1.

A group of students carried out a field work study to determine the population size of
plants species by using the quadrat sampling technique. Figure below shows how the
technique was used using a quadrat of 1m x 1m.
Sekumpulan pelajar telah menjalankan suatu projek kajian luar untuk menentukan saiz
populasi spesies tumbuhan menggunakan teknik persampelan kuadrat. Rajah di bawah
menunjukkan bagaimana teknik tersebut digunakan dengan kuadrat beukuran 1m x 1m .

Based on the above diagram, design an experiment to study how the percentage coverage of
certain plant species can be determined. Your experimental planning should include the
following aspects:
Berdasarkan rajah di atas, reka bentuk suatu eksperiment untuk mengkaji bagaimana peratus
taburan sesuatu spesies tumbuhan dapat ditentukan. Perancangan eksperiment anda hendaklah
mengandungi aspek-aspek berikut:

Statement of the identified problem

Objective of the study.
Variables.
Statement of the Hypothesis.
List of materials and apparatus.
Technique used.
Experimental procedure.
Presentation of data.
Conclusion
[17 marks]

END OF THE QUESTION PAPER

ANSWER FOR QUESTION 2

Problem statement
Score

Criteria

Able to state the problem statement of the experiment correctly that include
criteria:
C 1: Manipulate variables
C 2: Responding variables
C 3: Relation in question form and question symbol [?]
Example :
Problem statement:
1. What is the percentage coverage / population size / density of plant from
species A and B in the school field?
2 Does the type of plant species affects the percentage coverage /
population size / density of the plants ?
3. Which type of the plant species/ species A or B has the highest
percentage coverage/ population size?

Able to state the problem statement of the experiment with two criteria;
Example:
Problem statement:
1. Species A and B have different population size/ percentage coverage/
density.
2. What is the percentage coverage/ population size / density of plants?

1 Tick

Able to state the of problem statement with one criteria.

Example:
Problem statement:
1. Which plant is dominant?
No response or wrong response.

Aim
Score
Tick

Criteria
To estimate/ determine / study the population size // percentage coverage of
plant from species A and B using the quadrat sampling technique.

Hypothesis
Score

Criteria

Able to state the hypothesis correctly according to the criteria:

C 1: Manipulate variables
C 2: Responding variables
C 3: Relationship of the variables
Example
1. The percentage coverage// population size of species A plant is higher
than species B in the school field.
2. Different plant species have different percentage coverage// population
size .
3. Plant species A is more dominant than species B in this habitat.

Able to state the hypothesis with two criteria

Example:
1. Plant species affects percentage coverage// population size
2. Species A/ B has the highest percentage coverage// population size.
3. Species A is more dominant in the habitat.

1 Tick
0

Able to state the idea of the hypothesis.

No response or wrong response.

Variables
Score
Tick

Criteria
Able to state the three variables correctly
Example:
Manipulated variable: Type of plant species// species A and B// two example
of plant species.
Responding variable: Population size // percentage coverage of plants //
Density of species
Controlled variable : Quadrat size, school field.

Materials and apparatus

Score
3
Tick

Criteria
Able to state all functional materials/ 2 materials and 4 apparatus for the
experiment .
Materials : Plant species A and B // any 2 plant spesies
Apparatus : Plastic quadrat, marker pen, A4 Paper, graph paper.

Able to state 1 material and 2 apparatus for the experiment

Able to state 1 material and 1 apparatus for the experiment.

No response or wrong response

Bonus marks:technique and data = 2 marks

Technique :
Score
Tick
Bonus
1

Criteria
Able to state the action on responding variable with an apparatus.
Example:
Measure and record the area of each type of species using a quadrat 1m x 1m
// Calculate the percentage coverage of plant // species A and B using the
formula:
Total area covered by the species
X 100%
Number of quadrats X area of one quadrat
// Calculate the density of plant species using the formula:
Total number of organisms in all quadrats
Number of quadrats X area of one quadrat

Procedure (Refer to procedure in example)

