Name: Matthew Francis

_____________________ CRN#: _____________________

100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

ASSIGNMENT 1
Biology I, Pre-Health Sciences - Durham College, Fall 2019

/50 marks
EVALUATION NOTES

Read before submitting:

• This assignment is worth 10% of your final grade.

• This assignment is due by 11:59 pm on the due date established by
your instructor: _________________
10/13/2019

a. A submission after this due date is considered late and will

result in a grade of 0 unless a late submission is negotiated.
b. A negotiated late submission is an assignment that has been
submitted late for valid reasons with the written permission of
the instructor. It is the responsibility of the student to request
permission to negotiate a late submission no later than 48
hours prior to the due date. 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 pdf assignment must be submitted to the designated assignment 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.
d. An instructional video is available if you require assistance using a fillable PDF.

• While students may work in groups, each student must submit their own original work.

PHS – Pre-Health Sciences

Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

PART 1 – Basic Knowledge [ 20 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
• Remember to write all answers IN YOUR OWN WORDS
• For short answer questions, answer in full sentences

UNIT 1: The Human Body

1. (1 mark) Multiple choice – Which of the following describes homeostasis?
a. It is disrupted by negative feedback
b. It controls an individual’s external environment
c. It occurs when the body is at disequilibrium
d. It cannot be regulated
e. It attempts to create a constant internal environment within the body

2. (1 mark) List TWO differences between positive and negative feedback.

Positive Negative

Amplify a signal/process Vs Inhibit a signal/process

Disrupts homeostasis Vs Maintains Homeostasis

UNIT 2: Biological Molecules

3. (3 marks) Fill in the following chart regarding carbohydrates:

Monomer Dimer Polymer

Name: Name: Name:
Monosaccharide Disaccharide Polypetide

Example: Example: Example:

Glucose Sucrose Cellulose
<---Amino Acid
Fructose Lactose Starch
Galactose Maltose Glycogen

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Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

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

a. Oils are not considered to be types of lipids
b. Triglycerides contain glucose bonded to 3 fatty acids
c. Oils contain only saturated fatty acids
d. An example of a lipid is an amino acid
e. Fatty acids with double or triple bonds are considered to be unsaturated

UNIT 3: Cells

5. (2.5 marks) MATCH the correct term with its appropriate description:
A. Cell membrane G. Golgi apparatus
B. Nucleus C. Nucleolus H. Lysosome
D. Ribosome I. Cilia
E. Rough endoplasmic reticulum J. Flagella
F. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum K. Mitochondria

A whip-like tail used for cellular movement J

______
Production of ATP energy for cell functions K
______
Contains “destroyer” enzymes capable of digesting cellular material H
______

Has ribosomes attached to its surface E

______

“Packages” proteins by adding molecules such as carbohydrates G

______

6. (1.5 marks) Below is a chart containing the 3 stages of cellular respiration. Indicate where these
processes take place inside of the cell. Be as specific as possible.
Stage Location in cell
Glycolysis
Cytosol

Citric acid cycle / Krebs cycle

Matrix of the mitochondria

Electron transport chain

The inner mitochondrial membrane; the cristae.

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Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

UNIT 4: Cellular Reproduction

7. (1.5 marks) Explain THREE full differences between meiosis and mitosis. Differences
Meiosis Vs Mitosis

Creates sex cells creates somatic cells

creates haploid cells creates diploid cells

four unique daughter cells two identical daughter cells

8. (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 mitosis, they separate during telophase
e. All of the above

9. (2 marks) Describe what a human male karyotype would look like for a person with Down
Syndrome. Include at least FOUR points in your description.

- Three chromosomes in position 21. (Downsyndrome)

- A large x chromosome and a small y chromosome. (Male)

- 23 pairs of chromosomes. (Human)

Pairs of chromosomes lined up and numbered. (Karyotype)

Interphase
10. (0.5 mark) During which stage of the cell cycle is a copy of the DNA made? __________

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Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

UNIT 5: Genetics

11. (2 marks) Compare and contrast the structure of DNA and RNA. List ONE similarity and
THREE differences.

Differences
DNA Vs RNA

Only found in the nucleus Made in the nucleus; usually

found in the cytosol

Contains thymine Contains uracil

Double stranded Single stranded

Similarities
They are both nucleic acids that contain adenine, cytosine, and guanine.

