Edexcel IAL Biology 6P.7 Plotting and interpreting graphs

Choose bar or continuous axes from the variables, use a linear scale covering the data, plot accurately and quote coordinates when explaining patterns or anomalies.

Exam points

Plot bar or line graphs with labelled axes, units, linear scales and accurate points.
Add range bars or error bars when data compare group means and variability.
Describe trends and anomalies with coordinates before making a supported prediction.

[Maximum number: 3]

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

Figure for Question 6P.7—Plotting and interpreting graphs 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 $30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ . 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

Draw a suitable graph to show the mean mass of leaves eaten of variety A and variety B. Include an indication of the variability of the data.

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6P.7—Plotting and interpreting graphs question 1