ASSIGNMENT 2

Biology I, Pre-Health Sciences - Durham College

Your Full Name: _______Madi_________________

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: Derek

a. An assignment submitted after the due date and time

established by your instructor is considered a late
submission. Late submissions will be penalized 10% for
any submission made within 24 hours after the deadline,
20% for any submission made 24-48 hours after the
deadline, and 30% for any submission made 48-72
hours after the deadline. After 72 hours, a grade of zero
will be assigned.

 This assignment should be submitted online to the DC

Connect Assignments folder.

a. 1 file needs to be submitted in total.

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, each student must submit their own original work.
PART 1 – Basic Knowledge [ 34 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: The Digestive System

1. (5 marks) Match the descriptions below with their correct term. Answers are used only once.

H. Mucosa
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
__K___ Rhythmic, wave-like contractions of smooth muscle
___H__ Inner layer of digestive (GI) tract
___C__ Flap of skin that covers the trachea when swallowing
___B__ Part of the small intestine that the pancreas, liver, and gall bladder secrete into

___L__ Ring of muscle that allows chyme to exit the stomach

2. The pancreas releases pancreatic juice during digestion.

a. (1 mark) What is the purpose of bicarbonate within pancreatic juice?

The bicarbonate makes the pancreatic juice alkaline which helps to neutralize acidic
gastric juices.
b. (2 marks) List the 4 enzymes found in pancreatic juice.
The four enzymes found in pancreatic juice are: amylase, trypsin, lipase, and nuclease.
 3. (1 mark) Which of the following accurately describes bile? Select ALL that apply using
the highlighter tool.
a. It is produced by the gall bladder
b. It breaks triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids
c. It emulsifies lipids
d. It travels down the common bile duct
e. It is released into the stomach during digestion
f. It is present in the hepatic portal vein
g. It is an enzyme

4. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Which of the following statements is TRUE? Select your
answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Digestion of proteins begins in the mouth
b. Trypsin is produced by the stomach and the pancreas
c. Pepsin is inactive when hydrochloric acid is present
d. Nuclease is a brush border enzyme secreted by the small intestine
e. Peptidase breaks smaller polypeptides into amino acids

5. (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

6. (4 marks) Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE:

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

b. False A function of skin is to remove waste from the body
c. True Adipocytes are primarily found within the hypodermis
d. False The stratum basale is superficial to the stratum corneum
e. False Langerhans cells produce a pigment called melanin
f. True Arrector pili are responsible for “goose bumps”
g. True Genes, carotene, and hemoglobin can contribute to the colour of skin
h. True Melanocytes are primarily found within the epidermis

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

 Topic: The Cardiovascular System
7. (5 marks) Could Type AB – blood be given safely to a person with Type A+ blood?

a) Complete the following chart

DONOR RECIPIENT
What antigens are present Donor only provides What antigens are present Which antibodies are
on the RBC? red blood cells NO on the RBC? present in the plasma?
antibodies are given.
A and B antigens Plasma does not A antigens are Anti-B
are present contain any present antibodies are
antibodies present

a) Will an antibodies in the recipient’s blood bind to antigens on the donor’s RBCs?
Yes, the antibodies in the recipient’s blood will bind to the antigens on the donor’s RBC’s.
b) Will agglutination occur?
Yes, agglutination will occur.
c) Will this blood transfusion be safe?
No, the blood transfusion would not be safe.
8. (2 marks) Match the descriptions with an appropriate term. Answers 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.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

 9. (4 marks) Compare and contrast a vein and an artery. List ONE similarity and THREE
differences.
Differences:

Artery Vein
Carry oxygenated blood away from the Carry deoxygynated blood towards the
heart heart

Does not have valves Has valves

Thicker walls due to higher blood Thinner walls due to lower blood
pressure pressure

Similarity: Both transport blood throughout the body

Topic: The Respiratory System

10. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Which of the following is/are TRUE concerning alveoli? Select your
answer using the highlighter tool.
a. They are sacs in the lungs
b. It is a location where gas exchange takes place via diffusion
c. They are surrounded by capillaries
d. Only A and C are correct
e. A, B and C are correct

