50 IB Biology IA Ideas
Colours of light on the effectiveness of phototropism
Auxin hormone is largely responsible for controlling the direction of plant growth. Does it matter what type of light the plant is exposed to affect the growth of auxin?
Experimental setup: Place a corn seed in a dark cupboard with a single light source. Observe how changing the colour of the light source impacts the success of phototropism!
Independent Variable: Colours of light
Dependent Variable: Degree of growth of plant towards a light source
Abiotic factors on the Biodiversity in a habitat
Different abiotic factors affect the growth of different plants, test the different conditions and then note how plant species change in their presence.
Experimental setup: In this ecological experiment, you will use quadrat sampling to test how successfully different plant species grow in environments. Read more about quadrat sampling here
Independent Variable: Soil pH, Nitrates in Soil, Oxygen concentration
Dependent Variable: Presence or absence of certain species
Challenges: Providing biological context for why you’re measuring certain factors.
Stomatal Density in Different Conditions
Stomata are the areas of gas exchange in leaves. Different plants that live in different conditions will have different requirements for gas exchange.
Experimental Setup: F ocus on how leaves in different conditions vary in their stomatal density. Test the stomatal density of different leaves exposed to variable conditions using a microscope.
Independent Variable: Light exposure, Different Species, Atmospheric CO2 concentration
Dependent Variable: Stomatal density (seen under the microscope)
Challenges : mathematical analysis
Comparing different plant species transpiration rate changes in response to stimuli
Different plants will change their transpiration rates in response to the environment. Investigate how different species of plants respond differently to environmental stimuli.
Experimental setup: Use a potometer to measure the rate of transpiration. Change the different conditions in which the plants are found as well as the species.
Independent Variable: Plant species + humidity/temperature/ light intensity
Dependent Variable: Rate of transpiration
Whats next?
We hope our list of Internal Assessment Ideas was useful.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to actually write an IA once you’ve chosen your topic, check out our IA Checklist post!
If you’re struggling with the Paper 2 Data Based Questions, we also have a post about that here .
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IB Biology IA ideas (30+ topics) - A Goldmine You Can't Ignore.
Unleash your potential in IB Biology with our exclusive list of 30+ captivating IA ideas! Discover the secrets to scoring top marks & nail your IA now!
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Sitting in that quiet corner, sipping hot chocolate, hoping it rains IB Biology IA ideas, instead, going blank and utterly confused?
We don't want that to happen, do we?
Choosing the perfect IB Biology IA idea is only the first step in making one's IB Biology Investigation, but definitely, the most significant. IB Biology IA Ideas won't strike out of the blue, but here's a list of 30+ IB Biology IA ideas to inspire and stimulate your grey cells! Selecting an IBxq Biology IA idea has always been challenging!
Before we look for IB Biology IA ideas, let's clearly comprehend the IB Biology Diploma Programme Subject , its objectives, partwise breakdown, and what IB expects of you.
The IB IAs are essential to one's overall subject performance since they make up 20% of the final score. Internal Assessments are the perfect way to get students to put their knowledge to use by Observing, Questioning, and Investigating. Personal engagement , Exploration , Analysis , Evaluation , and Communication are the criteria against which the investigation is assessed.
The sure-shot way to ace one's IB Biology IA, or any IA, is by picking a topic that sparks one's interest. A well-planned , structured, and executed IA has been undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm. It is all the same when choosing that one Biology IA idea from a platter full of inspiration.
Before we dive more in-depth, you should check out our premium IB Biology SL Notes to own your Biology SL papers! Along with a bundle of Past Papers , these premium SL notes include guides for your Extended Essay and Internal Assessments with helpful examples! You certainly want to take advantage of these! Browse these for more information!
When it comes to selecting from several IB Biology IA ideas for your investigation, it is essential to note that your IA would either require you to:
- Carry out experimental research in the laboratory or
- Draw interpretation from a credible database or
- Make a detailed analysis using a simulation/modelling.
Either way, you must connect to your topic and portray personal engagement as it lays the foundation for the rest of your investigation. Proper research is a bare minimum, and the rest follows. Here's a quick summary of how you are supposed to choose an appropriate IB Biology IA idea for your report:
- Know your interest: Go through several IA ideas to understand what all topics are in sync with the IB Biology curriculum and if something grabs your attention, hold on to it!
- Keep it specific: The idea should be more generic and more complex. An ideal IA idea reeks of originality and leaves room for proper investigation and analysis.
- Let it be realistic: Outline the Equipment, time, and resources to check its feasibility.
Tada! There you go!
