KEDAH MATRICULATION COLLEGE

BIOLOGY 2 (SB025) SESSION 2022/2023

BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT

Assignment for this semester is related to TOPIC 1: BIODIVERSITY and TOPIC 2: ECOLOGY.
This assignment is ESSAY writing AND comprises of FOUR (4) questions. You are required to
answer ONLY ONE question.

ASSIGNMENT’S GUIDELINES.

1. Criteria for the assignment:

a) Participation : Individual
b) Weightage : 15% [30 MARKS]
c) Paper size : A4
d) Font : Arial
e) Font size : 11
f) Spacing : 1.5
g) Margin : Normal
h) Number of words : Not less than 600 words *(MAX 800 words)
i) SUBMISSION DEADLINE : 26th JANUARY 2023 (THURSDAY)

2. Write your name, tutorial’s class, lecturer’s name and title on the cover page of the
assignment (refer Appendix 1).

3. The assignment should be type in proper English (slang terms are not allowed), and
accurate in facts.

4. Direct copying and pasting from other sources is regarded as plagiarism and will be
rejected. You are expected to process the data from various resources, review and
rephrase them in your own words.

5. The assignment has to be submitted to your tutorial lecturer in the form of hardcopy for
evaluation.

6. Before submitting, make sure your assignments are arranged in the following order:
" COVER  CONTENT  WRITING ATTRIBUTE (RUBRIC)  DECLARATION FORM"

7. Evaluation criteria are based on the Writing Attribute for Biology Assignment (refer
Appendix 2).

Checked By: Approved by,

NORMALA BINTI ABD LATIF

………………………………………………………
Pensyarah Biologi …………………………………………………
Kolej Matrikulasi Kedah
(NORMALA
KementerianBINTI ABD LATIF)
Pendidikan (AZMIZAN BIN ABD RAHMAN)
STUDENT ASSIGNMENT
Malaysia (SDS) COORDINATOR, HEAD OF BIOLOGY UNIT, KMK
BIOLOGY UNIT, KMK
Date: 19/12/2022 Date: 19/12/2022
QUESTION 1 [30 MARKS]

Topic : 1.0 BIODIVERSITY

Subtopic :
1.1 Biodiversity and classification
1.2 Domain Bacteria and Domain Archaea
1.7 Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Animalia

Answer ALL SECTIONS under this question.

Section 1.1: Biodiversity and classification

The ‘three-domain system’, developed by Carl Woese in 1990, is a system for classifying
biological organisms. Before Woese's discovery of Archaea as distinct from Bacteria in 1977,
scientists believed there were only two types of life: Eukarya and Bacteria. The highest
ranking previously used had been "kingdom," based on the ‘five kingdom system’ adopted in
the late 1960s.
As scientists learn more about organisms, classification systems change. Genetic sequencing
has given researchers a whole new way of analysing relationships between organisms.

The current system, ‘three-domain system’ groups organisms primarily based on differences in
ribosomal RNA (rRNA) structure. Ribosomal RNA is a molecular building block for ribosomes.

Explain briefly the ‘three-domain system’ based on rRNA base sequence.

Section 1.2: Domain Bacteria and Domain Archaea

Scientists show continuous effort to discover the importance of bacteria in our daily life.
Explain FOUR roles of bacteria with ITS EXAMPLE.

Section 1.3: Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Animalia

a. There are millions of living organisms in this world. There are some which are even yet to
be discovered. These living organisms that are known to man, very broadly include
animals. All of them show great diversity. Yet, there are some characteristics that are
similar between groups of animals, and this is what binds them together.

Classification of animals helps us to understand their characteristics, as well as their

differences with other organisms. The best-known organisms are the animals. In scientific
terminology, they are grouped under the kingdom Animalia, better known as the ‘animal
kingdom’. Let’s learn more about this famous kingdom!

Discover TWO unique characteristics for each 9 phyla under kingdom Animalia.

b. The processes of biological and organic change in animals by which descendants come
to differ from their ancestors. Animal evolution encompasses the theory that modern
animals are the modified descendants of animals that formerly existed and that these
earlier forms descended from still earlier and different organisms.

