AVET104 Assignment Brief 2026

Title: Journey Through the Cell: A Narrative Exploration of Life at the Microscopic Level

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the assignment, students should be able to:

• Describe how materials are transported in and out of the cell, as well as within the cell.
• Explain cell-to-cell communication in various biological processes.
• Explain metabolism in a living cell, especially with respect to energy production.
• Explain the flow of genetic information in a cell.

Overview

You are to write a creative science-based narrative that follows a molecule, cell component, or signal as it journeys through and within a living cell, interacting with key biological processes. Your task is to accurately integrate and explain:

1. Transport mechanisms (into, out of, and within the cell)
2. Cell-to-cell communication
3. Metabolism and energy production
4. Flow of genetic information

But you’re not just explaining facts—you are storytelling with scientific depth.

Assignment Structure

Part 1: The Cellular Journey (1200–1500 words)

Craft a narrative that follows one of the following agents:

• A signalling molecule (e.g., thyroid hormone)
• A nutrient (e.g., glucose)
• A ribosome
• A mRNA strand
• An ATP molecule
• A vesicle
• Or propose your own (Please write to your tutor.) Your narrative should:
• Describe how the agent enters the cell (if applicable), and how it moves within the intracellular environment.
• Illustrate interactions with cellular components (e.g., organelles, receptors, enzymes).
• Explain how it participates in or triggers communication, energy production, or gene expression.
• Use scientifically accurate descriptions embedded within a creative story (e.g., anthropomorphized elements, first-person molecule perspective, etc.).

Part 2: Reflection & Analysis (300–500 words)

Write a short reflection explaining:

• Which concepts (from the learning outcomes) were included and how you integrated them.
• The scientific basis behind key events in your narrative (brief explanations with citations, if needed).
• What you learned while preparing this assignment.

Part 3: Citations

List at least 5 references you used to complete your individual assignment. These may be printed or online articles from reputable popular science magazines, newspapers and scientific journals.

Please cite in APA style. Refer to TP Library Guide: https://tp.libguides.com/apa.

Submission

• Complete and submit your individual assignment by 11 Aug, 1700h.
• Submit your individual assignment directly in PoliteMall (LMS) by the due date. See the PoliteMall (LMS) for details.
• Submit your individual assignment in PDF or as an MS Word document.
• Name your individual assignment using the following format for your file name:

NAME_STUDENTNO_FUNDBIO_AY26APR, whereby

NAME is your full name (without spaces), and

STUDENTNO is your Polite Common ID or Student Number.

• Include Study Guide Appendix3 – Declaration of Originality for Individual Assignment, as well as Study Guide Appendix3 – Declaration of Use of Gen AI Tools for Assignment, if applicable. These declarations may be submitted as separate documents.
• There will be a penalty for late submissions. Refer to the Study Guide for details.

AVET104 Assignment Marking Rubrics

Total: 30 marks