Planning An Investigation Model Answers Five Complete Plans

PLANNING AN INVESTIGATION MODEL ANSWERS BY STAFFORD
6B PAPER (6BIO8)
Year Planning
Jan 2012 Plant growth regulators
June 2011 Tooth decay
Specimen paper Inhibitor of germination
June 2007 Honey bees
January 2003 Froghoppers (Completed)
Q1. When scientists genetically modify a plant to contain a useful gene, they usually produce clones of the plant
for further testing and evaluation. Plant tissue culture can be used to grow a large number of clones from small
pieces of plant tissue. Plant growth regulators are used in tissue cultures to control the growth of the plant tissue.
Plan an investigation to test the following hypothesis: The higher the concentration of a plant growth regulator
the greater the rate of growth of the plant tissue.
Your answer should give details under the following headings.

(a) A consideration of any safety or ethical issues you would need to consider. (3)
Safety:
Pathogenic bacteria or fungi may grow in the nutrient medium along with the
explants. This should be prevented by following aseptic techniques to keep the nutrient
medium and plant tissue sterile.
Some plants, like stinging nettle, may contain irritants. So avoid contact with skin by
wearing gloves.
Genes from GMOs can be transferred to other species. This cross contamination can
lead to environmental hazards. So, avoid releasing GMOs from the lab into the
environment.
Cutting of the explants may require the use of sharp instruments, like scalpels. Exert
caution while handling sharp equipment.
Tips
Clearly indicate whether your suggestion is a safety or ethical consideration.
Be specific and give a brief explanation for each suggestion. For example avoid stating
that release of GMOs into the environment is unsafe, rather, give a brief explanation to
say why it may be unsafe.
(b) Suggestions for preliminary work that you might undertake to ensure your proposed method would
provide meaningful data. (3)
Clearly define the independent variable and carry out pilot experiments or decide
upon a range of concentrations of plant growth regulators to be used for this
investigation. A growth substance that works on the selected plant tissue should be
used.
Devise a way of measuring the dependent variable. Decide what exactly is going to be
measured to provide meaningful and relevant data.
Identify and decide on what other variables (confounding variables) need to be
controlled. Determine appropriate timescales, source of tissue, temperature, pH, etc.
that will enable the experiment to work effectively. Short Pilot experiments can be
Model answers by Stafford Valentine Redden, www.staffordeducationalservices.com Online classroom (etuition) / unlimited resources 1
done to determine workable values for each parameter, or, research from other sources
like textbooks and internet could help.
Tips
Check out ideas to find the best method to do the experiment. Decide upon the
independent variable and plan how it can be varied effectively. You may have to
suggest suitable values that you plan to work with.
Devise or invent a suitable way to measure the dependent variable. It should be able
to generate numerical data for analysis.
Decide on what variables need to be controlled and how they may be controlled or
monitored.
(c) A detailed method explaining exactly how you would carry out this investigation and how important
variables are to be controlled or monitored. (10)
Independent Variable
The independent variable is the concentration of auxin Indole Acetic acid (IAA) used during
the tissue culture. A range of IAA solutions can be used for this investigation and each
explants can be treated with a different concentration of IAA solution. The concentration of
the solutions can range from 0.2 gcm-3, 0.4 gcm-3, 0.6 gcm-3, 0.8gcm-3, 1.0 gcm-3. Explants treated
with distilled water are used as a control. A sterile pipette can be used to transfer the IAA
solution into the Petri dish containing the explant.
Dependent variable
The dependent variable is the rate of growth of plant tissue (explants). The rate of growth
can be accurately measured by calculating the percentage change in the mass of plant tissue.
Percentage change in mass = ((Final mass Initial mass) / Initial mass) x 100
Confounding variables
All other variables that can influence the dependent variable must be kept constant in order
to obtain a fair test, obtain reliable data and draw valid conclusions.
The size and source of the explants
Cut plant tissues for culturing by using a sharp scalpel. The size of each explants can be 5mm
x 5mm x 5mm. All explants should be from the same plant and can be extracted from the
same position of the parent plant, root or leaf. This will ensure that there is less genetic
variation and less variation in tissue composition.
Sterilisation and culture conditions
All explants should be surface sterilized by washing thoroughly in dilute bleach for 3
minutes. Transfer the explants into sterile Petri dishes containing sterile nutrient agar by
using sterile forceps. Sterilisation is necessary to prevent the growth of microorganisms,
which may otherwise grow in the dishes and compete with the plant tissues. All dishes should
have the same nutrients and should be of the same size.
The Petri dishes must be incubated for three days in a thermostatic incubator maintained at
30oC. This will allow time for the explants to absorb nutrients from the plate and grow into
an undifferentiated mass of cells called the callus. The Petri dishes are sealed with two thin
strips of tape to prevent the covers from falling off. Oxygen can diffuse into the dishes and
the plant tissues will get an abundant supply of oxygen.
Repeat the experiment five times at each concentration and find the mean growth rate of
plant tissue.
Tips
Clearly state the independent and dependent variable.
Give full practical details of how the independent variable can be varied effectively.
Suggest suitable values and state the units, wherever possible.
Clearly define and describe what is to be measured and how it can be measured,
including formulae, equipment, procedure, etc.
Decide on what confounding variables need to be controlled and how they may be
controlled or monitored. Give full practical details and short explanations of how and
why each factor needs to be controlled.
(d) A clear explanation of how your data is to be analysed in order to make conclusions concerning this
hypothesis. (4)
The data from this investigation can be recorded and presented in the table below.
Concentration of Plant Percentage change in mass of plant tissue (%)
growth substance / gcm-3 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
The data from the table can be plotted on a scatter graph as shown below.
A correlation coefficient coefficient can be used to analyse the results.

