APER 3 : QUESTION 1

The following scientific skills are tested in Question 1:

1. OBSERVATION

QUESTION : State two observations.

ANSWER : Write down what can be observed only. Do not do any analysis,
comparison or conclusion. For most

experiments, the observation can be written in the form:

The .(responding variable) .. at ..(manipulated variable) is (state reading of

measuring instrument)

( Write the observation for the highest and lowest value of the responding variable.)

Example:

The time taken for the starch to be completely hydrolysed at

5 oC is 45 minutes.

The time taken for the starch to be completely hydrolysed at

40 oC is 5 minutes.

2. INFERENCE

State one inference which corresponds to each observation. An inference is a brief

explanation of the observation, based on scientific knowledge which you already
know.

Example:

The time taken for starch to be completely hydrolysed at 5 oC is 45 minutes

because the low temperature causes the enzymes to react slowly with the
substrate.

The time taken for starch to be completely hydrolysed at 5 oC is 5 minutes because

the higher temperature causes the enzymes to react quickly with the substrate.

3. MEASURING AND USING NUMBERS

Record the reading of thermometer, stopwatch, ruler etc. from the given diagram.

4. COMMUNICATING

Construct the table with the manipulated variable as the first column and the
responding variable as the second column. Data derived or calculated from the
second column can be added to the third column. Show the calculations in the third
column itself. Units of measurements should be written together with table titles,
not with readings.

Example

Temperature /

oC

Time for starch to be

completely hydrolysed /

min

Rate of reaction

/ min -1

10

1/10 = 0.1

15

1 / 5 = 0.2

30

1 / 2 = 0.5

5. INTERPRETING DATA

Explain / state the relationship between manipulated and responding variables as

obtained from a graph of the results.

Example: As the temperature increases from 5 oC to 45 oC, the time taken for the
complete hydrolysis of starch decreases from 45 minutes to 5 minutes.

6. CONTROLLING VARIABLES

Variables

State the variable

Describe how you control the variables

Use action words and name the instruments used

MANIPULATED

Temperature

Use / .

Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water bath and add ice or
warm water to maintain the temperature of the water bath. Place the test tubes in
the different water baths.

RESPONDING

Time taken for complete

hydrolysis of starch

Record / measure using .

Record the time taken for the enzyme substrate mixture to lose its blue colour.

CONTROLLED

Concentration of enzyme

Use the same/ Maintain

Use the same amount of enzyme ( 1 ml) in each of the experiment.

7. MAKING HYPHOTHESIS

Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:

State the manipulated variable

State the responding variable

Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable (do not use vague
relationships like affects or influence or changes with). Commit to using terms
like: increases with / decreases with .

8. PREDICTING

QUESTION : If the experiment is repeated .., predict the observation

ANSWER : Give a value or relevant statement e.g. the (responding variable) will be
higher / lower than (the value in the first experiment) followed by a the reason

EXAMPLE: What will the rate of transpiration be at fan speed

3, if the experiment is repeated in the dark?

The transpiration rate at fan speed 3 will be less then (value recorded) because the
stomata is closed in the dark and less water will be loss through them.

9. DEFINING OPERATIONALLY

Give a definition based on the context of the experiment. EXAMPLE 1: An

experiment is carried out to investigate

photosynthesis and the number of bubbles released is counted. The operational

definition of photosynthesis would then be:

Photosynthesis is the process where green plants release bubbles in the presence of
light, carbon dioxide and water.

EXAMPLE 2: An experiment is carried out to investigate photosynthesis and leaves

are tested with iodine solution for the presence of starch. The operational definition
of photosynthesis would be:

Photosynthesis is the process where green leaves in the presence of light, carbon
dioxide and water, produce starch which turns iodine solution dark blue.

EXAMPLE 3: An experiment is carried out to investigate transpiration under different

fan speeds. The operational definition of transpiration would be:

Transpiration is the process where a plant loses water to the surrounding which is
indicated by the movement of water or air bubble in the capillary tube and is
affected by speed of the air current.

(You should include the variables in the context of the experiment / experimental
conditions and .)

10. CLASSIFYING

Group the materials or apparatus listed using a table with the headings provided.
Group them according to their function in the experiment.

11. USING SPACE-TIME RELATIONSHIP

State the changes of the responding variable with time. Use relationship words like
increases with / decreases with / remains constant with / increases proportionately
with / etc. Do not use neutral relationship terms like affects / influences/ changes
with.

PAPER 3 : QUESTION 2

This question tests students ability to plan an experiment in a given format.