11. (1 mark) Multiple choice – What is the role of chemoreceptors during ventilation? Select your
answer using the highlighter tool.
a. They detect when pH is low within the blood
b. They communicate with the medulla oblongata to decrease breathing rate
c. They eventually cause you to breathe if you try to hold your breath for as long as possible
d. Only A and C are correct
e. A, B and C are correct

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

 12. (6 marks) Fill-in the chart below to describe THREE ways in which carbon dioxide can be
carried within the blood:

Method of CO2 Description

% CO2
transport (Include 2 additional facts)
7-10% The CO2 binds to plasma proteins.
Dissolved in blood
plasma Carbon dioxide travels within the blood plasma
throughout the entire body.
25-30% Carbon dioxide diffuses into red blood cells where it
binds to the hemoglobin.
Bound to hemoglobin The compound of CO2 bound to hemoglobinis called
carbaminohemoglobin.
60-65% Bicarbonate is a form of CO2.

As bicarbonate Bicarbonate keeps blood at the right level of acidity.

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

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

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 digestive disorder (lactose intolerance) to flare up despite the fact that
she can normally manage it very well with diet and medication. Specifically she has been forgetting to
restock her supply of Lactaid medication (an over-the-counter-drug) and has picked up the habit of
eating cheap, frozen pizzas that contain high quantities of starch and lactose. This has left her with
extreme bloating, nausea, and pain and has forced her to make regular emergency trips to the bathroom
while at school and at work.

13. (1 mark) Multiple choice – People with lactose intolerance cannot digest . Select your
answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Lactose
b. Lactase
c. Maltase
d. Maltose
e. Amylase

14. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Medications like Lactaid contain , a digestive enzyme
that is normally made by the . Select your answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Maltase, small intestine
b. Amylase, pancreas
c. Lactose, small intestine
d. Lactase, small intestine
e. Lactase, pancreas

15. (9 marks) Track a piece of pizza 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 pizza 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 pizza are polysaccharides, from the starch-filled dough,
and lactose, from the cheese. You may ignore any other molecules that might be present.
You should also assume that Mary did NOT take her Lactaid medication when eating the
pizza.

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
PHS – Pre-Health Sciences
 resources (E.g. lecture slides) or the internet.

Use the checklist below as a guide:

ANATOMY of the digestive system 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 lactose is clearly shown:
 Names of all enzymes are provided
 Names of the organs that make each
enzyme are provided
 Descriptions/diagrams are provided as
to how each enzyme breaks down the
molecules

Draw or insert your image in the space below:

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

 16. (1 mark) How would the digestion above change if Mary took Lactaid with her meal?
If Mary had taken Lactaid with her meal, the lactose would have been broken down and
digested.
17. (3 marks) Untreated lactose intolerance leads to inflammation within the gut that prevents key
nutrients from being absorbed. Explain how carbohydrate monomers normally get absorbed
into the body. Provide at least THREE details using correct terminology.

Carbohydrate polysaccharides and disaccharides get broken down into monosaccharides for
absorbtion. Chemical and physical digestion begin in the mouth with chewing and salivary
amylase but most absorbtion takes place in the small intestine. What is not absorbed in the small
intestine gets absorbed in the large intestine with the help of bacteria. What is not absorbed and
digested gets passed as waste.

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 experiences constant outbreaks of acne, despite having a
history of clear, blemish-free skin. After doing a bit of research and chatting with her Biology professor,
she learns that stress can aggravate sebaceous glands in the skin and cause acne.

18. (5 marks) Answer the following questions about sebaceous glands:

a. (1 mark) Where are sebaceous glands located in the body? Be as specific as possible.
Sebaceous glands are located in the dermis layer of the skin.

b. (1 mark) What is the difference between a sebaceous gland and a sudoriferous gland?
A sebaceous gland produces sebum which is an oily substance while sudoriferous glands
produce sweat.

c. (1 mark) What is sebum made of? List at least THREE components.

Sebum is made up of trigycerides, wax esters, squalene, and metabolites.

d. (2 marks) Explain in detail how an excess of sebum can lead to the production of acne.
Sebum produced by sebaceous glands can get trapped in follicles under the skin. A large
amount of sebum trapped in the follicle will lead to a bump to appear under the skin, this is
acne.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

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, connected to an IV (containing water, sugar and salt), given her an aspirin,
and offered additional oxygen. As they pull into the hospital, paramedics do their best to keep her calm
but Mary overhears them say her symptoms align with that of a heart attack.

