Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________

Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

ASSIGNMENT 2
Biology I, Pre-Health Sciences - Durham College, Fall 2020

/94 marks
EVALUATION NOTES

Read before submitting:

 This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade.

 This assignment is due by 11:59 pm on the due date

established by your instructor:

a. Due date: Sunday, December 13, at 11:59 PM

b. Late submissions are penalized 10% per day up to a
max of 3 days (including weekends). After that a zero
is assigned.

 This assignment should be submitted online to the DC

Connect Assignments folder.

a. Your assignment must be submitted to the designated

assignments folder on your DC Connect course
b. Unless otherwise directed, submissions made by other
means (E.g. email or hard copy) will not be accepted
and will result in a grade of 0.
c. Computer malfunctions or technical issues are not
accepted as excuses for late or missing components.
TIP: Submit your assignment early so that you have
time to resolve any potential technical issues prior to
the deadline.

 While students may work in groups to complete this

assignment, each student must submit their own original
work. A good rule of thumb to practice is to “chat” with
classmates about your work, but not to show them your actual
assignment.

 When entering your answers, please highlight them or

make them a font colour like red so that they stand out.
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

PART 1 – Basic Knowledge [ 38 marks ]

Rationale: In this section you are required to answer content specific questions. These questions are
very similar in structure and style to Test 2 questions and will therefore be excellent study practice.

Instructions:.
 Answer in the spaces provided
 Read the questions carefully and thoroughly
 Consider the point value of each question as a guide for how much detail you should include
 Remember to write all answers IN YOUR OWN WORDS
 For multiple choice/multi-select questions, indicate your answer(s) using the highlighter tool
 For short answer and matching questions please answer using red font colour

TOPIC: Genetics-Part 2 (Complex Inheritance)

1. (3 marks) For each of the following examples, identify the type of complex inheritance
involved using the provided list of options. Options are used only once.

A. Codominance D. Multiple Alleles

B. Environmental influence E. Polygenic
C. Incomplete dominance F. X-linked

a. C A curly-haired man and a straight-haired woman have a wavy-haired daughter.

b. D ABO blood type in humans can have 3 versions of a gene: IA IB and i.
c. E In one extended family, adult height ranges from 152 cm to 193 cm.
d. A A person who is heterozygous for sickle cell anemia will have half of their red blood
cells misshapen and the other half normal.
e. F A male receives the hemophilia allele from his mother.
f. B Identical twins show different characteristics depending on the surroundings they
grow up in.

TOPIC: Evolution

2. (3 marks) Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE:

a. False Natural selection occurs when humans determine which organisms should survive,
rather than leaving them to evolve and change naturally.
b. False Antibiotic resistance is an example of macroevolution.
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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c. True Evolution is the change in the inherited traits in a population of organisms over time

TOPIC: The Digestive System

3. (5 marks) Match the descriptions below with their correct term. Answers are used only once.

A. Common bile duct I. Muscularis

B. Duodenum J. Pancreatic duct
C. Epiglottis K. Peristalsis
D. Ileocecal sphincter L. Pyloric sphincter
E. Ilium M. Serosa
F. Lower esophageal sphincter N. Submucosa
G. Jejunum O. Uvula
H. Mucosa

O A fleshy bead of tissue in the throat that covers nasal passageways

M Outermost layer of digestive (GI) tract
K Rhythmic, wave-like contractions of smooth muscle
E The longest portion of the small intestine that is continuous with the cecum
F Ring of muscle that relaxes to let food pass into the stomach

4. The pancreas is an accessory organ to the digestive process.

a. (1 mark) What does “accessory organ” mean with respect to the digestive system?

Accessory organs means that food does not pass through them, instead they add
various juices and secretions to the digestive tract that allows biological
molecules in food to be digested.

b. (2 marks) Name TWO other accessory organs of the digestive system and describe their
functions.

Accessory organ Function

Gall bladder
Stores bile
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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Liver Makes bile

Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

5. (1 mark) Which of the following accurately describes bile? Select ALL that apply using the highlighter tool.

