Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________

Student ID: _____________________ Date: _____________________

ASSIGNMENT 1
Biology I, Pre-Health Sciences - Durham College, Winter 2021

/70 marks
EVALUATION NOTES

Read before submitting:

 This assignment is worth 12.5% of your final grade.

 This assignment is due according to the instructions below:

a. Due date: Sunday, February 14 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.

 This assignment should be your own original work

a. You may work in groups to complete this assignment but each student must prepare and
submit their own unique answers. A good rule of thumb to practice is to “chat” with
classmates about your work, but never show them your actual assignment.
b. All answers can be found using content from DC Connect. If you decide to use Google
as well, make sure to consider the context of our course in terms of vocabulary, level of
difficulty, etc. A reminder that it is considered plagiarism to submit work that has been
copy and pasted from the Internet. All work must be in your own words.
 Please highlight your answers or make them a font colour like red so that they stand out.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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PART 1 – Basic Knowledge [ 35 marks ]

Rationale: In this section you are required to answer content specific questions. These questions are
very similar in structure and style to Test 1 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
 Short answers should be written in IN YOUR OWN WORDS using COMPLETE SENTENCES

UNIT 1: The Human Body

1. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Which of the following describes negative feedback?
a. It further disrupts homeostasis
b. It controls an individual’s external environment
c. It occurs when the body is at disequilibrium and works to restore homeostasis
d. It is a rare event within the body
e. It creates negative effects on human health that can lead to disease

2. (2 marks) Define homeostasis IN YOUR OWN WORDS. List at least 2 descriptive points.

Point 1:

Due to the constant internal and external changes and body’s needto adjust to
different steady states, a dynamic equilibrium is needed.
Point 2:
Set points are used to determine the right internal and external environments for a
person. For example, if a body was suddenly placed in a large cold body of
water, the body will make adjustments to control homeostasis.

UNIT 2: Biological Molecules

3. (6 marks) Fill-in-the-blanks – Answer the following questions regarding carbohydrates:
a. The monomer of carbohydrates is called a monosaccharides.
b. A Dimer is a disaccharide made up of glucose and fructose.
c. Maltose contains 2 molecules of glucose joined together.
d. The main elements found in carbohydrates are C,H,O .
e. Glycosidic bonds join monosaccharides together to form disaccharides and
polysaccharides.

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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f. Starch is a polysaccharide found in plants and acts as a storage molecule for glucose.

4. (1 mark) Multiple-choice – Which of the following is TRUE concerning lipids?

a. Fats are not considered to be types of lipids
b. Triglycerides contain glycogen bonded to 3 fatty acids
c. Fats have saturated fatty acids but do not have unsaturated fatty acids
d. An example of a lipid is a nucleotide
e. Fatty acids with double or triple bonds are considered to be saturated

UNIT 3: Cells

5. (4 marks) MATCH the correct term with its appropriate description:

A. Plasma membrane
B. Nucleus
C. Nucleolus
D. Ribosome
E. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
F. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
G. Golgi apparatus
H. Lysosome
I. Cilia
J. Flagella
K. Mitochondria
L. Centriole/centrosome

Hair-like extensions used for cellular movement J

Production of ATP energy for cell functions K
Contains “destroyer” enzymes capable of digesting cellular material H
Makes lipids; does not have ribosomes attached to its surface F

6. (2 marks) Consider the statements below regarding protein production. Put the following in
chronological order by assigning each statement a number from 1-5.

a. 3 A transport vesicle delivers proteins to the plasma membrane for exocytosis

b. 2 The ribosome manufactures the protein
c. 5 The Golgi apparatus “packages” proteins with carbohydrates
d. 1 DNA provides a blueprint for constructing the protein

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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e. 4 A transport vesicle moves proteins away from the endoplasmic reticulum

7. (1 mark) Multiple-choice – Which of the following is TRUE concerning tonicity?

a. Cells put in a isotonic solution will undergo crenation
b. Cells put in a hypertonic solution will expand
c. Water will enter a cell when it is put in a hypertonic solution
d. Cells are healthiest when growing in a hypotonic solution
e. Water will exit a cell if it is put in a hypertonic solution

8. (2 marks) List TWO differences between simple and solute pumpiing with respect to plasma
membrane transport. [TIP: Make sure to organize your answers in the chart so that the
differences align.]

Simple diffusion Solute pumping

Vs

Vs

9. (3 marks) Answer the questions in the chart regarding the 3 stages of cellular respiration.

Stage Question
Glycolysis Fill-in-the-blank: By the end of glycolysis, glucose has
been broken down into pyruvate.

