Name: Hiba Majid (P:\Science\Mr Alim\Year 12\AS Biology)
(Core Practical: 10)
Title: Looking for patterns
METHOD:
1. Carry out instructions given (or those you have produced and researched) to complete the
practical (CPAC1)
2. List apparatus below and describe techniques used when measuring quantities with a
particular piece of apparatus:
Piece of apparatus Purpose of piece of Comment on how piece of equipment Appendix
apparatus was used 5c
accurately/appropriately/safely technique
Gridded Quadrat Used to outline and divide Placed along a tape measure at 5 metre
sample area intervals.
(0.5m*0.5m)
Tape measure Measure sampling area of Place bottom left corner of the quadrat
30 metres and space out on the mark at every interval
quadrats equally
Photometre Used to measure light Placed a few cms into the soil and
intensity waited for 30s for reading
Moisture metre Used to measure humidity Placed a few cms into the soil and
of soil waited for 30s for reading
PH probe Used to measure PH of soil Kept in the soil a few cm deeps for 30s
Thermometer Used to measure Measured in degrees
temperature in soil
It was kept in soil for 30 seconds to
allow the thermometer to take an
accurate reading
Mr Alim
, Name: Hiba Majid (P:\Science\Mr Alim\Year 12\AS Biology)
Plant book Used to identify unknown When identifying plants with flowers on
plant species them, it was better to identify them by
the shape of their leaves than by the
colour of the flower as this could be
misleading.
Anemometer Used to measure wind Was held up high in the direction of the
speed wind near the quadrat. Had to wait for
reading to be steady and record number
on the screen to be displayed
(CPAC a2a, 2b, 2d, 3a, 3b)
3. Summarise the method used, pointing out any difficulties in carrying out the practical and
any changes that were necessary from the original plan and why they were made. Draw an
appropriate diagram as necessary. (CPAC 2c)
1. When at the first site, our transect will be placed perpendicular to the path at the
beginning and stretched out to 30 metres
2. An interval (of every 5 metres) for where our quadrats will be placed along the transect
will be selected
3. The first quadrat will be placed at 0m. From here, plant species are identified (with
assistance of the plant book if needed) These are then individually counted and
recorded.
4. The number of individual squares in the quadrat with grass are counted and recorded to
find the percentage cover
5. The thermometer will be placed a few cm into the soil and wait for 30 seconds before
taking a reading. This is then repeated for each equipment piece that needs to be placed
into the soil (Photomtre, moisture metre and PH probe)
6. To record wind speed, the anemometer will be held up in the air and we will wait for the
reading to be steady before recording down the number displayed on our tables
7. This will be repeated for each quadrat along a transect, each 5 metres apart
● The same was repeated for each transect
● The same method was repeated for the second site
● Since equipment was being shared between groups, when a piece of apparatus was
given, it was used at every quadrant position and recorded and then the next piece of
equipment was used.
● To make up for time constraints, instead of doing multiple transects, each group was
assigned a transect and data was shared.
4. State
A. IV: Distance from path
B. DV: Measurement of abiotic factors and abundance and distribution
Controls
Mr Alim
(Core Practical: 10)
Title: Looking for patterns
METHOD:
1. Carry out instructions given (or those you have produced and researched) to complete the
practical (CPAC1)
2. List apparatus below and describe techniques used when measuring quantities with a
particular piece of apparatus:
Piece of apparatus Purpose of piece of Comment on how piece of equipment Appendix
apparatus was used 5c
accurately/appropriately/safely technique
Gridded Quadrat Used to outline and divide Placed along a tape measure at 5 metre
sample area intervals.
(0.5m*0.5m)
Tape measure Measure sampling area of Place bottom left corner of the quadrat
30 metres and space out on the mark at every interval
quadrats equally
Photometre Used to measure light Placed a few cms into the soil and
intensity waited for 30s for reading
Moisture metre Used to measure humidity Placed a few cms into the soil and
of soil waited for 30s for reading
PH probe Used to measure PH of soil Kept in the soil a few cm deeps for 30s
Thermometer Used to measure Measured in degrees
temperature in soil
It was kept in soil for 30 seconds to
allow the thermometer to take an
accurate reading
Mr Alim
, Name: Hiba Majid (P:\Science\Mr Alim\Year 12\AS Biology)
Plant book Used to identify unknown When identifying plants with flowers on
plant species them, it was better to identify them by
the shape of their leaves than by the
colour of the flower as this could be
misleading.
Anemometer Used to measure wind Was held up high in the direction of the
speed wind near the quadrat. Had to wait for
reading to be steady and record number
on the screen to be displayed
(CPAC a2a, 2b, 2d, 3a, 3b)
3. Summarise the method used, pointing out any difficulties in carrying out the practical and
any changes that were necessary from the original plan and why they were made. Draw an
appropriate diagram as necessary. (CPAC 2c)
1. When at the first site, our transect will be placed perpendicular to the path at the
beginning and stretched out to 30 metres
2. An interval (of every 5 metres) for where our quadrats will be placed along the transect
will be selected
3. The first quadrat will be placed at 0m. From here, plant species are identified (with
assistance of the plant book if needed) These are then individually counted and
recorded.
4. The number of individual squares in the quadrat with grass are counted and recorded to
find the percentage cover
5. The thermometer will be placed a few cm into the soil and wait for 30 seconds before
taking a reading. This is then repeated for each equipment piece that needs to be placed
into the soil (Photomtre, moisture metre and PH probe)
6. To record wind speed, the anemometer will be held up in the air and we will wait for the
reading to be steady before recording down the number displayed on our tables
7. This will be repeated for each quadrat along a transect, each 5 metres apart
● The same was repeated for each transect
● The same method was repeated for the second site
● Since equipment was being shared between groups, when a piece of apparatus was
given, it was used at every quadrant position and recorded and then the next piece of
equipment was used.
● To make up for time constraints, instead of doing multiple transects, each group was
assigned a transect and data was shared.
4. State
A. IV: Distance from path
B. DV: Measurement of abiotic factors and abundance and distribution
Controls
Mr Alim