 It is produced by the gall bladder

 It breaks triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids
 It emulsifies lipids
 It travels down the common bile duct
 It is released into the stomach during digestion
 It is present in the hepatic portal vein
 It is an enzyme

6. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Which of the following statements is TRUE? Select your answer using the
highlighter tool.

a. Digestion of carbohydrates begins in the stomach

b. Amylase is produced by the mouth and the pancreas
c. Pepsin is only active when bile is present
d. Nucleosidase is a brush border enzyme secreted by the pancreas
e. Pepsin breaks smaller polypeptides into amino acids

7. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Which of the following represents the correct order of feces through
the large intestine? Select your answer using the highlighter tool.

a. Ileocecal sphincter, cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid
colon, rectum, anal canal, anal sphincter, anus
b. Ileocecal sphincter, cecum, descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon, sigmoid
colon, rectum, anal canal, anal sphincter, anus
c. Ileocecal sphincter, cecum, ascending colon, descending colon, transverse colon, sigmoid
colon, rectum, anal canal, anal sphincter, anus
d. Anal sphincter, cecum, descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon, sigmoid
colon, rectum, anal canal, ileocecal sphincter, anus

TOPIC: The Integumentary System

8. (4 marks) Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE:

a. True. The largest organ in the body is the skin

b. True A function of skin is to synthesize vitamin D
c. False Adipocytes are primarily found within the dermis
d. True The stratum corneum is superficial to the stratum basale
e. False Langerhans cells produce a pigment called melanin
f. False Arrector pili are responsible for fingerprints
g. True Genes, carotene, and hemoglobin can contribute to the colour of skin
h. True Keratinocytes are primarily found within the epidermis

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

TOPIC: The Cardiovascular System

9. (5 marks) Could Type B – blood be given safely to a person with Type AB+ blood?

a. Complete the following chart. Be as specific as possible.

DONOR RECIPIENT
What antigens are What antibodies are What antigens are Which antibodies are
present on the RBC? present in the plasma? present on the RBC? present in the plasma?

B antigens A antibodies A and B antigens No antibodies

b. Yes/No - Will antibodies in the recipient’s blood bind to antigens on the donor’s RBCs?

c. Yes/No - Will agglutination occur?

d. Yes/No - Will this blood transfusion be safe?

10. (2 marks) Match the descriptions below to the appropriate terms. Options are used only once.

A. Hemoglobin
B. Heme
C. Hemolysis
D. Hematopoiesis

B Molecule found in hemoglobin that works with iron to bind oxygen.

C Destruction of red blood cells in the liver and spleen.
D Creation of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
A Protein found in red blood cells that binds oxygen.

11. (3 marks) Provide THREE full differences between a vein and a capillary.

Differences:
Vein Capillary

Valves are present No valves are present

High blood volume Very low blood volume

3 layers of tissue 1 layer of cells

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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TOPIC: The Respiratory System

12. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Which of the following statements are TRUE regarding alveoli in the
respiratory system? Select your answer using the highlighter tool.

a. They are composed of stratified squamous epithelium

b. They are a location where gas exchange takes place via diffusion
c. They warm and moisten the air that enters lungs
d. All of the above are correct
e. None of the above are correct

13. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Which of the following is/are TRUE regarding the medulla oblongata?
Select your answer using the highlighter tool.

a. It is a component of the nervous system located in the brainstem

b. It sends nerve impulses to the diaphragm and intercostals to cause inspiration
c. It operates under the control of the somatic nervous system
d. Only A and B are correct
e. A, B and C are correct

14. (5 marks) Fill-in the chart below to outline TWO ways in which oxygen can be carried within
the blood and THREE ways in which carbon dioxide can be carried in the blood:

Methods of transport % carried by this method

Transported by binding to
Oxygen 98.5%
hemoglobin within red blood cells.
Remaining dissolves within the
water of the blood plasma and is 1.5%
carried through the blood.
Carbon Stay dissolved in the water of the
7-10%
Dioxide blood plasma.

Enter a RBC via simple diffusion

25-30%
and bind to hemoglobin.
Enter a RBC via simple diffusion,
form carbonic acid and gets 60-65%
converted to bicarbonate ions + H+

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

PART 2 – Case Study [ 56 marks ]

Rationale: In this section you will develop your

problem-solving and critical thinking skills by applying
your knowledge of basic concepts to a case study. This is
an important skill to develop as it allows you to relate
what you are learning to the everyday world and helps
prepare you for future programs and careers in the
health care field. As you proceed through this section,
think about how these questions connect to your other
courses and to your future goals.

Instructions:
 Answer in the spaces provided
 Read the questions carefully and thoroughly
 Consider the point value of each question as a guide for how much detail you should include
 Remember to write all answers IN YOUR OWN WORDS
 For multiple choice/multi-select questions, indicate your answer(s) using the highlighter tool
 For short answer and matching questions, please answer using red font colour

Scenario: Mary is a student enrolled in the Pre-Health Sciences program at Durham College. Like
many of her classmates, she has applied to several competitive healthcare programs including
Paramedics and Nursing and is very proud of the hard work that she has accomplished so far.

