Practical Skills - GCSE Biology
Compliance with the requirements for practical work
The Practical Activity Groups allow centres flexibility in their choice of activity. Upon completion of at least eight practical activities, each learner must have had the opportunity to use all of the apparatus and techniques described in the following tables of this topic.
The tables illustrate the apparatus and techniques required for each PAG and an example practical that may be used to contribute to the PAG. It should be noted that some apparatus and techniques can be used in more than one PAG. It is therefore important that teachers take care to ensure that learners do have the opportunity to use all of the required apparatus and techniques during the course with the activities chosen by the centre.
Within the specification there are a number of practicals that are described in the 'Practical suggestions' column. These can count towards each PAG. We are expecting that centres will provide learners with opportunities to carry out a wide range of practical activities during the course. These can be the ones described in the specification or can be practicals that are devised by the centre. Activities can range from whole investigations to simple starters and plenaries.
It should be noted that the practicals described in the specification need to be covered in preparation for the 15% of questions in the written examinations that will assess practical skills. Learners also need to be prepared to answer questions using their knowledge and understanding of practical apparatus, techniques and procedures in written papers.
Safety is an overriding requirement for all practical work. Centres are responsible for ensuring appropriate safety procedures are followed whenever their learners complete practical work.
Use and production of appropriate scientific diagrams to set up and record apparatus and procedures used in practical work is common to all science subjects and should be included wherever appropriate.
Revision of the requirements for practical work
OCR will review the practical activities detailed in Topic 7 of this specification following any revision by the Secretary of State of the apparatus or techniques published specified in respect of the GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) qualification.
OCR will revise the practical activities if appropriate.
If any revision to the practical activities is made, OCR will produce an amended specification which will be published on the OCR website. OCR will then use the following methods to communicate the amendment to Centres: Notice to Centres sent to all Examinations Officers. e-alerts to Centres that have registered to teach the qualification and social media.
Practical Activity Groups (PAGs)
The following list includes opportunities for choice and use of appropriate laboratory apparatus for a variety of experimental problem-solving and/or enquiry based activities.
PAG 1 to 4 Requirements
| Practical Activity Group (PAG) | Apparatus and techniques that the practical must use or cover | Example of a suitable biology activity * |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Microscopy | Use of appropriate apparatus, techniques and magnification, including microscopes, to make observations of biological specimens and produce labelled scientific drawings7 Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, temperature, volume of liquids and gases, and pH 1 | Investigate different magnification techniques to draw scientific diagrams from a number of biological specimens |
| 2 Testing for biological molecules | Safe use of appropriate heating devices and techniques including use of a Bunsen burner and a water bath or electric heater2 Use of appropriate techniques and qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules and processes in more complex and problem-solving contexts including continuous sampling in an investigation. | Testing foods for the presence of biological molecules in a range of foods |
| 3 Sampling techniques | Application of appropriate sampling techniques to investigate the distribution and abundance of organisms in an ecosystem via direct use in the field (to include: biotic and abiotic factors) Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, temperature, volume of liquids and gases, and pH 1 | Investigation the differences in habitats using ecological sampling techniques |
| 4 Rates of enzyme-controlled reactions | Safe use of appropriate heating devices and techniques including use of a Bunsen burner and a water bath or electric heater2 Use of appropriate apparatus and techniques for the observation and measurement of biological changes and/or processes3 Measurement of rates of reaction by a variety of methods including production of gas, uptake of water and colour change of indicator5 Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, temperature, volume of liquids and gases, and pH 1 | Investigate the factors that can affect the rate of enzyme activity |
PAG 5 to 8 Requirements
| Practical Activity Group (PAG) | Apparatus and techniques that the practical must use or cover | Example of a suitable biology activity * |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Photosynthesis | Use of appropriate apparatus and techniques for the observation and measurement of biological changes and/or processes3 Safe and ethical use of living organisms (plants or animals) to measure physiological functions and responses to the environment4 Measurement of rates of reaction by a variety of methods including production of gas, uptake of water and colour change of indicator5 Safe use of appropriate heating devices and techniques including use of a Bunsen burner and a water bath or electric heater2 Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, temperature, volume of liquids and gases, and pH 1 | Investigate the factors that can affect the rate of photosynthesis on Cabomba |
| 6 Physiology, responses respiration | Safe and ethical use of living organisms (plants or animals) to measure physiological functions and responses to the environment4 Safe use of appropriate heating devices and techniques including use of a Bunsen burner and a water bath or electric heater2 | Investigate the effect of exercise on pulse rate/ventilation rate and recovery |
| 7 Microbiological techniques | Use of appropriate apparatus and techniques for the observation and measurement of biological changes and/or processes3 Use of appropriate apparatus, techniques and magnification, including microscopes, to make observations of biological specimens and produce labelled scientific drawings7 Safe use of appropriate heating devices and techniques including use of a Bunsen burner and a water bath or electric heater2 Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, temperature, volume of liquids and gases, and pH 1 | Investigate the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents on the growth of a bacterial lawn |
| 8 Transport in and out of cells | Use of appropriate apparatus and techniques for the observation and measurement of biological changes and/or processes3 Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, temperature, volume of liquids and gases, and pH 1 | Investigate the effect of different water potentials on the length and mass of potato chips |