A null hypothesis stating that there is no significant relationship between the concentration
of IAA and the rate of growth of plant tissue.
If the calculated value for the correlation coefficient is greater than the critical value, at the
5% probability or 0.05 significance levels, then reject the null hypothesis and conclude that
there is a significant relationship between the concentration of IAA and the rate of growth
of plant tissue.
Tips
The table must match the procedure and contain clear headings with units for each column.
A hypothetical graph with clearly labelled axes must be drawn or suggested.
Suggest a statistical test, null hypothesis and explain how to use the test.
(e) The limitations of your proposed method. (3)
It is difficult to ensure that all explants will have the same composition of tissues. This can
influence the rate of growth and hence influence the reliability of the results.
The different explants may have stored up different quantities of starch and other
nutrients. So, the explants with more stored nutrients may grow faster than others. This
can affect the reliability of the results.
The distribution of IAA in the plant tissue may be influenced by the exposure to light.
This may result in non-uniform growth of the tissue.
Some tissues in the explants may be damaged during handling and preparation of the
explants for culturing. This can result in unreliable results.
More than one plant growth substance may be needed in different concentrations at
different stages to ensure proper growth of the tissues.
Tips
A limitation is a genuine source of error, or, confounding variable which cannot be
controlled. It will affect the dependent variable and hence the reliability of your results.
Q3. Edexcel 6BIO8 Jan 2012
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2. A student was completing work experience at a local dental surgery. He was interested in
investigating the extent to which different drinks could affect tooth decay. Many of the patients suffering
from tooth decay reported that they regularly drank orange juice for breakfast. The dentist agreed to
help by providing some teeth that had been extracted from a variety of patients.
The student formed the hypothesis that the lower the pH of the drink the faster a tooth will decay. Plan
an investigation to test this hypothesis.

