Download Unit Number- 7611826

-SQA- SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY
HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
-Unit Number-
7611826
-Superclass-
RH
-Title-
THE ORIGIN AND CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING
THINGS
-------------------------------
-DESCRIPTIONGENERAL COMPETENCE FOR UNIT: Discussing the characteristics of living
things and the current ideas about the origin(s) of life on earth, as well as
explaining the way in which living things are classified.
OUTCOMES
1.
explain the characteristics of living things, and their classification;
2.
describe the current ideas about the origin(s) of life on earth;
3.
perform practical work associated with both classification, and the origin
of life.
CREDIT VALUE:
1 HN Credit
ACCESS STATEMENT: Standard Grade at 3 in Biology, or equivalent.
------------------------------For further information contact: Committee and Administration Unit, SQA,
Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow G2 7NQ.
Additional copies of this unit may be purchased from SQA (Sales and Despatch
section). At the time of publication, the cost is £1.50 (minimum order £5).
Unit No. 7611826
Continuation
HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION
STATEMENT OF STANDARDS
UNIT NUMBER:
7611826
UNIT TITLE:
THE ORIGIN AND CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING
THINGS
Acceptable performance in this unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the
standards set out in this part of the specification. All sections of the statement of
standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA.
OUTCOME
1.
EXPLAIN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS AND
THEIR CLASSIFICATION
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
(a)
(b)
The description of the characteristics of all living things is correct.
The explanation of the characteristics used to distinguish
between members of the different groups is correct.
RANGE STATEMENT
Characteristics of living things: organisation; metabolism; interdependency;
homeostasis; reproduction; evolution.
Different groups: monera; protista; fungi; plantae; animalia: viruses.
EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Written evidence describing the characteristics common to all living things.
Written evidence explaining the classification system used to separate living
things into the 6 groups.
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Unit No. 7611826
Continuation
OUTCOME
2.
DESCRIBE THE CURRENT IDEAS ABOUT THE ORIGIN(S) OF
LIFE ON EARTH
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
(a)
(b)
The description of the current ideas about the possible origin(s)
of biologically significant molecules on earth is correct.
The description of the current ideas about the possible origin(s)
of biological structures on earth is correct.
RANGE STATEMENT
Origin(s) of molecules: extraterrestrial origins; Oparin and Haldane's ideas;
Miller's experiment; monomers and polymers.
Origins of biological structures: coacervates and microspheres; heterotrophs
and autotrophs; development of an oxidising atmosphere; the evolution of both
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Written evidence outlining the widely held ideas about the origin of life on earth.
OUTCOME
3.
PERFORM PRACTICAL WORK ASSOCIATED WITH BOTH
CLASSIFICATION AND THE ORIGIN OF LIFE
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
(a)
(b)
(c)
The microscopic examination of the visible characteristics of
members of the different groups is carried out both thoroughly
and safely.
The performance of the chromatographic separation is carried
out both thoroughly and safely.
The practical work is reported appropriately.
RANGE STATEMENT
The different groups: monera; protista; fungi; animalia; plantae.
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Unit No. 7611826
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EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Performance evidence of practical work in the form of checklists and written
evidence in the form of reports on the practical work.
MERIT To gain a pass in this unit, a candidate must meet the standards set out
in the outcomes, performance criteria, range statements and evidence
requirements.
To achieve a merit in this unit a candidate must demonstrate a superior or more
sophisticated level of performance. This would be demonstrated by two of the
following:
-
an in-depth and accurate explanation of the characteristics used to
distinguish between membes of the different groups;
an in-depth and accurate description of the current ideas about the
origin(s) of biologically significant molecules and biological structures;
an in-depth report of practical work.
-----------------------------------
ASSESSMENT
In order to achieve this unit, candidates are required to present sufficient
evidence that they have met all the performance criteria for each outcome within
the range specified. Details of these requirements are given for each outcome.
The assessment instruments used should follow the general guidance offered by
the SQA assessment model and an integrative approach to assessment is
encouraged. (See references at the end of support notes.)
Accurate records should be made of the assessment instruments used showing
how evidence is generated for each outcome and giving marking schemes
and/or checklists, etc. Records of candidates' achievements should also be
kept. These records will be required for external verification.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Proposals to modify outcomes, range statements or agreed assessment
arrangements should be discussed in the first place with the external verifier.
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Unit No. 7611826
Continuation
 Copyright SQA 1996
Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for
educational purposes provided that:
(i)
(ii)
no profit is derived from the reproduction;
if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged.
5
Unit No. 7611826
Continuation
HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION
SUPPORT NOTES
UNIT NUMBER:
7611826
UNIT TITLE:
THE ORIGIN AND CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING
THINGS
SUPPORT NOTES: This part of the unit specification is offered as guidance.
None of the sections of the support notes is mandatory.
NOTIONAL DESIGN LENGTH: SQA allocates a notional design length to a unit
on the basis of the time estimated for achievement of the stated standards by a
candidate whose starting point is as described in the access statement. The
notional design length for this unit is 40 hours. The use of notional design length
for programme design and timetabling is advisory only. The division of these
hours is recommended to be: Outcome 1 - 20 hours; Outcome 2 - 8 hours;
Outcome 3 - 12 hours.
PURPOSE This unit would most likely be used early on in HNC and HND
programmes in Biology or other Science awards. It is designed to provide a
base on which further units may build.
CONTENT/CONTEXT Corresponding to outcomes:
Outcome 1:
DNA(RNA) and biological organisation, metabolism,
interdependency among living organisms, homeostasis, reproduction, mutation
and adaptation to change. Compare inanimate objects, crystals, viruses,
prokaryotes, eukaryotes.
Outcome 2: As described, but include any other ideas and the views of religious
groups.
Outcome 3: The chromatographic separation and visualisation of amino acids
should be used.
APPROACHES TO GENERATING EVIDENCE Corresponding to outcomes:
Outcome 1: Following class debate, a brief written list would suffice for the
characteristics, but both classwork/test and laboratory work would be necessary
to produce the evidence required for the classification.
Outcome 2: A poster summarising current thoughts would be sufficient.
Outcome 3: Practical reports.
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Unit No. 7611826
Continuation
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
Guide to unit writing.
For a fuller discussion on assessment issues, please refer to SQA's
Guide to Assessment.
Information for centres on SQA's operating procedures is contained in
SQA's Guide to Procedures.
For details of other SQA publications, please consult SQA's publications
list.
 Copyright SQA 1996
Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for
educational purposes provided that:
(i)
(ii)
no profit is derived from the reproduction;
if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged.
7