Graph Decoders Worksheet
Graph Decoders Worksheet
NYS Life Science: Biology • Regents Exam Review Series
Name: Date: Class: Score: / 25
NYS REGENTS GRAPHING CHECKLIST (Part B-1 & B-2 Essentials)
1. DRY MIX: DV on Y-axis (vertical); IV on X-axis (horizontal).
2. Scale: Equal intervals, no jumps, use >50% of the grid provided.
3. Labels & Units: State variable name AND unit in parentheses on both axes.
4. Plot & Connect: Circle data points ⊙; connect point-to-point. Do not force to (0,0)!
1
Regents Error Detective & Setup Mastery
Scenario: An investigation measures the rate of oxygen gas produced by Elodea plants placed at varying distances from a light source.
Q1. Independent Variable (X-axis):
Q2. Dependent Variable (Y-axis):
Q3. Graph Type Selection:
Line Graph Bar Graph
Spot the 2 Regents Exam Violations!
0 5 10 20 40 Rate of Photosynthesis 10 20 30 40 Distance (No Units!)
State two specific reasons this student would lose points on the Regents Exam:
2
Line Graph Interpretation: Enzyme Kinetics & Temperature
A student tested human salivary amylase activity across a range of temperatures. The data recorded during the 10-minute trials is presented below.
| Temp (°C) | Rate (units) |
|---|
| 0 | 2 |
| 15 | 14 |
| 30 | 38 |
| 37 | 50 |
| 45 | 24 |
| 60 | 0 |
0 25 50 Reaction Rate (units) 0 15 30 37 45 60 Temperature (°C)
Figure 1: Rate of starch digestion by amylase as a function of temperature.
Q4. State the optimum temperature for this enzyme:
Answer: (Include units!)
Q5. According to the graph, as temperature increases from 15°C to 37°C, the rate of enzyme action:
(1) decreases steadily (2) increases steadily (3) remains constant (4) drops to zero
Q6. Explain, in terms of molecular shape and protein structure, why the reaction rate drops to 0 at 60°C.
NYS Life Science (Biology) Graphing Toolkit • Part B Focus Page 1 of 2 • Turn over for Graph Construction & Bar Graph Analysis
Part 3: NYS Exam Simulation • Graph Construction & Ecology
Independent Practice • High-Yield Regents Performance Task
Part B-2 Skill Check
3
Construct a Bar Graph: Cellular Respiration in Yeast
Standard 4: Key Idea 5 (Bioenergetics)
Biology students tested the rate of anaerobic respiration (fermentation) in baker's yeast using different carbohydrate substrates. Each test tube contained equal concentrations of yeast and 5% carbohydrate solution maintained at 30°C.
Carbon Substrate vs. Carbon Dioxide Production
| Substrate Tested | CO₂ Gas Produced (mL / 15 min) |
|---|
| Glucose | 42 |
| Fructose | 36 |
| Sucrose | 28 |
| Starch | 6 |
| Water Control | 0 |
Regents Task Directions:
Label both axes, including variable names and units.
Mark an appropriate uniform numerical scale on the vertical axis.
Construct shaded bars of equal width for each substrate tested.
Title: 0 Label & Unit: ___________________________ Glucose Fructose Sucrose Starch Water Carbohydrate Substrate
Q7. Control Group Purpose:
State the biological reason why a test tube containing distilled water and yeast was included in this experiment.
Q8. Biological Conclusion:
Based on the data, state which type of sugar (monosaccharide vs. polysaccharide) is metabolized most rapidly by yeast and support with evidence.
4
Ecosystem Dynamics: Water Temperature & Native Trout Populations
0 7 14 Dissolved O₂ (mg/L) 5°C 12°C 19°C 26°C Water Temperature (°C) Dissolved O₂ Trout Survival %
Figure 2: Dissolved oxygen solubility and native brook trout survival across stream temperatures.
Q9. Describe the mathematical relationship shown between water temperature and dissolved oxygen content:
Q10. Thermal Pollution Impact (Regents Claim & Evidence):
A power plant discharges warm cooling water, raising stream temperature from 12°C to 24°C. State the ecological consequence on the trout population and justify using graph evidence.
NYS Life Science (Biology) Examination Preparation • Graphing & Data Interpretation Page 2 of 2 • Mastery Review Completed
