Biology laboratory report layout

Introduction

Introduce the laboratory report. Explain briefly but concisely the main principles that the
Laboratory experiment is concerned with. Make a statement about the problem and what is
known about it.

Aim (general objective) and/or objectives (specific objectives)

State the general objective (aim) of the practical session and its associated objectives (specific
objectives), if any. This section seeks to bring out what the experimenter intends to achieve at
the end of the practical, what the experimenter wants to demonstrate, prove or find out during
the laboratory session.

Materials and methods

This section describes how the experiment was carried out. It should be written in a way that
another person can repeat the experimental procedure with ease. The materials and methods
section give statements about the materials, apparatus and other laboratory equipment that were
used to execute the experiment. The materials used should not be merely listed but should be
incorporated in the procedures that were followed in the experiment.

Results

The results section gives an account of what was actually seen in the experiment. The results
can be presented in the form of tables, pie charts, histograms, figures or qualitative description
of colour change, precipitate formation, cell movement, smell description. All tables should be
numbered with Arabic numerals and captioned (e.g. Table 1: Survey of human phenotypes).
Table titles should always be written above a table. Likewise, figures should be numbered with
Arabic numerals and captioned. Figure titles should be written below a picture, drawing or
diagram. Tables, figures, pie charts, histograms or any quantitative graph used to show the
results obtained should bear a brief description as opposed to merely presenting these without
any elucidation.

Drawings should be simple, non-artistic but scientifically descriptive. Drawings should always
be in pencil. Drawings should be made up of continuous lines, large (about 75% of drawing
space), clear and fully labelled. Shading is not allowed. All drawings should have a scale of

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magnification (example: x10x10x3.This means magnifying power of the eye piece used
multiplied by the magnifying power of the objective lens used multiplied by a scale factor).

Discussion

In this section, an experimenter explains the extent to which the practical exercise has been
understood, in light of the theoretical knowledge acquired about the experimental principle.
The experimenter records any difficulties encountered during the execution of the experiment,
any possible source of error during the process of carrying out the practical exercise and any
precautions taken to avoid the possibility of an accident. The experimenter records the
biological significance of the results found. The writer also provides suggestions, if any, to
improve the practical exercise in order to get better results in future. If peculiar or unacceptable
results were found, the experimenter should explain the reasons for finding such results.

Conclusion

This section explains whether or not the objectives of the experiment were achieved. Precise
and accurate answers are provided for each of the specific objectives that were set for the
experiment.

References

The reference section is a vital and integral part of a laboratory report that lists the sources of
literature consulted to carry out the experiment and help in answering the exercises that were
part of the laboratory exercise. Each laboratory report should have atleast three references that
are written in alphabetical order and referenced in the Harvard style. Examples of references
are given below.

Kent, M. 2000. Advanced Biology. 5th Edition, Cambridge University Press, London.

Solomon, E. P. and Berg, L. R. 1995. The World of Biology. Saunders College Publishing.
Philadelphia.

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 Course Grading

Letter Grade Percentage Level of Proficiency level

grade point range achievement interpretation
A+ 4 90-100% Higher Examinees do satisfy examiners that
distinction have attained the stated educational
objectives of the curriculum or program
of study.
A 3.5 80-89% Distinction
B+ 3 70-79% Meritorious
B 2.5 60-69% Credit
C+ 2 55-59% Clear pass
C 1.5 50-54% Pass
D+ 1 45-49% Supplementary Examinees DO NOT satisfy examiners
that have attained the stated educational
objectives of the curriculum or program
of study.
D 0 0-44% Fail

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 Laboratory session 1: Microscopic study of plant cells

The general objective of this laboratory session is to view plant cells and explain the function
of each seen part of the plant cell.

Materials and methods

1. You are provided with leaves of a plant called Setcreasia purpurea. Peel a thin slice of the
lower epidermis of one of the provided leaves.
2. Put the thin slice on a clean dry microscope slide. Put a drop of water on the specimen.
3. Cover the specimen with a cover slip carefully to exclude air bubbles. Put the microscope
slide on the stage of a compound microscope.
4. View the specimen under low power. Draw and label the structures that are visible under
low power magnification. Calculate the magnification of your drawing.
5. View the specimen under high power. Draw and label the structures that are visible under
high power magnification. Calculate the magnification of your drawing.
6. Record your results in Table 1 below.

Table 1
Magnification Cell structure
Low power

High power

Calculate the size of cells from your preparation using the formula below:
Diameter of objective lens field of view = 2mm. The length of one cell = 2mm/ 8 (number of
observed cells) = 0.25mm.
1.0mm = 1000 um
0.25mm = 1000 X 0.25um
= 250um.