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Assignment Brief
Achieved (if ungraded)
Pass Merit Distinction
Learner’s Name: Lauren Evans
Learner Declaration: I can confirm that, apart from correctly referenced quotations, this assignment is my own work and contains no plagiarised content. All sources have been acknowledged and referenced.
Learner Signature:
Date:
Provider: Access to Higher Education Diploma. Pathway: Health professions & Midwifery
Diploma Title: Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professions & Midwifery)
Module: Biology Group:
Unit Title: Homeostasis Unit Code: GA33BIO03
Tutor/Assessor: Debbie Leyland Internal Verifier:
Assignment Title: Homeostasis
Type of Assignment: Written assignment
Word Count:
Time allowed for supervised assessment:
Submissions, Extensions, and Referrals
Please refer to the Course Handbook for regulations relating to submission of assessment evidence, extensions, resubmissions, and referrals.
Date Assignment Issued: 29/11/21 Submission Deadline:
Extension negotiated? Yes No Agreed Extension Date:
Tutor Signature for Extension:
Date of Submission: Date Marked: Resubmission Required? Yes / No
Second Submission Date: Referral Requested? Yes No
Date Second Submission Marked:
Internally Verified? Yes No Internal Verifier:
Assignment tasks
1a) Explain what is meant by the following terms: (1.1)
i. Homeostasis
ii. Negative feedback
iii. Dynamic equilibrium
b) For each of the diagrams below: (1.2)
i. Fill in the gaps to explain the general principles of a negative feedback loop
ii. Describe how the negative feedback mechanism operates to maintain the factor that has been disrupted.
Generic:
c) Fill in the boxes for the two specific feedback loops below. You could explain these homeostatic mechanisms in more detail.
d) Explain the homeostatic mechanisms, in as much detail as you can, involved with the control of at least 2 other factors (ie not blood pressure, blood glucose levels, thermoregulation or osmoregulation), in the human body. Annotated diagrams can be used to support your explanation. (1.2)
2a) Briefly explain environmental and physiological factors that might cause an increase or decrease in body temperature. (2.1)
b) Describe, in as much detail as you can, what happens to your body (in terms of thermoregulation) when:
i. You go into a sauna
ii. You go from the sauna into the snow (whilst still in your swimsuit!)
Include the roles of the hypothalamus and the skin in your explanation. (2.2)
c) Explain the causes, symptoms, treatments and how to prevent:
i. Hypothermia
ii. Hyperthermia
iii. Why are you more at risk of hyperthermia in a hot tub, than sunbathing on a hot beach (at the same ambient temperature, say 40C) ?
(2.3)
3a) Label the diagram of the nephron and then outline the functions of the structures you have labelled. (3.3)
b) Complete the table below with the environmental and physiological factors that affect the osmotic conditions in the blood. (3.1)
Environmental factors
Physiological factors
c) (3.2)
i. Explain what is happening in the diagrams below.
ii. What would be the consequences if this happened in the body?
d) The kidney is responsible for regulating the osmotic conditions of the body. Explain how the kidney achieves this. Include details of the role of ADH in this process. (3.4)
e) The level of ADH in the blood rises during strenuous exercise. Explain why the levels of ADH increase. (3.4)
f) Gerbils are adapted to live in arid conditions. Gerbils have a longer Loop of Henle than mice. Suggest and explain how this adaptation helps gerbils survive in their dry environment. (3.4)
No. Assessment Criteria
The Learner can: Achieved? (Tutor Initial)
First Submission Second Submission Referral
1.1 Explain the terms ‘homeostasis’,
‘negative feedback’ and ‘dynamic
equilibrium’ and give examples from the
human body.
1.2 Interpret diagrams representing
homeostatic systems to identify set
points and examples of negative
feedback.
2.1
Identify environmental and physiological
factors that might cause the
temperature of the body to increase or
decrease.
2.2
Describe the mechanisms that monitor
and regulate body temperature in
humans including the roles of the
hypothalamus and the skin.
2.3
Explain the consequences of
hypothermia and hyperthermia.
3.1
Identify environmental and physiological
factors that might change the osmotic
conditions in the blood.
3.2 Explain the terms hypotonic and
hypertonic in relation to blood plasma
and outline the possible consequences
of these conditions in the human body.
3.3 Identify regions of a kidney tubule and
outline the main functions of each part.
3.4 Explain the importance of osmotic
conditions in the kidney and the role of
ADH in osmoregulation.
Grading Information for this Assignment
Grade Descriptor: 1 understanding of the subject
For a Merit your work or performance must:
• Demonstrate a very good grasp of the relevant knowledge base
For a Distinction, your work or performance must:
Demonstrate an excellent grasp of the relevant knowledge base
Guidance notes: Use a variety of credible sources to develop your knowledge and understanding.
Grade Descriptor: 2 application of knowledge
For a Merit your work or performance must:
• Make use of relevant facts and theories
• Show very good levels of accuracy
For a Distinction, your work or performance must:
• Make use of relevant facts and theories with both breadth and depth
• Show excellent levels of accuracy
Guidance notes: Having gained an understanding you need to show you can clearly apply your knowledge. Having researched the subject, you need to ensure you use as much relevant information, in breadth and depth to fully answer the question/ complete the task. Ensure you are accurate in your application of knowledge and calculations.
Grade Descriptor: 5. Communication and presentation:
For a Merit your work or performance must:
• Show very good command of language (including technical and specialist language)
• Show very good command of spelling
• Show very good command of referencing
• Show very good command of punctuation.
For a Distinction, your work or performance must:
• Show excellent command of language (including technical and specialist language)
• Show excellent command of spelling
• Show excellent command of referencing
• Show excellent command of punctuation.
Guidance notes: Learner Guidance notes: Please take care when writing your assignment. You must proof-read your work and ensure that work is fully referenced using the Harvard system.
Grade Descriptor: 1 understanding of the subject
For a Merit your work or performance must:
• Demonstrate a very good grasp of the relevant knowledge base
For a Distinction, your work or performance must:
Demonstrate an excellent grasp of the relevant knowledge base
Guidance notes: Use a variety of credible sources to develop your knowledge and understanding.
Grade Descriptor: 7 Quality
For a Merit your work or performance must:
• Taken demonstrate a very good response to the demands of the brief/assignment
For a Distinction, your work or performance must:
• Taken demonstrates an excellent response to the demands of the brief/assignment
Guidance notes: Plan your time wisely, take care with your work and make sure that you address all the questions.
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Unit Title: introduction to Biology
Assignment Title: Introduction to Biology
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