Citric acid cycle / Krebs cycle How many ATP are produced during this stage?
2 ATP.

Electron transport chain Where does this process take place? Be as specific as
possible. Inner mitochondria membrane.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

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

UNIT 4: Cellular Reproduction

10. (3 marks) The daughter cells at the end of mitosis are different than the daughter cells at the end
of meiosis. List THREE ways in which the daughter cells are different using the chart below.
[TIP 1: Be sure to list differences that specifically describe the daughter cells, NOT other
general differences between meiosis and mitosis. TIP 2: Make sure to organize your answers in
the chart so that the differences align.]
Differences
Meiosis Mitosis

Meiosis includes the division and the Metosis includes the division and
proliferation of sex cells. Vs the proliferation of body cells.

1 diploid cell becomes 2 diploid cells 1 diploid cell becomes 1 identical

becomes 4 haploid gametes. diploid cell.

Meiosis occurs in the reproductive Mitosis produces an identical cell

organs. for growth and repair.

11. (1 mark) Which of the following characterizes sister chromatids?

a. They are identical copies of a chromosome
b. They contain the same set of genes
c. They are connected via a centromere
d. During telophase, they are no longer attached at the centromere
e. All of the above

12. (4 marks) Describe what a human female karyotype would look like for a person with Edwards
Syndrome. Include at least FOUR points in your description. [Tip 1: If you’ve never heard of
Edwards syndrome, do quick Google search to see how the chromosomes are affected. Tip 2:
This question is asking you to describe the karyotype, NOT the symptoms of this disorder]

- In a typical karyotype there are 46 chromosomes, however an individual with Edwards

Syndrome possesses 47 chromosomes in total.

- A human female karyotype displays two X sex chromosomes (XX).

- Instead of 2 chromosomes in a typical female karyotype, Edwards Syndrome (also known

as) Trisomy 18 displays 3 copies of chromosome 18.

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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- Trisomy 18 is a somatic cell and not a gamete cell.

13. (1 mark) During which stage of the cell cycle are proteins made for cell division? Be as
specific as possible. Proteins are made for cell division during Gap 2 Interphase.

UNIT 5: Intro to Genetics

14. (4 marks) Compare and contrast the structure of DNA and RNA. List ONE similarity and
THREE differences. [TIP 1: Be sure to provide structural differences and NOT differences
related to location or function. TIP 2: Make sure to organize your answers in the chart so that
the differences align.]
Differences
DNA RNA

DNA contains deoxyribose sugars. RNA contains ribose sugars.

Vs
The DNA nucleobases consist of The RNA nucleobases consist of
uracil bases. thymine bases.

DNA is double stranded with a RNA is single stranded with NO

hydrogen bond. hydrogen bond.

Similarities
Between the differences in DNA and RNA, one similarity that brings the two
structures together is that they are both nucleotides.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

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

PART 2 – Case Study [ 35 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
 Short answers should be written in IN YOUR OWN WORDS using COMPLETE SENTENCES

Scenario: Hiba is a student in the Pre-Health Sciences program at Durham College. She is enjoying
being back in the classroom after several years of working as a personal support worker in the Durham
region. While the demands of school are intense, Hiba knows that her hard work and dedication will
pay off as she pursues a career in nursing.

Several weeks into the term, Hiba notices that her 7-month-old daughter, Douaa – a baby with a
contagious smile and a voracious appetite for banana and sweet potato – appears out of sorts and seems
to have painful polyps in her nose accompanied by a small wheezing sound when she breathes. Hiba
also realizes that Douaa appears smaller than other children her age and doesn’t appear to have put on
much weight over the last month or two. Worried, she brings Douaa to her local emergency room at
Lakeridge Health.

In the emergency room a friendly doctor named Dr. Raghavan is able to see them. After her initial
assessment, Dr. Raghavan tells Hiba that the polyps and lack of growth rate could indicate something
more serious. She would like to draw some blood and run a few more tests including a chest X-ray
and a sweat test. During her analysis of the test results, Dr. Raghavan notes 2 key observations in her
charts, as follows:

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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Note 1 = Polyp is anterior, 1 mm superior to the left nostril and lateral to the
nasal septum
Note 2 = Fluid build-up in lungs

15. (1 mark) Inspect the image and indicate which position

(A-F) the polyp is most likely to be. F

16. (1 mark) What body cavity are the lungs a part of?
Circle or highlight ALL that apply.
a. Ventral
b. Vertebral
c. Abdominal
d. Pelvic
e. Dorsal
f. Thoracic
g. Cranial

Scenario: Dr. Raghavan comes back several hours later with the results – the tests suggest that Douaa
has a genetic mutation in her DNA causing a disruption in a transport protein within the plasma
membrane called CFTR. CFTR functions to remove chloride ions from cells and without it, sticky
mucus can build up in places like the lungs. She carefully reveals that Douaa is suffering from a
disease called cystic fibrosis and that she needs to be admitted to begin immediate treatment.

