VCE Biology: Performance Descriptors

VCE Biology: Performance descriptors
Units 3 and 4: 2017–2021

VCE Biology: Performance descriptors

VCE BIOLOGY
SCHOOL-ASSESSED COURSEWORK
Performance descriptors
Unit 3
Outcome 2
Apply a stimulus-response model to explain how cells communicate with each other, outline immune responses to invading pathogens, distinguish between the different ways that immunity may be acquired, and explain how malfunctions of the immune system cause disease / DESCRIPTOR: typical performance in each range
Very low / Low / Medium / High / Very high
Some attempt at application of a stimulus-response model to explain signals, receptors, effectors and responses in
cell communication. / Limited application of a stimulus-response model to explain signals, receptors, effectors
and responses in cell communication. / Largely accurate application of
a stimulus-response model to explain signals, receptors, effectors and responses in
cell communication. / Sound application of a stimulus-response model to explain signals, receptors, effectors
and responses in cell communication. / Proficient application of a stimulus-response model to explain signals, receptors, effectors and responses in
cell communication.
Very limited understanding and explanation of the nature of the immune response and limited knowledge of the different ways that immunity may be acquired. / Some understanding and explanation of the nature of the immune response and the different ways that immunity may be acquired. / Satisfactory understanding and explanation of the nature of the immune response and the different ways that immunity may be acquired. / Well-developed understanding and explanation of the nature of the immune response and the different ways that immunity may be acquired. / Thorough understanding and explanation of the nature of the immune response and the different ways that immunity may be acquired.
Some description of the relationship between immune system malfunction and disease and some analysis of contemporary solutions to the problem. / Limited understanding of the relationship between immune system malfunction and disease and some analysis of contemporary solutions to the problem. / Largely accurate understanding of the relationship between immune system malfunction and disease and satisfactory analysis of contemporary solutions to the problem. / Well-articulated understanding of the relationship between immune system malfunction and disease and well-founded analysis of contemporary solutions to the problem. / Comprehensive understanding and explanation of the relationship between immune system malfunction and disease and thorough analysis of contemporary solutions to the problem.
Very limited use of data from experiments, texts, tables, graphs and diagrams to answer questions, to draw conclusions and to infer causal relationships. / Some use of data from experiments, texts, tables, graphs and diagrams to answer questions, to draw conclusions and to infer causal relationships. / Appropriate use of data from experiments, texts, tables, graphs and diagrams to answer questions, to draw conclusions and to infer causal relationships. / Accurate use of data from experiments, texts, tables, graphs and diagrams to answer questions, to draw conclusions and to infer causal relationships. / Insightful use of data from experiments, texts, tables, graphs and diagrams to answer questions, to draw conclusions and to infer causal relationships.
Very limited use of biological terminology, representations, conventions and scientific data. / Some appropriate use of biological terminology, representations, conventions and scientific data. / Appropriate use of most biological terminology, representations, conventions and scientific data. / Effective and appropriate use of biological terminology, representations, conventions and scientific data. / Proficient and highly appropriate use of biological terminology, representations, conventions and scientific data.

KEY to marking scale based on the outcome contributing 50 marks

Very low 1–10 / Low 11–20 / Medium 21–30 / High 31–40 / Very high 41–50