(a) A consideration of whether there are any safety or ethical issues you would need to consider. (3)
Safety consideration
The teeth may contain pathogenic bacteria and could be a source of infection to
the experimenter. So, care must be taken to ensure that the tooth is handled
with caution. The tooth could be thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic before
use (sterilization).
Buffer solutions with very low pH can be harmful and direct contact with the
skin should be avoided.
Ethical consideration
The doctor should inform donors about the investigation and get their consent
before donating the teeth for research.
Short pilot experiments can be carried out to check for the optimum conditions for
tooth decay. Workable values for temperature, oxygen supply, timescale for the
investigation, pH range to be used, etc. could be determined by these pilot projects.
Alternatively, some information could also be procured from online references.
Decide on a suitable range of pH values to be used. The range should include the pH of
orange juices.
Decide on a suitable way for measuring the rate of tooth decay (dependent variable).
E.g. percentage change in mass of the teeth during the investigation.
Hypothesis: The lower the pH, the higher is the rate of tooth decay.
Independent variable
The independent variable is the pH of the solution to which the teeth are exposed. The
pH of orange juice from different sources could be measured by using pH paper and a
standard colour chart. Buffer solutions of the same pH range are then prepared and
placed into beakers and labeled. The beakers are covered with cling film to prevent
evaporation, which could otherwise change the pH. All buffer solutions should have a
pH below 7 (acidic).
Dependent variable
The percentage change in mass of the teeth during the investigation is the dependent
variable. The mass of the teeth before exposure to the buffer solution is measured by a
sensitive electronic balance. The mass of the teeth is again measured with the same
balance after exposure to the low pH. The teeth should be thoroughly dried in a blast
of warm air to ensure accurate measurement of masses.
The percentage change in mass = ((Final mass initial mass) / initial mass) x 100
Any factor that can influence the rate of tooth decay must be kept constant. These
factors are called as control variables or confounding variables.
Temperature
Transfer 10 cm3 of buffer solution (pH 1) by using a pipette into a clean and dry test
tube. Pick up a clean, sterile, pre-weighed tooth with forceps and drop it into the test
tube with the buffer solution. Cover the test tube with cling film and place the test
tube into a thermostatic incubator maintained at 300C. The temperature must be
maintained at a constant for all trials because temperature can influence the rate of
reactions by influencing the kinetic energy of the reactants.
A temperature of 370C should be avoided as it may favour the growth of pathogenic
bacteria.
Surface area or size of teeth used

Smaller teeth will have a larger surface area to volume ratio than larger teeth. So,
the rate of reaction can be influenced by the size of teeth as well. To ensure that we
get reliable results, all teeth used in this investigation should ideally be of the same
mass. This can be achieved by using molars for all the trials. The mass will be quite
similar if obtained from people of the same age group.
Duration of exposure to low pH

All buffer solutions with the teeth should be subjected to the experimental conditions
for 3 days. The duration of exposure should allow a measurable change in mass to
occur, without destroying the teeth completely.
Replication of results
Repeat the experiment at pH 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Repeat the entire experiment two more times to check for the reliability of the
results.
hypothesis. (4)
Mass of tooth / g
pH of Initial mass Final mass Percentage
buffer Trial Trial Trial Mean Trial Trial Trial Mean change in
solution 1 2 3 1 2 3 mean mass (%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
A correlation coefficient coefficient can be used to analyse the results.

A null hypothesis stating that there is no significant relationship between the pH and the
rate of tooth decay.
If the calculated value for the correlation coefficient is greater than the critical value, at the
5% probability or 0.05 significance levels, then reject the null hypothesis and conclude that
there is a significant relationship between pH and the rate of tooth decay.
Different teeth may be damaged to varying extents and hence the surface area to
volume ratio will differ. This could affect the rate of decay.
The condition in which teeth decay in the mouth is different from the
experimental conditions and hence a valid comparison cannot be made.
The composition of the teeth may vary, as they are obtained from different people.
Hence there may be genetic influences on the composition and hence the decay
rate. [Total 23 marks] Q3. Edexcel 6BIO8 JUN 2011
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Q3. Many fruits and seeds contain germination inhibitors which delay germination until the inhibitors have
been washed away by rain or become inactivated. In tomatoes, the inhibitors delay germination until the
fleshy tomato fruit has rotted away releasing the seeds.
It has been suggested that, in tomatoes, the inhibitor of seed germination is present in the fleshy tissues of
the fruit rather than in the seed coats. Specimen paper

