CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION TO

BIOLOGY AND LABORATORY RULES

FORM 4 BIOLOGY KSSM

1.1 FIELDS AND CAREERS IN
BIOLOGY
 WHAT IS BIOLOGY?

• The word ‘Biology’ comes from the Greek

word, ‘bios’ meaning life
• ‘logos’ meaning study.
• Biology is a detailed study of living things in
the natural environment.
• Biology allows us to understand the structure
and function of organisms, as well as the
relationships and interactions
between organisms with their environment
EXAMPLE
FIELD IN
BIOLOGY-
BOTANY

Study of the plant

life
EXAMPLE FIELD IN
BIOLOGY :

PHYSIOLOGY

Study of
function and
mechanisms in
organism
 EXAMPLE FIELD IN BIOLOGY :
GENETIC
Study of inheritance and genetic variations
 EXAMPLE
FIELD IN
BIOLOGY

ECOLOGY

Study of interactions
between organism and
their environment
 EXAMPLE FIELD IN
BIOLOGY –

MICROBIOLOGY

Study of
microorganisms
 THREE-
DIMENSIONAL
(3D)
BIOPRINTING
TECHNIQUE

• The three-dimensional
(3D) bioprinting
technique is used to
print and form artificial
tissues and assist in
the field of modern
medical engineering.
 MALAYSI AN
INNOVATI ON

• One of Malaysia’s success in

technological innovation is
the production of biological
scaffold derived from
shellfish for use in dental
treatment.
Technological innovation in
Malaysia is spearheaded
by researchers from public
and private universities
and research institutions.
 THE CONTRIBUTION OF BIOLOGY
IN EVERYDAY LIFE
• MEDICAL
• FOOD PRODUCTION
• AGRICULTURE
• PHARMACEUTICAL
MEDICAL FIELD

In vitro fertilisation,
family planning,
plastic surgery and
gene therapy
 PHARMACEUTICAL

Production of synthetic vitamins, vaccines, insulin

and synthetic enzymes.
 FOOD PRODUCTION

Use of microorganisms in the production of

cheese, soy sauce, tapai and tempe.
 AGRICULTURE

• Transgenic crops and

animals,
hydroponic and
aeroponic technology
CAREERS IN BIOLOGY
 Careers Related To Biology

Careers

Environmental Agriculture and

Biotechnology Healthcare
Engineering Forestry

Biotechnologist Radiographer Estate manager

Environmental
Food Engineers Occupational
Botanist
technologist therapist

Nurses Fisheries Officer

Pharmacist

Biomedical
Scientist
COPY & ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS
IN EXERCISE BOOK
1.2 SAFETY AND RULES IN
BIOLOGY
LABORATORY
 SA FE TY A N D R U LES I N
BIO L O G Y
L A BO R ATO RY

• A biology laboratory is essential

for conducting scientific
investigations.
• To avoid unwanted incidences, we
must always adhere to the safety
rules and measures in a biology
laboratory.
• We must also know the personal
protective equipment and
understand their functions.
 EMERGENCY
SHOWER STATION

Used when chemicals or

hazardous substances come
into contact with the skin.
 EYE WASH
STATION

• Used to wash the

eyes when
exposed to
chemicals or
hazardous
substances.
FUME HOOD

• To avoid
breathing in
hazardous gases
like chlorine,
bromine and
nitrogen dioxide
 LAMINAR FLOW
CABINET

• Provides a flow of
filtered air for a
clean work area in
the laminar flow
cabinet
 BIOLOGICAL
SAFETY CAB INET

• Provides a flow of
filtered air for a
clean work area in
the laminar flow
cabinet
 S U B S TA N C ES T H AT C A N B E
D I S P O S ED I N TO TH E S I N K

• Chemical with pH 5–9

• Low concentration of liquid
and solutions that are
harmless to users (sucrose
solution, dye solution,
distilled water)
 S U BS TA N C E S T H AT
CAN N O T B E D I S P OS E D
I N TO T HE S I N K

• Organic solvents (acetone,

alcohol, benzene)
• Substances that have a pH
value of less than 5 or more
than 9
• Chemicals (acids, greases, oils)
 S U BS TA N C E S T H AT
CAN N O T B E D I S P OS E D
I N TO T HE S I N K

