CALA Component B

The CALA.

Component B

Level: O'level.

CALA Type: Laboratory investigation.

Syllabus Topic: Nutrition in plants.

Syllabus Sub Topic: Photosynthesis.

CALA title: Testing a leaf for the presence of starch.

Competencies/Skills:

1. Critical thinking.
2. Manipulative skills.
3. Identification.
4. Observation.
5. Data collection.
6. Data presentation.
7. Data analysis.

Background: Green plants are the ultimate source of food for all organisms. Green plants
manufacture their own food by the process of photosynthesis. One of the main products of photosynthesis
is starch. Starch is stored in leaves of plants.

The CALA: the CALA consists of two parts A and B. The learner is required to complete both
parts A and B.

Part A

Gather the following materials/apparatus;

 Iodine solution.
 Green leaf.
 Beaker.
 Dropper.
 Clear methylated spirit.
 Methylated spirit burner.
 Tripod stand.
 Test tube.
 Forceps.
 White tile/white paper.
Part B

Method;

1. Detach a leaf from a well-watered plant.

2. Boil the leaf in water in a beaker in order to kill the cells of the leaf and stop chemical reactions
for five minutes.
3. Put the leaf in a test tube with methylated spirit and then put the test tube in the beaker with
boiling water/water bath in order to remove chlorophyll.
4. Precaution: switch off the burner because methylated spirit vapour is highly flammable.
5. Remove the leaf from boiling methylated spirit after 3 minutes and put it in hot water. The leaf is
put in hot water in order to make it soft
6. Remove the leaf from hot water using forceps and place it upside down on a white tile.
7. Add a few drops of iodine solution using a dropper and make observations.

CALA Tips:

 Methylated spirit is highly flammable, make sure there are no naked flames near when handling
it.
 Always get permission from the laboratory technician/your teacher before you enter the
laboratory.
 Observe all laboratory safety rules.

Learner CALA guide.

Learning Area: Combined Science.

Level: O'level.

CALA Type: Laboratory investigation.

Syllabus Topic: Plant nutrition.

Syllabus Sub Topic: Photosynthesis.

CALA title: Testing a leaf for the presence of starch.

Competencies/ Skills:

1. Critical thinking.
2. Manipulative skills.
3. Identification.
4. Observation.
5. Data collection.
6. Data presentation.
7. Data analysis.

Background
Green plants are the ultimate source of food for all organisms. Green plants manufacture their own food
by the process of photosynthesis. One of the main products of photosynthesis is starch. Starch is stored in
leaves of plants.

CALA Description: this CALA carries 20 marks. Part A carries 8 marks and part B 12 marks.

Part A

Gather the following materials/apparatus.

 Iodine solution.
 Green leaf.
 Beaker.
 Dropper.
 Clear methylated spirit.
 Methylated spirit burner.
 Tripod stand.
 Test tube.
 Forceps.
 White tile/white paper.

Part B

Method;

1. Detach a leaf from a well-watered plant.

2. Boil the leaf in a beaker with boiling water in order to kill the cells and stop chemical reactions
for five minutes.
3. Put the leaf in a test tube with methylated spirit and then put the test tube in a beaker with boiling
water/water bath in order to remove chlorophyll for three minutes.
4. Precaution: switch off the burner because methylated spirit vapour is highly flammable.
5. Remove the leaf from boiling methylated spirit and then put it in a beaker with hot water to soften
the leaf.
6. Remove the leaf from boiling water and place it upside down on a white tile.
7. Add a few drops of iodine solution to the leaf and make observations.

CALA Tips.

 Methylated spirit is highly flammable, make sure there are no naked flames near when handling
it.
 Always get permission from the laboratory technician/your teacher before you enter the
laboratory.
 Observe all laboratory safety rules.
How you will be assessed.

Marks will be awarded for:

 The ability to collect correct materials.

 The ability to follow correct procedure.
 Making correct analysis of results.

Teacher CALA guide.

Learning Area: Combined Science.

Level: O'level.

CALA Type: Laboratory investigation.

Syllabus Topic: Plant nutrition.

Syllabus Sub Topic: Photosynthesis.

CALA title: Testing a leaf for the presence of starch.

Competencies/Skills

 Critical thinking.
 Manipulative skills.
 Identification.
 Observation.
 Data collection.
 Data presentation.
 Data analysis.

Background.

Green plants are the ultimate source of food for all organisms. Green plants manufacture their own food
by the process of photosynthesis. One of the main products of photosynthesis is starch. Starch is stored in
leaves of plants.

Dimensions and Criteria to be assessed.

 Evidence and knowledge of understanding and skills employed in gathering materials to be used
in the experiment.
 Ability to follow the correct experimental procedure.
 Correct analysis of results.
Part A.

Gather the following materials/apparatus;

 Iodine solution.
 Green leaf.
 Beaker.
 Dropper.
 Clear methylated spirit.
 Methylated spirit burner.
 Tripod stand.
 Test tube.
 Forceps.
 White tile/white paper.

Part B.

Method;

 Detach a leaf from a well-watered plant.

 Boil the leaf in water in a beaker in order with boiling water in order to kill the cells and stop
chemical reactions for five minutes.
 Put the leaf in a test tube with methylated spirit and then put it in a test tube with boiling
water/water bath in order to remove chlorophyll for three minutes.
 Precaution; switch off the burner because methylated spirit vapour is highly flammable.
 Remove the leaf from methylated spirit and then put it in hot water to soften it.
 Remove the leaf from hot water and place it upside down on a white tile.
 Add a few drops of iodine solution using a dropper and make observations.

CALA Tips:

 Methylated spirit is highly flammable, make sure there are no naked flames near when handling
it.
 Always get permission from the laboratory technician/teacher before you enter the laboratory.
 Observe all laboratory safety rules.

Objectives to be achieved;

By the end of the investigation learners should be able to:

1. Gather correct materials to be used in the investigation.

2. Handle apparatus safely and follow experimental procedures correctly.
3. Analyze results correctly.
CALA assessment procedures.

Assessment will be based on evidence of;

 Ability to gather the correct materials/apparatus to be used in the experiment.

 Ability to follow procedure and set up the correct experiment.
 Correct analysis of experimental findings.

ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS.

School name---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name-----------------------------------------------Surname-----------------------------------------

Component-------------------------------

Date of submission--------------------Learning Area---------------------------------------------------

Level----------------------------Form--------------------------------

CALA
Title-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Dimensions to be Excellent Very good Good Weak Poor

assessed

Gathering the 8/8 6-7/8 4-5/8 2-3/8 0-1/8

correct
materials/apparatus

Following the 10/10 7-9/10 5-6/10 2-4/10 0-1/10

correct procedure

Correct analysis of 2/2 1/2 1/2 0/2 0/2

experimental
findings

Total marks 20/20 17-19/20 10-17/20 5-9/20 0-5/20

achieved