Discuss two effects of the environment on one or more physiological processes.

Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review of two effects of the environment on one or more physiological processes.

Candidates should explicitly identify an appropriate environmental factor and the relevant physiological process.

Examples of how the environment may affect physiological processes include, but are not limited to:

• jet lag on Circadian rhythms
• daylight hours and levels of melatonin
• poverty on neuroplasticity
• environmental stressors and General Adaptation Syndrome
• effects of institutionalization on growth and physical development.

Examples of studies include, but are not limited to:

• Maguire et al.’s (2000) on neuroplasticity in the hippocampus of taxi drivers
• Marmot et al.’s (1997) Whitehall study on workplace stress and general health
• Meaney’s (1988) study on how environmental stressors lead to hippocampal cell loss in rats
• Rosenzweig and Bennett’s (1972) study on stimulating environments and dendritic branching
• Bremner et al. (2003) on environmental stressors and the reduction of hippocampal volume.

Discussion of the effects may include, but is not limited to:

• methodological and/or ethical issues
• supporting and contrary findings
• application of the findings
• contributing factors other than the environment affecting physiological processes.

If a candidate discusses more than two effects, credit should be given only to the first two discussions.

If a candidate discusses only one effect, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [5] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [4] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization. The response does not have to be evenly balanced to gain high marks.