1. Posing a question  Proposing a hypothesis A tentative explanation
What is a hypothesis?
Posing a question 
Proposing a hypothesis
A tentative explanation

2. When do we need a hypothesis?
If the hypothesis is correct, what predictions can be made? 
Design experiments or plan observations.

3. What hypothesis should be put forward for the following investigations?
How does the size of a parachute affect the rate of its descend?
How does the shape of a parachute affect its rate of descend?

4. A hypothesis is NOT needed in such cases!
An ‘expected’ result from the investigator will affect the objectivity of observation

5. What is the relationship between heating time and water temperature？

6. A hypothesis is NOT needed in such cases!
An ‘expected’ result from the investigator will affect the objectivity of observation

7. The relationship between heating time and water temperature

8. Observation: the flame goes out when covered by a jar?
Question: Why does the flame goes out when covered by a jar?

9. A question that asks “why” usually requires a hypothesis.
A question that asks “what” usually requires making objective observations. 
No hypothesis is needed.

10. Do we need to suggest a hypothesis for the following questions?
1.What is the Water Potato of potato cells?
2. Why does a potato become softer after storing for a long time?

11. Do we need to suggest a hypothesis for the following questions?
What is the optimum temperature for salivary amylase?
Why is salivary amylase still very active at 70oC?

12. Do we need to suggest a hypothesis for the following questions?
What is the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis?
Why does the rate of photosynthesis become constant with increase in light intensity?

13. What food constituents are present in peanut, banana, grape, potato and biscuit?
Hypothesis:
I think that peanut, banana, grape, potato and biscuit all have proteins and lipids.

14. A hypothesis Not needed!!
What food constituents are present in peanut, banana, grape, potato and biscuit?
Hypothesis:
I think that peanut, banana, grape, potato and biscuit all have proteins and lipids.
A hypothesis Not needed!!

15. Hypothesis: the respiration rate increases with temperature
How does the respiratory rate of mealworms changes with temperature?
Hypothesis:
the respiration rate increases with temperature

16. A hypothesis Not needed!!
How does the respiratory rate of mealworms changes with temperature?
A hypothesis Not needed!!

17. How does the transpiration rate of a plant differ inside and outside the laboratory?
Hypothesis:
The plant outside the lab should have a higher transpiration rate than the plant inside the lab.

18. A hypothesis is NOT needed
How does the transpiration rate of a plant differ inside and outside the laboratory?
Hypothesis:
The plant outside the lab should have a higher transpiration rate than the plant inside the lab.
A hypothesis is NOT needed

19. Why is the transpiration rate of a plant differ outside and inside the laboratory?
Hypothesis:

20. Why is the transpiration rate of a plant differ outside and inside the laboratory?
Hypothesis:
The light intensity is higher outside the lab.
The UV light intensity is higher outside the lab……….

21. Why is the transpiration rate of a plant differ outside and inside the laboratory?
Hypothesis:
The light intensity is higher outside the lab.
The UV light intensity is higher outside the lab
Testable prediction:
The light intensity is higher outside the lab/ rate of transpiration increases with higher intensity
The UV light intensity is higher outside the lab/ Higher UV intensity increases rate of transpiration

22. In Coleus leaf, more stomata are present on the lower epidermis than on the upper epidermis. What is the significance of this uneven distribution of stomata?
Hypothesis:

23. In Coleus leaf, more stomata are present on the lower epidermis than on the upper epidermis. What is the significance of this uneven distribution of stomata?
Hypothesis:
To reduce the rate of water loss due to transpiration when sunlight shines directly from above.

24. In Coleus leaf, more stomata are present on the lower epidermis than on the upper epidermis. What is the significance of this uneven distribution of stomata?
Hypothesis:
To reduce the rate of water loss due to transpiration when sunlight shines directly from above.
Testable prediction:
For plants that receive even illumination on both surfaces, the number of stomata on upper and lower epidermis should be similar

25. Potatoes stored for a long time becomes soft to the touch
Potatoes stored for a long time becomes soft to the touch. Why does this occur?
Hypothesis:

26. Potatoes stored for a long time becomes soft to the touch
Potatoes stored for a long time becomes soft to the touch. Why does this occur?
Hypothesis:
The longer the time of storage, the more water is lost through transpiration.
The cell membrane is damaged during storage. So the cells lose their turgidity.

27. Potatoes stored for a long time becomes soft to the touch
Potatoes stored for a long time becomes soft to the touch. Why does this occur?
Hypothesis:
The longer the time of storage, the more water is lost through transpiration.
The cell membrane is damaged during storage. So the cells lose their turgidity.
prediction:
The water content of the potato decreases with storage time
Observation of the cell membrane of soft potato should reveal more damages with longer storage time.

28. Posing a question (Why …?)
Proposing a hypothesis
A tentative explanation
A hypothesis is a tentative idea that generates predictions – for testing the idea.

29. 1.Pose a ‘testable’ question. What, why?
Designing an investigation:
1.Pose a ‘testable’ question. What, why? 
2.Is a hypothesis needed? 
3.Design an experiment

30. Designing experiment/observation Design method of investigation
Biological principle 
Design method of investigation

31. Designing experiment/observation
Biological principle 
Design method of investigation 
What’s the independent variable?

32. Designing experiment/observation
Biological principle 
Design method of investigation 
What’s the independent variable? 
What is the dependent variable?

33. Designing experiment/observation
Biological principle 
Design method of investigation 
What’s the independent variable?
How to change it? 
What is the dependent variable? How to measure it? What are the assumptions made?

34. Designing experiment/observation
What are the controlled variables? Any assumptions made?
Is it necessary to set up a control experiment? If yes, how to do it?

35. What are the assumptions that you need to make in order to draw valid conclusions?
To measure transpiration rate using a bubble potometer:
rate of water absorption =
To find the W.P. using the % change in mass method: change in mass of potato cylinder is due to
To find the growth rate of a plant by measuring the change in dry mass:
To compare the sugar content of green, red and dark grapes using Benedict’s test:

36. What are the assumptions that you need to make in order to draw valid conclusions?
To measure transpiration rate using a bubble potometer: rate of water absorption = rate of transpiration
To find the W.P. using the % change in mass method: change in mass of potato cylinder due to water uptake/loss by osmosis only
To find the growth rate of a plant by measuring the change in dry mass: change in dry mass  amount of cytoplasm formed
To compare the sugar content of green, red and dark grapes using Benedict’s test: amount of reducing sugar  total amount of sugar

37. What are the assumptions on the controlled variables for the following investigation?
Effect of light intensity on photosynthesis: rate of respiration remains constant in different light intensity; gas bubbles are identical in size
To compare the vitamin C content of different food samples using DCPIP:
To compare the rate of anaerobic respiration of yeast using different substrates:

38. Assumptions made in the controlled variables?
Effect of light intensity on photosynthesis: rate of respiration remains constant in different light intensity; gas bubbles are identical in size
To compare the vitamin C content of different food samples using DCPIP: Each drop of solution has the same volume; the end points are the same / no other substances in food that might decolorize DCPIP
To compare the rate of anaerobic respiration of yeast using different substrates: air temperature & pressure unchanged; the yeast samples are identical