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Dependent & independent variables

When you read through an investigation try to work out three main things:
1. What is being changed this is called the independent variable, e.g. light 2. What is being measured this is called the dependent variable, e.g. oxygen given off by plant 3. What is being kept the same these are called the standard or control variables,

As type of plant, number of leaves on the plant, environment of plant ,the apparatus
used, time for collecting oxygen.

Some investigation needs to have two parts:

The experimental- which is the apparatus used to measure the process The control. which will be exactly the same as the experiment except being studied and contains the living organism being tested. the living organism will be missing or replaced by something non-living. e.g. there would be no plant in one set of apparatus. The control shows that the results are due to the activity of the living organism and is not due to the apparatus or an environmental factor.

Dependent variables go on y axis. Independent variables go on x axis. Time is almost always independent and that is why it nearly always on x axis. Time doesn't depend on anything in most experiments But many things depend on it. Those will go on the y axis

N.B

For Example . If you were to measure the influence of different quantities of fertilizers on plant growth The independent variable would be the amount of fertilizer being used ( the changing factor of the experiment The dependent variable would be the growth in height or mass of the plant ( the factors that are influenced in the experiment

Dependent

Independent

Safety precautions inside the lab or during the experiment

safety glasses/ goggles lab-coat ( for protection ) test tube holders or tongs caustic chemicals / clear spillage /point away from people tie hair back to prevent burning /tuck in ties well ventilated area

Fair test ( making sure the comparison is accurate ) ( For more reliable results )
same external conditions equal amount of the medium . Repeat / calculate the average More frequent readings Accurate /digital thermometer Stirring water /heat evenly distributed Use of stop watch Same time for heating Equal volume of the samples to be tested Same size containers Same shape containers Thermometers similar range / suspended in the same position /did not touch glass Start at the same temperature Lids ( the same )

Start experiments at the same time

Another name for histogram ( frequency graph )

If you are asked to draw a graph: Choose a scale which uses most of the grid. Choose a simple scale, e.g. one small square is equal to 1 or 2 or 10 units in the data. Write the name of the axes and their units, e.g. rate of water loss/ g per h , temperature/C, time/ s Plot the points exactly using a sharp pencil. Draw the points lightly so that you can rub them out if you need to. Make them more definite when you are sure they are right. Use a cross (x) or a dot in a circle ( ) for your plot points. Join the points with a "line of best fit or a zig -zag line. Do not extend you graph beyond the plotted points. If you are asked for a trend or pattern Describe the overall change, e.g. the line increases and then levels. off. Do not describe each point of the graph.

Measurements used in Biology