Biology Q6a – Method & variable choices | VCE Units 3 & 4 Practice – StudyPulse
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Biology VCE Units 3 & 4 Practice Question 6a – Method & variable choices

Q6a Biology Method & variable choices Unit 4 - AOS 3

A group of students are investigating the effect of different wavelengths of light on the efficiency of ATP production in isolated chloroplasts. They isolate chloroplasts from spinach leaves and expose them to different wavelengths of light using a spectrophotometer. The rate of ATP production is measured using a bioluminescence assay that quantifies the amount of ATP produced over a set period. They are using this data to model the photosynthetic process.

Question 6a

3 marks

a. Identify the independent and dependent variables in this investigation. Justify your choices.

Your Answer

0 words

About This Biology Question

This is a free VCE Units 3 & 4 Biology practice question worth 3 marks, testing your understanding of Method & variable choices. It falls under How is scientific inquiry used to investigate cellular processes and/or biological change? in Unit 4: How does life change and respond to challenges?. Submit your answer above to receive instant AI-powered marking and personalised feedback.

Subject
Biology – Victorian Certificate of Education Units 3 & 4
Unit 4
How does life change and respond to challenges?
Area of Study 3
How is scientific inquiry used to investigate cellular processes and/or biological change?
Key Knowledge
Method & variable choices

Unit 4 Overview

In this unit students consider the continual change and challenges to which life on Earth has been, and continues to be, subjected. They study the human immune system and the interactions between its components to provide immunity to a specific pathogen. Students consider how the application of biological knowledge can be used to respond to bioethical issues and challenges related to disease. Students consider how evolutionary biology is based on the accumulation of evidence over time. They investigate the impact of various change events on a population’s gene pool and the biological consequences of changes in allele frequencies. Students examine the evidence for relatedness between species and change in life forms over time using evidence from paleontology, structural morphology, molecular homology and comparative genomics. Students examine the evidence for structural trends in the human fossil record, recognising that interpretations can be contested, refined or replaced when challenged by new evidence. Students demonstrate and apply their knowledge of how life changes and responds to challenges through investigation of a selected case study, data analysis and/or bioethical issue. Examples of investigation topics include, but are not limited to: deviant cell behaviour and links to disease; autoimmune diseases; allergic reactions; development of immunotherapy strategies; use and application of bacteriophage therapy; prevention and eradication of disease; vaccinations; bioprospecting for new medical treatments; trends, patterns and evidence for evolutionary relationships; population and species changes over time in non-animal communities such as forests and microbiota; monitoring of gene pools for conservation planning; role of selective breeding programs in conservation of endangered species; or impact of new technologies on the study of evolutionary biology. A student-designed scientific investigation involving the generation of primary data related to cellular processes and/or how life changes and responds to challenges is undertaken in either Unit 3 or Unit 4, or across both Units 3 and 4, and is assessed in this unit, Outcome 3. The design, analysis and findings of the investigation are presented in a scientific poster format as outlined in the study design.

How is scientific inquiry used to investigate cellular processes and/or biological change?

Students undertake a student-designed scientific investigation in either Unit 3 or Unit 4, or across both Units 3 and 4. The investigation involves the generation of primary data relating to cellular processes and/or how life changes and responds to challenges. The investigation draws on knowledge and related key science skills developed across Units 3 and 4 and is undertaken by students in the laboratory and/or in the field. When undertaking the investigation students are required to apply the key science skills to develop a question, state an aim, formulate a hypothesis and plan a course of action to answer the question, while complying with safety and ethical guidelines. Students then undertake an investigation to generate primary quantitative data, analyse and evaluate the data, identify limitations of data and methods, link experimental results to scientific ideas, discuss implications of the results, and draw a conclusion in response to the question. The presentation format for the investigation is a scientific poster constructed according to the structure outlined in the study design. A logbook is maintained by students for record, assessment and authentication purposes.

Key Knowledge Detail

characteristics of the selected scientific methodology and method, and appropriateness of the use of independent, dependent and controlled variables in the selected scientific investigation

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