HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts Worked example
1 Introduction to biology
Worked example
In an investigation to study the response of snails to food, twenty snails
were placed at the centre of a tray with food placed at the left. The
movement of the snails was observed and the number of snails present at
each side (left or right) was recorded every 20 minutes.
tray snail
Food placed
here
left right
The results are recorded in the table below:
Time (minutes) Number of snails on Number of snails on
the left side the right side
0 9 11
20 11 9
40 12 8
60 15 5
80 18 2
100 20 0
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HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts Worked example
(a) Calculate the ratio of snails on each side of the tray at the 40th minute
and the percentage of snails on the left side at the 60th minute.
(2 marks)
(b) Draw a conclusion based on the results of the experiment. (1 mark)
(c) A student thinks that the snails respond to the smell of food. How
would you modify the experiment to test for this hypothesis? (1 mark)
Hint: The investigation has to prevent the sight of the food but allow the smell.
(d) State three characteristics of life that are demonstrated by the snails
in this investigation. (3 marks)
Solution is provided on the next page
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HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts Worked example
Solutions
(a) At the 40th minute, left side : right side = 3:2 (1)
At the 60th minute, percentage of snails on the left side is 75%. (1)
Reminder
A ratio compares two numbers. In this case, the ratio of snails on the left side
to the right side is 12:8. A ratio should be written in simplest form. In this
case, divide both numbers by the common factor 4, i.e. left side : right side =
3:2.
(b) Snails can detect food and respond by moving to the food. (1)
(c) Cover the food so that it cannot be seen / carry out the investigation in
darkness. (1)
(d) Movement (1)
Sensitivity (irritability) (1)
Nutrition (1)
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