Edexcel A-Level Biology A2 6p 3 Experimental Design and Method Evaluation Questions

Justify controls and baselines, evaluate sampling, variability and ethics, and suggest measurable extensions that improve validity in unfamiliar investigations.

Syllabus
First assessment 2019
Course
Biology YBI11
Level
A2

Exam points

  • justify controls, baselines or solvent-only treatments for a valid biological comparison
  • evaluate sampling, variability, ethics and limitations when judging method validity
  • suggest measurable extensions across time, location, species or treatment level to collect more evidence

Edexcel A-Level Biology A2 6p 3 Experimental Design and Method Evaluation Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

The photograph shows a young locust eating the leaves of a plant.

Figure for Question Edexcel A-Level Biology A2 6p 3 Experimental Design and Method Evaluation Questions question 1 — Edexcel A-Level Biology A2

Locusts can breed in large numbers and destroy crops, such as sorghum, in East Africa. A scientist observed that some varieties of sorghum were more likely to be eaten by young locusts. The scientist collected the seeds of two varieties of sorghum (A and B) and grew them in trays. Locust eggs were collected and hatched into young locusts. Twenty young locusts were placed in a cage containing 100 g of fresh sorghum leaves of variety A. The cage was kept at 30∘C30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}. After 24 hours, the leaves were removed and the mass of leaves eaten was calculated. This method was repeated with fresh sorghum leaves of variety B. The method was repeated six times for these two varieties of sorghum leaves. The results: Mass of leaves eaten of variety A 17.317.217.517.016.716.9 Mass of leaves eaten of variety B 17.817.917.717.617.817.4

Describe how the student could extend this investigation to collect more data to either support or reject the hypothesis.

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