Chemistry and Cell Review for Microbiology
Summary
Part 1- One of the prerequisites for this course is General Chemistry, thus students should have some knowledge about basic chemical principles. This class activity is designed to allow students to review selected topics in Chemistry.
Part 2- Another prerequisite for this course is General Biology, thus students should have some knowledge about cell biology most likely with an emphasis on eukaryotic cells. This class activity is designed to allow for a review of eukaryotic cells.
Both of these activities relate to the Learning Outcome of Structure and Function
Learning Goals
Students should be able to:
describe how the various levels of chemical organization relate to structure and function of organic chemicals
describe how the various levels of chemical organization related to the structure and function of cellular components
compare and contrast the four categories of organic chemicals
relate the structures of cellular components to their functions
describe how the various levels of chemical organization relate to structure and function of organic chemicals
describe how the various levels of chemical organization related to the structure and function of cellular components
compare and contrast the four categories of organic chemicals
relate the structures of cellular components to their functions
Context for Use
These two review activities are for students in an Introduction to Microbiology Course. The two science prerequisites are Non-major's Biology and an Introductory Chemistry Course. Both activities should take most of a 1.5 hour class period. Portable white boards and dry erase markers will be needed (or large pieces of paper and markers). The students should be familiar with general concepts of chemistry as well as general concepts of cell biology. However, I assign homework for the students to prepare for the activities (see below). These activities are to be completed very early in the course as part of a review that prepares the students for more in depth study of prokaryotic cells.
Description and Teaching Materials
Class Activity 1a: Chemistry (5 points) and Class Activity 1b: Eukaryotic Cells- from Assignment on Canvas
Preparation for Monday's class- Read Chapter 2 Chemistry, complete Chemistry handout, view Inner Life of a Cell online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJyUtbn0O5Y (Links to an external site.)
Class Activity 1a: Chemistry
One of the prerequisites for this course is General Chemistry, thus students should have some knowledge about basic chemical principles. This class activity is designed to allow students to review selected topics in Chemistry. Students might ask "why is this important"? Instead of answering that question here, the goal is to answer that question while doing this assignment.
Learning Outcome Alignment Structure and Function
Class Activity 1b: Eukaryotic Cells
Another prerequisite for this course is General Biology, thus students should have some knowledge about cell biology most likely with an emphasis on eukaryotic cells. If any students have forgotten the basics of cell biology, I recommend that he/she watches the video and reads that section in the book.
Learning Outcome Alignment Structure and Function
Pre-class Preparation Chapter 2- Chemistry
Define matter
Draw, label, and describe the parts of a Carbon atom
Describe the role of electrons in the various types of bonds from pages 23-25
Why are chemical bonds important to Microbiology?
Describe pH
Describe the role of water in chemical reactions
Look over the following figures: 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.9, 2.10, 2.12, 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 2.19, 2.21, 2.22, 2.24, 2.25, 2.28, and 2.29.
What are the primary elements found in carbohydrates?
What are monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides?
What is the chemical formula of glucose?
What are the functions of carbohydrates?
What are the primary elements found in lipids?
What are triglycerides and their components?
What are phospholipids and their components?
What are the functions of lipids?
What are the primary elements found in proteins?
What are amino acids and what is the basic structure of an amino acid?
What are the functions of proteins?
What are the four structural levels of proteins?
What are the primary elements found in nucleic acids?
What are nucleotides and what are their three components?
Compare and contrast DNA, RNA, and ATP.
In Class Activities-
Chemistry Activity- students were assigned to groups and given questions from the pre-class preparation to answer as a group. They were given time to write the answers to the questions on white boards and then they presented that information to the class and answered questions.
Future improvement- will be to have students compare and contrast the four categories of organic compounds. This will be done in groups and then that will be shared out to the entire class.
Cell Activity- students worked in the same groups and were asked to identify specific cellular structures and their functions while viewing the film "Inner Life of a Cell". The students then will share their answers with the class.
Preparation for Monday's class- Read Chapter 2 Chemistry, complete Chemistry handout, view Inner Life of a Cell online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJyUtbn0O5Y (Links to an external site.)
Class Activity 1a: Chemistry
One of the prerequisites for this course is General Chemistry, thus students should have some knowledge about basic chemical principles. This class activity is designed to allow students to review selected topics in Chemistry. Students might ask "why is this important"? Instead of answering that question here, the goal is to answer that question while doing this assignment.
Learning Outcome Alignment Structure and Function
Class Activity 1b: Eukaryotic Cells
Another prerequisite for this course is General Biology, thus students should have some knowledge about cell biology most likely with an emphasis on eukaryotic cells. If any students have forgotten the basics of cell biology, I recommend that he/she watches the video and reads that section in the book.
Learning Outcome Alignment Structure and Function
Pre-class Preparation Chapter 2- Chemistry
Define matter
Draw, label, and describe the parts of a Carbon atom
Describe the role of electrons in the various types of bonds from pages 23-25
Why are chemical bonds important to Microbiology?
Describe pH
Describe the role of water in chemical reactions
Look over the following figures: 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.9, 2.10, 2.12, 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 2.19, 2.21, 2.22, 2.24, 2.25, 2.28, and 2.29.
What are the primary elements found in carbohydrates?
What are monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides?
What is the chemical formula of glucose?
What are the functions of carbohydrates?
What are the primary elements found in lipids?
What are triglycerides and their components?
What are phospholipids and their components?
What are the functions of lipids?
What are the primary elements found in proteins?
What are amino acids and what is the basic structure of an amino acid?
What are the functions of proteins?
What are the four structural levels of proteins?
What are the primary elements found in nucleic acids?
What are nucleotides and what are their three components?
Compare and contrast DNA, RNA, and ATP.
In Class Activities-
Chemistry Activity- students were assigned to groups and given questions from the pre-class preparation to answer as a group. They were given time to write the answers to the questions on white boards and then they presented that information to the class and answered questions.
Future improvement- will be to have students compare and contrast the four categories of organic compounds. This will be done in groups and then that will be shared out to the entire class.
Cell Activity- students worked in the same groups and were asked to identify specific cellular structures and their functions while viewing the film "Inner Life of a Cell". The students then will share their answers with the class.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Since these complimentary activities are basically review of material from other courses, this means that the students will vary in how well they remember and understand the topics. Thus, in order for the students to benefit from the review, they should do some reading before they come to class.
Assessment
The students will be given immediate feedback during the class and later will be tested over the information
References and Resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJyUtbn0O5Y - link to Inner Life of a Cell video