The following 14 Sample Student Responses represent a range of score points.

Score for Sample Student Response #1: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response demonstrates a full and complete understanding of the question. Pertinent and complete details are provided about several body systems (digestive system breaks food into tiny, usable molecules that are capable of passing through the cell membrane into the cell; excretory system gets rid of waste that's passed out of cells because they can't be absorbed or used). The discussion of active transport (this type of movement requires energy) and passive transport (Diffusion…moves particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. This maintains equilibrium between cells and their environment) integrates ideas throughout the entire response (most important cell structure…is the cell membrane).

Score for Sample Student Response #2: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response demonstrates some understanding of the question. The cell membrane is identified and briefly described (controlls what comes in and out by either blocking or giving a free passage). The process of osmosis is mentioned. The supporting details in the response are only minimally effective. (Compare to this Level 1 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #3: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a basic understanding of the question. Adequate details about cell membrane selective permeability are provided (function…is to regulate what goes into and what comes out of a cell. Things that are too large have no way of breaking into the cell). Processes responsible for the movement of materials into and out of cells are identified (diffusion; osmosis) and briefly and generally explained (particles of the right size diffuse into the cell without the use of energy; Osmosis is the diffusion of water). (Compare to this Level 2 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #4: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response demonstrates a full and complete understanding of the question. Pertinent and complete supporting details show an integration of ideas throughout the response, especially in the discussion of the role and function of the cell membrane (cell membrane…is the primary "guardian" of the cell; it decides what goes into and out of the cell; larger molecules have to be "let in" to the cell using an extremely important system of channels that are intermeshed within the membrane). The processes of diffusion and osmosis are also integrated into the discussion (balancing of the amount of water inside and outside the cell is called osmosis, while the balancing of any type of molecule that can freely move around is called diffusion). Several body systems are identified and their functions described (respirtory; digestive; excretory). The conclusion reflects a complete synthesis of information in the response (These systems and the cellular membrane control the contents of the cell so that only what is needed inside the cell gets inside the cell, and what is not needed or is even dangerous to the cell…stays outside the cell). (Compare to this Level 4 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #5: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates a good understanding of the question. The discussion of the structure and function of the cell membrane includes a description of the processes responsible for the movement of materials into and out of cells (processes that allow for this movement are difusion, facilitated difusion, and osmosis; the direction of water movement depends o the concentration on either side of the cell; molecules must be small enough to fit through the pores of the membrane). Accurate scientific terminology (hypertonic; hypotonic; non-polar molecules) strengthens the response. The supporting details are generally complete. A discussion of body systems and additional supporting detail are needed for a higher score. (Compare to this Level 3 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #6: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response demonstrates some understanding of the question. Several body systems are identified and generally described (excretory system removes waste out of the body; circulatory system pumps blood into all of the cells of the body; digestive system allows nutrients to be moved throughout the body). The supporting details are only minimally effective. (Compare to this Level 1 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #7: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a basic understanding of the question. Adequate details are provided through the discussion of the cell membrane (simi-periable bilayer allows water and oxygen to enter the cell and still hold its shape; energy in needed to allow item into and out of the cell). The process of osmosis is identified and briefly described (movement of water into and out of the cell). (Compare to this Level 2 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #8: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a basic understanding of the question. The cell structures involved in transporting materials are identified (cell membrane; vacuole) and described with adequate supporting detail (cell membrane allows for diffusion to occur; protein that assist in moving materials; vacuole is used like a pump, pumping out materials). The process responsible for the movement of materials into and out of cells is identified (diffusion) and adequately described (materials move from higher concentration to lower concentration). (Compare to this Level 2 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #9: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates a good understanding of the question. A discussion of the composition of the cell membrane (made up of lipids and proteins; lipids have a hydrophillic head, and hydrophobic tails) and the function of the cell membrane (the selectively permeable membrane allows some materials to pass into the cell and others can not; Diffusion, the movement of a substance from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, pushes materials into the cell) helps provide generally complete supporting details. Accurate scientific terminology (hydrophillic head; hydrophobic tails; gated channels) strengthens the response. (Compare to this Level 3 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #10: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response demonstrates some understanding of the question. The semi-permeable membrane of a cell is identified and generally described (allows some things to pass in and out but can also stop the entrance of other materials; has small passageways that small objects can pass, but larger materials are stopped and can't come in). Much of the remaining information in the response, though mostly correct, is not relevant to this question. Overall, the supporting details are only minimally effective.

Score for Sample Student Response #11: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response demonstrates a full and complete understanding of the question. Cell structures are identified (cell membrane, specifically the lipid bilayer, and transport proteins) and described using pertinent and complete supporting details (the lipid bilayer lets small molecules such as water H2O in, while not letting in non-polar or large structures. Transport proteins are involved in serving as channels or gates through the cell membrane, in which larger molecules can move through.). The discussion of the role and function of body systems reflects an integration of ideas about the movement of materials into and out of cells (respiratory system obtains the oxygen needed for cell work – cellular respiration specifically; the cardiovascular system transports oxygen to the cells). Accurate scientific terminology (lipid bilayer; transport proteins; endocytosis; exocytosis) enhances the response.

Score for Sample Student Response #12: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response shows a good understanding of the question. Cell structures (plasma membrane) are identified and their functions described (For more complex materials facilitaded diffusion is used. With the help of transport proteins, special molecules are allowed to pass through the plasma membrane. Everything that goes in or out of a cell passes through the phospholipid bilayer or the plasma membrane.). Body systems involved in the movement of materials into and out of cells are identified by their function (materials come by blood through capilleries; blood gets what it needs through digestion of food). The processes responsible for the movement of materials into and out of cells are identified (diffusion; osmosis) and described (the movement of particles from an area of greater concentration to one of lesser concentration). Accurate scientific terminology (facilitaded diffusion; transport proteins; phospholipid bilayer) strengthens the response. (Compare to this Level 3 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #13: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response demonstrates some understanding of the question. A cell structure is identified (cell membrane) and described using minimally effective supporting details (controls what comes in and out of a cell; only certain objects can get through it). Much of the remainder of the response is incorrect or irrelevant to the question. (Compare to this Level 1 anchor paper.)

Score for Sample Student Response #14: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a basic understanding of the question. A cell structure is identified (cell membrane) and described (act as a semipermeable membrane, which allows the cell to take in materials it needs and expel…materials it doesn't). The process of diffusion is identified and described (used to let water and other valuable substances enter and exit the body without using energy). The supporting details are adequate. (Compare to this Level 2 anchor paper.)

Anchor Papers used in scoring