UNIT 6: Evolution

12. (3 marks) Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE:

F
a. ______ Microevolution is defined as the change in inherited traits in a population of
organisms within multiple species over time

T
b. ______ Antibiotic resistance is an example of microevolution

F
c. ______ Evolution is the change in the non-inherited traits in a population of organisms
over time

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Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

PART 2 – Case Study [ 30 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: [Source]
• 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 short answer questions, answer in full sentences
• Helpful (but detailed!) link about sickle cell anemia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ql-
X60CUNQ

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 swelling in her hands and feet. Hiba also realizes that Douaa doesn’t appear to have put
on much weight over the last month or two in comparison to when she was younger. 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. As she assesses Douaa
she notes 2 key areas in her charts, as follows:

Area A = Swelling in left hand, anterior side, proximal to fingers, distal to wrist.
Area B = Abnormal size of interior organ, left side, inferior to heart, superior to
pancreas, lateral and posterior to the left kidney

6
Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

13. (1 mark) What part is Area A most likely to be?

a. Palm of the left hand
b. Knuckles of the left hand
c. Elbow of the left hand
d. Fingernails of the left hand

14. (1 mark) What organ is Area B most likely to be? [Hint:

Use the image of the abdomen as a guide]
a. Pancreas
b. Spleen
c. Bladder Abdomen [Adapted from Source]

d. Gall bladder

Scenario: After her assessment, Dr. Raghavan tells Hiba that the swelling and lack of growth rate could
indicate something more serious. She would like to draw some blood and run a few more tests. She
comes back 3 hours later with the results – the tests suggest that Douaa has a genetic mutation in her
DNA causing a disruption in the oxygen-carrying blood protein, hemoglobin. She carefully reveals that
Douaa is suffering from a disease called sickle cell anemia and needs to be admitted to begin immediate
treatment.

Hiba’s mind immediately begins racing with questions. What causes sickle cell anemia? How is it
treated? How does a DNA mutation impact a blood protein? What does this mean for her daughter’s
future? It all feels so overwhelming. 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.

15. (1 mark) Hiba begins with a quick Google search of “sickle cell anemia mutation.” She finds
the DNA sequences listed below. Based on your knowledge of mutations, circle or highlight
the specific DNA mutation that causes sickle-cell anemia:
Healthy: GGA CTC CTC

Sickle Cell Anemia: GGA CAC CTC

7
Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

16. (5 marks) Next, Hiba uses her Biology lecture slides to help her visualize exactly what those 9
letters would look like in a hemoglobin gene. Draw a simplified diagram of the DNA sequence,
GGA CAC CTC. 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 submitted. For simplicity, the DNA structure should
be drawn as an untwisted ladder using the check list below as a guide:

Checklist:
 DNA is double stranded and 9 nucleotides long
 Each nucleotide shows a properly arranged sugar, phosphate and nitrogenous base
 Complementary base pairing is present, including the correct number of hydrogen bonds
 Labels are included: nucleotide, sugar, phosphate, nitrogenous base, hydrogen bonds, DNA
backbone
 The diagram is accompanied by a brief written description

8
Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

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
hemoglobin. To help Hiba navigate this question, answer the questions below:

17. (1 mark) Multiple choice: In a red blood cell, the hemoglobin gene is copied into an mRNA
through the process of transcription. Based on the DNA sequence given in Question 16, what is
the mRNA sequence for hemoglobin in a person suffering from sickle cell anemia?
a. GGA CAC CTC
b. GGA CAC CUC
c. CCU GAG GAG
d. CCT GTG GAG
e. CCU GUG GAG

18. (1 mark) Multiple choice: What organelle does the transcription of hemoglobin takes place in?
a. Nucleus
b. Ribosome
c. Nuclear membrane
d. Endoplasmic reticulum
e. Cytoplasm

19. (1 mark) Multiple choice: What happens immediately after the hemoglobin mRNA molecule is
transcribed?
a. It stays in the nucleus
b. It goes to the mitochondria to get translated
c. It goes to the ribosome
d. It undergoes exocytosis
e. It gets converted to tRNA

20. (1 mark) Multiple choice: When _________ occurs, the hemoglobin mRNA is used as a template
to make hemoglobin protein.
a. Translation
b. Replication
c. Osmosis
d. Transcription
e. Diffusion

