Background Information

Activities

General Outline

  1. Review of basic organic chemistry and assays from previous week
  2. Proteins
    1. Introduce amino acids and peptide bonds
    2. Discuss protein functions and levels of structure (Structure & Function)
      • Use the simulation to illustrate the nature of amino acids in polar/nonpolar solvents (Simulation/Modeling)
    1. Describe the Biuret test for the presence of peptide bonds
    2. Lead students in making predictions and using the table to illustrate
      experimental/controls (Process of Science)
    3. Have students perform the test and discuss the predictions/results
    4. Review results of the unknown urine samples in conjunction with the previous week Benedict’s test
  3. Nucleic Acids
    1. Review the constituents of nucleic acids
    2. Define the difference between ribose/deoxyribose with an emphasis on positions 1,2,3,5 (Information Flow)
    3. Briefly describe the antiparallel strands of DNA and the H-bonds
      • Discuss base pairing
    4. Detection of nucleic acids
      1. Extract DNA from fruit
        1. ensure that a sliver of banana is used otherwise the homogenate will not filter
        2. Collect the DNA and pool into a tube and dissolve in water
      2. Perform the Dische’s test
        1. Please note that the Dische’s is a teratogen
          1. It is a violation of Title IX to inquire about a student’s pregnancy status
          2. Please let only the male students handle it for additional safety and explain this to them
        2. The test should turn blue for DNA if the diphenylamine is functioning
  4. Review macromolecules
    1. This is a convenient lab report opportunity to tie-in nutrition and biomolecules (excluding nucleic acids) (Communication, Life-long Learning)
    2. Please note that you will receive unknowns that you can use with the students for identification. These are not written into any exercise but are available to reinforce and summarize both weeks.

Curricular Notes

These exercises emphasize NSF Vision & Change Core Competency

  1. Simulation/Modeling
  2. Process of Science: Emphasis on controls and unknown/experimentals
  3. Communication: Through a lab report

These exercises emphasize NSF Vision & Change Core Concepts

  1. Information Flow
  2. Structure and Function

General Education Learning Outcome

  1. Life-long Learning
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