Most students in BIO 111/112 who plagiarize are not trying to get away with something -- they just don't understand how to avoid it. Now is the time to learn! When you write your lab report, the first rule is:

Write in your OWN words!

In scientific writing, we focus on ideas and information, rather than on words. This is very different from writing in the humanities. For example, consider this quote from Shakespere's play Romeo & Juliet: (Romeo speaking)

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

(II, ii, 2-3)

Shakespere's words convey the idea that Romeo sees Juliet come to the window, and he thinks her beauty is radiant. But saying it in your own words doesn't have the impact that a direct quote does. In this case, the author's exact words are essential if you want to get across exactly what Romeo is feeling.

In science, the author's words almost never matter. For example, suppose your lab manual says:

"Add 175 ml of solution A to a test tube, and then shake vigorously for 2 minutes."

In your lab report, you DO NOT want to quote this. In your Methods section you would write something like:

After I added 175 ml of solution A to the test tube, I mixed the contents of the tube well by shaking it for several seconds.

This conveys the necessary information but doesn't steal someone else's words to do it. Instead, you are reporting what YOU did, IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

Many students try to get away with copying from a source, but making one or two minor changes. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!

For example:

"But soft, what light through yonder window beams?
It's the east, and Juliet is the sun."

This is still plagiarism! No, it isn't Shakespere's exact words, but it is still stealing his work! Don't think you can copy from your lab manual, your textbook, or any other source, and just make some minor changes. WRITE IN YOUR OWN WORDS!