Hiba’s mind immediately begins racing with questions. What causes cystic fibrosis? How is it
treated? How does a DNA mutation impact membrane transport? What does this mean for her
daughter’s future? She takes a deep breath, fights back tears, and gives Douaa a big hug. She then
calls her parents, arranges a babysitter for her other kids, and works to get Douaa admitted and settled
in her room. As Douaa falls asleep and the hospital staff change over to the night shift, Hiba rolls up
her sleeves, settles into a hospital chair, and begins to search for more answers on her phone.

17. (1 mark) Hiba begins with a quick Google search of “cystic fibrosis mutation.” First, she
noticed that the CFTR gene was actually discovered in 1989 by a team of researchers at The
Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. A scientist named Lap-Chee Tsui was able to
map the gene to Chromosome 7. Second, she discovered that the gene can be mutated in many
ways, including the DNA sequence listed below. Based on your knowledge of mutations, circle
or highlight the specific DNA mutation(s) that could cause cystic fibrosis. [Hint: this mutation
affects 3 nucleotides].
Healthy: ATC ATC TTT
Cystic fibrosis: ATC ATT GGT

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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18. (10 marks) Next, Hiba uses her Biology notes to help her visualize exactly what those 9 letters
would look like in a CFTR gene. Draw a simplified diagram of the DNA sequence, ATC ATT
GGT. 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 embedded below. For simplicity, the DNA structure should be drawn
as an untwisted ladder using the check list below as a guide:
Checklist:
(1 mark each)
 The sequence of the DNA strand matches the DNA code given above for cystic fibrosis
 The DNA strand is 9 nucleotides long
 Each nucleotide has 3 parts – phosphate, deoxyribose sugar and nitrogen base
 Nucleotides within the sugar-phosphate backbone are held together by phosphodiester bonds
 The 2 polynucleotide strands are antiparallel
 Complementary base-pairing is accurate
 The number of hydrogen bonds between nitrogenous base pairs is accurate
 The double stranded DNA resembles a ladder
(2 marks)
 Labels are included: nucleotide, deoxyribose sugar, phosphate, nitrogenous base, hydrogen
bond, phosphodiester bond, and DNA backbone

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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low:

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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Scenario: Next, Hiba starts to think more about how DNA mutations lead to problems with proteins.
For example, she doesn’t understand how a small change in her daughter’s DNA could lead to a problem
with the CFTR protein. To help Hiba navigate this question, answer the questions below:

19. (1 mark) Multiple choice: Within a cell, the CFTR gene is copied into mRNA through the
process of transcription. Based on the DNA sequence given in Question 18, what is the mRNA
sequence for CFTR in a person suffering from cystic fibrosis?
a. TAG TAA CCA
b. ATC ATT GGT
c. UTC UTT GGT
d. AUC AUU GGU
e. ATC ATT UUT

20. (1 mark) Multiple choice: What organelle does the transcription of CFTR takes place in?
a. Nucleus
b. Ribosome
c. Nuclear membrane
d. Endoplasmic reticulum
e. Cytoplasm

21. (1 mark) Multiple choice: What happens immediately after the CFTR mRNA molecule is
transcribed?
a. It stays in the nucleus
b. It goes to the nucleolus to get translated
c. It goes to the ribosome
d. It undergoes endocytosis
e. It gets converted to rRNA

22. (1 mark) Multiple choice: When _________ occurs, the CFTR mRNA is used as a template to
make CFTR protein.
a. Translation
b. Replication
c. Sequencing
d. Transcription
e. Diffusion

23. (1 mark) Multiple choice: During translation, codon sequences within an mRNA molecule are
read 3 nucleotides at a time. The sequence of a codon determines what ________ will be added
to the growing protein strand.
a. Anticodon
b. Amino acid
c. W2]\\Nucleotide
d. tRNA
e. rRNA

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

Scenario: Hiba feels the pieces connecting now. She realizes that if you change a DNA sequence (like
the case with her daughter’s mutation in the CFTR gene), the resulting mRNA also gets changed during
transcription. This then causes the ribosome to add the wrong amino acid during translation, leading to
an improperly built CFTR protein. Hiba pauses and wipes her brow. While it is starting to make more
sense, she still doesn’t get why changing amino acids in the CFTR protein dramatically alters its
function. To help her understand this, answer the following questions:

24. (4 marks) Describe the structure of the CFTR protein by filling in the chart below:

Like all proteins, List the 4 layers of

CFTR monomers
CFTR is composed folding present in YES or NO – Can
join together to
of many monomers CFTR protein, in CFTR protein
make a polymer.
joined together. order from least function if it is
What are protein
What are protein folded to most unfolded?
polymers called?
monomers called? folded.
Polypeptide
Amino Acid - Primary
No. The CFTR
- Secondary protein cannot
function if it is
- Tertiary unfolded.

