1.3 - Communicating in Biology

Presenting Data in Tables

Tables record and present experimental data systematically for easy comparison.
Column headings state the manipulated variable and responding variable with their respective units.
Place the manipulated variable in the left column.
Place the responding variable in the right column.

Plot the responding variable on the vertical axis (y-axis).
Plot the manipulated variable on the horizontal axis (x-axis).
Use a uniform scale on each axis.
Mark points with a suitable symbol such as x.
Write the title as “Graph (responding variable) versus (manipulated variable)”.

Use vertical bars that do not touch one another.
Plot the manipulated variable on the horizontal axis and the responding variable on the vertical axis.
Draw bars of uniform width.
Set the height of each bar according to the frequency of the data.
Use a bar chart to compare two or more items at a time.

A histogram shows the distribution of data and the frequency of values in a data set.
On the horizontal axis, group data according to suitable ranges; show frequency on the vertical axis.
Label both axes and include units.
Draw bars of equal width with no gaps between them.

Draw large and accurate structures with a sharp pencil; do not use a colour pencil or pen.
Do not shade artistically.
Draw clear, clean and continuous lines; do not use a ruler for the specimen outline.
Add a title.
Label every drawing; label lines must point to the correct structures, have no arrowheads, remain straight and not cross.
Position every structure correctly and in proportion to the other structures.
Plan drawing: a line drawing that shows the outline of a structure.
Detailed drawing: shows the cells in a structure.
State the magnification factor:

Magnification factor = length of drawing ÷ length of specimen

Cross section: divides a structure horizontally into upper and lower portions.
Longitudinal section: divides a structure into left and right portions.