Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care

UNIT 31: PHYSIOLOGY OF CO-ORDINATIONLearners should receive guidance on strategies to do this, for example addingsupplementary images to explore a structural detail, additional labelling or writtenannotation, and preferably all of these for more competent learners. Data presentedshould be individual even when relying on visual images, for example presentation bythe tutors of a diagram of the eye to be labelled is not acceptable. In designingassessment activities for inclusion in the assignment brief, tutors should considercarefully what format is appropriate in order to enable learners to include the detailrequired to demonstrate higher levels of achievement. Where analysis or evaluationis required, written evidence in the form of continuous prose, possibly using a reportformat, would be more appropriate to enable learners to develop coherentarguments and ideas.Assessment evidence for this unit could be based on one holistic assignment, or threesmaller ones, the first based on P1 and M1, the second based on P2, and the thirdbased on P3, P4, P5, M2, M3 and D1.P1 requires an overview of the functions of the sensory, nervous and endocrinesystems in the co-ordination of the human body, this being extended for M1 toinclude how the two systems are integrated and the importance of the hypothalamusand anterior pituitary gland.Evidence for P2, P3, P4 and P5 will include annotated diagrams supported by writtenevidence. M2 requires learners to explain what happens when the functioning ofpituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands becomes impaired, and the impact of this onthe human body. A piece of written work will be required for this, possibly supportedby diagrams or other visual images. M3 requires learners to consider the physiologicalresponses of the body to injury and shock, and the benefits of these in terms ofhuman survival. Finally, D1 draws together many aspects of the unit, requiringlearners to examine in detail the roles of the sensory, nervous and endocrine systemsworking in an integrated manner in the maintenance of normal functioning of internalorgans and structures. In other words, how the three systems of the body worktogether in terms of receiving information about changes in the external/internalenvironments, and co-ordinating responses to these in order to protect the body andmaintain the environment of the cells of the body within the ranges necessary forlife.Links to National Occupational Standards, other BTEC units, other BTECqualifications and other relevant units and qualificationsThe knowledge and skills gained through this unit link to Unit 5: Fundamentals ofAnatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care, Unit 13: Physiology of FluidBalance, Unit 14: Physiological Disorders, Unit 32: Mobility and Exercise for Healthand Social Care and Unit 33: Physical Science for Health.This unit may also enable learners to gain some of the underpinning knowledge forthe following units of the Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care:• Unit HSC31: Promote effective communication for and about individuals• Unit HSC32: Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security inthe working environment• Unit HSC33: Reflect on and develop your practice.398BN018467 – Specification – Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care– Issue 1 – February 2007 © Edexcel Limited 2007