10D Science
BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT: DISEASES OF LIVING THINGS
Topic Chosen:
Presentation dates:
INTRODUCTION: Many diseases can have a deep impact on the lives of animals (incl.
humans). Some of these effects can include injury, severe debilitation, and even death.
TASK: Work in groups of two.
You will spend two periods researching in the library. You will need to produce rough notes
containing information pertaining to the topic. You will be expected to reference your
research which should come from at least 3 distinct sources. The Teacher-Librarians will
evaluate both notes and referencing.
The final product for this assignment is a presentation to the class. The presentations should
be completed in about 15 minutes (and not much less!). We also expect that you will have a
handout ready for the class, either summarizing part 2 of your presentation (see below), or
providing room for your classmates to take notes. After your presentation, you will hand in
research notes and referencing information.
The presentation will consist of two parts:
Part 1) Present the details of your disease to the class. The content of your presentation
should answer the questions below.
Part 2) You will be assigned a part of the body to research as well as your disease. This part
of the body might be an organ or an organ system. This part will be related to your
disease in some way. See Information to Research, Part 2 below.
INFORMATION TO RESEARCH:
Part 1: The disease
1) List the presenting symptoms of an organism with this disease.
2) How do you get this disease? What goes wrong in cells or tissues at the onset of the
disease and later?
3) Describe how this disease is diagnosed. What techniques or tests would help with this?
4) What happens to organisms with this disease if it is not treated.
5) How is the disease treated? What are the possible outcomes?
Part 2: The Organ/Organ System
1) Describe your organ or organ system. (the structure)
2) Describe the function(s) of this organ or organ system.
3) How do the structures described above help the organ or system perform its
functions?
Referencing – Use APA Format
The Teacher-Librarians will show you how to use APA format and Easybib.com to prepare a
proper Reference list.
*Note the following:
 Wikipedia can NOT be used as a source
 At least 3 different sources must be used and cited
 A communication mark will be assigned to this part of the task
Possible Topics
1) Asthma- Trachea and Bronchi
2) Lung cancer- The lungs
3) Gastric Ulcers- The stomach
4) Colitis- The small intestine
5) Pancreatitis- The pancreas
6) Hepatitis B- The liver
7) Leukemia- Blood cells
8) Atherosclerosis- Blood vessels
9) Myocarditis/Pericarditis- The heart
10)Melanoma- The integumentary system
11)Osteoporosis- The skeletal system
12)Muscular dystrophy- The muscular system
13)MS- The nervous system
14)Diabetes- The Endocrine system
15)Pyelonephritis- The excretory system
16)AIDS- The reproductive system
17)Lymphoma- The lymphatic system
See next page for Evaluation Rubric
10D Science
Rubric- Diseases of Living Organisms
Application
Presenting symptoms
0 1 2 3
Causes of disease are described in detail
0 1 2 3
Part(s) of the body affected and how specifically they
are affected
0 1 2 3 4 5
A description of all the methods involved in the diagnosis
of the disease
0 1 2 3
If you had contracted this disease 200 years ago, what
would have happened to you?
0 1 2
Lists and describes treatments to cure or therapies to
ease symptoms of the disease. This may include drugs,
mechanical aids, physical therapies etc. and how they
work
0 1 2 3 4
Structure of organ or organ system
0 1 2
Function of organ or organ system
0 1 2
Connection between structure and function
0 1 2
TOTAL:
/26
Communication
Final product is created in the style of a powerpoint, poster
or pamphlet with information broken down into subheadings
0 1
Information is written in an easy to follow, organized and
logical manner. Similar topics/subjects are grouped together
and ideas are connected.
0 1
2
Final product is visually appealing, with the use of either
colours and/or pictures
0 1
2
Few to no errors in spelling and grammar
0 1 2
Final product is creative, provides a unique appeal to its
reader (catchy headings, interesting format or writing style)
0 1
Effectiveness of presentation
TOTAL:
/14
2
0 1 2 3 4
3