Stage 1 Biology

IF1: Deconstruct and Design Practical Investigation

Osmosis in Action

Performance Standards Stage 1 Biology Students Name:________________

A
A B
DC
Critically deconstructs a
IAE problem and designs a logical,
1 coherent, and detailed
biological investigation.
C D
Logically deconstructs a Prepares a basic
Deconstructs a problem and
problem and designs a well- deconstruction of a problem
designs a considered and generally
considered and clear biological and an outline of a biological
clear biological investigation.
investigation. investigation.

Obtains, records, and

Obtains, records, and
represents data, using
IAE
appropriate conventions and
2 inconsistently, with
formats accurately and highly
effectively.
Obtains, records, and
represents data, using
appropriate conventions and
formats mostly accurately and
effectively.
Obtains, records, and represents
represents data, using
data, using generally appropriate
conventions and formats
conventions and formats with
some errors but generally
occasional accuracy and
accurately and effectively.
effectiveness.

Systematically analyses and Undertakes some analysis and Describes data and
Logically analyses and
interprets data and evidence interpretation of data and undertakes some basic
IAE interprets data and evidence to
to formulate logical evidence to formulate generally interpretation to formulate a
3 formulate suitable conclusions
conclusions with detailed appropriate conclusions with basic conclusion.
with reasonable justification.
justification. some justification.

Critically and logically Attempts to evaluate

IAE Logically evaluates procedures Evaluates procedures and some of
evaluates procedures and procedures or suggest an
4 and their effect on data their effect on data
their effect on data. effect on data.

Demonstrates deep and broad
KA knowledge and understanding
1 of a range of biological
concepts.
Demonstrates some depth and Demonstrates some basic
Demonstrates knowledge and
breadth of knowledge and knowledge and partial
understanding of a general range
understanding of a range of understanding of biological
of biological concepts.
biological concepts. concepts.

Applies biological concepts
KA
highly effectively in new and
2
familiar contexts.
Applies biological concepts Applies biological concepts Applies some biological
mostly effectively in new and generally effectively in new or concepts in familiar
familiar contexts. familiar contexts. contexts.

Critically explores and Logically explores and Partially explores and

Explores and understands aspects
KA understands in depth the understands in some depth the recognises aspects of the
of the interaction between science
3 interaction between science interaction between science interaction between science
and society.
and society. and society. and society.

Communicates knowledge and Communicates knowledge and

understanding of biology
KA coherently, with highly
4 effective use of appropriate
terms, conventions, and
representations.
Communicates knowledge and Communicates basic
understanding of biology
understanding of biology generally biological information, using
mostly coherently, with
effectively, using some some appropriate terms,
effective use of appropriate
appropriate terms, conventions, conventions, and/or
terms, conventions, and
and representations. representations.
representations.

Assessment Conditions:
● You will be given a lesson (105 minutes) to undertake your practical. You will submit an individual
practical report 2 weeks after you have conducted the experiment.
● You will assessed using the Stage 1: Biology Performance Standards outlined above.
● Word Count: maximum of 1000 words.
● You will submit your draft and final practical investigation on Google Classroom.
 Stage 1 Biology
IF1: Deconstruct and Design Practical Investigation
Osmosis in Action

Biological Background:
The plasma membrane of a cell is semipermeable, which means it lets small molecules pass through,
but blocks larger molecules. The membrane consists of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded
proteins, cholesterol and carbohydrates that separates the interior of the cell from the extracellular
environment and controls the movement of substances into or out of the cell. Movement of
molecules across the plasma membrane can occur through active or passive transport methods.
Osmosis is a form of passive transport that does not require energy. Osmosis is a scientific term that
refers to the process in which water molecules move across a plasma membrane from an area of
higher concentration of water (lower concentration solution) to an area of lower concentration of
water (higher concentration solution). It influences how our body functions and ensures that every
single cell in our body is health.

Part A: Conducting an Experiment

Osmosis is hard to see under a microscope. In this procedure, you can observe the effect of osmosis
by creating your own model of a cell, using a shell-less chicken egg. The eggs are placed in salt
solutions of different concentrations for a set period of time to test the effect of solution
concentration on movement of water across cell membranes.