Score
3

Criteria
Able to state five procedures P1,P2,P3,P4 & P5 correctly:
P1 : How To Set Up The Apparatus
P2 : How To Make Constant The Control Variable
P3 : How To Manipulate The Manipulated Variable
P4: How To Record The Responding Variable
P5 : Precaution

2
1 Tick
0

Able to state three of any procedures correctly

Able to state two of any procedures correctly
No response or wrong response

Data
Score
Tick
Bonus
1

Criteria
Able to tabulate the correct table with units
Example:
Plant
Number/ area of plant species in the
Total
species
quadrat
number/area
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 of plant
species(m2 )
A
B

Density/
percentage
coverage
area (%)

Conclusion
Score
Tick

Criteria
Able to rewrite the hypothesis correctly.
Example:
1. The percentage coverage// population size of species A plant is higher
than species B in the school field? or
2. Different plant species have different percentage coverage// population
size . or
3. Plant species A is more dominant than species B in this habitat.
Hypothesis is accepted.

Planning the experiment

Score
3

Criteria
Able to plan the experiment based on 8-9 of the following criteria :
Statement of identified problem
Objective of study
Variables
Statement of hypothesis
List of materials and apparatus
Technique used
Experimental procedures
Presentation of data
Conclusion

Able to plan the experiment based on 4-7 of the criteria :

Able to plan the experiment based on2-3 of the criteria :

No response or wrong response

Example of Procedure.
1. School field was chosen as the field study.

(P1)

2. Quadrats of size 1m x 1m was used.

(P2)

3. Two plants species / species A and B was identified

(P3)

4. The quadrats were thrown at random in the school field.

(P1)

5. The area of (coverage) each plant species/ species A and species B

was counted.

(P4)

// the number of individual plant species in each quadrat was counted.

6. If more than half of the squares in the quadrat is covered, the area of

(P5)

plant species will be counted . The area is not counted if only less than
half is covered.
7. Steps 5 to 7 was repeated for nine quadrats.

(P1)

8. The area covered by plant species / species A and species B / number

of individual plant species studied in each quadrat were recorded and
tabulated in a table.

(P4)

9. The percentage coverage / density / frequency of plant species /

species A and species B were calculated by using this formula:
Percentage coverage of plant species :
= Total area covered plant species in all quadrats X 100%
Total number of quadrats X area of a quadrat

// Frequency of species = Number of quadrat containing plant species X 100%

Total number of quadrats
// Density of plant species = total number of individual species in all quadrats
Total number of quadrats X area of a quadrat

(P4)

2.

Figure 2 shows a place which has different types of plant species. Plant
distribution of different species depend on light intensity.
Based on the above statements, design an experiment to show the effect on the light
on the population density of the plants. Plan your experiment according to these
aspects
Objective
Hypothesis
Apparatus and materials
Technique used
Procedure
Variables
Communication of data
Conclusion

2.
Problem statement:
Does the light intensity affect the population density of the plants X, Y and
Z?
Objective:
To study the effect of light on the population density of the plants X, Y and
Z.
Hypothesis:
The population of plant X, Y and Z increases as the light intensity increases
whereas the population of plant X, Y and Z decreases as the light intensity
decreases.
Variables:
Manipulated variable:
Responding variable:
Constant variable:

Light density is measured by a photometer.

Population density of plant X, Y and Z is measured
by using a quadrat.
Quadrat size//shape of the quadrat//number of
the quadrat

Materials and apparatus:

5-10 quadrat (1mx1m), meter ruler, rope, scissors, hammer, nails and wooden
sticks
Technique:
Estimating the size of plant X, Y and Z population by using quadrat sampling
technique.
Procedures:
K1 5 to 10 quadrates are prepared with standard measurement and size
K2- All quadrates are placed randomly in Zone 1
K3- Light density is measured by using photometer inside the quadrates.
K4- X, Y, Z plants are counted
K5 Steps 1 until 4 is repeated in Zone II and III.

Observation :
Plant
species

Area covered by species in

each quadrat (1m2)

Total area covered by Percentage

the species ( m2)
coverage %

X
Y
Z

Percentage coverage =

Total area covered by the species

x 100%
Number of quadrats x area of one quadrat

Conclusion :
The hypothesis is accepted. The population of plant X, Y and Z increases as
the light intensity increases whereas the population of plant X, Y and Z
decreases as the light intensity decreases.

