Having watched a video about biomolecules and read about biomolecules, it is time to build biomolecules! Thanks to a DonorsChoose grant last school year, we have a class set of molecular modeling kits and students used those to work through the first half of the What is the Chemical Nature of Biomolecules packet. Students learned how to use the molecular modeling kits and then used the components to model molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and ultimately glucose. We will complete the packet tomorrow, with students modeling how two glucose molecules combine to form a disaccharide, and then they will extend their learning about fatty acids and amino acids.
Monthly Archives: December 2015
Molecular Structure and Properties: Octet Rule
For today’s starter activity, students were challenged to draw the molecular structures represented by the chemical equation for cellular respiration:
C6H12O6 + O2 -> H2O + CO2 + ATP
Many students were able to draw molecular oxygen (O2, with a double bond between the two oxygen atoms), water, and carbon dioxide (also with double bonds connecting the central carbon atom to the two oxygen atoms). The molecular structure of glucose (C6H12O6) was far more challenging. We transitioned into Lesson 32, which brought together the concepts of molecular structures, valence electrons, covalent bonding, and Lewis dot symbols. We reviewed the Lesson 32 PowerPoint and then students worked in groups of four to complete the Lesson 32 worksheet. To help students visualize molecular structures, we used the molecular modeling kits. The kits were especially helpful in helping students understand double and triple bonds.
Energy, Matter, and Organization: Catch-up day
With most students needing some additional class time to complete one or more assignments, we used today as a catch-up day where students could use the Chromebooks, work in small groups, and receive focused help from the teacher. Tomorrow we will begin learning how to build biomolecules using our molecular modeling kits. Students have until Wednesday to complete and turn in unfinished work, and the classroom will be open after school tomorrow for students who would like additional help outside of normal class time.
Energy, Matter, and Organization: Cellular Respiration Quiz
With the hugely successful Career Fair extending Advisory today, we used the 25 minute class period for a quiz covering cellular respiration, body systems, biomolecules, and feedback.
Molecular Structure and Properties: Lewis Dot Symbols
The Lesson 31 PowerPoint introduced students to Lewis Dot Symbols. Students worked in groups of four to complete the Lesson 31 Worksheet using the Lewis Dot Puzzle Pieces. For homework, students were assigned problems 1, 2, and 5 from the textbook for Chapter 31.
Energy, Matter, and Organization: Biomolecules Reading
To reinforce learning from the video yesterday, we reviewed how the digestive system processes biomolecules into subunits which are then recycled into new biomolecules. White board notes are shown below:
After, students worked on the Biomolecules Reading assignment in Google Classroom. Students have the option of completing the reading and Google Doc worksheet alone, in pairs, or in groups of four. However, each student must turn in an assignment.
Molecular Structure and Properties: Bonding Tendencies
Students received their graded Unit 1 Exams back today. The scores were generally very good, although one question missed by several students had to do with the origin of precious metals on Earth. While the exams were being returned, students watched the video below explaining how those metals are formed when a star becomes a supernova.
After the video, we revisited Lesson 29 after students explained they were unable to locate the mystery scents yesterday. As “luck” would have it, I was able to find butyric acid in the chemical supply room, so students had the option of experiencing a putrid smell in addition to the sweet smells of apricot and artificial rum extracts. We connected the smells with the chemical name endings learned in Lesson 28 and then moved on to Lesson 30. We reviewed the Lesson 30 PowerPoint and then worked together as a class on the first four problems of the Lesson 30 Worksheet.
Energy, Matter, and Organization: Biomolecules
We began the day with an entry task designed to pull forward student learning about cellular respiration just before the Thanksgiving holiday break. The white board summary showing the entry task, as well as the formulas for both cellular respiration and photosynthesis are shown below:
We then transitioned to a class assignment where students were divided into four teams, with each team responsible for answering one quarter of the worksheet questions answered in the Crash Course Biomolecules video (below). After the video, student groups worked together to talk through their responses to ensure consistency. Finally, students re-grouped in order to share answers, thus serving to review the video content and provide students the opportunity to discuss and debate answers.
Energy, Matter, and Organization: Food: Our Body’s Source of Energy
Special thank you to Mr. Frank for helping guide my biology students through the day. Students are expected to adhere to our new seating chart and use class time efficiently to complete the following work:
- Finish the Relating Nutrition & Chronic Disease worksheet packet from yesterday. The packet should be turned in when completed.
- Complete the Google Classroom assignment Food: Our Body’s Source of Energy reading and Google Doc worksheet.
- Students who finish should ensure they have competed the previous Google Classroom assignment Why Can’t You Hold Your Breath Forever?
- The next assignment will be the Molecules Reading assignment already loaded in Google Classroom.
Molecular Structure and Properties: Structural Formulas
Special thanks to Mr. Frank for guiding students through the Lesson 29 PowerPoint. The lesson follows up on learning from Lesson 28, with students working in the same groups of four to hypothesize how unknown compounds will smell based on the properties of compounds studied in the previous lesson. Students are welcome to retrieve the Lesson 28 worksheet they turned in yesterday in order to complete the Lesson 29 worksheet. Both should be turned in at the end of class. For homework, students should complete Lesson 29 textbook questions #3-7.
Reminders:
- Use the wafting technique when sniffing the new compounds.
- We do not have access to butyric acid at school, but rest assured, it smells awful (putrid – literally like vomit). Learn more about butyric acid at wisegeek.org.
- Please save the tubes for Ms. Schulze’s 4th period chemistry class.
Science with Swart 
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