Explain evolutionary relationships of animals based on their:

i. level of organization;
ii. germ layers;
iii. body symmetry;
iv. body coelom; and
v. segmentation.
QUESTION 2 [30 MARKS]

Topic : 1.0 BIODIVERSITY

Subtopic:
1.4 Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Protista
1.5 Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Fungi
1.6 Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Plantae

Answer ALL SECTIONS under this question.

Section 2.1: Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Protista

Protista represent 10 percent of the total number of eukaryote species. Although the
number is relatively low, their abundance is extraordinarily high. The number of individual
protists found in some habitat is astonishing. For example, one millilitre of pond water can
contain over 500 single - celled protists that swim with flagella. Thus, protists play
important ecological roles and give impacts on human health. With that, choose and
explain TWO ecological roles of Protista.

Section 2.2: Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Fungi

Given their importance to life on land and their intricate relationships to other organism,
it’s no surprise that fungi are fascinating to biologist. There are important practical
reasons for human to study fungi. They can cause debilitating diseases in humans and
crops and plants. They also affect global climate change. To support these, identify TWO
ecological roles of fungi that give impact to human health.

Section 2.3: Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Plantae

Land plants have evolved from green algae that grew on the muddy shore of ponds 475
million years ago to organism that enrich the soil and produce much of the oxygen we
breath and most of the food we eat. How did this happen? Elaborate evolutionary
relationship among four groups in Kingdom Plantae based on:

i. Water dependence in fertilization

ii. Presence of vascular tissue

QUESTION 3 [30 MARKS]

Topic : 2.0 ECOLOGY

Subtopic :
2.2 Energy Flow Through Ecosystem
2.3 Biogeochemical cycle
2.4 Conservation and Management

Answer ALL SECTIONS under this question.

Section 3.1: Energy Flow Through Ecosystem

The sun plays an important role in ensuring the sustainability of organisms on earth. Through
the light emitted, organisms get a supply of energy to do work such as moving, growing,
reproducing and doing various cell activities. But how could this possible when not all
organism is capable of using light energy directly to fuel their need?

For that, explain the energy transfer in ecological pyramid in relation to the trophic level and
please include following item in your explanation:

i. Concept of ecological pyramid

ii. Energy transfer from sun to the primary producer
iii. Energy transferred from primary producer to primary consumer and so on
iv. Energy loss between trophic levels
v. Related diagram (labelled)

Section 3.2: Biogeochemical cycle

Biogeochemical cycles are the natural pathways by which essential elements of

living matters are circulated. Elements within biogeochemical cycles flow in various forms
from the non-living (abiotic) components of the biosphere to the living (biotic) components
and back.
There are 2 basic types of gaseous biogeochemical cycle which is carbon and nitrogen
cycle. With the aid of diagram, explain about ONE of these biogeochemical cycles. Explain
at least FOUR processes involved in your chosen cycle.

Section 3.3: Conservation and Management

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 27,000
species of flora and fauna are threatened with extinction. Other scientists have even
predicted that the world could lose up to 30-50% of species by the middle of the 21st
century.

This situation is very worrying. So as an ecologist, you are responsible to spread awareness
among the public about this crisis. For that, write an essay about ONE threat to biodiversity in
Malaysia. Please, make sure that your writing come out with RELATED DIAGRAM (LABELLED)
and discussing the following items:

i. Threat to the biodiversity (in Malaysia)

ii. Cause of the threat
iii. Example of a threated species (in Malaysia)
iv. What cause the species to be threatened.
QUESTION 4 [30 MARKS]

Topic : 2.0 ECOLOGY

Subtopic : 2.5 Population Ecology

Answer ALL SECTIONS under this question.

Section 4.1: Population Ecology

The global human population growth was very slow until the 1750. There was a long period of
time, with the world’s population about 300 million. But after 1750, the world’s population
grew significantly. At the current rate of growth, human population doubles every 33 years.