Students must have all of the following :

1. Problem statement

2. Aim of investigation

3. Variables

4. Hypothesis

5. List of apparatus and materials

6. Technique used

7. Experimental procedure or method

8. Presentation of data

9. Conclusion

1. PROBLEM STATEMENT

Must be written in the form of a question End with a question mark.

Eg. Does pH affect the activity of amylase?

2. OBJECTIVE

Write down the objective as given in the question.

Eg. To investigate the effect of pH on the activity of amylase?

3. VARIABLES :

Write down 3 variables. (Manipulated variable, responding variable and controlled

variable. The controlled variable

must be one that will affect the outcome of the experiment if not kept constant.)

4. HYPOTHESIS

Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:

State the manipulated variable

State the responding variable

Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable

5. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

List down all the materials and apparatus used.

6. TECHNIQUE

In a complete sentence, write down what is observed or measured (include the

instrument used). State the specific name of the technique where applicable.

Example :

(i) Measure and record the volume of fruit juices needed to decolorize blue DCPIP ,
using a syringe.

(ii)Measure and record the initial and final temperature of the water in the boiling
tube using a thermometer.

7. PROCEDURE

Write down each step clearly and systematically. Your steps should include:

Steps where you describe how apparatus and materials are handled.

Steps where you describe how the controlled variable is maintained

Steps where you describe how the manipulated variable is altered

Steps where you describe how the responding variable is measured and the
instrument to be used.

Precautionary steps which ensure safety / improve accuracy of readings.

(write the steps as a set of instructions or direct speech and not in passive speech)

8. PRESENTATION OF DATA

Construct the table with the correct titles and units. Leave the table blank. The
experiment is not carried out yet, so the results are not yet available.

9. CONCLUSION

Repeat or modify the hypothesis sentence. You may then write whether the
hypothesis is accepted or rejected.

Subject : Biology SPM

Title: Q&A in Answering Techniques Paper 2

Source: Berry Berry Easy

Author: Miss Isabelle Wong

Q&A in Answering Questions for Biology Paper 2

Paper 3

The SPM question Paper 3 (Answer all questions Question 1 and 2 only) consist of
50 marks in total. In this paper, students need to answer all questions. Question 1
consists of 33 marks and Question 2 consists of 17 marks. The marks for each
question range from 0 (wrong response), 1 (idea level response), 2 (inaccurate
response) to 3 (accurate response) marks for each questions. Paper 3 Biology
involves with very detailed criteria of marking.

1) How to state the observation?

Usually it involves two criteria.

Example 1

State two different observations made from Table 1. (Nyatakan dua pemerhatian
yang berbeza yang dibuat daripada Jadual 1). Q1 (b) (i) (3 marks).

Idea level response (1 mark):

The time taken is different for each temperature.
Temperature influences time taken for iodine solution remains yellowish.

No full marks will be given if students did not meet the 2 criteria of answer and the
word different / influence is not specific. Students must try to avoid these words.

Accurate response (3 marks):

P1: Temperature of water bath

P2: Time taken for iodine solution to remain yellowish

(Horizontal observation)
At temperature 5C, time taken for iodine solution remains yellowish is 12
minutes.
At temperature 37C, time taken for iodine solution remains yellowish is 3
minutes.
At temperature 55C, time taken for iodine solution remains yellowish is 15
minutes.

(Vertical observation)
Time taken for iodine solution remain yellowish for temperature 37C is faster
than5C / 28C / 45C / 55C // Vice versa

2) How to state inference in Paper 3 Biology?

Similar to observation, inference involves 2 criteria.

Example 2

State the inference which corresponds to the observations in 1 (b) (i). (Nyatakan
inferens yang sepadan dengan pemerhatian di 1 (b) (i)). Q1 (b) (ii)

Idea level response (1 mark):

Temperature influences the enzyme reaction.

Accurate response (3 marks):

P1: Rate of enzyme reaction

P2: Low / High (Reject: Lowest / Highest)

(Horizontal inference)
At temperature 5C, the rate of enzyme (amylase) reaction is low / decreases /
longer / lower.
At temperature 37C / optimum temperature, the rate of enzyme reaction is high.
At temperature 55C, the rate of enzyme reaction is low.

(Vertical inference)
At temperature 37C, the rate of enzyme reaction is higher than the rate of
enzyme reaction at 5C / 28C / 45C / 55C // vice versa.

3) How to get full marks in hypothesis for an experiment?

