Summative Assignment for Biology 11 (SBI3U)
This summative assignment will be worth 10 points for all students and will cover the entire
length of the Biology 11th Grade Course (SB3U), comprising all 5 units.
The student will select a group of species of animals (kingdom Animalia/Metazoa), for which
will do a thorough research. The group must be a monophyletic one, this is, all the members
share a single common ancestor. From this group, a specific species will be chosen for an
evolutionary analysis. It is highly recommended to choose a well-known, widely investigated
species, and preferably with more than one described subspecies. The students will consult with
the teacher about the selected group and species, as well as the habitat in which they live, in
order to avoid coincidences.
Part I – Diversity of living things
1. Taxonomy (K-4; T-2; C-4; A-3)
Provide a complete taxonomical classification at all levels of your group and the species: following
the descending list of categories (category names at the left are in the original latin language officially
used for classification):
o Supe
egnum (Eukaryota)
o Regnum (Kingdom) (Animalia or Plantae)
o Su
egnum (Subkingdom)
o Phylum (for Animalia) or Division (for Plantae)
o Subphylum (if it exists) or subdivision (likewise)
o Classis (Class)
o Subclassis (Subclass)
o Ordo (Order)
o Subordo (Suborder)
o Familia (Family)
o Subfamilia (Subfamily)
o Tribu (Tribe)
o Genus
o Species (provide full name, with author and year of species description) (Example: Acinonyx
jubatus (Schreber, 1775)
2. Taxonomical diagnosis (K-3; T-4; C-4; A-4)
For the categories of phylum, class, order and family, provide the diagnosis characters or features that
sufficiently define it.
Example:
Classis Mammalia
1. Presence of hair.
2. Mammary glands as a modification of sweat glands.
3. The jaw or mandible is composed only by the dentary bone.
4. Always have seven (7) verte
ae in the cervical region of the dorsal spine or backbone).
Recommendation: Consult the following portals
- www.itis.gov
- species.wikimedia.org
http:
www.itis.gov
Part II. Genetics
3. Karyotype and other genetics (K-4; T-4; C-2; A-3)
Research the number of chromosomes of the selected species. Provide a
ief description of the
karyotype according to your research results. Description should include if the selected species is diploid,
haploid in any of its forms or sexes, or polyploid.
Note: Providing the number of genes of the species, as well as the percentage of structural genes,
egulatory genes and non-coding DNA is a plus but it is not strictly necessary.
Part III. Evolution
4. Variability and possible process of speciation among the species’ populations (K-4; T-4; C-
4; A-4)
Do a short research on the variability of the population and identify if there are any subspecies in a
cu
ent trend of speciation. If so, provide the number and names of the subspecies and their geographical
distribution. Find out if there are any theories about the type of speciation process that is occu
ing
cu
ently between the subspecies.
Part IV. Animal Structures and Functions
5. Respiration, Circulation and Digestion (K-4; T-4; C-4; A-5)
Research and describe the specific adaptations of this animal species related to two of the three
mentioned organic systems. gas exchange and circulatory system in relation with its vital needs. Provide
details about the type of gas exchange structure (gills, operculum, countercu
ent mechanisms, lungs
anatomy, aerial sacs (if present), heart rate, specific features of the blood (if relevant), special features of
the stomach (examples: the four-chambered stomach of ruminants, the symbiosis of termites with the
protozoan Trichonympha and in turn with certain bacteria associated with the latter, the feeding behavior
of some echinoderms, like certain species of starfish).
Part V. Plants structures and functions
6. Adaptations of plants to environmental conditions in this species’ habitat (K-4; T-4; C-4;
A-4).
Do a research about the most relevant plant groups or species that are present in the habitat of your
chosen species and find out one in particular that has developed a successful strategy for survival in the
area.