Now that you know how to settle on that one perfect topic, let's quickly brief ourselves on the proper planning and procedure involved in the making of an IB Biology IA:
Concise Research Question:
Your Research Question and the Aim of the Investigation are separate sub-headings with different implications. Keep the research question brief and relevant. The Aim answers Why while the Research Question answers the What.
- It is essential to set the Research Question in the background of the chosen topic. My Background, IB expects you to briefly explain what encouraged you to select a particular topic and, hopefully, a personal story that validates your choice and engagement. For instance, if you choose to investigate how light levels affect the predation of peppered moths, you could set a background that you have gained a fascination for that species ever since it was introduced to you for some explanation in your regular classes and eventually give more scientific basis for your choice.
- Independent, Dependent variables need to be highlighted, as should the hypothesis. State your hypothesis; it is important in the context of your research. Constraints, if any, need to be mentioned as well. Remember, the Independent variable is one that you are allowed to change(just one); the Dependent variable is one that you measure as it changes with the Independent variable; all the other experiment conditions must be kept constant to ensure that the experiment is fair.
- The procedure used should be well structured.
- Tables, Graphs, etc., should be used.
- Perform the relevant analysis, consider the research question, and conclude.
- Limitations and Improvements should be specified.
Acknowledging the safety protocols established by IB and considering the ethical aspects of your investigation is imperative.
Focus on the question:
"If there are any ethical implications to your report, how do you plan on minimizing the environmental impact of your experiment?"
Citing documents/web pages and giving references is another crucial aspect of your IA that needs to be taken care of.
An important thing to note here is that although you are allowed to take inspiration from existing research, papers/journals, you are expected to give a novel perspective to the idea while producing it in your investigation.
For example, an idea inspired by how the soil pH affects seed germination could be investigated in a new light; think of other factors controlling/affecting seed germination. You could progress further in your report with a focus on quantitative data.
With all the necessary information at your disposal, it is time to present some fantastic IB Biology IA ideas to encourage you to put your thinking caps on and take on the challenge with newfound zeal! These ideas are meant to give you a little head start along this path; your final IB Biology Investigation idea is your interpretation of one.
Without further adieu, let's dive headfirst into 30+ IB Biology IA ideas for your Biology IA Investigation!
- Reference to Course: Molecular Biology (Metabolism, Cell Respiration, Photosynthesis)
- Lab, Simulation-based
- Reference to Course: Molecular Biology (Metabolism, Cell Respiration, Photosynthesis)
- Experimental
- Reference to Course: Cell Biology (Membrane Structure)
- Experimental
- Reference to Course: Plant Biology
- Reference to Course: Molecular Biology (Enzymes)
- Reference to Course: Cell Biology
- Simulation/Modelling
- Reference to Course: Cell Biology (Osmosis)
- Database based
- Reference to Course: Molecular Biology (Enzymes)
- Reference to Course: Ecology
- Reference to Course: Microbiology
- Reference to Course: Molecular Biology(Enzymes)
- Experimental, Simulation-based
- Reference to Course: Buffers
- Reference to Course: Human Physiology
- Reference to Course: Molecular Biology(Enzymes)
- Simulation Analysis
- Database, Experimental
- Reference to Course: Plants Physiology
These ideas are for you to start exploring and begin! Take inspiration from these and research further to land on that one idea that gets you going!
But is that it? Certainly not!
Here are a couple of other ideas you could browse and eventually take inspiration from:
- Effect of Different Fertilizers on Eutrophication .
- Analyzing Milk Spoilage under varying conditions of Temperature, Sunlight, etc.
- Exploring how a particular variable affects the germination of seeds .
- Investigating the rate of oxygen production of seaweed with variation in light intensity.
- To prevent microbial growth, explore better ways to clean household items(for example - mats).
- Studying the effect of temperature on photosynthesis in Green Gram(Vigna Radiata).
- Understanding what effect different ethanol concentrations have on cell membranes.
- Studying the biology behind Schizophrenia .
- Investigating the decay time of different Genetically Modified Foods .
- Understanding the impact of different variables on vegetable decay/ Exploring other methods to prevent vegetable decay.
And that's that!
These little ideas will help you brainstorm and explore further the vast yet intriguing expanse of biology. IB Biology curriculum expects you to appreciate scientific problems in a global context with stimulating opportunities, and IB Biology IAs help you accomplish just that. It might seem like a lot of work, but with the right topic, you will surpass your expectations! On this note, we wish you all the very best for your IB Biology IA Journey :)
Want some A-quality guidance? Look no further; at Nail IB, we have assembled premium content for you to ace your IBs, and you should check out our resources for a smooth IB experience. Click here for top-notch IB resources or to assess how your prep is going!
This article will be a foundation for you to get going on that IB Biology IA Investigation of yours!
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