AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 3, 4 and 7.
Full specification wording
Control and coordination: AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 3, 4 and 7.
This practical activity develops Apparatus and Techniques (AT) skills for investigating plant tropisms.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 7
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This practical activity develops Apparatus and Techniques (AT) skills for investigating plant tropisms. AT 1 involves using apparatus to record quantitative measurements accurately, such as using a ruler to measure shoot length in millimetres. AT 3 requires using apparatus and techniques for the observation and measurement of biological changes, such as setting up light sources to observe phototropism. AT 4 covers the safe and ethical use of living organisms to measure physiological responses, meaning treating seedlings appropriately while observing growth. AT 7 involves using apparatus and techniques to make observations of biological specimens and produce scientific drawings, such as drawing the curved growth of a seedling.
What earns the marks
- AT 1: Uses appropriate apparatus, such as a ruler, to make accurate quantitative measurements of plant shoot growth.
- AT 3: Uses appropriate apparatus and techniques to observe and measure biological changes, such as setting up a directional light source to observe phototropism.
- AT 4: Safely and ethically uses living organisms (seedlings) to measure physiological responses to the environment.
- AT 7: Makes observations of biological specimens and produces accurate scientific drawings, such as illustrating the curvature of a shoot.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing AT 1 with general safety.
Put it right: AT 1 specifically refers to using apparatus to record quantitative measurements, like measuring length.
Misunderstanding AT 4 as applying only to animals.
Put it right: AT 4 includes the safe and ethical use of plants to measure physiological responses.
Thinking AT 7 is about growing plants.
Put it right: AT 7 is specifically about making observations of biological specimens and producing scientific drawings.
Exam tips
- When describing the method, explicitly mention how you will measure the dependent variable (AT 1), such as measuring shoot height in millimetres.
- If asked to record observations, remember that producing a clear, labelled scientific drawing of the seedling is a valid technique (AT 7).
Try the lesson
The start of the Control and coordination: AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 3, 4 and 7. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A student investigates the effect of gravity on root growth by pinning germinated mustard seeds to a cork board. Why must the student handle the germinated seeds very carefully when setting up the investigation?
Listen
This practical activity develops Apparatus and Techniques (AT) skills for investigating plant tropisms. AT 1 involves using apparatus to record quantitative measurements accurately, such as using a ruler to measure shoot length in millimetres. AT 3 requires using apparatus and techniques for the observation and measurement of biological changes, such as setting up light sources to observe phototropism. AT 4 covers the safe and ethical use of living organisms to measure physiological responses, meaning treating seedlings appropriately while observing growth. AT 7 involves using apparatus and techniques to make observations of biological specimens and produce scientific drawings, such as drawing the curved growth of a seedling. A strong answer earns marks for these points. AT 1: Uses appropriate apparatus, such as a ruler, to make accurate quantitative measurements of plant shoot growth. AT 3: Uses appropriate apparatus and techniques to observe and measure biological changes, such as setting up a directional light source to observe phototropism. AT 4: Safely and ethically uses living organisms (seedlings) to measure physiological responses to the environment. AT 7: Makes observations of biological specimens and produces accurate scientific drawings, such as illustrating the curvature of a shoot. A common slip: Confusing AT 1 with general safety. Instead, AT 1 specifically refers to using apparatus to record quantitative measurements, like measuring length. Exam tip: When describing the method, explicitly mention how you will measure the dependent variable (AT 1), such as measuring shoot height in millimetres.
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