Biology P3 Basics and Tips 01

(note: I'm using Vika's account since i'm too lazy to make one =_=, for those who failed to guess who am I, I wont tell ^.^)

Finally, a biology section.
Anyways,
Since Vika told me to do biology, and bio p3 is first, so I'd like to share some bio p3 tips.
You can request any clarifications on A Level Biology later, and I or Vika will try our best to answer it.

First, the basics, just for your information.
The practical usually consists of 2 questions. The first one should be some test-tube-practical, and the second one should be microscope-related-practical
Total mark is 40, according to 2009 syllabus it consists of:

• Manipulation, Measurement, and Observation (16 marks or 40% of total mark)
  
• Presentation of Data and Observation (12 marks or 30% of total mark)
• Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation (12 marks or 30% of total mark)

Well, basically all three is important since their respective marks have the ratio of 40 : 30 : 30 which is well spread. I find the syllabus for the biology practical quite helpful because it simply explains what will happen in the practical. I suggest you take your time to read the practical syllabus. My writings are actually a summary of the syllabus and what I know.

Q1 part 01: The Tedious Test Tube Practicals.

In this practical, the first question will ask you to do certain things with clear set of instructions like put 2cm³ of starch into solution A and then put some inhibitor blablabla, and it will ask you to record your observation in sentences. That is all there is to it, only worth 2 marks.

Ah, the main part. The second question, based on the info given on the first, will tell you to do an experiment and record your observation in a table, you know how it goes. You are given a set of apparatus, but you may or may not use them all. The experiment is repeated with varying sets of values of the factors like time or concentration, and oftenly 3 readings for each value set is enough. Make a neat table to record your observations, label each coloumn, AND DON'T MESS UP THE UNITS ON THE LABEL (and it goes like length/mm or length (mm)). Use pen for your writings.

This is basically manipulation of apparatus, use the apparatus given efficiently and smartly, don't mix up the syringe or beaker, and note that you should read on the meniscus. This question worth 6 marks and should take anywhere from 20-40 minutes depending on the question. DON'T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME IN LEISURE AND COMFORT OR HESITATION, YOU'RE KILLING YOURSELF; RESIST THE TEMPTATION! If the experiment takes a long time you can do the next questions first. Immediately afterwards, they will ask you to draw a conclusion from your results, pretty simple.

Oh before I forget.. I'd like to give some tips on the ultimately-luck-based-ambiguous-colour type test tube practicals, like benedict dilution (i hate this the most, inhibitor comes next on my hate list), use the word 'pale' or 'dark' AND DONT INVENT YOUR OWN COLOUR LIKE PURPLISH GREEN OR PINKISH BLUE, believe me, its written on the syllabus. I'm unsure whether you can use comparison like paler red than at 0.1 mol, but darker than at 0.5 mol. Use precise and simple language for it.

That's it for part one, I wont discuss all aspect of the practical though, i'll just discuss what seems important or tricky to me. Its roughly a week to the actual practical when this is written, expect it to be finished maybe 3 days before the practical. And again, the practical syllabus really helps, just read it.