Preliminary Biology Task 3 Assessment Notification Term 3, 2011 8.

5
Task:

Evolution of Australian Biota Using fossil evidence

A second hand investigation & examination to describe some Australian fossils, where these fossils were found and use evidence to explain how they contribute to the development of understanding about the evolution of species in Australia.

Weighting:

25%

Due date for research portfolio (Part A): 1st August 2011 (submitted prior to entering the examination room) 1st August 2011 period 4 - 11BIOA in room 65 period 6 (3:20) - 11BIOB in room 03 and period 5 - 11BIOC in room 62.

Examination date (Part B):

Examination duration:

50 minutes Be Prompt !!!

Outcomes: Skills:
11.1 a) b) c) d)

P1 to P5, P7 to P10 & P12 to P14 (see the Biology Syllabus)

identify data sources to: analyse complex problems to determine appropriate ways in which each aspect may be researched determine the type of data which needs to be collected and explain the qualitative or quantitative analysis that will be required for this data to be useful identify the orders of magnitude that will be appropriate and uncertainty that may be present in the measurement of data identify and use correct units for data that will be collected

e)

recommend the use of an appropriate technology or strategy for data collection or gathering information that will assist efficient future analysis

12.3 a) b) c) d)

gather information from secondary sources by: accessing information from a range of resources, including popular scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful information in secondary sources extracting information from numerical data in graphs and tables as well as from written and spoken material in all its forms summarising and collating information from a range of resources

e)
12.4 d) e)

identifying practising male and female Australian scientists, the areas in which they are currently working and information about their research.
process information to: evaluate the relevance of first-hand and secondary information and data in relation to the area of investigation assess the reliability of first-hand and secondary information and data by considering information from various sources

f)
13.1 a) b) c) e)

assess the accuracy of scientific information presented in mass media by comparison with similar information presented in scientific journals.
present information by: selecting and using appropriate text types, or combinations thereof, for oral and written presentations selecting and using appropriate media to present data and information selecting and using appropriate formats to acknowledge sources of information using a variety of pictorial representations to show relationships and present information clearly and succinctly

Please turn over...

Research focus: You will access at least one of the following websites in order to discuss: The Australian National Botanic Gardens http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/ The Australian Native Plants Society http://asgap.org.au/acacia.html ABC OZ fossils The Age of the Megafauna http://www.abc.net.au/science/ozfossil/megafauna/fossils/default.htm Australia over the last 150 000 years http://www.esd.ornl.gov/projects/qen/nercAUSTRALASIA.html Monash University Annual Report 1998 Centre for Palynology and Palaeoecology http://arts.monash.edu.au/ges/research/cpp/annrep98.php

i. ii. iii.

the changes the changes that have occurred in the Australian climate as it separated from Antarctica and drifted northward. what happened to the Australian biota as the climate changed. the data in the following diagram showing the number and types of pollen from the analysis of sediments found at Lynchs Crater, Queensland*:

*Brotherton & Mudie (2010), Heinemann Biology Preliminary, Pearson Australia, p. 249.

iv. v. vi.

the characteristics of the Dipotodon optatum fossil found at Naracoorte. the characteristics of modern marsupials, such as wombats. how the study of Australian fossils can contribute to the development of understanding of the evolution of species in Australia.

Part A - Research - Thinking/Solving/Communicating (5%)

Research introduction: Sixty-five million years ago, when Australia was still part of Gondwana, the climate was cool and wet and much of the land was covered with temperate rainforest. As Australia split from Antarctica and drifted north, the climate changed and Australia became drier and warmer. The rainforests shrank, and new ecosystems such as sclerophyll communities and grasslands emerged. Pollen grains, produced in the stamens of flowering plants are enclosed by very hard outer coverings or walls. The surface and shape of the pollen wall varies between plant species and this can be used to distinguish and identify them. Pollen grains are resistant to chemical attack and, as a result, are often found preserved in sediments. Analysis of pollen grains from sediments may indicate the types of plants present when the sediment formed. Knowing the type of climate these plants need in order to survive helps us to infer what the climate was like in the past. Similarly, the location of fossil finds of animals, plus the characteristics shown by those animals, can help scientists understand the evolution of species in Australia. 1. Print off at least the first two (2) pages from one of the listed internet sites on the previous page. 2. You may not write notes of any form on your research print-out. You may highlight using a highlighting pen only. 3. For your chosen source, complete the template following (download from SACSnet) and: (i) print the source (do not modify it simply print from the internet), and staple it to the template. (ii) correctly word process the reference for the source into the template using this referencing guideline:
Author's surname, first name or initials. (full stop) The year first constructed (in brackets) The full title of the site, (comma) The full address, (comma) The date of your visit, (in brackets) (comma) Copyright details. (in brackets) (full stop) Example: Mayberry, Ged. (1999) Beeping Sleuty, http://www.britesparks.com/kidsite/kids/beeping.htm (1999), (Copyright Ged Mayberry 1999)

(iii) (iv) (v)

highlight three (3) sentences on your print-out that address some of the task research focus points, word process an assessment of the accuracy of the information being presented by the source, present your research with the completed template stapled to your source.

Part B Analysis (20%)

You will sit a 50 minute investigation that will test the research focus points. You may not use the printout or template, during the examination. You will need to submit the print-out and completed template to the examiner prior to entering the examination room. A high level of detailed knowledge will be required.

This is the template you will find on SACSnet. You must download this and complete each section (other than the marking criteria), by word processing the following into the spaces provided:

Student name/number: Task 3: Term 3, 2011, Part A: Research Internet site

(i) Direct photocopy/print-out of at least the first two pages of the source are stapled to the back of this template (ii) Source reference:

Date: Marking criteria

0 marks
No printout or less than the first 2 pages not printed and stapled

1 mark
At least the first 2 pages are printed and stapled to the back of this template

2 marks

3 marks

Mclean-Carr, C, Byrne, T. (2011) OZ Fossils, http://www.abc.net.au/science/ozfossil/megafauna/fossils/default.htm, (31/7/2011), (Copyright 2011 ABC).

absent

present, but incorrect

correct

(iii) Three relevant sentences that address the task focus questions have been highlighted on the print-out:

No relevant sentences highlighted

1 relevant sentences highlighted

2 relevant sentences highlighted

3 relevant sentences highlighted

(iv) Assess the reliability (trustworthiness) of the information being presented by this source

The authors have provided reference to their sources, and their sources are well known and valid. The website is a well known and trusted source, with a domain name of '.net'.

Not correctly assessed

Source information has been compared to the information in the Heinemann text or has a reliable domain or the qualifications of the author are stated & are appropriate

2 of the previous

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