SBP 2009
2. Lemna sp. is a small floating plant, which lives in a fresh water environment. It
reproduces asexually. The growth of Lemna sp. plants depend on the abiotic factors
such as light intensity, temperature, water pH and concentration of carbon dioxide.
Lemna sp. merupakan sejenis tumbuhan terapung kecil, yang hidup dalam persekitaran air
tawar. Tumbuhan ini membiak secara aseksual. Pertumbuhan Lemna sp. bergantung kepada
faktor-faktor abiotik seperti keamatan cahaya, suhu, pH air dan kepekatan karbon dioksida.

Diagram 1 shows the culture of Lemna sp. plants in a petri dish.

Rajah 1 menunjukkan kultur tumbuhan Lemna sp. di dalam sebuah piring petri .

Lemna sp.
Petri dish
DIAGRAM 1
Based on the information and Diagram 1, design a laboratory experiment to investigate
the effect of change in pH value on the population growth rate of Lemna sp. plants.
Any chemical and science apparatus in the laboratory can be included in the
experimental design.
Berdasarkan maklumat dan Rajah 1, reka bentuk satu eksperimen dalam makmal untuk
menyiasat kesan perubahan nilai pH ke atas kadar pertumbahan populasi tumbuhan Lemna sp.

The experimental design must include the following aspects:

Reka bentuk eksperimen mestilah merangkumi aspek-aspek berikut:

Problem statement
Pernyataan masalah

Objective of investigation
Objektif kajian

Hypothesis
Hipotesis

Variables
Pemboleh ubah

List of apparatus and materials

Senarai radas dan bahan

Technique used
Teknik yang digunakan

Experimental procedure or method

Kaedah atau prosedur eksperimen

Presentation of data
Cara data dipersembahkan

Conclusion
Kesimpulan

[ 17 marks ]
[ 17 markah ]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

KB061201 Problem Statement

Score
Criteria
3
Able to state the problem statement of the experiment correctly that include

criteria:
Manipulate variables change in pH value
Responding variables population growth rate of Lemna sp.
Relationship in question form and question symbol [?]
Sample answers:
1. Does the change in pH value affect the population growth rate of Lemna sp
plants.?
2. What is the effect of change in pH value on the population growth rate of
Lemna sp.?
3. Which pH value is the most suitable for the increase in population of Lemna
sp.?
2

Able to state the problem statement of the experiment with two criteria.
Sample answers:
1. Does the pH affect the population growth rate of Lemna sp. plants?
2. What is the effect of pH on the population growth rate of Lemna sp.?
3. What is the effect of pH value on the population / growth of Lemna sp.?
4. What is the effect of change in pH value on the population growth rate of
Lemna sp.
5. Which pH is suitable to increase in population of Lemna sp.?

Able to state the of problem statement with one criteria.

Sample answers:
1. Does the pH affect the population / growth of Lemna sp. plants?
2. What is the effect of pH on the population / growth of Lemna sp. plants?

0
x

Wrong or no response

Objective of investigation
Score

Criteria
To investigate the effect of change in pH value on the population growth rate of
Lemna sp. plants.

KB061202 Hypothesis
Score
Criteria
3
Able to state the hypothesis correctly according to the criteria:

Manipulate variables
Responding variables
Relationship of the variables
Sample answers:
4. The pH 7 is the most suitable for the increase in population of Lemna sp.
plants compared to pH 2 and pH 14.
5. The population growth rate of Lemna sp. plants is the highest in the pH 7
compared to pH 2 and pH 14.

Able to state the hypothesis with two criteria

Sample answers:
1. Neutral medium is the most suitable for the increase in population of Lemna
sp. plants compared to acidic and alkali mediums.
2. The population growth rate of Lemna sp. plants is the highest in neutral
medium compared to acidic and alkali mediums.

Able to state the idea of the hypothesis.

Sample answers:
1. Neutral medium is the most suitable for the increase in population of Lemna
sp. plants.
2. The population growth rate of Lemna sp. plants is the highest in neutral
medium.