(a) A consideration of what sampling techniques might be appropriate to this investigation and any
safety or ethical issues you would need to consider. (3)
Safety
Decaying tomatoes may harbour harmful bacteria. Care should be taken while
handling such tomatoes. Wash hands thoroughly with an antiseptic after handling the
tomatoes.
Tomato pulp or juice can be a nutrient source for harmful bacteria. So, clean up any
spills in the laboratory with ethanol.
While preparing the pulp extract, make sure that the power plug of the blender is
pulled out of the socket when not in use. This will prevent from electric shock.
Decide on how the independent variable (the presence or absence of inhibitor) is going
to be practically carried out, or, a range of concentrations of inhibitor may also be
used. The experimenter should make a clear choice of how the independent variable is
to be varied.
Decide on what exactly is going to be measured as the dependent variable. In this case
the percentage germination will be appropriate to measure.
Decide on what confounding variables need to be controlled. For example, the
temperature, distance between the seeds in each dish, oxygen availability, water
supply, time scale that would be suitable must be found out by short pilot experiments
or research from other sources like textbooks or internet.
The independent variable is the presence or absence of the germination inhibitor. Wash 100
seeds obtained from a single large tomato (or two tomatoes from the same plant), with
distilled water to remove any inhibitor from the surface of the seed coat. Blot the seeds dry
with a filter paper. Place 50 of these seeds into a beaker containing 100cm3 of distilled water.
The remaining 50 seeds are soaked in a beaker containing the 100cm3 pulp extract. Keep both
beakers in a thermostatic water bath maintained at 300C for 30 minutes.
Confounding variables are those factors which can influence the dependent variable. These
factors should be controlled in order to obtain reliable results.
Germination conditions
10 tomato seeds from the distilled water beaker are placed on to surface of a moist filter
paper in a large Petri dish. The distance between the seeds is kept constant to avoid
competition for resources. The cover of the Petri dish is replaced and the Petri dish is
incubated in a thermostatic incubator maintained at 300C for 36 hours. The seeds in the Petri
dish can receive oxygen in abundance, as the Petri dish is not sealed. Add 3cm3 of water to
the Petri dish every 8 hours to ensure that the filter paper remains moist.
Repeat the procedure with seeds that have been treated with the pulp extract. Add 3cm3 of
pulp extract to the Petri dish every 8 hours.
Preparation of pulp extract

Weigh 50g of peeled tomato pulp, without seeds. Add 100 cm3 distilled water to the tomato
pulp and blend it for 3 minutes in a food blender. Then filter the pulp to obtain the pulp
extract, which will contain the inhibitor for seed germination.
Dependent variable
The percentage germination at the end of 36hours is measured as the dependent variable. All
seeds that have germinated to produce a visible radicle and plumule are counted as
germinated seeds.
% germination = (Number of seeds germinated per dish / Total number of seeds per dish) x 100
Repeat the experiment 5 times and find the mean percentage germination.
hypothesis. (4)
Number of seeds germinated per dish Percentage
Treatment given Dish 1 Dish 2 Dish 3 Dish 4 Dish 5 Mean germination per
to seeds dish (%)
Treated with
distilled water
Treated with
germination
inhibitor
A bar graph can be used to analyse and display the results.
A t test can be used to analyse and interpret the data to draw valid conclusions.
Null hypothesis: there is no significant difference between the mean percentage germination
of seeds with or without the inhibitor.
If the calculated t value is greater than the critical t value, at 5% significance level, then
reject the null hypothesis.
Some seeds may not be viable and will not germinate even in ideal conditions. This
could influence the reliability of the results.
All the inhibitor may not be washed away from the seed coat when washed with
distilled water.
The tomato pulp may contain other substances along with the inhibitor. These substances
may also influence the germination of seeds. So, it would unfair to conclude that the inhibitor
alone is influencing germination.
[Total 23 marks]
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Q4. A student observed honeybees that were visiting flowers to collect nectar (a sugary product from flowers).
He noticed that they showed a preference for collecting nectar from flowers of a particular colour.
Design an investigation, which you could personally carry out in the laboratory or field, to test the hypothesis that
when collecting nectar, honeybees are able to recognise colour. Jun 07

