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This lesson covers how growth is measured and interpreted using percentile charts, as required by the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification (1SC0). You need to understand how growth data is collected, what percentile charts show and how to interpret them.
Growth in organisms can be measured in several ways:
| Measurement | Description | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length/height | Measuring the length or height of the organism | Quick and easy; non-destructive | Does not account for changes in mass |
| Wet mass | Mass of organism including water | Quick to measure | Varies with water content (e.g. after eating or drinking) |
| Dry mass | Mass of organism after all water removed | Most accurate measure of growth | Destructive — organism must be killed and dried |
For humans, growth is most commonly measured using height and mass at regular intervals.
Exam Tip: If asked which measurement of growth is the most accurate, say dry mass. But always mention the disadvantage — it requires killing the organism, so it cannot be used for humans or to track the same individual over time.
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