19. (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. Systemic
b. Hepatic
c. Pulmonary
d. None of the above

20. (1 mark) Multiple Choice – Which component of blood is IV fluid meant to mimic? Select your
answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Electrolytes
b. Blood plasma
c. Erythrocytes
d. A and B only
e. All of the above

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

 21. (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.
Potassium – Signals muscle contraction, this means potassium plays a role in cardiac mucle
and maintaining a steady heart beat.
Magnesium – Helps to maintain nerve and muscle function, supports the immune system, and
also adjust blood glucose levels.
Fibrinogen – Clots blood.

22. 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

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 is the scientific name for a red blood cell?

The scientific name for a red blood cell is erythrocytes.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

 ii. (1 mark) During hypoxia, what hormone would be released to increase the
number of red blood cells within the blood?
Vasopressin is released.

iii. (1 mark) True or False – A red blood cell is able to live for years within the
blood.
False.

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 explain how they help RBCs carry out their functions.

RBC’s have hemoglobin, oxygen binds to the hemoglobin to allow for easy
transportation of O2.

Once a red blood cell has matured it loses its nucleus, this allows for more
hemoglobin within the cell.

RBC's are flexible and can fit into small spaces such as capillaries.

During hypoxia, the kidneys produce a hormone that stimulates RBC production
in the mone marrow, one of these RBC’s have enough hemoglobin proteins to carry
approximately one billion oxygen molecules.

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.

23. (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 (2marks)
 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 (1mark)
 All names are written in FULL (no acronyms) with no spelling errors (1mark)

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

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.

24. (1 mark) Which of the following are able to increase the speed of the cardiac cycle? Select
ALL that apply using the highlighter tool.
a. Sympathetic nervous system
b. Parasympathetic nervous system
c. Epinephrine
d. 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 and investigate various medications like cannabidiol (CBD) oil, an extract from the Cannabis
sativa plant that has been linked to anxiety reduction [Source]. 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.

25. (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 intercostal muscles contact. The diaphragm moves downward to increase
space in the thoracic cavity while the intercostal muscles pull the rib cage upward to further
increase the amount of space to allow for the lungs to inflate.

During expiration:
The diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax. The diaphragm goes back to its original, relaxed
position within the thoracic cavity and the intercostal muscles release the rib cage back to its
original position as the lungs deflate.

26. (1 mark) Multiple Choice – What term is used to describe the amount of air moved with 1
breath at rest? Select your answer using the highlighter tool.
a. Inspiratory reserve volume
b. Expiratory reserve volume
c. Tidal volume
d. Vital capacity
e. Residual volume
PHS – Pre-Health Sciences
 Scenario: After trying the various breathing exercises, Mary feels calmer and less anxious.
She books an appointment with one of the counsellors at Durham College’s Campus Health
Centre in G1030 and does some additional research on the Solace Centre in C111 to see when
the various wellness coaches and meditation classes are available. She also sends an email to
the Access and Support Centre (ASC) in SW116 and Student Academic Learning Services
(SALS) in SSB204 to see if there are any additional supports she can access to 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 could also help
her manage her symptoms of lactose intolerance as well.

27. (4 marks) Perform a quick Google search of CBD oil and digestive health. Is there any
CREDIBLE evidence to suggest that CBD can help manage inflammation within the
gut? Justify your answer and provide the link to your source.

TIP 1: 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

TIP 2: 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.

Answer:
CBD can help manage inflammation within the digestive system.
The article state that, “cannabinoid receptors as well as regulatory enzymes responsible
for the synthesis or degradation of endocannabinoids representing potential targets to
reduce the development of gastrointestinal mucosal lesions, hemorrhage and
inflammation. (Klára Gyires, 2016).”
This means that the use of CBD oil, along with he bodies natural enzymes, can reduce
the development of digestive system issues such as gastrointestinal mucosal lesions,
hemmoraging, and inflammation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5333598/

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences