Biology Guidelines

FORMAT FOR BIOLOGY EXPERIMENTS

Date:

Title:
● Usually the topic being explored

Skill:
● Intended skill(s) that are tested in this experiment e.g. ORR, A/I, MM etc.

Aim:
● A precise and clear statement about the reason for or object of the experiment

Theory
● General background information pertaining to the topic

Apparatus:
● A list of all the scientific equipment used in conducting an experiment; e.g. test tubes,
measuring cylinder etc.

Materials:
● A list of substances and reagents used in conducting an experiment; e.g. storage organs, plants,
alcohol etc.

Diagram: (optional)
● A line diagram of the special apparatus used to conduct a lab or a line diagram showing a
special arrangement of regular apparatus that was used to conduct a lab
● Each component labeled to the right of the diagram
● Title written below the diagram

Method:
● A logical sequence of steps showing how the apparatus and materials were used.
● Written in paragraph form
● Written in past tense
● Written in the passive voice i.e. no personal pronouns e.g. I, we, you, she etc.

Observations:
● Descriptive paragraph
● Drawing/Table /Graph
● All results/data collected to be analyzed and interpreted

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Calculations: (optional)
● Show workings for any calculation
● If multiple calculations were done using the same formula, then show how the formula was
used on one set of readings

Discussion:
● Interpretation of data collected or calculated based on theoretical knowledge
● Provides explanation for any trends observed or unexpected results
● Present evidence for your conclusion

Conclusion:
● Related to the aim and indicates if it was achieved
● Presents conclusions based on the experiment

Limitations/Sources of Error:
● A restrictive condition or variable which cannot be controlled and which can affect the validity
of the results

GUIDELINES FOR BIOLOGICAL DRAWINGS

A drawing is a simple and accurate representation of the apparatus, specimen or model used in the
experiment. It should not be an artistic or stylized representation.

A diagram is not a true representation. It is used however to show how one or more things relate to
each other as in the case of biogeochemical cycles, food webs and apparatus for experiments.

PAGE FORMAT FOR DRAWINGS

● Margins – ½ inch from all borders
● Drawing to be within the borders
● Title with magnification below drawing
● Name, Date, Grade on paper

RULES

⮚ ONLY ‘lead’ pencils are to be used on the drawings

⮚ NO pens, crayons, markers or coloured pencils
⮚ Pencils MUST be well sharpened; a soft rubber of good quality is essential
⮚ Observe carefully and then draw a faint outline of the specimen
⮚ Use firm lines and simple outlines

CLARITY
⮚ Drawing should be made with clean, continuous lines of even thickness
⮚ Drawings should be of reasonable size with enough space left for labeling to the right
⮚ Absolutely NO shading or unnecessary details
● Use techniques of stippling, streaking, cross hatching or symbols to achieve tones of
gray, differentiation and details
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SIZE
⮚ Make drawings as large as possible in the center of the page
⮚ Aim to us at least one half of the page

ACCURACY
⮚ Drawings should be a faithful representation of the specimen, including all distinguishing
features
⮚ Draw what is seen, not what is imagined to be there or an idealized picture from the textbook
⮚ Layers should be represented by a double line NOT a single line

LABELING
⮚ Leave enough space beside/around drawings for labels and annotations
⮚ Labeling lines must be neatly drawn in PENCIL and with a ruler
⮚ The lines should not cross and must touch the labeled part
⮚ NO arrowheads or dots should be on the labeling line
⮚ NO labels should be written on the label line
⮚ All writing must be in script and in PENCIL
⮚ UPPERCASE (capital letters) or lower case (common letters) should be used
⮚ Labels should be written horizontally and neatly
⮚ The labels must be accurate with the names of the parts spelt correctly
⮚ If annotations are used, only a few words should be added to the label

TITLE
⮚ The name or identity of the specimen must be in neat CAPITAL LETTERS under the drawing,
also underlined
⮚ Title should be self explanatory or meaningful
⮚ The magnification and orientation/views/section should also be included

MAGNIFICATION
⮚ Formula: Length of drawing/Length of specimen
⮚ Measure at least two dimensions to be accurate
⮚ Magnification should be to one decimal place only
⮚ Simple fractions are acceptable

NB. Position and Orientation of the sections of specimens

● Transverse section
● Longitudinal section
● Animal specimen – dorsal vs. ventral; anterior vs. posterior; lateral
● Internal vs. external

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GUIDELINES FOR TABLES

1. Ensure that the table is drawn with four distinct sides using a ruler
2. Give your table a brief yet accurate self explanatory title
3. Titles must be underlined, written in CAPITAL LETTERS and placed above the table
4. Appropriately label each column and row using the correct metric units as necessary
√ X
Time/s Time
25 25s
30 30s

5. Place the independent (controlled) variable in the first column and use the other columns for
measured values
Temperature /oC Time taken for reaction to
occur /minutes
0 0.0
5 10.0
10 13.0
15 8.0

6. Use footnotes to explain abbreviations, changes and details if necessary

7. Ensure that numerical values are written neatly and vertical
8. ALL tables should be a concise, structured and accurate representation of data

COMMON ERRORS IN TABLE PREPARATION

1. Presenting tables without titles
2. Misconstruction of titles – inaccurate, written n script
3. Omitting column headings or incorrect headings
4. Improper table arrangement
5. Insufficient space in columns for data
6. Incorrect quantities/units/symbols
7. Irrelevant and inadequate data presented

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GUIDELINES FOR GRAPHS

A graph is used to give a visual impression of the content and meaning of results. It can be used to
present detailed results in a condensed form, displaying maximum data in minimum space. A model
graph will combine accuracy, clarity and simplicity.

AXES
1. Identify the dependent variable (the variable being examined) and plot it along the vertical
axis (y), e.g. distance, height, number of leaves etc.
2. Identify the independent variable (the variable being controlled) and plot it along the
horizontal (x), e.g. days, time, temperature, pH, seconds, months etc.
● NB. In an experiment to determine the effect of temperature upon the activity of a
particular enzyme the axis should be set up as shown below

LIKE THIS NOT LIKE THIS

3. Each axis must be clearly labeled and the appropriate quantities and metric units used, e.g.
Temperature / oC, Time in minutes

SCALE
4. Determine a scale (the numerical value for each square on the graph paper) that best fits the
range of each variable
5. The scale you choose should allow at least 75% of the graph page to be used both vertically and
horizontally

6. The scale chosen should be easy to plot and read off

7. Place scale in the upper right hand corner of the graph paper
8. If a key is used, place the key in the upper right hand corner of the graph paper as well, below
the scale

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PLOTTING POINTS
9. After analyzing your data start plotting your points from a convenient but carefully chosen
origin

10. Plot points using encircled dots ( ) or exes (x) at the intersection of the two values at regular
intervals

11. Plotting more than one graph on a set of axes

● Sometimes two or three sets of data (though rarely more) are plotted within the same set
of axes
● You must distinguish between them by using different symbols (X, O , , etc) or
lines (…………., ________, -----------, etc)
12. Draw a curve or line that best fits the data points
● DO NOT DRAW THE LINE IN A “CONNECT-THE-DOTS” FORMAT

TITLE
13. The graph should be accurately titled having the relationship between the independent and
dependent variables in the title

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 ● ABSOLUTELY NO TITLES THAT STATES “TIME VS. DISTANCE” OR
ANYTHING SIMILAR
14. Place the title above the graph in CAPITAL LETTERS, underlined