0
x

Wrong or no response

Variables
Score

Criteria
Able to state the three variables correctly
Sample answers:
Manipulated variable: Different pH value / pH 2, pH 7 and pH 14
Responding variable: The population growth rate of Lemna sp. plants.
// The increase in population of Lemna sp. plants.
Controlled variable: Species of Lemna sp. // plant / volume of water /
concentration of nutrients / temperature / light intensity

/ time

KB061205 Materials and Apparatus

Score
Criteria
3
Able to state all functional materials / 2*materials + 1*apparatus
+ 4 other materials and apparatus for the experiment.

Materials: *Lemna sp. plants, *distilled water / dilute hydrochloric acid /

sodium hydroxide solution, culture solution / pond water.
Apparatus: *Beaker // petri dish // container, measuring cylinder, pH paper /
meter.
2
Able to state all functional materials / 2*materials + 1*apparatus
+ 2 other materials and apparatus for the experiment.

0
x

Able to state all functional materials / 2*materials + 1*apparatus for the

experiment.
Cannot state the functional materials and apparatus.

Technique
Score

Criteria
Able to state the action on responding variable with an apparatus.

Bonus Sample answer:

Count and record the number of Lemna sp. after 5 days.
1m
Or
Calculate the population growth rate of Lemna sp. by using a formula :
The population growth rate of Lemna sp. = Number of Lemna sp.
5 days

KB061204 Procedure
Score
Criteria
3
Able to state five procedures P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 correctly.
P1 : Preparation of materials & apparatus (3P1)

P2 : Operating fixed variable (3P2)

P3 : Operating manipulated variable (1P3)
P4: Operating responding variable (2P4)
P5 : Precaution (1P5)
2

Able to state three of any procedures P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 correctly

Able to state two of any procedures P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 correctly

Able to state one of any procedures P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 correctly

Example of Procedure:
1. Choose Lemna sp. plants of the same size.
P1
P2
P2
2. Choose // take three petri dishes of the same size.
P1
P2
3. Label the petri dishes as A, B and C.
P1
4. Pour 5 ml of distilled water into petri dish A, 5 ml of hydrochloric acid into petri
dish
P1 P2
P3
P2
P3
B and 5 ml of sodium hydroxide solution into petri dish C.
P2R
P3
5. Test the pH value of each solution using pH paper (and record in a table).
P3
P1
6. Pour 5 ml of culture solution / pond water into each petri dish.
P1 P2
P2
7. Put 5 Lemna sp. plants into each petri dish.
P1 P2
8. Record in a table.
P1
9. Place the petri dishes on the table / near the window in the laboratory.
P1
P2
10. Change the solution in the petri dishes everyday.
P5
11. Count the number of Lemna sp. plants after 5 days.
P4
P2
12. Calculate the population growth rate of Lemna sp. plants.
P4
13. Repeat the experiment / steps 1 until 11 to get the average result.
P5
14. Observe and record the result.
P4
P4
Data
Score

Criteria

P1
P2
P1
P2
P1
P1
P2
P3
P1
P3
P1
P2
P1
P2
P1
P1
P2
P5
P2
P4
P4
P5
P4

Able to tabulate the correct table with headings and units

Bonus Sample answers:

1m
Number of Lemna sp. plants
pH value
Increase /
Day-1
Day-5
Decrease
Neutral
Asidic
Alkali

The population growth

rate of Lemna sp.
plants (number/ 5
days)

Conclusion
Score

Criteria
Able to rewrite the hypothesis correctly.
Sample answers:
The pH 7 is the most suitable for the increase in population of Lemna sp. plants
compared to pH 2 and pH 14. (Hypothesis is accepted).

KB061203 Planning the Experiment

Score
Criteria
3
Able to plan the experiment based on 7 9 ( ) of the following criteria:
Statement of identified problem
Objective of study
Variables
Statement of hypothesis
List of materials and apparatus
Technique used
Experimental procedures
Presentation of data
Conclusion
2
Able to plan the experiment based on 4 6 ( ) of the criteria.
1

Able to plan the experiment based on 1 3 ( ) of the criteria.

0
x

No response