AP Biology Laboratory Guide

12 Recommended Biology Laboratories from The College Board:

1. Diffusion and Osmosis2. Enzyme Catalysis3. Mitosis and Meiosis4. Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis5. Cell Respiration6. Molecular Biology7. Genetics of Organisms8. Population Genetics and Evolution9. Transpiration10.Physiology of the Circulatory System11.Animal Behavior12.Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity

Laboratory ObjectivesAfter conducting laboratory activities, students will be able to:

1. develop an experimental design

2. use scientific equipment3. make careful observations4. collect data5. keep accurate records6. improve manual

manipulation7. interpret data8. use statistical analysis

9. follow instructions10. plan and organize work11. formulate hypotheses12. define a problem13. apply scientific

methodology14. use scientific literature15. formulate new

questions

Components of a Controlled Experiment:□ Hypothesis (if, then statement): must be testable□ Manipulation of variable□ Measurement (quantitative)□ Verification (sample size/repetition)□ Control(s) (constants)□ Statistical Analysis of Data□ Results as related to the hypothesis□ New questions/hypotheses/future experimentation

AP Biology Laboratory Guide

Important Terms for Scientific Experimentation:CONTROL:

the normal case to which empirical data is compared an experiment that parallels the main experiment except for the

absence of the tested variable used as a standard comparison of the outcome of the experiment standard of comparison for verifying or checking the findings of an

experiment the independent variable at some normal or standard value the part of the experiment not subjected to the dependent variable standard of comparison for testing a hypothesis can refer to an experiment that isolates the effect of one variable at a

time or a system by holding constant all variables but the one under observation

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: located on the x-axis normally a unit of time affects the outcome of the dependent variable something free from influence or control by other variables the experimental factor that is manipulated not dependent on other variables variable imposed by the experiment a controlled variable (i.e. time or distance)

DEPENDENT VARIABLE: located on the y-axis gives you the answer to the question you are asking tests the hypothesis the variable that is not controlled but is directly affected by the

independent variable the factor that is being measured data collected that measures the event