Biology Guidelines

Biology at the CSEC level requires each student to follow certain guidelines for
drawings, tables and graphs.

A. Guidelines for Biological Drawings.

• Work must be done in pencil. This includes

✓ Drawing
✓ Label lines
✓ Labels
✓ Annotations
✓ Title
✓ Calculation of magnification
✓ Border

• Drawings must be at least half the size of the page.

• Drawings must be done on a BLANK page

• Label lines:
✓ Must be parallel to each other
✓ Must end at the same point
✓ No arrow heads or dots at either end of the label line

• Labels are written:

✓ On the right hand side of the drawing. However, labels can also be evenly divided
between the left and right hand side of the drawing.
✓ In lowercase, that is, all common letters.
✓ In print, that is, do NOT join your letters. See example below.

pg. 1
 *NB: do NOT underline labels

• All labels must be annotated. Annotations are brief explanations or notes on the
structure/function of the part labelled.
Annotations are:
✓ Written in brackets – next to the label
✓ Are written in print
✓ Are written in lowercase letters
✓ Not underlined

• Lines must be:

✓ Continuous
✓ Of even thickness

• Title must:
✓ Be written at the bottom of the paper, that is, underneath the drawing (within the
border)
✓ Be written in BLOCK letters, that is, all capital letters and written in print.
✓ Be underlined.
✓ Include the word ‘DRAWING’
✓ Include the section drawn, for example, cross – section or longitudinal section. See
example below

✓ Include the name of the specimen

✓ Include the magnification. Written as a whole number. (see example below)

pg. 2
 (Where size of image is the size of your drawing and the actual size of image is the size of the
actual specimen)

- Example of a title:

DRAWING SHOWING THE LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF AN ONION MAG. X10

• Magnification must be calculated on SAME of the drawing. The formula must be stated and
all workings must be shown.

• Drawings must have a border. The border must enclose the drawing, as well as the title.

• Do NOT include dot or dashes. Instead, cross hatching and stippling is allowed.

- Example of cross hatching:

*NB: lines must be continuous and of even thickness

- Example of stippling:

*NB – lines must be continuous and of even thickness. In class, we refer to stippling as
small circles. No dots.

pg. 3
 • Accuracy of representation – drawings must resemble the actual specimen that is being
drawn.

• Drawings must be proportionate

B. Guidelines for Tables

• Table must be enclosed.

• Title is written ABOVE table. Must be written in block letters and underlined
• Headings with appropriate units must be included. Units are written in brackets. Eg. Time (mins)
• The independent data is recorded in the 1st column while the dependent data is recorded in the
2nd column.
• Values are recorded to the same decimal place, usually, 1 decimal place. See example below:

C. Guidelines for Graphs

• Everything must be written in pencil. This includes:

✓ Title
✓ Scale
✓ Key
✓ Labels for axes
✓ Points for graph
✓ Lines for graph

pg. 4
• The independent data is plotted on the x- axis and the dependent data is plotted on the y – axis.

• Scale:
✓ An appropriate scale must be chosen so that it makes maximum use of the graph page,
that is, at least half the size of the page.
✓ The scale must be written on the upper right hand side of the graph page
✓ The scale must clearly state the appropriate units on each axes.

o For example, if we have to measure the height of a plant, in centimeters, for 5

days.
o And we use 3 cm on the x – axis to represent 1 day while we use 2cm on the y –
axis to represent 1 cm height.

Scale –

X axis: 3cm = 1 day

Y axis: 2 cm = 1cm

✓ Each axes must be labelled with the appropriate units in brackets.

✓ Join points with a continuous line
✓ Title must be written in BLOCK letters, UNDERNEATH the graph and underlined.
The title must be accurate and descriptive.
NB: do not use the words ‘versus’ or ‘against’ in title.
✓ Use a small dot with a circle around it or an ‘x’ to plot point

pg. 5