Required practicals
The AQA required practicals — method, variables and marking traps. At least 15% of the marks come from practical work — these pages are built to bank them.
Microscopy
Use a light microscope to observe, draw and label plant and animal cells, and calculate the magnification of the image.
Culturing microorganisms — effect of antiseptics or antibiotics
Investigate the effect of a range of antiseptics or antibiotics on the growth of bacteria, using aseptic technique, by measuring the zone of inhibition.
Osmosis in plant tissue
Investigate the effect of a range of concentrations of sugar or salt solutions on the mass of plant tissue (potato).
Food tests
Use qualitative reagents to test a food sample for reducing sugars, starch, protein and lipids.
Effect of pH on amylase activity
Investigate the effect of pH on the rate at which amylase breaks down starch, using iodine to detect when the starch has gone.
Effect of light intensity on photosynthesis
Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis of pondweed by counting the oxygen bubbles released.
Effect of a factor on reaction time
Plan and carry out an investigation into the effect of a factor (such as caffeine or practice) on human reaction time, using the ruler-drop test.
Effect of light or gravity on seedling growth
Investigate the effect of light (phototropism) or gravity (gravitropism) on the growth of newly germinated seedlings.
Population size and distribution (sampling)
Measure the population size of a common species using random sampling with quadrats, and investigate how a factor affects the distribution of a species using a transect.
Effect of temperature on the rate of decay
Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring the time for its pH to change as it turns sour.
Practical marks are the easiest to bank
They repeat every year and reward method recall. Tell me which practical you're shaky on — your first lesson is free.