• Solid waste (chemicals, glass,

rubber)
• Heavy metals (mercury)
• Volatile substances (bahan meruap)
 S U BS TA N C E S T H AT
CAN N O T B E D I S P OS E D
I N TO T HE S I N K

• Toxic substances
• Organic waste
(microorganisms, carcases)
• Reactive substances
• Radioactive substances
 METHODS FOR
MANAGING
BIOLOGICAL WASTE

• After carrying out an

experiment, there are wastes
that need to be managed
with care before disposal.
• Methods for managing
different biological wastes
according to Standard
Operating Procedures
 DECONTAMINATION
( P E N YA H C E M A R A N )

• Decontamination by autoclaving
is done at a temperature of 121°C
and pressurised at 15 psi for
20 minutes.
•
• Biohazard plastic bags that have
been sterilised in an autoclave
and sharp waste bin must be
stored temporarily in a controlled
storage place until the scheduled
time for disposal.
ACCIDENTS IN THE
LABORATORY • Accidents in
laboratories can be
caused by carelessness,
negligence or lack of
skill in carrying out
experiments. Here are
the steps in managing
accidents in laboratories
STEPS TO HANDLE Inform Inform your teacher.
GENERAL
CHEMICAL SPILLS
Declare the spill area as a restricted
Declare
zone.

Prevent the chemical spill from

Prevent
spreading using sand.

Scoop up the chemical spill using

Scoop up
appropriate equipment.

Dispose it safely.
Dispose
 STEPS TO HANDLE MERCURY SPILLS

1. Inform your teacher.

2. Declare the spill area as a restricted zone.
3. Sprinkle sulphur to cover the mercury spills.
4. Call the fire and rescue department
 PRACTICES
IN A BIOLOGY
LABORATORY

• The biology laboratory is a

place for learning and
research.
• However, there
are some general safety
rules that must always be
practised by pupils
 CLOTHING ETHICS

Use a lab coat, gloves,

safety shoes and goggles
when appropriate.
 LABORATORY
SAFETY RULES

• • Do not work alone in the laboratory

without supervision.
• Wash your hands after conducting
an experiment.
• Do not bring in irrelevant items into
the laboratory.
• Clean your workstation using disinfectant.
• Dispose wastes according to the
set procedures.
• Do not eat and drink in the laboratory.
• Identify all safety symbols on substances
and equipment before use.
 Stop work immediately and switch off
SAFETY Stop
all nearby power sources.
MEASURES
FOR FIRES Unplug Unplug appliances.

Exit the laboratory according to the

Exit
emergency exit plan.

Call Call the fire and rescue department.

Do not panic
and stay Do not panic and stay calm.

Do not turn Do not turn back to collect your

back belongings.

Assemble Assemble at the assembly point.

 HANDLING
GLASS AND
CHEMICALS

• Be cautious when handling hot

glassware.

• Report any damaged

equipment or glassware to
teachers immediately.
 HANDLING
GLASS AND
CHEMICALS

• Keep flammable
chemicals away from fire
sources.
• Do not touch, taste and
smell chemicals directly
 HANDLING LIVE
SPECIMENS

• Use appropriate gloves

when handling biological
specimens.

• Specimens that are not

harmful and have
been dissected should be
buried or frozen
 HANDLING LIVE
SPECIMENS

• Wash hands with antiseptic

detergents
before and after experiments.

• All surfaces and workstations

should be cleaned with
disinfectant before leaving the lab.
 2) Call the fire and
1) Inform your
rescue emergency
teacher.
number.

3) Remove the 4) Give

victim from the emergency
scene. treatment.