- Quaternary

25. (2 marks) Using the information from the chart as a guide, explain in detail how a change to an
amino acid within CFTR protein (like in Douaa’s case) could affect its ability to transport ions
across the plasma membrane. Be sure to include appropriate terminology.

A change to an amino acid within a CFTR protein could affect its ability to transport ions across the
plasma membrane by inhibiting certain ions from freely moving across through the channels. The
structure of the protein plays a huge part in its function and thus, having folded proteins may result to
loss of function or weakness.

Scenario: The next day, Dr. Raghavan meets them in their hospital room along with a paediatric
respirologist, Dr. Zlochower, who specializes in cystic fibrosis. They explain that cystic fibrosis is not a
curable disease but that a range of treatments can help to control the symptoms, reduce complications
and make the condition easier to live with. In particular, one drug combination, Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor,
works by helping the mutant CFTR protein to fold in a more correct shape. This allows it to move some

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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chloride across the plasma membrane, thus reducing some of the respiratory symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
They ask Hiba to think about it, but that they would like to begin treatment already today.

26. 1 mark) Multiple choice – A protein that has lost its shape has undergone __________.
a. Crenation d. Non-disjunction
b. Pinocytosis e. Denaturation
c. Crossing over

Scenario: After they leave, Hiba glances over at Douaa who is sleeping soundly. Hiba admits to herself
that she should probably try to sleep at least a little in order to be as fresh as possible for Douaa’s
treatment. Hiba grabs a lumpy pillow and an extra blanket and curls up beside Douaa in the small bed.
She is just about to drift off when a terrible thought occurs to her – what if SHE gave Douaa cystic
fibrosis? After all, it WAS a genetic illness. Could she have somehow passed on a gene to Douaa that
causes her to be sick? She sits back up and goes back to the chair with her biology notes on inheritance.
She grabs a pencil and cautiously begins sketching out a Punnett square – she knows she won’t be able
to fall asleep until she figures it out.

27. The trait for cystic fibrosis is recessive (f) and the trait for healthy is dominant (F). Assuming
cystic fibrosis follows a simple Mendelian pattern of inheritance, answer the following:
a. (2 marks) What would Douaa’s genotype and phenotype be?
Genotype of Douaa = ff
Phenotype of Douaa = cystic fibroses

b. (2 marks) If Hiba and Douaa’s father are healthy, what must both their genotypes be?
Genotype of Hiba = Ff
Genotype of Douaa’s father = Ff

c. (2 marks) Complete a Punnett square showing a cross between Hiba and Douaa’s father.

F f
F Ff Ff
f Ff ff

d. (1 mark) What were the chances that Douaa was born with cystic fibrosis? List your
answer as a percent or a fraction. 25%
e. (1 mark) If Hiba and Douaa’s father were to have another child, what are the chances
that their child would be healthy? List your answer as a percent or a fraction. 75%

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Name: _____________________ CRN#: _____________________
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f. (1 mark) Given the genetics above, are Hiba’s concerns warranted? Should she feel
guilty? Discuss in your own words.
There is only a 25% chance of Douaa carrying the recessive gene cystic fibrosis, therefore Hiba should
not feel guilty.

Epilogue: Douaa stayed in the hospital for many weeks as she received treatment and was monitored
closely by doctors. Hiba eventually got to bring her home – her mind filled with new knowledge about
how to care for Douaa and a backpack filled with new prescriptions and gear that would help Douaa to
breathe better. It would be a long and hard road – one filled with nebulizer masks, physical therapy,
and vibrating vests – but she also felt proud of how she had educated herself about cystic fibrosis and
would therefore be able to be a better advocate for Douaa in her years ahead.

28. (1 mark) Describe TWO ways in which case study questions like these can help build your skills
and better prepare you for your future career.

- Cases studies such as the one presented above forced me to use scientific biology terms to not only get
my point across, but to also further understand and appreciate the complexities of the human body.

- I thoroughly enjoyed reading this because it gradually prepares me for a career in the medical
field. I would love more case studies in the future.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences