Download 2.3 Animal way of life 2015 Assessment task

Level 2 Biology, Mount Aspiring College, 20 August 2015
Gas Exchange and Internal Transport in Mammals
Achievement Standard 91155 v2 (Biology 2.3): Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants or
animals to their way of life. Internal. 3 credits.
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with
Excellence
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Demonstrate understanding of
adaptation of plants or animals to
their way of life.
Demonstrate in-depth understanding
of adaptation of plants or animals to
their way of life.
Demonstrate comprehensive
understanding of adaptation of
plants or animals to their way of life.
Student Instructions
Select two non-human species within the taxonomic group “mammals” that have
markedly different ways of life (niches) and have differences within their gas
exchange and internal transport systems that you can compare and contrast.
Carry out research to find out more about the way of life (niche) of each species
and how they carry out these two life processes.
Choose two species which have contrasting ways of life, such as terrestrial
versus water habitat, high versus low altitude, fast versus slow activity.
And then produce a report that:
1. Names and describes your two non-human mammal species.
2. Describes their ecological niche (way of life*) i.e. typical habitat, competitors,
predators, food sources, activity time, etc.
3. Describes the two life processes - gas exchange and internal transport - in
general.
4. Describes for each of the two species the major structural, behavioural and/or
physiological adaptations** for carrying out gas exchange and internal transport.
5. Explains how or why the major adaptations for gas exchange and internal
transport enable these two species to successfully survive in their different ways
of life (niches).
6. Discusses:
(a) how or why the two life processes within each organism are connected (work
together) and can enhance the effectiveness of each process, and
(b) the advantages and limitations (disadvantages) involved in the adaptations
for each of the two species. Link to the way of life for each species.
7. Contains a bibliography (a list of sources of your information, such as books,
web sites, class notes etc).
Explanatory notes
This assessment activity requires you to demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the links
between adaptations of animals and their way of life.
You will work individually to compile a report to demonstrate this understanding. Learning
activities may be carried out in groups, but all work submitted must be your own. The
assessment will be based on notes taken from DVDs, class discussions, internet sites and text
books. Also on observations made using dissection work, models built and explained, plus
written explanations.
This is a resource-based assessment, so you are able to access resources gathered during
learning activities to help you write your report. You will have a time period of 6 weeks in and
out of class to collect information, develop and write your report. There will be at least 4 in
class computer room sessions throughout the teaching time for this internal assessment as
well as the student’s own time to complete the report.
You will be assessed on the extent to which your report shows your comprehensive
understanding of how mammals have adapted to their way of life in relation to the life
processes of gas exchange and internal transport.
* An organism’s way of life is determined by how it relates to other organisms in its surrounding
environment (e.g. competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism), the reproductive strategies it
employs to ensure survival of the species and how it adapts to its physical habitat.
** The adaptations involve the range of ways in which the organism has developed strategies to
carry out their life processes in order to survive and reproduce. An adaptation refers to a
feature and its function that provides an advantage for the organism in its specific habitat and
ecological niche. It may include structural, behavioural, or physiological features of the
organism.
You should use annotated diagrams and pictures to support your answers.
Hand in all your working documents and resources to your teacher, along with your completed
report by:
Due Date: 3.30pm, Thursday 15th October, 2015 (week 1, term 4)