Suggest the type of population growth curve demonstrate the global human population
growth. Explain the phases found on the growth curve, relate your explanation to biotic
potential and environmental resistance. Predict and explain two reasons, which support the
population growth after 1750.

Section 4.2: Population Ecology

The stickleback fish, Gasterosteus aculeatus, has two distinct forms, the saltwater form and
the freshwater form. In a study on Loberg Lake in Southern Alaska, the freshwater stickleback
fish population size is record as below:

Year Population size (in crores)

1800 1.2
1820 3.1
1860 5.9
1900 16.2
1920 36.1
1940 58.0
1960 80.8
1980 96.7
1990 105.3
2000 106.8
2010 107.0
2015 106.9
Plot a graph to demonstrate the complete growth curve of stickleback fish population. Label
the carrying capacity on the graph. Explain the phases present in the graph and state the
importance of carrying capacity.

Note: The graph should be draw in reasonable scale, with the label of title, x-axis, y-axis and
carrying capacity.

Section 4.3: Population Ecology

Based in the graph plotting on PART B, predict two density dependent factors which act as
limiting factors for the growth of stickleback fish population. Discuss how these density
dependent factor(s) have slow down the population growth?

In 2018, hurricane strike on Southern Alaska devastates the environment of Loberg Lake and
coastline. Massive human mining activity also increase the pollution occur to the water
bodies. Both events lead to a drastic decline on the stickleback fish population size. Discuss
what is mean by density independent factor, and why hurricane strike and human mining
activity is the density independent
 Appendix 1

KEDAH MATRICULATION COLLEGE

BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
BIOLOGY 2 (SB025)
SESSION 2022/2023

TOPIC 1/2: BIODIVERSITY/ ECOLOGY

QUESTION 1/2/3/4

NAME :
MATRIC NUMBER :
TUTORIAL :
LECTURER’S NAME :
 BIOLOGY 2 (SB025) SESSION 2022/2023
Appendix 2
WRITING ATTRIBUTE FOR BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
QUESTION 1
ATTRIBUTE 1 – WRITING – critical thinking, problem solving, information management and lifelong learning skills rubric
SUBATTRIBUTE 1 2 3 4 5

1. On time submission Submitted late-4 or Submitted late-3 days Submitted late-2 days Submitted late-1 day Submitted on time
more days

2. Creativity Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Well-planned. features met met met met features
 Able to process the data from various resources, review
and rephrase them in own words.
 Plugged in (make a several connection to previous
learning)
 Coherence
 Neat
3. Quality & Originality of report Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Introduction features met met met met features
 Correct format
 Well organized
 Write in paragraph form.
 Have conclusion
4. Section 1.1: Biodiversity and classification Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
Explain briefly three-domain system based on rRNA base features met met met met features
sequence
Section 1.2: Domain Bacteria and Domain Archaea
Explain the roles of bacteria WITH EXAMPLE in:
 recycling of chemical elements in ecosystem
 symbiotic
 pathogenic
 research and technology
5. Section 1.3 a): Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Animalia Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
Discover TWO unique characteristics of the following phyla: features met met met met features
 Porifera, Cnidaria;
 Platyhelminthes, Nematoda;
 Annelida, Arthropoda;
 Mollusca, Echinodermata;
 Chordata.
6. Section 1.3 b): Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Animalia Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
Explain evolutionary relationships of animals based on: features met met met met features
 level of organization;
 germ layers;
 body symmetry;
 body coelom; and
 segmentation.
 BIOLOGY 2 (SB025) SESSION 2022/2023
WRITING ATTRIBUTE FOR BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
QUESTION 2
ATTRIBUTE 1 – WRITING – critical thinking, problem solving, information management and lifelong learning skills rubric Appendix 2

SUBATTRIBUTE 1 2 3 4 5

1. On time submission Submitted late-4 or Submitted late-3 days Submitted late-2 days Submitted late-1 day Submitted on time
more days