Similar to the hypothesis in Chemistry Paper 3, it must always start with

manipulated variable and follows by responding variables.

Example 3

State the hypothesis for this experiment. (Nyatakan hipotesis bagi eksperimen ini.)
Q1 (d)

Idea level response (1 mark):

The temperatures influence the enzyme reaction.

Accurate response (3 marks):

P1: Manipulated variable (temperature)

P2: Responding variable (time taken for iodine solution remain yellowish / rate of
enzyme (amylase) reaction / activity)

Hypothesis: relationship of P1 and P2 (MV + RV)

The higher the temperature, the higher the rate of enzyme reaction / time taken
for iodine solution remain yellowish (until it reaches the optimum temperature)
When the temperature increases, the rate of enzyme reaction also increase (until
the optimum temperature)

4) How to draw the graph correctly in Paper 3 Biology?

SAL or SAP which is S = Shape, A = Axis and L = Label / P = Point. Besides that,
student must remember to write the title of the graph.

5) How to explain the relationship in Biology?

In Biology Paper 3, it is more specified as compared to Chemistry. Students must

provide themanipulated variable first and follow by responding variable and usually
for the manipulated variable must have two supporting theories and a brief
conclusion.

Example 4

Based on the graph in 1 (e) (ii), explain the relationship between rate of enzyme
reaction and temperature. (Berdasarkan kepada graf di 1 (e) (ii), terangkan
hubungan antara kadar tindakbalas enzim dengan suhu.) Q1 (f)

Idea level response (1 mark):

The higher of the temperature, the higher the rate of enzyme reaction.
(Hypothesis statement)

Accurate response (3 marks):

Students must state the relationship between the rate of enzyme reaction and the
temperature base on criteria:

R1 Relationship: the temperature increases, the rate of enzyme reaction also

increase. (Theory 1)

R2 Explanation 1: at 37C // at optimum temperature the starch hydrolyse

(completely by amylase / enzyme) (Theory 2)
R3 Explanation 2: at the maximum rate (Brief conclusion)
As temperature increases (MV), the rate of enzyme reaction increases (RV).
Atoptimum temperature the starch was hydrolysed (completely) by amylase at
themaximum rate.

6) How to answer the last question (Question number 2)?

There are 9 sub sections (total 17 marks) that students need to answer. The mark
distribution is as followed:
1.Problem statement (Penyataan masalah) (3 marks)
2.Objective (Objektif) (1 mark)
3.Variables (Pembolehubah-pembolehubah) (1 mark)
4.Hypothesis (Hipotesis) (3 marks)
5.List of material and apparatus (Senarai bahan dan radas digunakan) (3 marks)
6.Technique used (Teknik yang digunakan) (1 mark)
7.Experimental procedure or method (Kaedah atau prosedur eksperimen) (3 marks)
8.Presentation of data (Cara data dipersembahkan) (1 mark)
9.Conclusion (Kesimpulan) (1 mark)

1) Problem statement (3 marks)

Problem statement must be in question form.
i.e.
Does (MV) affect (RV) of xxx?
How does (MV) affect the (RV) of xxx)?
What is the effect of (MV) on the (RV)?

2) Objective (1 mark)
It is a statement form:
i.e.
To determine the effect of (MV) on the (RV) of a xxx.
To study the effect of (MV) on the (RV) of a xxx
To investigate the effect of (MV) on the (RV) of a xxx

3) Variables (1 mark)
The entire variables (MV, RV and FV) must be correct to gain one marks from here.

4) Hypothesis (3 marks)
The hypothesis must start with manipulated variable and follow by responding
variable (MV + RV)

5) List of material and apparatus (3 marks)

Students need to separate the list of material with the list of apparatus.
i.e.
Apparatus: photometer, stopwatch, cutter, beaker, meter rule, basin, marker/
thread
Material: Balsam plant, water, Vaseline/grease, dry cloth

6) Technique used (1 mark)

Students need to state the technique used in carrying out the experiment correctly.
i.e.
Measure and record the time taken for the air bubble to move a distance of 2 cm by
using astopwatch.

7) Experimental procedure or method (3 marks)

Students are able to mention all the MV, RV and FV in the sentence.

8 ) Presentation of data (1 mark)

Students are able to draw a complete table and record the relevant data base on 3
criteria.

9) Conclusion (1 mark)
Students are able to write a suitable conclusion for the experiment.
i.e.
Ther higher/lower (MV), the higher/lower (RV). Hypothesis is accepted/rejected.