INTERIM ASSESSMENT
HS BIOLOGY
Instructional Component 1
2014-2015
Cells, Tissues, and Organs
Task 1: Examine the images of cells below and read their functions. Describe how the structure of a type of cell relates
to its function(s).
Bone Cell
Gives strength, support and framework to body
Epithelial Cell
Protection, filtration, secretion, absorption
Smooth Muscle Cell
Neuron
Movement of food through digestive system
Transmit messages from one part of the body to another
Cell Type
Relationship between structure and function
Bone
Epithelial
Smooth Muscle
Neuron
Task 2: Describe the pathway fats must travel to get to the heart and explain the function of the digestive and
circulatory systems during this process. Be sure to use examples from the figures and article to support your claim and
reasoning.
Organ systems work
together to accomplish
a specific job within a
multicellular organism.
For example,
respiratory system
delivers oxygen and
removes carbon dioxide
from the circulatory
system. Organ systems
contain organs that are
made out of specialized
tissues that are
composed of particular
cell types. For example,
bone tissue is made of
bone cells.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Article: ScienceDaily on November 13, 2009
Fat collections linked to decreased heart function
By: Boston University Medical Center
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that fat collection in different body
locations, such as around the heart and the aorta and within the liver, are associated with certain decreased heart
functions. The study, which appears online in Obesity, also found that measuring a person's body mass index (BMI) does
not reliably predict the amount of undesired fat in and around these vital organs.
The prevalence of obesity is rising rapidly in the United States. Recent estimates suggest that approximately 30
percent of the adult population meets this criterion. Past studies have shown that fat accumulation in the liver and
around the heart are linked to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
BUSM researchers compared fat volumes in obese persons (BMI over 30), all of whom had high blood pressure and/or
diabetes, and lean healthy persons (average BMI of 22). All subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and
proton MR spectroscopy to quantify pericardial and peri-aortic lipid volumes, cardiac function, aortic compliance and
intra-hepatic lipid content. Fasting plasma lipoproteins, glucose, insulin, and free fatty acids were also measured among
the subjects.
The researchers found fat collections in anatomically separate locations, such as within the liver and around the heart,
to be associated to cardiovascular function -- including a decrease in cardiac pumping function -- as fat around the heart
increased. However, they also found that the amount of fat around the heart and aorta was not predicted by the BMI
of the individual in this population.
"Our study found that fat collection around the heart, the aorta and within the liver is clearly associated with
decreased heart functions and that an MRI can quickly and noninvasively measure fat volume in these areas. Our
study also found that looking at BMI of the individual does not reliably predict the amount of undesired fat in and
around organs," said James Hamilton, PhD, senior author and project leader, and a professor of biophysics, physiology
and biomedical engineering at BUSM.
Source : Boston University Medical Center. "Fat collections linked to decreased heart function."
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113101423.htm>
STOP
INTERIM ASSESSMENT
HS BIOLOGY
Instructional Component 1
2014-2015
Carbon-Carbon
John, a student at U.S.A. High School was having a conversation with his friend, Cindy, after leaving their Biology
class. John said, “Mr. Jones said we were carbon based. I know I'm probably missing something obvious, but how
exactly are we carbon based? What determines this? We're about 60% water, made up of hydrogen and oxygen,
bones are calcium, there’s lots of iron in blood, so why do we say we are ‘carbon based’?" Help Cindy explain to John
why we are “carbon based” by completing the following three tasks.
Task 1: Cindy looks in her backpack and pulls out three notecards from class, each containing one of the structures
below. List at least two similarities and two differences between the three molecules. Describe the structure and
identify the atoms that make each molecule.
Sugar
Amino Acids
Saturated Fatty Acid
Figure 1
Task 2: Cindy then directs John to consider the products and reactants of cellular respiration and photosynthesis
(Figure 2). Using the information in Figures 1 and 2, explain how a carbon atom in the atmosphere may be eventually
incorporated into various molecules in a living cell. Make sure that you address how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based
molecules.
Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O + Sunlight  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Cellular Respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (36ATP)
Figure 2
Continue to the next page
Task 3: Finally, Cindy describes that as matter and energy flow through different organizational levels of living
systems, chemical elements are recombined in different ways to form different products. Explain how important
molecules for living systems, such as proteins and nucleic acids are produced using what you learned in class and
information in Figures 1, 2, and 3. Be sure to describe the flow of energy and include the role of photosynthesis,
cellular respiration, and ATP.
Figure 3