Assignment brief QCF BTEC

Qualification Title

Directorate:

APS

Curriculum
Area

6th Form Centre

BTEC Applied Science

Qualification

Unit number and title

BTEC Applied Science

Unit 11: Human Body Systems

Learner name

Assessor name
Rachel Slater

Date issued

Hand in deadline

Submitted on

25/2/16

21/1/16
Assignment title

11.4 Lymphatic system

In this assessment you will have opportunities to provide evidence against the following
criteria.
Indicate the page numbers where the evidence can be found.

Criteria
referenc
e
P7

To achieve the criteria the evidence must

show that the learner is able to:
Describe the structure and purpose of the
lymphatic system

Task
no.

M5

Explain how the lymphatic system protects the

body

D3

Explain the differences in lymphatic function in

health and disease state

Assignment title

Evidenc
e

11.4 Lymphatic system

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Purpose of this assignment

This assignment covers Learning outcome 4 of unit 11.

This is assignment 4 of 4

Scenario
You are a patient information officer for the immunology department of a hospital. You
have been tasked with providing information on the lymphatic system that is clear and
understandable.
Task 1
In a short essay, describe the structure and function of the lymphatic system.

Use diagrams to illustrate your description of the structure of the lymphatic

system (e.g. positions of vessels, nodes and other lymphoid organs in the body,
including spleen, thymus gland and tonsils).

Describe the function of the different parts of the lymphatic system explaining the
role in protecting the body.

Tonsils are found behind the

mouth and their main function
is to remove and filter
pathogens that has passed
through the mouth via
inhalation or food
Thymus glands are located
in the top of the heart and T
lymphocytes are matured.
They are checked to make
sure the body doesnt destroy
their own cells. T cells mature
from thymocytes, multiply and
undergo selection process in
the thymic cortex before
entering the medulla to join
with epithelial cells.
Lymph nodes is an oval
shaped organ in the lymphatic
system. lymph nodes act as
filters for unknown particles
and cancer cells. the lymph
nodes contain fluids which
holds lymphocytes, a subject
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of white blood cells which
recirculates through the
bloodstream.

The spleen is located under

the ribs and above the
ribcage. It filters the blood
and is where the old red blood
cells are recycled and the
white blood cells and platelets
are stored there. The bacteria
get destroyed and the
macrophages engulfs them.

This provides evidence for [P7]

Task 2
Using diagrams to support your written explanation, explain how the lymphatic system
protects the body.

You need to include reference to the filtering at nodes and to the roles of
macrophages and B and T lymphocytes.

A range of sources should be referred to and included in your references (This is

must be shown in the text where your information came from)

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1. The macrophage will engulf the virus and take the antigens of the virus and will
display it the outside of the macrophage for other immune cells to read.
2. The antigen which are displayed on the macrophage are protein specific to each
particular microorganism. the macrophage will activate the T- helper cell which will
help analyse the antigens.
3. The T-helper cell will trigger an immune response by activating B cells, which will
come and read the antigens from the macrophages.
4. The activated B cells will analyse the antigen and in return it will mass produce
millions of antibodies which will bind with specific antigen.
5. When the antibodies to antigen bond is formed, the macrophage will engulf the
antibody-antigen complex and it will get rid of the infectious agent.
6. As this process continues to close in all the virus, it will eventually have to come to
an end. The active cells will need to be put into rest so the immune systems
activate T-suppressor cells.
7. The T-suppressor cells will communicate with other cells to deactivate them.
Without the suppression of the t cells, the body will continue to fight of viruses
which would not exist, thus causing them to destroy the own healthy cells.
What Lymph Nodes Do
Lymph nodes are part of the immune system, they have the ability to filter blood and trap
foreign particles which are harmful to the body. The lymphatic fluid in the lymph node
contains lymphocyte, which is constantly transported around the bloodstream. particles
found on bacteria cells will be taken up by dendritic cells into the lymph node. The lymph
nodes also make antibodies which will go to the blood circulation and find pathogens and
designate them for destruction.
This provides evidence for [M5]

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Task 3
Explain the difference in lymphatic function in health and disease.

How does the lymphatic system function in health and disease?

You must evaluate relevant data to emphasise functional loss of the lymphatic
system in disease. Clearly outline the underlying mechanisms that result in
functional loss of the lymphatic system during disease.

You may wish to focus on several examples of diseases that affect the lymphatic
system.

Remember that every day our bodies are exposed to pathogens and lymph nodes filter out
bacteria but we do not suffer any symptoms and are not aware of this. If pathogenic
bacteria invade in suitable numbers then we need to mount an immune response.

