vitamin C solution is.
So, if few drops: strong vitamin C solution.
If many drops: weak vitamin C solution.
c. A control is needed to make sure that
results are valid:
-To show that the test is working
properly a solution that is known to the
substance is tested (for example, the
biuret reagent is used with a solution
known to contain protein). This should
give a result.
-To show that the test solutions are not
contaminated, each test should be
carried out on a sample of water. This
should give a negative result.
Examples:
To test for Protein, a few drops of Biuret reagent are
added to 2 cm3 of the unknown solution (to be tested
for containing protein) and the mixture is gently
shaken. A MASSIVE/PURPPLE color is a positive
result (protein is present)
To test for starch, a few drops of iodine solution are
added to 2 cm3 of the unknown solution (to be tested
for containing starch) and the mixture is gently
shaken. A DEEP BLUE-BLACK color is a positive
result (starch is present).
To test for glucose (a reducing sugar), 2 cm3 of
Benedict’s reagent are added to 2 cm3 of the
unknown solution and the mixture is heated in a
boiling water bath for 2-3 minutes. An
ORANGE/BRICK-RED color is a positive result.
(glucose is present)
When making comparison between
different solutions – for example, to
compare the glucose content of different
wine samples – it is important to carry
out all tests under the same conditions.
For example, a series of Benedict’s tests
should be performed:
on equal volume of unknown solutions.
using equal volumes of Benedict’s solution.
with all mixtures heated to the same temperature.
for the same length of time.
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