Safety consideration
Honey bees could deliver painful and sometimes fatal stings. So, avoid getting too close to
the bees and wear a protective face mask and coat to avoid being stung.
The habitat may contain plants with spines or some plants may contain irritants. Survey
the habitat and avoid contact with such plants.
Ethical consideration
Care should be taken to ensure that the honey bees or other animals in the environment
are not harmed during the experiment.
Sampling techniques
Random sampling can be carried out to randomly select plants that would be used in this
investigation, as it would be impossible to monitor the number of visits by honey bees to all
the plants in an area. The random nature of selecting plants for observation helps to reduce
bias.
A suitable site must be selected and surveyed. The site should have at least two colours
of roses, red and white. This is the independent variable for this investigation.
The dependent variable will be the number of visits to the flowers in a given area per
unit time. During the survey, it must be checked whether the bees visit both types of
flowers. This can be done by simple observation.
During the survey, decide on what other factors could influence the frequency of visits
to the flowers by the honey bees. The distance that must be maintained to safely, yet
accurately, count the number of visits to a flower can be worked out. The most suitable
time of the day can be determined, the influence of wind velocity on frequency of visits
can be estimated, a method of standardising the distance between flowers can be
devised, and any other factor that can influence the frequency of visits can be
identified.
The independent variable is the colour of the flower visited by the honey bees. Two colours of
roses, red and white are chosen for this investigation. Flowers of other colours and species
can be removed by using a sharp scissors. The investigation is carried out in a field having
both red roses and white roses.
Confounding variables are factors that can influence the dependent variable. So, these factors
need to be controlled.
A large field containing white and red roses is chosen for this investigation. Plots of 1m2 are
randomly selected within the field and chosen as sampling areas. Each area must contain red
and white roses. Count the number of roses in each 1m2 area and adjust the relative number
of red and white roses in the plot by cutting off the roses which are in excess. There should be
equal number of red and white roses per plot. This will also standardise the mean distance
between the flowers, as there will be equal number of flowers per 1m2 area. The size of flowers
can be controlled by removing half grown or small flowers from each plot and leaving only
the largest mature flowers intact. Rose nectar can be added to all the flowers within the plots
to ensure that all flowers have excess nectar.
Setup a video recorder on a tripod 1m away from the plot and focus it on to the flowers
within the 1m2 plot for 1 hour. Repeat the experiment for 9 other randomly selected plot of
1m2 at the same time of the day.
Dependent variable
Replay the recordings and count the number of visits to each colour of flower within the
duration of 1 hour.
Frequency of visits = Number of visits to a particular colour of flower / time
A visit should be counted only if the honey bee spends at least 2 seconds on the flower.
hypothesis. (4)
The data obtained from this investigation can be represented in the table shown below.
Number of seeds germinated per dish
Colour of flower Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot Mean
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Red roses
White roses
A bar graph can be used to analyse and display the results.
Hypothetical graph
A t test can be used to analyse and interpret the data to draw valid conclusions.
Null hypothesis: there is no significant difference between the mean number of visits to the
red roses and white roses by the honey bees.
If the calculated t value is greater than the critical t value, at 5% significance level, then

Wind velocity, light intensity and other factors are difficult to standardize. These
factors could influence the frequency of visits to the flowers.
The number of bees in the habitat could also influence the frequency of visits. This is
difficult to control and can influence the reliability of the results.
Other senses, like smell could be attracting the bees to different flowers.
Interactions between bees and other insects may affect colour choice. For example, the
bees may not visit one type of flower because the flowers may be infested with ants. So,
competition may influence the frequency of visits rather than recognition of colour.
[Total 23 marks]
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January 2003 (Froghoppers)

Q5. Your answer should give details under the following headings.
Safety
The woodland vegetation may contain stinging insects and invertebrates, like centipedes
or scorpions. Wear leather footwear and carry long forceps to keep these animals away.
Sharp twigs in the coppiced woodland could cause serious cuts. Exert caution while
working in the coppiced area.
Some soft stemmed plants may contain allergens, like pollen or stinging cells. Avoid
contact with such allergens.
Ethics
The froghoppers and other animals that may be captured should not be harmed and must
be released back into their natural habitat once the experiment is over.
Sampling method
Since the area will have hundreds of soft stemmed plants, it is not practically possible
to estimate the number of froghoppers on every plant in the habitat. So, plants can be
randomly selected and used for estimation of the froghopper abundance.
Survey many areas and select an area where there are plenty of soft stemmed plants
and froghoppers.
Decide on the most suitable time of the year to carry out this investigation.
Decide on the most suitable method for estimation of the abundance of froghoppers, for
example will you use population density or Lincoln index. A short pilot experiment
can be carried out to decide on the best method.
Decide on a suitable size quadrat that can be used for this investigation.
HYPOTHESIS: Coppicing of woodland increases the number of froghoppers
Type of habitat: Coppiced or non coppiced woodland
Select an area of woodland community in which soft stem plants grow and in which
froghoppers are found. Choose a plot of land 50m x 25m and use it to carry out the
investigation. After estimating the abundance of froghoppers, coppice the area and remove
all the twigs and branches. After a month repeat the investigation in the same area and
estimate the abundance of froghoppers.
Confounding variables are those variables that can influence the abundance of froghoppers
in the habitat. These factors must be controlled or monitored to obtain reliable results.
Random Sampling
Run two ropes perpendicular to each other covering an area of 50 25m. Mark the rope at
1m intervals to serve as the X and Y axis of the sampling area. Place a quadrat square of 1m
1m in a coordinate selected by a random process. Place a beating tray above the quadrat
and below the plants and using a stick and pooter collect the froghoppers. Repeat the process
10 times by selecting different random areas and collect the froghoppers. Count the total
number of froghoppers (S1) and mark all of it with a water proof marker under their bodies.
Release them to mingle with the other froghoppers in the habitat for 2-3 days. After three
days repeat the processes and collect froghoppers from random coordinates (from 10
coordinates). Count the total number of froghoppers (S2). Count the number of marked
froghoppers recaptured (R).
Dependent variable
The dependent variable is the abundance of froghoppers in each habitat. This can be
estimated by the Lincoln index which gives an estimate of the population size.
Lincoln index = (S1 S2) / R
Compare the Lincoln index of after coppicing and before coppicing.

