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8. A student investigated the decomposition of leaves from different types of tree - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 8
8. A student investigated the decomposition of leaves from different types of tree. (a) Decomposers in the soil convert A) nitrogen into nitrates B) nitrates into ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:8. A student investigated the decomposition of leaves from different types of tree - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
State two abiotic factors that should be kept the same in this investigation.
Answer
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Temperature: It is essential to keep the temperature constant during the decomposition process, as variations can affect the metabolic rates of decomposers.
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Moisture levels: The amount of water present in the trays should remain consistent, as this influences the decomposition rate and microbial activity.
Step 2
Explain how this investigation could be improved to make the results more comparable.
Answer
To improve the investigation for more comparable results, the following adjustments could be made:
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Sample Size: Increase the number of leaves from each type of tree and average the results, which would reduce variability and provide a more reliable comparison.
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Repetition: Conduct the experiment multiple times to verify findings and account for any anomalies, thereby ensuring that the results are more consistent and trustworthy.