AP Biology Laboratory Guide

12 Recommended Biology Laboratories from The College Board: 1. Diffusion and Osmosis 2. Enzyme Catalysis 3. Mitosis and Meiosis 4. Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis 5. Cell Respiration 6. Molecular Biology 7. Genetics of Organisms 8. Population Genetics and Evolution 9. Transpiration 10.Physiology of the Circulatory System 11.Animal Behavior 12.Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity

Laboratory Objectives
After conducting laboratory activities, students will be able to: 1. develop an experimental design 9. follow instructions 2. use scientific equipment 10. plan and organize work 3. make careful observations 11. formulate hypotheses 4. collect data 12. define a problem 5. keep accurate records 13. apply scientific methodology 6. improve manual manipulation 14. use scientific literature 7. interpret data 15. formulate new questions 8. use statistical analysis

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