REPETITION
Repeat the process in 2 more areas and compare their Lincoln index. (Find the mean). The
experiment must be carried out at the same time of the year in all the three areas.
hypothesis. (4)
Sample 1 Sample 2 Recaptured Mean Lincoln index = (S1 x S2) / R
(S1) (S2) (R)
Habitat
Trial 2
Trial 2
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 3
Trial 3
Trial 1
Trial 1
Trial 1
Mean
Mean
Mean
Coppiced
woodland
Non-coppiced
woodland
The results can be presented in a suitable graphical form as shown below.
The data can be analysed by using a t-test to determine whether the difference between the
abundance of froghoppers in the two habitats is significant or not.
Null hypothesis: there is no significant difference between the number of froghoppers in

coppiced and non-coppiced woodlands.
If the calculated t value is greater than the critical t value, at the 5% significance level, then
Limitations
It is difficult to control all the biotic and abiotic factors in each habitat (Zone)
All the froghoppers (within the quadrat) may not be collected because there is a chance of
some froghoppers flying away
Froghoppers may not re-distribute themselves after being marked and released
Some froghoppers may emigrate or immigrate and some may be killed (or may die) between
the time of release and recapture
Note: The answers above are model answers to give students an idea about the
approach and format of writing plans for investigations. Students will be tested on an
unfamiliar topic and will need to plan each experiment to satisfy the requirements of the
hypothesis. Practice for the exam by answering the remaining questions and get a
feedback from your teachers.
Your answer for each question should give details under the following headings.
hypothesis. (4)
[Total 23 marks]
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Q6. Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) reproduces sexually by seeds, but it also reproduces asexually by
means of runners. Runners are stems that grow from the parent plant along the surface of the soil. Creeping
buttercup often grows in fields of short grass.
The structure of a creeping buttercup plant is shown in the diagram below.
Design an investigation that can be undertaken outdoors to test the hypothesis that the number of plants
reproducing asexually is linked to the density of plants. Jun 09
Q7. The banded snail (Cepaea nemoralis) has many varied phenotypes, ranging from a shell having a single
stripe to one having six or more stripes. An example of a banded snail is shown in the photograph below.
The main reason for this variation in numbers of stripes may be due to selection by predators, since the different
phenotypes provide camouflage in different habitats.
The song thrush is a major predator of banded snails. The song thrush carries the snail to a favourite place
containing a large stone, called an anvil stone. Here it repeatedly hits the snail on the anvil stone until the shell
breaks open. The snail is then eaten and the shell is left behind.
The shells left near the anvil stone form a useful way of monitoring the type of snail selected by individual birds.
Design an investigation to test the hypothesis that banded snails with more stripes are
better camouflaged in open grassland areas than in woodland. Jan 09
Q8. Earthworms are animals important in maintaining soil quality. If their numbers fall, soil aeration and water
penetration may be severely reduced. Farmers usually prepare ground for growing crops by turning over the soil
using a traditional plough, but earthworm numbers fall when such a method is used. A farmer decided to try out
a new technique using a chisel plough, where the soil is not turned over.
Some species of earthworms produce faeces in the form of casts on the surface of the soil and the mass of
casts in an area can be used to assess the number of earthworms present.
Design an investigation the farmer can use to test the hypothesis that there are more earthworms found in soil
subjected to chisel ploughing compared with soil subjected to traditional ploughing. Your suggested study
should have little impact on the environment and the earthworms. Jun 08
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Q9. Many plants produce chemicals that inhibit the growth and germination of other plant species. This allows
the plants to reduce competition and to grow more vigorously. Mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella) is a
flowering plant that grows in meadows and pastures. In these habitats, this plant often competes successfully
with grasses,especially those of the Festuca species. Plan an investigation to be carried out in the laboratory to
test the hypothesis that the roots of Hieracium contain chemicals that inhibit the germination of Festuca seeds.
Jan 08
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Q10. Some students argue that listening to music helps them to memorise their notes when revising for
examinations. Plan an investigation, which you personally could carry out, to test the hypothesis that listening to
music will increase the performance of students on a specific task. Jan 07
......
Q11. In many parts of Europe the numbers of red squirrels are decreasing. It has been suggested that one
reason for this is because of competition for their food such as acorns, which are nut-like fruits produced by oak
trees.
Plan an investigation to be carried out in a large wood known to have a population of red squirrels to test the
hypothesis that there is no relationship between the numbers of acorns found on the ground each year and the
number of red squirrels. Jan 06
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Q12. On grasslands where cattle are grazed in large numbers, their dung (faeces) becomes a serious problem
as it covers the ground, reducing the area of actively-growing grass. Dung beetles are small insects that remove
cattle dung and play an important role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. The faster the dung can be
removed by these beetles, the more grass will become available for cattle to eat. A farmer is planning to
introduce a new species of dung beetle called Superpat. It is claimed that Superpat removes cattle dung at a
faster rate than the native dung beetle which is currently found in his fields. Plan an investigation, which you
personally could carry out, to test the hypothesis that Superpat dung beetles will produce a larger area of grass
for grazing than native dung beetles. Jun 05
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Q13. It has been suggested that an insect called the crown weevil could be used as a control agent of the cotton
thistle, which is a serious weed of some grasslands used to feed cattle. The diagram below shows a cotton
thistle plant with its rosette of leaves radiating out from a central shoot.
The female adult stage of the crown weevil lays its eggs on the underside of the cotton thistle leaves. The larvae
(grubs) that emerge from these eggs burrow through the leaves to the centre of each rosette. Here they feed on
the bases of the leaves or on young shoots. A student decided to test the idea that as the number of weevils is
increased the number of seeds produced by the thistle is reduced. Plan a laboratory-based investigation, which
you could personally carry out, to test this hypothesis. Jun 04
...
Q14. Potatoes are one of the major sources of carbohydrate worldwide. However, they can be affected by many
diseases that seriously reduce productivity. The leaves of potato plants may be affected by a virus that causes
the leaves to curl, which reduces the surface area of the leaves exposed to sunlight. The virus is passed from
plant to plant by insects called aphids. Modem techniques have made it possible to produce potatoes, called
marvel, that show increased resistance to this virus compared to the unaltered type, called native. A student was
asked to carry out an investigation, in a laboratory or a glasshouse, to test the hypothesis that marvel potato
plants have greater viral resistance than native plants. Jan 04
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Q15. Froghoppers, such as the one shown below, are small insects that feed on soft-stemmed plants.
Froghopper (311 mm)