The lymphatic system is a collection of organs and tissue which help

remove toxin, waste and other materials which are harmful to the body. The
lymphatic system primary objective is to transport lymph, a fluid that
contains lymphocytes which targets and fights infections. The lymphatic
system mostly consists of lymphatic vessels which connects to lymph nodes
and filters the lymph. The lymphatic systems come into contact with a lot of
pathogens and foreign materials, and eventually diseases can occur in the
lymphatic system.
Lymphatic systems most common disease is lymphadenopathy which is
when the lymph nodes become enlarged, lymphedema where swellings
occur due to lymph node blockage and certain types of cancers.
Lymphadenopathy is caused by a bacterial infection via infected skin wound
or viral infections such as mononucleosis or HIV infection. Lymphoma is
cancer of the lymph nodes and it results because of the uncontrollable
growth of lymphocytes.
During surgery to remove cancer, the lymphatic will flow back to the heart
and this can cause lymphedema or swellings. This occurs often in women
who have breast cancer removed, so they physicians also remove the
lymph nodes in the arm pits. However, more lymph nodes removed the
higher the risk of swelling and pain caused by lymphedema in the arm. In
modern surgical techniques, less lymph nodes are being removed so there
is fewer lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.
Cattleman disease is an inflammatory disorder which also cause the lymph
node to enlarge and result multiple-organ dysfunction. However, this is not
cancer and it similar to lymphoma, it is treated with chemotherapy. It can
involve singular lymph node or multiple lymph nodes.
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Lymphangiomatosis is diseases involving multiple cysts which is formed

from lymphatic vessels. It is believed to be the consequence of a genetic
mutation.
These diseases of lymphatic systems are treaded when the lymph nodes
become enlarged. Most of the enlarged lymph nodes are not hazardous,
they are can be immune reactions caused by the lymphatic system to fight
of an infection. However, if they nodes become extremely large and stay
like that for a while, this can become hazardous. There is no specific size for
the node to grow to be stated as hazardous however, typically if its larger
centimeter it will become worrisome.
The most common symptoms of lymphatic diseases are when the arm or
groin becomes swelled or the person experience weight loss and sweats at
night. The person will then be checked by PET or CET scan.
The treatment of lymphadenopathy depends on the enlarged lymph node
and other factors effecting the patient. If the patient infection is known,
then the treatment can be easily resolved. However, if the lymph nodes are
still expanding with no obvious explanation then a biopsy takes place to
look for the infection.
If the lymph node is deeper in places such as the abdomen or pelvis, then
the biopsy will take place by a radiologist using image guidance to guide
the needle to the node. This can be also done by a surgeon in an operating
room.
Lymphatic treatment depends on the original cause. These infections can be
treated from antibiotics to supportive care. Lymphedema can be diagnosed
by elevation, compression and physical therapy. Cancer in lymphatic
system is treaded by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
As years pass on and the medical industry create new ways of treating
people, we are more accurately treating the disease causing cells. Drugs
such as Ibrutinib and obintuzumab are been approved and used to treat
these diseases.

This provides evidence for [D3]

Evidence checklist

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P7 A short essay describing the structure and function of the lymphatic system.
M5 a written explanation of how the lymphatic system protects the body.
D3 Explain the difference in lymphatic function in health and disease.
Additional instructions
Results and calculations from practical work should be recorded in your laboratory
notebook. You can either scan these in or type as a word document as part of your
submitted assignment.
The formal write up of the practical work should follow the standard format and include
diagram(s) if useful and a H & S risk analysis
Your assignment should be neatly written or typed. Use page numbers (use page X of Y)
and put your name on each sheet.
The assignment brief should be filled in and show which pages are submitted for each
criteria. You must sign the learner declaration.
Sources of information used should be referenced and given in an appendix.
Although you will not be assessed on your spelling, punctuation or grammar, if it cannot be
read then it cannot be assessed.
If typed then the main body of the report should be in font size 11 or12 and spell checked.
Sources of information
Boyle M et al Human Biology (Collins Advanced Science Series) (Collins Educational,
2002)
Fullick A Body Systems and Health (Life Science In Depth) (Heinemann, 2006)
Johnson M D Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues, 3rd Edition (Benjamin
Cummings, 2005)
Parkinson P A Level Human Biology: Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Human Biology (2000)
Pickering W R A-level Advanced Human Biology Through Diagrams (Oxford University
Press, 2001)
Simpkins J and Williams J I Advanced Human Biology (Collins Educational, 1987)
Tortora G J Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (John Wiley & Sons, 2005)
Tucker L An Introductory Guide to Anatomy and Physiology (EMS Publishing, 2008)
American Journal of Physiology
Journal of Applied Physiology
Journal of Exercise Physiology
Journal of Physiology
Open Physiology Journal
www.bbc.co.uk/health BBC Health
www.biologyguide.net A-level revision site for Biology
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk NHS Direct patient information leaflets
www.physoc.org The Physiological Society
www.s-cool.co.uk GCSE and A-level revision site
www.sedoparking.com/sciencepages.co.uk Science Pages links

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Learner declaration I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is my
own. I have clearly referenced any sources used in the work. I understand that false
declaration is a form of malpractice.
Learner signature:

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Date: