BIOL121 ASSIGNMENT 3: Written assessment
Due date: Tuesday 8th June 2021 4.00pm
Weighting: 35%
Length and/or format: 1200-word written essay
Purpose: The essay allows you to demonstrate your integrated knowledge of the anatomical and physiological workings of the healthy human body.
Instructions: Choose ONE of the three scenarios provided.
Carefully read all materials provided for your chosen scenario.
Use the Word template provided to complete your essay on your chosen scenario. You will need to research the topic beyond your lecture and workshop material. It is highly recommended that you start with the textbook.
Include in text citations in your essay and a reference list at the end.
How to submit: Submit online through the Turnitin link provided on LEO.
For submission please name the file with your student number and scenario topic e.g. S00123456_JANE
Important to note:
You MUST write an essay and your answers MUST relate to the person in your chosen scenario.
• This assessment involves addressing a series of topics in the form of an essay. The topics relate directly to the scenarios presented.
• Your discussion must be specific for the person in your chosen scenario, marks will not be given where your essay does not relate to the person in the scenario.
• The topics addressed in your chosen scenario must be integrated into an essay, which should include an appropriate introduction and conclusion.
• You can present the information in the order that you feel flows best; you don’t have to present it in the order the topics are listed.
• Your discussion of key points must be incorporated into sentences and paragraphs that include facts from your chosen scenario. If presented in question-answer style no marks will be given for quality of essay.
The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of NORMAL anatomy and physiology.
• Do not become distracted describing pathophysiological changes
• Do not simply list clinical signs and symptoms.
• Ensure you adequately explain relevant underlying anatomy and physiology.
Scenario: Pierre
Pierre is a 50yo male who has made an appointment to see his GP for his biannual health check. He tells the doctor that he has been feeling “a bit puffed” walking around the course during his weekly game of golf. Pierre reports he has gained nine kilos since his 40th birthday, and his waist measurement has expanded. He laughs this off as “middle aged spread”, and says his wife tells him he needs to watch what he eats and drink less alcohol. He works as a journalist for a local paper, which he has been finding very stressful of late, and spends a lot of his time in the office sitting in front of a computer, snacking.
Pierre has recently decided to give up smoking, and wonders if this has contributed to his weight gain. He regularly chews nicotine gum when he craves a cigarette.
Physical examination:
Urinalysis:
All topics and their key points listed below need to be discussed in your essay
Topic 1: Respiration (8 marks total)
Pierre is late for work and the lift is broken; he must run up 6 flights of stairs to make it on time.
Describe the changes in volume and pressure that will be occurring in Pierre’s chest cavity to achieve exhalation while running up the stairs. Explain why these changes are occurring, and the effect upon airflow. (5 marks)
Describe the gas exchange occurring between air in Pierre’s blood and the skeletal muscles in his legs. Discuss how the rate of gas exchange was affected during the run up the stairs (i.e., during exercise). (3 marks)
Topic 2: Renal (5 marks total)
Evaluate Pierre’s urinalysis. Using your knowledge of normal kidney function and urine formation, explain any abnormal values, and the possible underlying mechanisms. (5 marks)
Topic 3: Digestion/metabolism (10 marks total)
After speaking to his doctor, Pierre has decided to try to lose weight. He has decided to cut out fat from his diet but has not changed his carbohydrate intake.
Discuss the importance of maintaining adequate fat intake. (2 marks)
Discuss the mechanical and chemical events required for Pierre to absorb the ingested carbohydrates. (4.5 marks)
Pierre is having a TV dinner and enjoying his high carbohydrate/low fat meal. State the hormone that is most active in maintaining Pierre’s blood glucose levels at this time. Explain your answer. (3.5 marks)
Topic 4: Pharmacology (7 marks total)
Pierre indicated he has used nicotine gum to overcome his cigarette cravings.
Discuss the route of administration, how the drug is likely to be absorbed after administration, and its likely bioavailability. Justify your response by discussing whether the drug would be subjected to hepatic first pass. (4 marks)
Discuss the importance of the half-life of a drug. Assuming there is 100% absorption, and the half-life of nicotine is 2 hours, calculate the % amount of drug that is likely to be present in Pierre’s blood after 12 hours. (3 marks)