2. Creativity Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Well-planned. features met met met met features
 Able to process the data from various resources, review
and rephrase them in own words.
 Plugged in (make a several connection to previous
learning)
 Coherence
 Neat
3. Quality & Originality of report Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Introduction features met met met met features
 Correct format
 Well organized
 Write in paragraph form.
 Have conclusion
4. Section 2.1: Kingdom Protista Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Introduction features met met met met features
 State TWO ecological roles of Protista
 Explain TWO ecological roles of Protista.
 Give ONE example for each role
 Provide related diagram for each role
5. Section 2.2: Kingdom Fungi Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Introduction features met met met met features
 State TWO ecological roles of fungi
 Explain TWO ecological roles of Fungi
 Give ONE example for each role
 Provide related diagram for each role

6. Section 2.3: Kingdom Plantae Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Introduction features met met met met features
 State TWO criteria of evolutionary relationship among
groups in Kingdom Plantae
 Explain the TWO criteria stated above
 Provide table of evolutionary relationship among groups
in Kingdom Plantae
 Provide diagram of Kingdom Plantae Phylogenetic tree
 BIOLOGY 2 (SB025) SESSION 2022/2023
WRITING ATTRIBUTE FOR BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
QUESTION 3
ATTRIBUTE 1 – WRITING – critical thinking, problem solving, information management and lifelong learning skills rubric Appendix 2

SUBATTRIBUTE 1 2 3 4 5

1. On time submission Submitted late-4 or Submitted late-3 days Submitted late-2 days Submitted late-1 day Submitted on time
more days

2. Creativity Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Well-planned. features met met met met features
 Able to process the data from various resources, review
and rephrase them in own words.
 Plugged in (make a several connection to previous
learning)
 Coherence
 Neat
3. Quality & Originality of report Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Introduction features met met met met features
 Correct format
 Well organized
 Write in paragraph form.
 Have conclusion
4.Section 3.1: Energy flow through ecosystem Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Explain the concept of ecological pyramid features met met met met features
 Explain energy transfer from sun to the primary producer
 Explain energy is transferred from primary producer to
primary consumer and so on.
 Explain energy loss between trophic level
 Provide a related labelled diagram
5. Section 3.2: Biogeochemical cycle Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
Explain at least 4 processes involved in the cycle chosen features met met met met features
and include a related labelled diagram.

6. Section 3.3: Conservation and management. Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Discuss threat to the biodiversity (in Malaysia) features met met met met features
 Discuss cause of the threat
 Discuss example of a threated species (in Malaysia)
 Discuss cause the species to be threatened
 Provide a related labelled diagram
.
 BIOLOGY 2 (SB025) SESSION 2022/2023
WRITING ATTRIBUTE FOR BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
QUESTION 4
ATTRIBUTE 1 – WRITING – critical thinking, problem solving, information management and lifelong learning skills rubric Appendix 2

SUBATTRIBUTE 1 2 3 4 5

1. On time submission Submitted late-4 or Submitted late-3 days Submitted late-2 days Submitted late-1 day Submitted on time
more days

2. Creativity Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Well-planned. features met met met met features
 Able to process the data from various resources, review
and rephrase them in own words.
 Plugged in (make a several connection to previous
learning)
 Coherence
 Neat
3. Quality & Originality of report Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Introduction features met met met met features
 Correct format
 Well organized
 Write in paragraph form.
 Have conclusion
4. Section 4.1: Population Ecology Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 State the type of population growth curve. features met met met met features
 Explain the lag phase
 Explain the log phase.
 Include explanation of environmental resistance and
biotic potential in log phase
 State two reasons cause the exponential growth.
5. Section 4.2: Population Ecology Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 Plot a graph (on graph paper by hand) or using suitable features met met met met features
software.
 Graphs contain element: Title, x-axis, y-axis, carrying
capacity.
 State the importance of carrying capacity.
 State the phases found in logistic growth curve
 Explain the growth rate and growth for each phase
6. Section 4.3: Population Ecology Only 1 required 2 required features 3 required features 4 required features Meet ALL required
 State two density dependent factors. features met met met met features
 Explain how the density dependent factor (1) slow down
the population growth.
 Explain how the density dependent factor (2) slow down
the population growth.
 Define the density independent factor.
 Explanation: hurricane and human mining pollution as
density independent factor