Macromolecules and Enzymes
This unit takes the basic concepts of the chemistry of life unit and begins to apply them toward some of the important functions of life. Students will learn about structure and function of monosaccharides, polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. This is often a very difficult unit for students taking introduction to biology. The molecules are large, complex, and have very abstract structures. The last section of this unit covers enzyme structure and function.
Macromolecules and Enzymes Lecture Powerpoint
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Purpose: This Powerpoint provides the structure and ordering of the unit. Break up the lecture into sections by adding activites, discussions, labs, and videos. This will allow the material within the unit to be taught in small, managable amounts, while giving students the opportunity to apply the knowledge in a variety of different ways. A fillable student notes outline is also available for this lecture.
Essential Concepts: Valence electrons, octet rule, carbon, organic compounds, organic chemistry, macromolecules, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, monomer, polymer, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, glucose, fructose, galactose, lactose, sucrose, starch, chitin, cellulose, glycogen, glycerol, fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, phospholipid bilayer, protein shape, protein function, primary structure, secondary structure, tertiary structure, quaternary structure, sickle cell anemia, denaturation, enzymes, activation energy.
Macromolecules and Enzymes Lecture Notes Outline
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Purpose: Taking efficient notes can be a big challenge for many students, especially when working from a Powerpoint lecture. This outline gives students a means to take notes that guides them toward important concepts and avoids the pitfalls of writing word-for-word or simply not taking notes at all. The outline is written as a series of questions, fill-in-the-blanks, or diagrams.
Essential Concepts: Valence electrons, octet rule, carbon, organic compounds, organic chemistry, macromolecules, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, monomer, polymer, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, glucose, fructose, galactose, lactose, sucrose, starch, chitin, cellulose, glycogen, glycerol, fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, phospholipid bilayer, protein shape, protein function, primary structure, secondary structure, tertiary structure, quaternary structure, sickle cell anemia, denaturation, enzymes, activation energy.
Chemical Tests of Biologically Important Molecules Lab
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Purpose: A standard lab found in nearly every introduction to biology course. Students are introduced to the use of Benedict's solution, iodine, sudan IV, Biuret, and dische diphenylamine solution to identify simple sugars, polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. This lab was written to be as clear and concise as possible for an introduction to biology level student.
Essential Concepts: Macromolecules, organic molecules, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, Benedict's solution, iodine, Biuret, dische diphenylamine, Sudan IV, positive control, negative control.
Identifying Macromolecules in Unknowns Lab
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Purpose: This is a followup to the biologically important molecules lab. Students should already be familiar with each of the main biochemical tests (Benedict's, iodine, Biuret, Sudan IV, and dische diphenylamine). The class will be given a set of unknowns (usually food products such as whole milk and lemonade) and asked to identify the biochemical makeup of each.
Essential Concepts: Macromolecules, organic molecules, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, Benedict's solution, iodine, Biuret, dische diphenylamine, Sudan IV.
Enzymatic Digestion of Starch and Protein Lab
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Purpose: This is a second followup to the biologically important molecules lab, this time placing a focus on the digestive activity of enzymes. Students will conduct hydrolysis reactions of proteins using pepsin and starch using amylase. The solutions will be tested for simple sugars, starch and protein before and after completion of the hydrolysis reactions by using the iodine, Benedict's, and Biuret tests.
Essential Concepts: Macromolecules, organic molecules, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, enzymes, digestion, hydrolysis.
Macromolecules and Enzymes Study Guide
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Purpose: This worksheet is a set of vocabulary words and practice questions meant to encourage students to condense their notes into a more manageable form to study from. The questions and vocabulary are taken directly from the lecture Powerpoint for this unit.
Essential Concepts: Valence electrons, octet rule, carbon, organic compounds, organic chemistry, macromolecules, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, monomer, polymer, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, glucose, fructose, galactose, lactose, sucrose, starch, chitin, cellulose, glycogen, glycerol, fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, phospholipid bilayer, protein shape, protein function, primary structure, secondary structure, tertiary structure, quaternary structure, sickle cell anemia, denaturation, enzymes, activation energy.
