Thoughts on Bio exam?? (1 Viewer)

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Now did the first dot-point continue to say depending on their location in the retina.? I didn't think so. Anyone can describe the structure of the cones but that clearly is not the issue. As an Advanced Science Honours student why don't you shed some light as to what the answer would look like?

As for the second question, I don't believe the dot-points you mentioned suffice seeing as it's an 'explain' 4 marker question as opposed to the 'idenfity' dot points you raised.
dont worry, you have failed, thats it , nothing u can do now
 

blackratpoo

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this dotpoint: "describe the differences in distribution, structure and function of the photoreceptor cells in the human eye" is concerning the differences explicitly between rods and cones. not the difference between cones themselves in relation to their location. so no, this dotpoint does not shed any light on the question. +1 ibbi00. you seem to be the only one making any sense on this thread.
 

Ishynooshy

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My answer:
The two main photoreceptors that are located in the human eye are the rods, responsible for the detection of light and cones, responsible for the ability to see colour. The rods are uniformally distributed across the retina of the eye, located at the back of the eye. The uniform distribution of the rods allows for any incoming light from the environment to pass through the eye and hit any point on the retina and then detected. The cones are densely packed into an area in the retina known as the fovea. The increased number of cone cells in this region allows for the increased visual acuity in humans.

Clearly in this question you need to apply some common sense and have a much deeper conceptual understanding of these photoreceptors. Knowing what the dotpoints are is only half the story. I can tell from your competitiveness that you are looking at going to university. Being able to apply what you know to a situation that you may not have encountered is something that you are going to have to get use to. Exams in uni (and the problems life throws at you) are rarely about being able to apply some set recipe to solve the question(s) at hand.

The second question is also about being able to apply some common sense and again requires some deeper conceptual understanding. I can't see the picture on the exam paper but my feeling would be that the marking scheme would be something like:
*Identify that neurones may be damaged in the brain.
*Relate to observation/injury sustained
*Identify area in brain which has been damaged.
*Relate to observation/injury sustained.

EDIT: I've realised that my response doesn't really answer the question, mostly because I've sort of incorporated the dotpoint that it's associated with and I can't see the graphic that is on the actual exam. The comments still holds though.
 
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ibbi00

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My answer:
The two main photoreceptors that are located in the human eye are the rods, responsible for the detection of light and cones, responsible for the ability to see colour. The rods are uniformally distributed across the retina of the eye, located at the back of the eye. The uniform distribution of the rods allows for any incoming light from the environment to pass through the eye and hit any point on the retina and then detected. The cones are densely packed into an area in the retina known as the fovea. The increased number of cone cells in this region allows for the increased visual acuity in humans.

You haven't really answered the first question. Read it again: Explain why the structure of cones varies depending on their location in the retina. Not explain the difference in the distribution of rods and cones across the retina, like what you have done. Completely different questions, mate. And no, your answer does not reflect 'deep conceptual understanding', that's just the basics. Even if that was the question, you failed to mention that rods are absent from the fovea which would most definitely be part of the supposed marking guideline.
 
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blackratpoo

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i think this was the dotpoint they were getting at:"identify that there are three types of cones, each containing a separate pigment sensitive to either blue, red or green light"
and we had to link that depending where the cone was along the retina, would account for a specific colour perhaps? this makes sense as the light of different colours has different wavelengths and some travel further then others. sound feasible?

coz the uni dude has no fucking idea and one fucking huge ego. conceptualise ya face mate. the only thing u taught me was to not let know-it-alls like you get to me next year. thanks for the life lesson.
 

Ishynooshy

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Okay if you want to play specifics here's take two:
The cones in the retina are more densely located in the fovea, interspersed with rod photoreceptors. The foveola, in the centre of the fovea contains cone photreceptors that are much thinner than those that are located around this area. This area is also absent in rod photorecepters. This allows for an increase in the density of cones in that area, increasing the visual acuity.
 

blackratpoo

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good on ya. now how the fuck does that answer the question?...........................i can here crickets.......................................
 

ibbi00

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i think this was the dotpoint they were getting at:"identify that there are three types of cones, each containing a separate pigment sensitive to either blue, red or green light"
and we had to link that depending where the cone was along the retina, would account for a specific colour perhaps? this makes sense as the light of different colours has different wavelengths and some travel further then others. sound feasible?

coz the uni dude has no fucking idea and one fucking huge ego. conceptualise ya face mate. the only thing u taught me was to not let know-it-alls like you get to me next year. thanks for the life lesson.
I suppose it's feasible but way too complicated for a 2 marker. I believe it was a simple mix up between the words structure and density on BOS's part.
 

