Biology 9700 Practical Notes

Biology 9700 practical paper (Paper 3) assesses experimental skills and investigations through two main types of tasks: laboratory experiments and microscopic observations. 1. Biological Drawings & Microscopy

  • Key Terms:
    • Membrane: a semi-permeable barrier that surrounds a cell
    • Permeability: the ability of a substance to pass through a membrane
    • Temperature: a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles

    The 4 Core Skills (The "AO3" Rubric)

    Examiners mark you on:

    What you keep the same to ensure a fair test (e.g., volume of enzyme, concentration of substrate). biology 9700 practical notes

    Mastering the AS & A Level Biology (9700) Practical Exam Success in the Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700) Biology 9700 practical paper (Paper 3) assesses experimental

    Biological drawings are a significant part of the AS Level practical. Low-Power Tissue Plans Key Terms:

    4. Common Weaknesses/Gaps

    1. Lack of Specimen Context: Paper 3 notes often show idealized diagrams. Real exams use unfamiliar specimens (e.g., a weird fruit or leaf). Notes sometimes fail to prepare students for the "shock" of a strange specimen.
    2. Mathematical Confidence: Notes often assume students know how to calculate percentages or rates. They need more worked examples of Rate of Reaction calculations ($\frac1\texttime$).
    3. Vague Improvements: In the evaluation section, notes often suggest "use a data logger" without explaining what it measures or why it improves reliability (continuous data vs. discrete data).