EMERGENCY 5) Make the place

HELP of accident as a
restricted area.
 SCIENTIFIC
ATTITUDES AND
NOBLE VALUES

• Having interest and

curiosity towards the
environment.
• Being honest and accurate
in recording
and validating data.
• Being diligent and
persevering in carrying
out a study
 SCIENTIFIC
ATTITUDES AND
NOBLE VALUES

• Being responsible about the

safety of oneself, others and the
environment.
• Appreciating and practising
clean and healthy living.
• Appreciate the contributions of
science and technology.
• Think critically and
analytically.
COPY & ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS
IN EVERCISE BOOK
1.3 COMMUNICATING IN BIOLOGY
 TABLE

• Table are used to record and

present data
• When you conduct an
investigation, the
experimental data need to be
recorded in a suitable table.
• A table allows you to
organise data systematically
for easy comparison
 TABLE

• The heading in the table

consist of MANIPULATED
MV RV
VARIABLE (MV) and
RESPONDING VARIABLE
(RV) with respective unit
• a) MV place in column on
the right side
• b) RV place in the column on
the right side
• A table allows you to
organise data systematically
for easy comparison
 GRAF

• The relationship
between MV and RV
can be illustrated in the
form of the graph.
There are several type
of graphs such as a line
graphs, bar chart and
histograms
 G E N E R A L M E T H O D T O D R AW I N G A
GRAPH

• The responding variable is

represented by the vertical
axis(y-axis) and the
manipulated variable is
represented by the horizontal
axis (x-axis)
• The scaling on the axis must
be uniform
• Mark the points with an
appropriate symbol such as ‘x’.
• Title the graph : “ Graph (RV)
versus (MV)
 BAR CHART

presents data using

vertical bars
that are not attached
to each other
 METHOD OF
DRAWING A
BAR CHART

•Draw two axes, the horizontal

axis/X to represent the
manipulated variable and the
vertical axis/Y to represent the
responding variable.
•Each width of the bar needs to
be uniform.
•The bar height depends on the
frequency of the data.
•Bar charts are used to make
comparisons between two or
more items at a time.
 HISTOGRAM

shows the visual

distribution of
data and the frequency
of a value in a data set
 METHOD OF DRAWING A
HISTOGRAM

• Draw two axes where the horizontal axis/X

represents the data that has been divided
into groups according to the appropriate
range while the vertical axis/Y shows the
frequency.

• Insert labels and units on the axes.

• The size or width of the bars must be the

same for all class gap with no spacing
between the bars.
 BIOLOGIC
AL
DRAWINGS

Biological drawings
must be exact to give an
accurate representation
of an observed
specimen.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
BIOLOGICAL DRAWINGS

1) Large and accurate; use a sharp pencil and not a

colour pencil or pen.
2) Not shaded artistically.
3) Lines drawn must be clear, clean and continuous.
4) Do not use a ruler to draw the outline of a
specimen.
5) Drawings must be labelled.
6) Label lines must point to the correct
structure, no arrowheads, must be straight and not
cross each other
CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOLOGICAL
DRAWINGS

• Drawings must have titles.

• Each structure in the drawing must be placed in the correct
position,
and its size should be proportionate to the rest of the
structures.
• A plan drawing is a line drawing that shows the outline of
a structure.
• A detailed drawing shows the cells in a structure.
The magnification factor of a drawing must be stated,
 PLANE, SECTION AND
DIRECTION

In biology, research and observation of

an organism’s structure are done based
on the plane, section and direction.
The plane refers to a flat surface of
shadow passing through the body
 PLANE

• sagittal plane (divides the

body into right and left
parts)
• frontal plane (divides the
body into frontal and rear
parts)
• horizontal plane
(divides the body into
upper and lower parts)
 • Cross section divides the structure into
upper and lower portions horizontally while
longitudinal section divides the structure
into left and right portions
• Many anatomical drawings of animals and
plants need to be labelled with direction.
• All vertebrates have the same fundamental
body plan that is symmetrical.
• Direction consists of anterior, ventral,
posterior, dorsal, superior, inferior and
lateral.
• By studying anatomical directions in biology,
CROSS SECTION you can identify the orientation of the
vertebrate that is stated.
1.4 SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
IN BIOLOGY
 STEPS IN SCIENTIFIC
INVESTIGATION

1. Identifying problems that can be tested using a scientific

investigation
2. Forming a hypothesis
3. Identifying and controlling variables and data collection
method
4. Planning and carrying out a scientific investigation
5. Collecting data
6. Interpreting data and results through scientific reasoning
7. Forming a conclusion
8. Writing a report
COPY & ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS
IN EVERCISE BOOK
THE END