ConceptConceptDocsDocuments

Edexcel IGCSE Biology Investigation Variables

Practise Edexcel IGCSE Biology investigation variables by naming what changes, what is measured and what must stay constant in practical work.

Syllabus
Issue 3 (2024)
Course
Biology 4BI1

Exam points

  • Identify the independent variable, such as missing mineral, soil treatment or solution composition.
  • State the dependent variable, such as sweat rate, indicator colour or volume of gas released.
  • Give controlled variables such as temperature, time, buffer volume, light or sample size.

Independent, dependent and control variables question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Pineapple juice contains a protease called bromelain.
A student uses this method to investigate the digestion of solid gelatine protein by bromelain.
- place solid gelatine protein into a test tube up to a height of 5 cm
- mix 5 cm35 \mathrm{~cm}^{3} pineapple juice with 1 cm31 \mathrm{~cm}^{3} of pH 4 buffer
- place 1 cm31 \mathrm{~cm}^{3} of the pineapple juice and buffer solution on top of the gelatine
- leave for one hour in a water bath set to 37C37^{\circ} \mathrm{C}
- measure the height of the solid gelatine and use it to calculate the volume of gelatine that has been digested

Repeat the method three more times.
The diagram shows part of the student's method.

Figure for Question Independent, dependent and control variables question 1 — Edexcel IGCSE Biology

The student repeats the investigation with different pH buffers.

The table shows their results.

Table for Question Independent, dependent and control variables question 1 — Edexcel IGCSE Biology

Give two variables the student should control.

1

2

All question bank results loaded