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BIOL121 ASSIGNMENT 3: Written assessment
Scenario: Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo Baggins is a 41-year-old 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 and that he seems to be urinating more frequently of late. Bilbo Baggins reports he has
gained nine kilos since his 30th 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.
Bilbo Baggins works as a software engineer, 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 on his favourite salt and vinegar chips. Bilbo
Baggins and his wife are keen to start a family but have not yet been successful in conceiving.
On the advice of his doctor, Bilbo Baggins has been taking aspirin in the evenings for the past 18 months to
lower his risk of heart attack and Zocor® to address cholesterol.
Physical examination:
Height 174 cm
Weight 94 kg
Appearance Neat appearance, overweight, pale
Temperature 37.1◦C
Blood work Blood type = O+
Blood glucose = 10 mmol/L
Blood Testosterone levels = 154 ng/dL
GnRH = low
BP 155/99 mm Hg
Respiratory rate 19 bpm
Diet Mostly healthy meals. Snacks on high
fat & sugar, processed foods. Heavy
alcohol consumption.
Past patient history Ex-smoker. Regular check-ups every six
months. Cholesterol levels have been
high at the last three check-ups. Takes
Aspirin in the evenings. Gall bladder
emoved 5 years ago.
Social status Lives with his wife and mother-in-law.
Sexually active.
Urinalysis:
Blood -
Bilirubin -
Urobilinogen 0.1 mg/dL
Ketone -
Protein -
Nitrite -
Glucose ++
pH 6
Specific Gravity 1.035
Leukocytes -
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All topics and their key points listed below must be discussed in your essay
Topic 1: Reproduction (10 marks total)
Bilbo Baggins and his wife are keen to start a family but have had no success so far. Considering Bilbo
Baggins’s blood test results, indicate whether there is need for further investigation. Your discussion should
include the homeostatic regulation of male reproductive physiology and the relevant glands, cells, and
hormones. (10 marks)
Topic 2: Respiratory system (5 marks total)
Bilbo Baggins is late for work and the lift is
oken; he must run up six flights of stairs to make it on time.
Describe the gas exchange occu
ing between Bilbo Baggins’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). (5
marks)
Topic 3: Digestion/metabolism (8 marks total)
After speaking to his doctor, Bilbo Baggins has decided to try to lose weight and he going to start a
diet…tomo
ow. Tonight, Bilbo Baggins is enjoying his last high ca
ohydrate/high fat meal for a while.
Discuss the potential impact of Bilbo Baggins’s gall bladder removal upon his ability to digest his dinner. (4.5
marks)
State the hormone that is MOST active in maintaining Bilbo Baggins’s blood glucose levels at this time.
Explain your answer. (3.5 marks)
Topic 4: Pharmacology (7 marks total)
Under the advice of his doctor, Bilbo Baggins has taken Zocor® tablets each evening for the past 18 months.
Discuss the route of administration and how this drug is abso
ed. Explain the likely bioavailability of this
drug by refe
ing to the hepatic first pass effect. (4 marks)
Determine the differences in absorption if Zocor® was administered via the sublingual route instead of the
oral route. Would the bioavailability increase or decrease? Explain your answer. (3 marks)