Unfortunately, the past few weeks have taken their toll on Mary’s mental health and she is feeling
extremely burned out. Her stress levels are at an all-time high and she is struggling to manage the
demands of school, caring for her young son, Andrew, and working part-time 20 hours per week. All of
this exhaustion has caused her gall bladder disease (gallstones) to flare up despite the fact that she can
normally manage it very well with diet. Specifically, she has been forgetting to limit her intake of
greasy foods and has picked up the habit of eating cheap, takeout meals that include deep fried and
cheese-covered items. This has left her with nausea, occasional vomiting and steady severe pain in the
upper abdomen. It has forced her to make regular emergency trips to the bathroom while at school and
at work.

15. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Bile from the gall bladder aids in the digestion of ________. Select
your answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Complex carbohydrates
b. Lipids
c. Proteins
d. Simple carbohydrates
e. Lactose

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

16. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Gallstones can prevent the passage of bile into the _________ by
blocking the _________. Select your answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Duodenum, common bile duct
b. Duodenum, pancreatic duct
c. Stomach, pancreatic duct
d. Stomach, common bile duct
e. Large intestine, common bile duct

17. (9 marks) Track a bite of McDonalds French fries through Mary’s digestive system by drawing a
simplified sketch of how various biological molecules are processed by Mary’s digestive system. Start
with the fries entering through the mouth and show how the various enzymes break it down into
nutrients that can be absorbed within the body. For this question, you may assume that the only
biological molecules in the fries are polysaccharides, from the starchy potatoes, and triglycerides, from
the deep-frying process. You may ignore any other molecules that might be present. You should also
assume that Mary is experiencing a mild case of gallstones, but at this point there is no complete blockage.

Your drawing can be done by hand on paper or made digitally as long as a clear photo or a screenshot
of your work is pasted into this document (not submitted as an additional file). A reminder that your
image must be original – i.e. it is not copied directly from course resources (E.g. lecture slides) or
the Internet.

Use the checklist below as a guide:

Anatomy is drawn and labeled:

 Regions: mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine
(duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine
 Accessory organs: salivary glands, gall bladder, liver, pancreas

Digestion of polysaccharides and triglycerides is clearly shown:

 Names of all enzymes/chemicals are provided
 Names of the organs that make each enzyme/chemical are
provided
 Descriptions/diagrams are provided as to how each
enzyme/chemical breaks down the molecules

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

Insert your image in the space below:

Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

18. (1 mark) How would the digestion above change if Mary was experiencing a gallstone blockage?

- If Mary was experiencing a gallstone blockage, the bile would be blocked from the gallstones,
meaning triglycerides wouldn’t be able to be broken down. Due to this the liver would take over.

19. (3 marks) Untreated gallstones can lead to complete blockage of the common bile duct, which
may also cause blockage of the pancreatic duct. Explain how digestion would be affected if the
pancreatic duct was to become blocked. Provide at least THREE details using correct
terminology.

-Pancreatic amylase would not be able to reach the duodenum, which means polysaccharides
cannot be broken down into disaccharides.

-Bile would not be able to reach the duodenum, which means lipids cannot be emulsified to
convert lipid droplets into emulsified triglycerides.

-This can cause a buildup of bile in the liver, and can damage it.
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

Scenario: As Mary continues the semester, stress continues to take its toll on Mary’s body. While not
life-threatening, Mary has noticed that she is sweating more than usual. After doing a bit of research
and chatting with her Biology professor, she learns that stress can aggravate apocrine glands (a type of
sudoriferous gland) in the skin and cause excess sweating.

20. Answer the following questions:

a. (2 marks) Where are apocrine glands located in the body? Provide 2 points. Be as specific as
possible.

- Located in the armpits, nipples, and genitals

-Located in the dermis layer of the skin

b. (1 mark) What is the difference between a sudoriferous gland and a sebaceous gland?

The difference is the sudoriferous gland is an oil gland, and is found in the hair follicles, and is
responsible for making sebum. Whereas the sebaceous gland is a sweat gland, and is found
anchored in the reticular layer of the dermis but leads out to a pore in the epidermis.

c. (1 mark) Sweating related to stress is produced in the apocrine glands. What are eccrine sweat
glands associated with? Regulates temperature

d. (1 mark) What causes the odor associated with sweat from apocrine glands?

