BIOLOGY

YEAR
COURSE

12
BIOLOGY

UNIT TITLE

HSC Biology (2016)

DATE GIVEN

Term 4 Week 4

WEIGHTING
TYPE OF TASK

25%

OUTCOMES TO
BE ASSESSED

DATE DUE:

Practical design due:

Term 4 Week 6
Practical in class:
Term 4 Week 8

TOTAL MARK
Open Ended Investigation

60 marks

H11 justifies the appropriateness of a particular investigation plan

H12 evaluates ways in which accuracy and reliability could be improved in
investigations
H13 evaluates ways in which accuracy and reliability could be improved in
investigations
H14 assesses the validity of conclusions from gathered data and information

DESCRIPTION OF To research and design an experiment to investigate the effect of pH on the

activity of the enzyme rennin. They are testing this specific enzyme as it is
THE TASK

used in cow stomachs to breakdown food. Also it follows on from the

experiment of how temperature effects this enzyme from the classes
beforehand. The student will also need to conduct their designed experiment in
class and then present findings of results and conclusion with an evaluation of
the experiment. This task is an open ended investigation which gives students a
chance to test their own theories and ideas.

Read through the following task carefully. Make sure

SPECIAL
REQUIREMENTS that you address all of the outcomes stated in the
FOR THE TASK assessment criteria.
THIS ASSIGNMENT IS TO BE SUBMITTED IN TWO PARTS
on two different dates. Both parts must be handed in to
your teacher on the stated dates.

METHOD OF
SUBMISSION

Practical design and in class assessment practical

Work that is plagiarised will receive a mark of Zero.

Sources that have been used in your assessment need to be acknowledged in a bibliography and/or
the assessment.

Parent/Guardian Notification
The assessment notification sheet has been sighted and the due date noted.
..........................................................(parent/guardian)

Part 1- Investigation Plan (20 marks)

Due: Term 4 week 6

Wednesday 12th October 2016 in class

Carefully read the marking criteria and due date. This investigation plan is to
be submitted in the scientific report format with: aim; hypothesis; equipment;
method; risk assessment, as set out in the marking criteria below.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
CRITERIA

OUTCOM
E
1 State a relevant hypothesis for this investigation
H11

MAR
K
1

2 Write an appropriate aim for this investigation

3 List all equipment you will use for this investigation

4 Determine whether qualitative or quantitative data is

needed. Explain which type of data is most
appropriate for this investigation

5 Identify the dependent and independent variables

6 Identify the control variables and how they are being

kept constant

7 Design a method that allows valid and reliable data to

be collected

8 Complete a risk assessment for your intended

experimental procedures, to clearly identify and
minimise at least 2 potential hazards

TOTAL

MAR
K

20

Comment Box:

Note: The marks will be recorded and the plan returned to you before the end
of week 7.
You will need to keep the plan with teacher comments, to hand in with
the final experimental report.

Part 2 Experiment (40 marks)

Due: Term 4 Week 8

Wednesday 26th October

2016 in class

This experiment is to be submitted as a full scientific report. Include table(s),

graph(s), observations and diagrams. Results are to be recorded in the
appropriate format (table/ graph). An evaluation of your experiment is to be
completed. Carefully read the marking criteria and note the due date.
Perform the experiment. Then present the experiment and results as
a FULL scientific report.

OUTCO
ME

H12

Evaluatio
n

H13

CRITERIA
1

Resubmit the original annotated plan (Part 1)

Provide a series of photos, showing evidence

that you performed the investigation. Images of
you using the equipment (selfies) and visual
proof showing how you have completed the
experiment are needed.

Assess the accuracy of the results

Assess the validity of your results

Assess the reliability of your results

Use an appropriate text type which allows you to

record the activity and its outcomes/overall
presentation of the report.
(A final report based on Part 1 and the results of
the experiment: aim; hypothesis; equipment;
method; results; conclusion; discussion)

Organise information gathered in table(s) and

graph(s)

Provide a conclusion stating the effect of pH on

the enzyme Rennin

Final
Report

Results

H14
Conclusio

MAR
K

MAR
K

Discussio
n

Justify the relationships inferred by using cause

and effect to relate the data collected.

10 Discuss any difficulties encountered and

suggest ideas for further investigation

TOTAL:

40

PART 2
TOTAL:

20

TOTAL: PART 1 + PART 2

60

PART 1

Comment Box:

Task Draft: Part One (Practical Design)

Hypothesis:
State your idea of what might happen to the activity of Rennin when
effected by pH.
Aim:
What is the aim of your experiment? What are you trying to
investigate?
Materials:
List the materials used in your experiment.
Controlled, dependent and independent variables:
What are controlled variable? When you keep the concentration of a
substance the same.
What are dependent variables? The output or outcome. Such as
enzyme activity
What are independent variables? The inputs or causes. Such as pH
levels
Method:
How would you conduct the experiment? In summarised steps and
stating the equipment used in each step.

Risk assessment:
Identify and explain how you would minimise two hazards. What are
hazards? How do we minimise them?

Part Two: Practical Experiment (In Class)

Evaluation:
Assess the validity, reliability and accuracy of your results in the
space below.

Results:
Organise your results into a table and also a graph using the
graphing paper provided.

Conclusion:
What where your findings from your experiment? Did pH effect the
activity of the enzyme?

Discussion:
Where there any problems when conducting your experiment? How
can these problems be improved?