Plan an investigation, which you personally could carry out, to test the hypothesis that coppicing (cutting down
trees to leave a stump) of a woodland increases the number of froghoppers. Jan 03
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Q16. Plan an investigation, which you personally could carry out, to test the hypothesis that chewing gum
containing nicotine could decrease reaction times in human subjects. Jun 03
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Q17. The rate of respiration in cells can be affected by metabolic poisons. A student formed a hypothesis that
sodium malonate is a metabolic poison that decreases hydrogen production during the Krebs cycle. Hydrogen
production can be measured using redox indicators that change colour when they take up hydrogen. Plan an
investigation, which you personally could carry out, to test this hypothesis, using yeast and a redox indicator
such as methylene blue or tetrazolium chloride. Jun 02

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PLANNING AN INVESTIGATION MODEL ANSWERS BY STAFFORD

Your answer should give details under the following headings.

A correlation coefficient coefficient can be used to analyse the results.

Your answer should give details under the following headings.

Surface area or size of teeth used

Duration of exposure to low pH

A correlation coefficient coefficient can be used to analyse the results.

Your answer should give details under the following headings.

Preparation of pulp extract

Your answer should give details under the following headings.

A bar graph can be used to analyse and display the results.

(e) The limitations of your proposed method. (3)

January 2003 (Froghoppers)

Compare the Lincoln index of after coppicing and before coppicing.

The results can be presented in a suitable graphical form as shown below.

Null hypothesis: there is no significant difference between the number of froghoppers in

(e) The limitations of your proposed method. (3)

Froghopper (311 mm)

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