-The bacteria on our skin multiply when sweat is present, and breaks it down into smaller, and
smellier chemicals causing body odour.

Scenario: As the final weeks of school approach, Mary’s stress begins to reach a breaking point as her
assignments and test dates loom. What is more, her son Andrew has been experiencing troubles at
school and has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. She confides in a friend that she feels as though
she is “barely hanging on.” She is just hoping she can make it through these final weeks.

One day, as she is walking into her Biology lab, Mary starts to feel funny. She beings to feel faint and
light-headed, almost as if the “walls are closing in.” She sits down quickly at the lab bench but a huge
wave of nausea suddenly overwhelms her and she begins to breathe rapidly. Just as class is about to
begin, Mary reaches a state of full-blown panic as she finds herself with unexpected chest pain and
difficulty breathing. Noticing her distress, her classmates and professor immediately call Campus Safety
and the Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT). An ambulance soon arrives and after an initial
assessment by paramedics, it is determined that she needs to get to Lakeridge Health immediately. She is
quickly loaded into the ambulance, a 12 Lead ECG is obtained but the interpretation is inconclusive, so
they start an IV of 0.9% normal saline (containing water, sugar and salt) at a rate to keep the vein open,
she is given 81 mg of aspirin to chew and swallow. Her oxygen saturation is 100% so they do not
provide supplemental oxygen. While en route to hospital she is given nitroglycerin (NTG) 0.4 mg
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________
sublingually (SL). As they pull into the hospital, paramedics do their best to keep her calm suggesting
that her symptoms could be caused by something other than a heart attack but that it was good that she is
seeking medical assistance so quickly from the onset.

21. (1 mark) Multiple Choice – If Mary is experiencing a heart attack, what blood circuit is mostly
likely compromised? Select your answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Coronary b. Hepatic
b. Systemic c. Pulmonary
d. None of the above

22. (1 mark) Multiple Choice – Which component of blood is IV fluid meant to mimic? Select your
answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Platelets d. Plasma
b. Erythrocytes e. All of the above
c. Leukocytes

23. (3 marks) List THREE specific components of blood that are NOT present in Mary’s IV fluid
Briefly describe the function of each within the body.

-Albumin: This is a protein that works to stabilize osmotic pressure. (Most abundant)

-Globulin: This is a protein that contributes to the formation of antibodies for the immune
system.

-Fibrinogen: This is a protein that helps to clot blood.

24. While in the ambulance, the additional oxygen that Mary receives enters her nasal cavity and
travels through the respiratory system until it reaches the blood. From there, it travels to her
heart so that it can be pumped to the various cells in her body.

a. (5 marks) List the respiratory structures IN ORDER that carry oxygen from the nasal
cavity to the alveoli. List at least FIVE structures.

Nasal cavity  Pharynx

 Larynx
 Trachea
 Bronchi (bronchus)
 Bronchioles Alveoli

b. Once absorbed into the blood at the alveoli, oxygen is then transported through the blood
via the red blood cells within the blood.

i. (1 mark) What percentage of blood is made of red blood cells? 45%

ii. (1 mark) During hypoxia, what hormone would be released to increase the
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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number of red blood cells within the blood? Erythropoietin

iii. (1 mark) True or False – A red blood cell lives for roughly 120 days in the blood

iv. (4 marks) What features do a red blood cell have that allows it to effectively
move through the blood and transport oxygen? List at least FOUR features
and briefly explain how they help RBCs carry out their functions.

-Flexible: Allows them to squeeze through tiny capillaries.

-Biconcave: Increases surface area of the cell to allow more oxygen to be

transported across the membrane.

-The lose their nucleus: Provides more room for hemoglobin.

-Contains hemoglobin: Protein that traps oxygen using iron and heme.

Scenario: Upon arriving at the hospital, Mary is assessed by the on-call cardiologist, Dr. Hiba Khaled.
After an initial assessment and blood draw, Dr. Khaled orders an EKG and echocardiogram for Mary
to determine if she is experiencing a heart attack.

