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First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Graphing in Biology (HL IB Biology)

Revision Note

Emma

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Emma

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Graphing in Biology

Sketch graphs

  • Sketch graphs are a way to represent qualitative trends where the variables shown are often proportional or inversely proportional

A simple sketch graph

graph-of-gas-evolved-against-time

A sketch graph of the relationship between time and volume of gas given off, these two variables show a proportional relationship trend

General guidance on drawing graphs

Tips for plotting data

  • Whatever type of graph you use, remember the following:
    • The data should be plotted with the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis
    • Plot data points accurately
    • Use appropriate linear scales on axes
    • Choose scales that enable all data points to be plotted within the graph area
    • Label axes, with units included
    • Make graphs that fill the space the exam paper gives you
    • Draw a line of best fit. This may be straight or curved depending on the trend shown by the data. If the line of best fit is a curve make sure it is drawn smoothly. A line of best-fit should have a balance of data points above and below the line
    • In some cases, the line or curve of best fit should be drawn through the origin (but only if the data and trend allow it)

Continuous data represented in a line graph

Rate of Respiration and Temperature graph, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

Discontinuous data represented in a bar chart

Bar Chart Shoe Size, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

The line graph has been used to display continuous data over time while the bar chart has been used to display grouped data

  • Remember: The independent variable is the one you control or manipulate and the dependent variable is the one that changes as a result of your manipulation
  • Always draw data points in pencil as it makes it easier to make corrections and adjustments

Best fit lines

  • Students often confuse the term lines of best fit with straight lines
  • Lines of best fit can be straight lines or curves and:
    • They show the trend of the data
      • It does not have to go through all the points, but shows the general trend
    • They must go through the majority of the points
    • Where the data is scattered the points should be evenly distributed on either side of the best fit line

Graph to show use of a best fit line

scattergraph

Other features of graphs

Using a tangent to find the initial rate of a reaction

  • For linear graphs (i.e. graphs with a straight-line), the gradient is the same throughout

    • This makes it easy to calculate the rate of change (rate of change = change ÷ time)
  • However, many enzyme rate experiments produce non-linear graphs (i.e. graphs with a curved line), meaning they have an ever-changing gradient
    • They are shaped this way because the reaction rate is changing over time
  • In these cases, a tangent can be used to find the reaction rate at any one point on the graph:
    • A tangent is a straight line that is drawn so it just touches the curve at a single point
    • The slope of this tangent matches the slope of the curve at just that point
    • You then simply find the gradient of the straight line (tangent) you have drawn
  • The initial rate of reaction is the rate of reaction at the start of the reaction (i.e. where time = 0)

Worked example

The graph below shows the results of an enzyme rate reaction. Using this graph, calculate the initial rate of reaction.Tangent initial reaction rate (1), downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

Step 1: Estimate the extrapolated curve of the graph

Tangent initial reaction rate (2), downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

Step 2: Find the tangent to the curve at 0 seconds (the start of the reaction)

Tangent initial reaction rate (3), downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes Tangent initial reaction rate (4), downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

The tangent drawn in the graph above shows that 72 cm3 of product was produced in the first  20 seconds.

Step 3: Calculate the gradient of the tangent (this will give you the initial rate of reaction):

Gradient = change in y-axis ÷ change in x-axis

Initial rate of reaction = 72 cm3 ÷ 20 s

Initial rate of reaction = 3.6 cm3 s-1

Examiner Tip

When drawing tangents: always use a ruler and a pencil; make sure the line you draw is perfectly straight; choose the point where the tangent is to be taken and slowly line the ruler up to that point; try to place your ruler so that none of the line of the curve is covered by the ruler (it is much easier if the curve is entirely visible whilst the tangent is drawn).There is a handy phrase to help you remember how to calculate the gradient of a tangent or line. Rise over run means that any increase/decrease vertically should be divided by any increase/decrease horizontally.

Changes in gradient

  • Graphs with curves of best fit have changing gradients
  • This means that multiple gradients can be calculated to show:
    • The progressing rate of a reaction
    • The effects of factors, such as concentration, on the rate of reaction 

Intercepts

  • Intercepts are the points where a line / curve of best fit crosses an axis on a graph

Maxima and minima

  • The maxima and minima are the high and low points on a graph
    • Maxima are:
      • high points, or peaks, on a graph
      • points at which the gradient of the line passes from positive, though 0, to negative
    • Minima are:
      • low points, or troughs, on a graph
      • points at which the gradient of the line passes from negative, through 0, to positive

Uncertainty bars

  • The uncertainty in a measurement can be shown on a graph as an uncertainty bar
  • Uncertainty bars are plotted on graphs to show the absolute uncertainty of values plotted
    • Usually, these bars will be in the vertical direction for y-values, but they can be plotted horizontally for x-values
  • The size of the uncertainty bar can be used as an indication of the amount of uncertainty in the measurement

Graph with uncertainty bars

czT4ncsi_uncertainty-bars

Uncertainty bars show the uncertainty in a specific measurement 

Extrapolation and interpolation

  • Extrapolation is extending a line of best fit to estimate values that lie beyond the data points of a graph
  • Interpolation is using a line of best fit to estimate values that lie between data points of a graph

Extrapolation and interpolation on a graph

Graph showing extrapolation and interpolation

Interpolation uses the line of best fit between the plotted points and extrapolation extends the best fit line beyond the plotted points

Examiner Tip

  • You will have to decide if the origin, point (0,0) should be included as a data point
  • If it does, it will be a good place to anchor the graph as it will be the most accurate data point

Some additional graph skills 

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Emma

Author: Emma

Expertise: Biology

Prior to working at SME, Emma was a Biology teacher for 5 years. During those years she taught three different GCSE exam boards and two A-Level exam boards, gaining a wide range of teaching expertise in the subject. Emma particularly enjoys learning about ecology and conservation. Emma is passionate about making her students achieve the highest possible grades in their exams by creating amazing revision resources!