ibbi00

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Okay if you want to play specifics here's take two:
The cones in the retina are more densely located in the fovea, interspersed with rod photoreceptors. The foveola, in the centre of the fovea contains cone photreceptors that are much thinner than those that are located around this area. This area is also absent in rod photorecepters. This allows for an increase in the density of cones in that area, increasing the visual acuity.
That still fails to answer the question. When did you say you sat the HSC again?
 

patceepie

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this dotpoint: "describe the differences in distribution, structure and function of the photoreceptor cells in the human eye" is concerning the differences explicitly between rods and cones. not the difference between cones themselves in relation to their location. so no, this dotpoint does not shed any light on the question. +1 ibbi00. you seem to be the only one making any sense on this thread.
"describe the difference in distrubution, structure and function of the photoreceptors cells in the human eye <---- see that? IN THE HUMAN EYE? Location: A point in space => the human eye is a point in space. i dont see why this dot point doesnt cover the question? [if it were concerning the differences between rods and cones.. why didnt they just say that?] .. if i asked you this... "describe the difference in structure of the photreceptor cells in the human eye." you tell me this isnt the dot point.
 

Ishynooshy

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Goodness, if you can't read my answer I'm not going to ask how terribly you did in your English papers. My response a) Answers the question, b) Is related to a dot point, c) Is an application of that dot point.

Please show me what you would have written if my answer is so flawed?
 

patceepie

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That still fails to answer the question. When did you say you sat the HSC again?
Explain why the structure of cones varies depending on their location in 2 the retina. WHY: I want better visual acuity... Explain: less to none rods = more cones.. from the diagram previously posted.. the high density of cones in such a small area suggest that they must be tightly packed.. as suggested by Ishy.. the cones must be thinner and more rod-shaped for this to be possible.
 

ibbi00

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Explain why the structure of cones varies depending on their location in the retina.

Let me put it in simple words for you. The question, if true, claims that the structure of cones is not stable or consistent rather it changes depending on its location in the retina. So its structure is dynamic - It has MANY structures. The question is asking you to explain why this is the case - You haven't even come close to doing that. Now, I done a bit of research and was not able to verify this claim. So no, I cannot show you what I would have written.
 
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yalando

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So I kind of don't want to talk about the com option. I did the genetics option and it was difficult (especially the last question on gene cloning and gene cascades) but personally it was manageable.

As for the core it was VERY different to past paper that seemed to be more cutting out dotpoints and changing a word her or there. It was more skill based which had lead me to be very anxious.

As forthe evolution question about NZ and Aus etc, do you all rekon that you only had to meniton the source once or twice and use your own knowledge like it said, as in if your answer isn't founded on the source it's ok because it sais source and own knowledge like it does in ancient?
 

Ishynooshy

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Explain why the structure of cones varies depending on their location in the retina.

Let me put it in simple words for you. The question, if true, claims that the structure of cones is not stable or consistent rather it changes depending on its location in the retina. So its structure is dynamic - It has MANY structures. I done a bit of researched and was not able to verify this claim. So no, I cannot show you what I would have written.
From my answer:
"The foveola, in the centre of the fovea contains cone photreceptors that are much thinner than those that are located around this area"

The fact they are thinner is a difference in structure. These thinner cones are located only in the foveola, the centre of the fovea. Cones outside this area are slightly larger.

Reason for this: Allows for more of these cone photreceptors to be present in a small area. This increases visual acuity.
 

Jonneeh

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From my answer:
"The foveola, in the centre of the fovea contains cone photreceptors that are much thinner than those that are located around this area"

The fact they are thinner is a difference in structure. These thinner cones are located only in the foveola, the centre of the fovea. Cones outside this area are slightly larger.

Reason for this: Allows for more of these cone photreceptors to be present in a small area. This increases visual acuity.
that sounds pretty correct, more specific then your other answers
 

patceepie

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Explain why the structure of cones varies depending on their location in the retina.

Let me put it in simple words for you. The question, if true, claims that the structure of cones is not stable or consistent rather it changes depending on its location in the retina. So its structure is dynamic - It has MANY structures. The question is asking you to explain why this is the case - You haven't even come close to doing that. Now, I done a bit of research and was not able to verify this claim. So no, I cannot show you what I would have written.
Okay.. if you are going to patronise me. ill put your answer in even more simplier words.. wait not just one word for you . GENES.
 

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