25. (8 marks) An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that allows the heart to be imaged and blood
tracked through the heart. In the space below, map the pathway of blood through the heart. Start
with blood entering the heart via the vena cava and finish with blood leaving the heart through the
aorta. Be sure to list all chambers, valves, and blood vessels that the blood passes through IN
ORDER. Don’t forget to answer in your own words and use the checklist below as a guide.
 4 heart valves are listed in the pathway (2 marks)
 4 heart chambers are listed in the pathway (2 marks)
 4 blood major blood vessels attached to the heart are listed in the pathway (2 marks)
 All structures are listed in the correct chronological order (1 mark)
 All names are written in FULL (no acronyms) with no spelling errors (1 mark)

Blood enters the heart through the vena cava, after enters right atrium, flows across tricuspid AV valve,
goes into right ventricle, it squeezes and ejects blood into the pulmonary SL valve, goes into pulmonary
L/R artery, through the left/right lungs, the blood returns through the pulmonary L/R veins, goes to left
atrium, flows through the bicuspid AV valve, into left ventricle, to the aortic SL valve, into aorta, out to
the body.
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

Scenario: Luckily, Dr. Khaled reports that the blood work, EKG, and echocardiogram came back
clean, i.e. there is no evidence to support that Mary experienced a heart attack. Dr. Khaled suggests
that Mary may have actually experienced a panic attack instead, explaining that the symptoms of a
heart attack are often the same (chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea). She goes on to say
how under severe stress, the nervous and endocrine systems within the body can trigger a rapid heart
rate during a panic attack.

26. (1 mark) Which of the following are able to decrease the speed of the cardiac cycle? Select
ALL that apply using the highlighter tool.
 Sympathetic nervous system
 Parasympathetic nervous system
 Epinephrine
 Norepinephrine

Scenario: After several more hours, Mary is discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of “acute
panic attack.” Before leaving, she is told to rest and consider booking an appointment with a
professional psychologist for talk therapy. She is also told that if her panic attacks persist to try a
variety of breathing techniques. The doctors also mention in passing that patients with anxiety
sometimes try alternative medicines like cannabidiol (CBD) oil, an extract from the Cannabis sativa
plant, to ease their symptoms. Mary goes home and practices the suggested breathing techniques. One
of them, the “calming breath,” recommends taking a long, slow breath in through the nose, holding
your breath for 3 seconds, and exhaling slowly through pursed lips.

27. (5 marks) While performing these breathing exercises, describe IN YOUR OWN WORDS how
the diaphragm and intercostal muscles assist Mary’s inspiration and expiration.
During inspiration:
The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract. This makes the diaphragm move down
and the rib cage move up and out. The volume of the thoracic cavity increases, and the air
pressure within the thoracic cavity decreases. This causes air to be pulled into the lungs.

During expiration:
The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax. This makes the diaphragm move up and
the rib cage moves down and in. The volume of the thoracic cavity decreases, and the pressure
within the thoracic cavity increases. This causes air to be pushed out of the lungs.

28. (1 mark) Multiple Choice – What term is used to describe the maximum amount of air
exhaled after taking the deepest breath possible? Select your answer using the highlighter
tool. Select your answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Inspiratory reserve volume
b. Expiratory reserve volume
c. Tidal volume
d. Vital capacity
e. Residual volume
Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________
Scenario: After trying the various breathing exercises, Mary feels calmer and less anxious. She
books a virtual appointment with one of the counsellors at Durham College’s Campus Health and
Wellness Centre and does some additional research on the MindShift app as a tool to help her relax
and deal with everyday anxiety. She also sends an email to the Access and Support Centre (ASC)
and Student Academic Learning Services (SALS) to see if there are any additional supports available
that will help her manage her academics while she recovers. She also opens the pamphlet on CBD oil
to see if this is a route she wants to pursue. Specifically, she is wondering if CBD oil is scientifically
proven to help manage anxiety.

29. (4 marks) Answer the following:

a. Perform a quick Google search of CBD oil and anxiety disorders. Locate ONE credible
website where you can learn more about this topic. List the link in the space below:

NOTE: Credible sources include government websites and peer-reviewed journal articles.
If you are unsure of how to pick a credible source, watch the following video or take a look
at the resources posted on the SALS course in DC Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ122WakNDY

Link: https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-anxiety#what-research-says

b. What does this resource claim about CBD oil and anxiety? Select one of the following
options:

 CBD has been shown to improve symptoms of anxiety

 CBD does not appear to improve symptoms of anxiety

c. List TWO pieces of evidence from the credible website that supports its claim in part (b).
NOTE: You will not be marked on if your answer is right or wrong. Instead, it is your job to
formulate a clear response and back up your answer with credible evidence

Evidence 1: While doing a study they gave participants CBD or a placebo. Those who
received the CBD had reduced anxiety levels.

Evidence 2: Study subjects showed lower behavioral symptoms, for example their heart rate
reduced from an increased heart rate.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences