KINGS HIGH SCHOOL

Internal Assessment Resource

Achievement Standard Biology 91155: Demonstrate
understanding of adaptation of animals or animals to their
way of life (version 1)
Resource reference: Biology 2.3A
Resource title: Gas exchange How do you do it!?
Credits: 3
Achievement
Demonstrate
understanding of
adaptation of animals or
animals to their way of
life.

Achievement with
Merit
Demonstrate in-depth
understanding of
adaptation of animals or
animals to their way of
life.

Achievement with
Excellence
Demonstrate
comprehensive
understanding of
adaptation of animals or
animals to their way of
life.

Student instructions
Introduction
This assessment activity requires you to work individually to produce a
portfolio of information which you can use to develop a written report on the
adaptations relating to animal gas exchange across three taxonomic animal
groups (mammals, fish, and insects are recommended) and how these
adaptations allow the different animals to carry out their way of life or occupy
the ecological niches that they do.
This is a resource-based assessment: you are able to access resources
gathered in your programme of learning as you write your report.
You will have 34 weeks in and out of class to collect information, develop a
portfolio, and present your report.
Your portfolio will record all the information you collect on animal gas
exchange, such as drawings from observations and examinations, results
from investigations, notes from DVDs, class discussions, processed (NOT
downloaded or photocopied) information from internet sites and textbooks,
annotated diagrams, and formal notes made in class. You will use this
information to develop your report.
You will have approximately 3 hours of class time to individually write your
report.
You will be assessed on the extent to which your report shows your
comprehensive understanding of how the three animal groups are adapted to
their way of life in relation to the life process of gas exchange. This includes
the limitations and advantages for each system and comparing the different
systems between the groups.

An organisms way of life is determined by how it relates to other organisms

in its surrounding environment (e.g. competition, predation, parasitism,
mutualism), the reproductive strategies it employs to ensure survival of the
species and how it adapts to its physical habitat. Their adaptations involve
the range of ways in which the organism has developed strategies to carry
out their life processes in order to survive and reproduce. An adaptation
refers to a feature and its function that provides an advantage for the
organism in its specific habitat and ecological niche. It may include
structural, behavioural, or physiological features of the organism.

Task: Written Report

Complete a written report on the adaptations relating to animal gas
exchange across three taxonomic animal groups, and how these
adaptations allow them to carry out their way of life. Use your portfolio
of collected, relevant biological information to provide supporting
evidence. Your written report should include the following:
Introduction:
Give an overall description of the need for gas exchange in animals
with reference to cellular respiration.
Discussion:

Name the three animal groups you have studied and provide a brief
description of each of their specific habitat e.g. physical habitat,
competitors etc.

Discuss the diversity shown in gas exchange by comparing the

process of animal gas exchange and these adaptations across the
three animal groups.
o Describe the structural, behavioural, and/or physiological
adaptations that enable the animals in each group to carry
out gas exchange. You may use annotated diagrams to
support your answer.
o Discuss how two specific gas exchange adaptations link to
each animals ability to live successfully in its specific
habitat.
o You need to include examples of specific advantages and
limitations of named features or processes.
o Give a detailed comparison of the diversity of adaptations
for gas exchange across each group.

You may use annotated diagrams to support your answer.

Hand your portfolio to your teacher along with your completed report.