21. (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. Monosaccharide
d. tRNA
e. mRNA

9
Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

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 hemoglobin 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 hemoglobin protein. Hiba pauses and wipes her brow. While it is starting
to make more sense, she still doesn’t get why changing 1 amino acid in the hemoglobin protein
dramatically alters its function. To help her understand this, answer the following questions:

22. (4 marks) Describe the structure of the hemoglobin protein by filling in the chart below:

Write the name Write the name List the 4 layers of folding
YES or NO – Can a
of its protein of its protein present in hemoglobin, in
hemoglobin function if it is
monomer. polymer. order from least folded to
unfolded or denatured?
most folded.
Polypetide - <------ Primary (poly peptide
strand), Secondary(Alpha
helix. beta pleated sheets),
- tertiary (3 dimensional
structure), quaternary
- (Multiple tertiary structures).
<---Amino Acid
-
No it can't function if unfolded
or denatured.
23. (2 marks) Using the information from the chart as a guide, explain in detail how a change to an
amino acid within hemoglobin (like in Douaa’s case) could affect its ability to carry oxygen
efficiently throughout the bloodstream. Be sure to include appropriate terminology.
A change in an amino acid can cause the protein to fold improperly affecting its
function. This change occurs because the folding of proteins depends on bonding
between specific amino acids, so if you change an amino acid you change the bond;
structure = function.

24. (1 mark) A change in hemoglobin’s shape also causes a “clumping effect” inside of a red
blood cell. This gives the red blood cells a sickle-shape as opposed to its normal round,
biconcave shape. What organelle within the body is typically responsible for maintaining the
shape of a cell?
The organelle responsible for maintaining cell structure is the cytoskeleton.

10
Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
Student ID: 100766200
_____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

Hiba is tired. It is almost midnight, and Douaa appears to be 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 tomorrow. 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 sickle cell anemia? 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
lecture slides 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.

25. The trait for sickle cell anemia is recessive (a) and the trait for healthy is dominant (A). Assuming
sickle cell anemia follows a Mendelian pattern of inheritance, answer the following:
a. (2 marks) What would Douaa’s genotype and phenotype be?
aa
Genotype of Douaa = __________
Sickle cell anemic
Phenotype of Douaa = __________

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

Aa
Genotype of Douaa’s father = __________

c. (2 marks) Complete a Punnett square showing a cross between Hiba and Douaa’s
father.
A a
A AA Aa
a Aa aa
d. (1 mark) What were the chances that Douaa was born with sickle cell anemia?
25%
List your answer as a percent or a fraction. ________

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

f. (1 mark) Given the genetics above, are Hiba’s concerns warranted? Should she feel
guilty? Discuss in your own words.

Hiba's concerns are not warranted because both her and her partner are
healthy and had no concern for passing the disease off to their offspring.
Because she had no prior knowledge that her and her partner were
heterozygous with the alleles she shouldn't feel guilty for passing on the trait.
11
Name: Matthew Francis
_____________________ CRN#: _____________________
100766200
Student ID: _____________________ 10/12/2019
Date: _____________________

The next day, Dr. Raghavan meets them in their hospital room along with a hemotologist,
Dr. Zlochower, who specializes in blood disorders. They explain that sickle-cell anemia is not a curable
disease unless a bone marrow transplant is performed. This process, however, has serious risks
associated with it, including death, and finding a donor is often difficult. While they will explore this
option further and screen Hiba and her family to see if they are matches, they suggest a treatment plan
for Douaa that will help manage and prevent her symptoms. Specifically, they would like to start her on
antibiotics (to prevent infections), pain-relieving medications, and blood transfusions.

In addition to this standard treatment, Dr. Raghavan and Dr. Zlochower also tell Hiba about an
experimental treatment that she may want to consider that uses a drug called hydroxyurea. This drug
works by activating a second hemoglobin gene present within the genome. Normally this gene is turned
on when the fetus is developing during pregnancy but then turns off several months after birth. By
reactivating it, the hemoglobin produced from the second gene has been shown to help relieve symptoms.

26. (1 mark) Multiple choice – The ability to turn genes on and off is referred to as:
a. Gene expression
b. Gene regulation
c. Homeostasis
d. Transcription
e. Replication

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