EQ: How do the macromolecules found in corn /soybeans get into a cow’s milk?

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: PART II

From moo to you!

Look at the following equation and use it to answer the following questions.

Light Energy Input

6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 O2

C6H12O6 is the chemical formula for glucose. It means

that there are 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms in the glucose molecule.

Where did the plant get the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen it needed to build the glucose

molecule?

BIO SCAN:

Recognize that enzymes play a key role in biological reactions.

Recognize that nutrients are both a source of energy AND a source of material for growth and development.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

Purpose: To model the processes that break apart and rebuild molecules in a biological system.

INVESTIGATION

If this is a “plant” PROTEIN…

Then, what does each individual block represent?

PROCEDURE

Amino Acid

Polymer

Monomer

Each group of four students will be given a set of role cards and 3 of the “plant” protein molecules shown above.

Assign each group member a role (1, 2, 3, or 4).For today’s activity, you will play the role of an

ENZYME. Enzymes are organic molecules that help speed up chemical reactions. Because of their unique structure, enzymes are very specific in the functions that they carry out inside an organism’s cells. Each enzyme does a specific job, and only that job! Carefully read the directions on the role sheet for your enzyme. Make sure you understand your role for this activity. You must follow the instruction for your job exactly.

For the purpose of this lab, your hands are enzymes!

PROCEDURE

The group member with role sheet one will start with all three “plant” proteins. #1 will follow the instructions on the top half of their card to complete their task and pass the pieces to #2. (Pass each protein as you finish it versus completing all three and then passing).

#2 will perform their task (top half of card) and pass to #3, and

#3 will perform their task (top half) and pass to number #4.

#4 will complete their task (top half) and pass the pieces to #1 who will now follow the instructions on the bottom of their sheet.

Continue following the instructions on the bottom until #4 finishes their task.

PROCEDURE

Group # With two enzymes With one enzyme

Cow Human Cow Human

1

2

3

4

5

6

TABLE 1: TIME REQUIRED FOR DECOMPOSITION AND SYNTHESIS OF

PROTEINS

Enzymes can only catalyze a specific reaction.

Enzymes can be used over and over again.

Enzymes remain unchanged in chemical reactions.

The more enzymes the faster the rate of reaction.

NOTES

Describe three ways this activity models the real function of enzymes in your body. Use specific examples from the lab.

CHECK IN

Plant Protein

Broken Down (digested)

into Individual parts or

“amino acids” in the cow

Cow Protein

Broken Down (digested)

into Individual parts or

“amino acids” in the human

Animal Protein

INVESTIGATION

Plant protein

Enzyme 1 (Role 1)

Enzyme 2 (Role 2)

Amino acids

COW DIGESTS THE PLANT PROTEIN

BIOSYNTHESIS OF COW PROTEIN

Enzyme 3 (Role 3)

Enzyme 4 Role 4)

Cow protein

Enzyme 1 (Role 1)

Enzyme 2 (Role 2)

Amino acids

HUMAN DIGESTS THE COW PROTEIN

BIOSYNTHESIS OF HUMAN PROTEIN

Enzyme 3 (Role 3)

Enzyme 4 (Role 4)

1. Describe the role of a plant, a cow and a human in a simple food chain.

2. What happens to the amino acids from a plant protein before they are used by the cow?

3. What happens to the amino acids from a cow protein before it is used by the human?

4. What process is being il lustrated by the breaking apart of the amino acids between each organism?

5. Each of you had a specifi c job to complete during this exercise. Describe some of the things that happened as you worked through this activity.

6. Did you ever fi nd yourself with nothing to do? When did this occur?

7. What are some things that may have sped up the process for YOUR job?

8. Why were you not allowed to make or break down proteins for diff erent organisms at the same time?

ANALYSIS QUESTIONS

Chemical processes that occur within living organisms.

METABOLISM

Monomers Polymers Sometimes called biosynthesis

SYNTHESIS REACTION

Polymers MonomersDigestive Enzymes break down polymers in food into

monomers. Hydrolysis of Sucrose Animation

DECOMPOSITION REACTION

Biological catalysts (speed up chemical reactions)Only work on specific substrates (reactants)Can be reusedEnzyme Animation

ENZYMES

Without Enzymes

Collisions are random

With Enzymes

Enzymes bring reactants together.

ENZYME ANIMATION

Where do organisms obtain the constituent molecules needed for the growth and development of the organism?

How do these molecules end up in the cells and tissues of organisms?

EXIT ASSESSMENT