IB Biology Key Practicals Revision

Exercises
There are 7 key practicals you must know for IB Biology:

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.

Estimation of osmolarity in tissues by bathing samples in hypotonic and

hypertonic solutions.

Experimental investigation of a factor affecting enzyme activity.

Separation of photosynthetic pigments by chromatograph.

Setting up sealed mesocosms to try to establish sustainability.

Monitoring of ventilation in humans at rest and after mild and vigorous

exercise.

Measurement of transpiration rates using potometers. (Higher Level

Only)

To help you revisit the key practical are covered on the

following pages. Answer the questions and fill in the notes
when appropriate: Remember to revise the practicals before
your exams using your textbook and other resources.
 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.
Make sure you know how to work out the
magnification or actual size using the “IAM”
triangle.

Q. Calculate the magnification of this bacterium

which has an actual length of 2μm

Q. Convert the following into μm 10cm

1500nm 12mm

Still need help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1d-02yRsRE

 Estimation of osmolarity in tissues by bathing samples
in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions.
Q. What type of solutions have the following cells been placed in and how would you describe
their appearances?

A potato was cut into equal length cores, the mass was recorded and then they were
placed in a range of salt solutions for 20 minutes before their mass was once again
recorded and the % change in mass calculated.

The result for a concentration of 0.2M was that the potato started off at 8.10g and changed to
8.48g

Q. Calculate the change in mass and add it to the table:

Concentration of salt solution (M) % Change in mass
0.0 7
0.2
0.4 3
0.6 1
0.8 -1
1.0 -3

Q. Plot the following data on this graph and use it to estimate the osmolarity of the potato.

Still need help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw7XjERgufI&t=1s

Experimental investigation of a factor affecting enzyme activity.

Q: List the possible independent variables in this experiment.

Q: Draw the apparatus set-up required to measure the rate of catalase:

Q: How can you make this experiment reliable?

Q: What is the difference between an accurate measurement and a precise measurement?

Q: Sketch a graph to show the effect of substrate concentration on the

rate of an enzyme:

Q: Sketch a graph to show the effect of

Q: Sketch a graph to show the effect of temperature on the rate of an
enzyme (be careful with this one)
Q: Sketch a graph to show the effect of pH on the rate of an enzyme

Q: Explain the graphs you have just drawn.

Still need help: https://www.youtube.com/results?
search_query=stephanie+castle+experimental+investigations+of+factors+affecting+enzyme+
activity

Separation of photosynthetic pigments by chromatograph.

Q: Write a step by step method for this experiment:

Q: Work out the Rf values for the three spot pigments on this diagram:
How would you use these values to identify the pigments present?

Q: Name four pigments you would expect to see in this experiment:

Q: Sketch an action spectrum and absorption spectrum for

photosynthesis?
Still need help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtkwBLTd0rA https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=WYKBEYRkhLg
 Setting up sealed mesocosms to try to establish
sustainability.

Mesocosms are small areas used to

investigate ecology.
You can set up sealed tanks to
investigate how changing various
conditions affects the small ecosystem.
If you seal it you can see if the
ecosystem is sustainable.
By Cherus - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php
?curid=21776778

Q: Explain how energy enters and leaves the mesocosm?

Q: What will happen to mass of the sealed mesocosm over time?

Q: What ethical considerations are there with an experiment like this?

Exercise: Go the following link:

http://www.magzinr.com/user/D_Faure/mesocosm Try out various

combinations to try and get the most sustainable mesocosm.
Draw and annotate it below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W9mYiqX9jk&index=9&list=PL2AyX6LWJkpku_neXXyzucetl0yvE41wU
 Monitoring of ventilation in humans at rest and
after mild
and vigorous exercise.
Q: What would be the independent variable in this
experiment?

Q: Define tidal volume

Q: Calculate the ventilation from the following graph

Q: What piece of apparatus would you need to produce this trace?

Q: Give two other ways you can measure ventilation rate.

Q: Outline the process of inhalation and

exhalation
 Measurement of transpiration rates using potometers.
(Higher Level Only)

Draw a potometer

Q: Name 4 precautions that need to be taken when setting up a potometer.

1.
2.
3.

Q: Write a brief method to investigate the effect of humidity on transpiration.

Q: Sketch a graph and annotate it to explain the results you would expect from this
experiment.

Q: Why does a potometer not measure transpiration accurately?

Still need help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPsncnQ5TPU&t=10s