MRSM BIOLOGY PAPER 3 2011

Question 2 :
Plants require carbon dioxide and water to synthesize organic compounds in the presence
of light energy in a process called photosynthesis. The rate of photosynthesis is affected
by factors such as concentration of carbon dioxide, light intensity and temperature.
Based on the above information, plan a lab experiment to study the effect of carbon
dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis in an aquatic plant
Objective
Problem
Statement
Variables :
Manipulated
Responding
Constant
Hypothesis

To study..
What is the effect of .?

3
3

.
.
.
( How manipulated variable affects responding variable?)
When concentration of carbon dioxide increases, the rate of
photosynthesis increases.

Materials and
Apparatus

Procedure
K1:
Setting up
apparatus and
materials
K2:
How to handle
CV
K3:
How to handle
MV
K4:
How to handle
RV
K5:
Precautionary Repeat the experiment to get average result
steps

Presentation
of data

MRSM BIOLOGY PAPER 3 2009

Question 2 :
Lemna sp. is a small floating plant which lives in fresh water. It reproduces sexually. The
growth of Lemna depends on abiotic factors such as light intensity, temperature, water,
pH and carbon dioxide concentration.
Based on the above information, plan a lab experiment to investigate the effect of
change in pH value on the population growth rate of Lemna plant.
Objective
Problem
Statement
Variables MV
RV
CV

To investigate..
What is the effect of .

Hypothesis

( How manipulated variable affects responding variable?)

When the pH value is 7, the population growth rate of Lemna
is the highest

Materials &
Apparatus
Procedure
K1:
Setting up
apparatus and
materials
K2:
How to handle
CV
K3:
How to handle
MV
K4:
How to handle Count and record the number of Lemna plants after one week.
RV
Calculate the growth rate using a formula.
K5:
Precautionary Repeat the experiment to get average result
steps

Presentation
of data

.
.
.

SPM BIOLOGY PAPER 3 2010

Question 2
Organisms in an environment compete with each other for the same basic needs in their
survival. Competition between individuals of different species is called interspecific
competition and of the same species is called intraspecific competition. The effect of
the competition is shown in their growth such as the height, size and dry mass.
Based on the above information, plan a laboratory experiment to study the effect of
interspecific competition between maize and paddy plants on their growth.
Objective
Problem
Statement
Variables MV
RV
CV

To investigate..
What is the effect of interspecific competition
.
.
.

Hypothesis

( How manipulated variable affects responding variable?)

When there is interspecific competition between maize and
paddy, the dry mass of the paddy plant decreases.

Materials

Apparatus
Procedure
K1:
Setting up
apparatus and
materials
K2:
How to handle
CV
K3:
How to handle
MV
K4:
How to handle
RV
K5:
Precautionary
steps

Presentation
of data

BIOLOGI PAPER 3
Digestion of starch begins in the mouth. Salivary amylase breaks down starch to maltose.
For a healthy person, the body temperature at 37 C is the best temperature for enzyme
reaction.
Objective
Problem
Statement
Variables MV
RV
CV
Hypothesis

Materials &
Apparatus

To investigate the effect of temp. on the rate of amylase reaction.

What is the effect of temp. on the rate of amylase reaction ?
Temp. of substrate
Rate of amylase reaction/Time for conversion of starch to sugar
Vol. of starch and saliva/pH of medium
( How manipulated variable affects responding variable?)
The rate of amylase reaction with starch is highest at the
optimum temperature.
The optimum temperature for the rate of amylase reaction is
37oC
Saliva, 1% starch solution ,iodine, ice , water,distilled water

3
3
3

Test tubes, beaker, Bunsen burner, thermometer,stop watch,

measuring cylinder, glass rod , dropper, white cavity tile
Procedure
K1:
Setting up
apparatus and
materials
K2:
How to handle
CV
K3:
How to handle
MV
K4:
How to handle
RV
K5:
Precautionary
steps
Presentation
of data

1. Rinse the mouth and collect saliva. (K1,K5)

2. Dilute the saliva with distilled water.(K1)
3. Add 5ml of 1% starch with 1ml of starch solution.(K1,K2)
4. Place the mixture in water bath at 10oC, 20oC,
30oC ,40oC ,50oC, 60oC and start the stop watch.(K1,K3)
5. Test the presence of starch using iodine on the white tile
cavity.(K1)
6. Repeat every one minute until the iodine does not turn dark
blue and record the time taken.(K1,K4)
7. Repeat the steps for different temperatures.

2
o

Temperature./ C

Time taken for hydrolysis of

starch /minute