Materials:
● 5 eggs
● 5 plastic cups or glass beakers
● Distilled water
● Sodium chloride (salt) solutions
● Electronic Scale (to weigh the eggs)
● Paper towel
● Spoon
● Permanent Markers
● 3 pieces of styrofoam cut to beaker size

Instructions:
1. The egg has already been placed in white vinegar (for 2-3 days) to dissolve the eggs shell so
that only the membrane remains. Make sure to handle your eggs with care, as they may break.
2. Prepare the following solutions and label the plastic cups:
● Beaker 1: 400 ml of water
● Beaker 2: 400 ml of 5% salt concentration
● Beaker 3: 400ml of 10% salt concentration
● Beaker 4: 400ml of 15% salt concentration
● Beaker 5: 400ml of 20% salt concentration
3. Measure the initial weight of the 5 eggs using the electronic scales and record in the table
below.
4. Place each egg into the labelled beakers. Place the cut styrofoam pieces inside the beakers to
force the eggs to remain fully immersed in the water. The beakers and the eggs are put aside
for 24 hours.
 5. After 24 hours, remove the eggs from the solutions and wipe them dry. Weigh the eggs and
record the weights in the table below.

Initial egg Final egg weight Percentage Weight

Solutions
weight (g) (g) Change

Distilled water 60.02 61.66 +2.7

5% salt
62.59 63.44 +1.3
concentration

10% salt
65.13 65.40 -0.5
concentration

15% salt
71.00 69.86 -1.6
concentration

20% salt
68.86 64.90 -5.7
concentration

Part B: Deconstruct and Designing Your Own

The Problem: How does your chosen factor affect osmosis?

You will deconstruct and design your own experiment were you can observe the effect of one
experimental variable on osmosis. You will choose from the following:

Experimental Variable: Experimental Material:

Salt Concentration Eggs

Temperature Potatoes

Surface area to volume ratio Carrot

You will design all aspects of the experiment including:

● Independent variable
● Dependent variable
● Hypothesis
● Materials required
● Procedure
● Table to record results
Part C: Writing Your Practical Report
The following is a Practical Investigation Report Checklist that you can use to ensure you meet the
requirements of the Stage 1 Biology IF1: Deconstruct and Design Practical Investigation.

*The asterisked sections of material/apparatus, method/procedure, safety considerations and risks,

results, construction and references are excluded from the practical investigation word count.

Introduction (approx. 500 words)

● State clearly the purpose of the investigation (what were you trying to investigate in this
practical?)
● Include relevant scientific concepts (what relevant science was needed to help you understand
this practical?)
● State a testable hypothesis that links the independent (thing you change) and the dependent
variables (thing you measure / calculate)
● Describe how you kept at least three other factors constant, and why they were kept constant
● Identify any factors that could not be controlled and explain why not.

Deconstruction Process* (one practical only)

● A summary sheet outlining the deconstruction process should be attached to the report.

Materials/Apparatus*
● List the materials/apparatus and the measuring instruments used. Be specific.
● Include clearly labelled diagrams or digital photographs of the apparatus.

Method/Procedure*
● Design investigation: the procedure designed by you must be logical, coherent, and detailed
including the trials taken so that other students could complete the practical.
● Completion investigation: if the procedure has been given to you then you must include it and
provide a reference.

Safety Considerations*
● Identify the safety risks or ethical considerations involved in the investigation and how they
are to be managed.

Results*
● Present collected data in an appropriate tabular form. Include a title and appropriate column
headings.
● Plot a graph(s) placing the independent variable on the horizontal axis and the dependent
variable on the vertical axis.
● Check that you have obtained, recorded, and displayed the results of your investigation, and
used appropriate conventions and formats accurately and highly effectively.

Analysis of Results (approx. 300 words)

 ● Identify and discuss the trends, patterns, and relationships in the results and how they either
support or reject the hypothesis.
● Critically and systematically analyse the data and the connections with the scientific concepts
being investigated.

Evaluation of Procedures (approx. 600 words)

● Critically and logically evaluate your procedure and suggest a range of appropriate
improvements.
o What about the procedure was done well?
o What about the procedure could have been improved? How?
● Identify any anomalous results and suggest a reason(s) for them.
● Explain how increasing the number of trials minimises the effects of random errors, improves
the reliability of the data and how replication can increase validity.
● Discuss the accuracy of your experimental value given the true value (or state that accuracy
cannot be determined without a true values).

Conclusion (approx. 100 words)

● Formulate a logical, perceptive, and justifiable conclusion that relates to the hypothesis and
the purpose of your practical investigation.
● Make relevant predictions based on the results of your investigation. This should include how
this information relates back to your deconstruction question.
● Identify any limitations to your conclusion.

References *
● All sources appropriately referenced using Harvard Referencing.