Describe a first-hand investigation used to estimate the size of red

blood cells on a prepared microscope slide. In your description include:

a list of equipment used;
a safety precaution needed;
the step-by-step method used;
a scaled diagram of a red blood cell.
(8 Marks)
To investigate the size of a red blood cells under a microscope, we used:

A light microscope
Prepared slides of human blood
A mini-grid slide
Pencil and drawing paper

The method we used to calculate the size of the red blood cell was:
1. Estimate the field of view by placing the mini-grid slide onto the
microscope stage and view under the 10x objective. This will give a
magnification of 100 times (eyepiece x objective). Use the grid to estimate
the diameter of the field of view in mm and micrometres.
2. View the prepared slide of human blood under the microscope. Place the
prepared slide onto the stage of the microscope and view it under 100 x
magnifications. Adjust the microscope until the field of view comes into
focus. Identify the presence of red blood cells in the prepared slide.
3. Estimate the size of a red blood cell by counting the approximate number
of red blood cell, end to end, fits across the diameter of our field of view.
Knowing this number divide the diameter of the field of view by the
number of RBC that fit across the diameter.
There are safety precautions that are necessary in this experiment:

When adjusting the stage of the slide, take out the slides first otherwise
the objective lenses will crash into the slide, breaking the glass. This can
lead to the glass cutting the student.
If the blood from the prepared slide enters the body either through cuts or
other means, there is a risk of blood-borne disease harming the body. To
prevent this, gloves should be used during the handling of slides, to stop
any possibility of getting cut by the glass.

(Insert scaled diagram and field of view)

Describe an investigation that you have carried out to demonstrate the
effect of dissolved carbon dioxide on the pH of water. (3 Marks)
We investigated the effect of dissolved Co2 on the pH of water by blowing
thought a straw into a beaker of water. In the beaker of water, universal indicator

is poured into the water so that the changes in colour will indicate the changes in
pH, which can be compared to a pH chart. We also carried out a control for the
presence of carbon dioxide in our breath, by blowing into a limewater solution,
which is an indicator for carbon dioxide, turning milky once exposed to CO2.

The hypothesis to be tested is that bacteria from planet Earth cannot exist on
other planets due to the varying conditions being outside of its functioning
range. To test this, bacteria E will be placed into a temperate range of that of
Earth (37-55 degrees Celsius), and conduct a simultaneous experiment where
both bacteria E and X are in a temperature range of that of the distant planet.
The purpose of having bacteria E in the Earths condition is to offer a control to
show the normal functions of the bacteria E, which will be measured by the
amount of gas being produced. Likewise with bacteria X, it will show the normal
functions of a bacteria of a that planet, measured by the amount of gas
produced. We can measure the amount of gas being produced by the bacteria by
seeing how much of the collected gas will displace a container of water. The
more amount of water being displaced will indicate greater amounts of enzyme
activity. The dangers that can rise from conducting this experiment, is that the
gas could be a respiratory ailment or even toxic, harming the biologists. This can
be prevented by wearing face masks to prevent the exposure to these harmful
gases.

Assess the accuracy of the diagram (3 Marks)

The diagram is very inaccurate as it gives the scale in millimetres while it should
only be in micrometres. The diagram also represents the RBC being bigger than
the WBC which is also incorrect. Furthermore, the diagram shows the presence of
platelets in the prepared human blood slide, which is not possible under a
student light microscope as it does not have the magnifying power to do so.
Why is it safer to use prepared slides instead of fresh blood? (1 Mark)
It is safer due to the possibility of blood-borne diseases entering the students
body through cuts or other means being prevented.

Identify the dependent and independent variables in this experiment (2

Marks)
Dependent: Room temperature
Independent: Sweat and heart rate
Identify the body system that monitors and responds to changes in
external temperature. (1 Mark)
Nervous system

What is the purpose of this experiment? (1 Mark)

To compare the effects of pH on the activity of an enzyme, measured by the
changes in the amount of clouds in the solution before and after the
experiment
Describe TWO changes that would improve the validity of the data
collected in the experiment. (2 Marks)
One change the students could use to improve the validity of the experiment to
use a set time limit for all solutions. This ensures that the results will be more
consistent, limiting the possibility of allowing more enzyme activity due to longer
exposures to the substrates. Another possible change is use the quantitative
measure of measuring the overall volume of solution after the experiment rather
than using the qualitative measure of observing the cloudiness of solution. This
prevents subjective points of views from different students affecting the results,
and allowing for data that can be graphed, so that trends can be seen in the
experiment.

Identify technology X and technology Y. (2 Marks)

X: Thermometer
Y: Data logger
The scientists concluded that the body temperature of this species of
reptile is only controlled by the ambient temperature. Construct an
argument against this conclusion, based on the information provided.
(3 Marks)

Name ONE variable, other than temperature, that would have been cont
rolled in the experiment. (1 Mark)
The concentration of enzymes in the solution
For what temperature range does the enzyme display the
maximum rate of change in activity? (1 Mark)
60-75 degree Celsius
Account for the activity of the enzyme at the parts of the graph
labelled A, B, C and D. (4 Marks)
A: This temperature range was where the kinetic energy of the substrates and
enzymes were too low, so the likelihood of creating substrate-complexes were
significantly lower
B: This temperature range is the optimal temperature range that the enzyme
operates under, evident by the peaking of enzyme activity in this range.
C and D: This temperature of the range is the range where the enzyme began to
denature to the higher temperatures breaking the hydrogen bonds in the
proteins of the enzymes. Hence, the lower enzyme activity is observed in this
range.
Based on the information in the graph, suggest the type of environment
in which these bacteria might survive. (1 Mark)
This enzyme would most likely survive in hot environments, due to its higher
optimal temperature range compared to that of a humans which is around 37
degrees Celsius.