SBI 4U Enzyme/Toxin/”Weight-Loss” Drug Research Project
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The purpose of this project is to research one of the following:
 an enzyme used in the food and pharmaceutical industry
 an enzyme used in bioremediation (i.e. cleaning up oil spills or mine tailings)
 an enzyme used biofuel production
 effects of a metabolic toxin on the body
 a specific “weight-loss” drug.
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You will need to include the following information:
 Any common and chemical/IUPAC names for your molecule.
 A diagram of your molecule.
 Brief history, including discovery/development information, for your molecule.
 Where is this molecule made/found, in which organism(s) is it produced (or how is it produced if it is
synthetic)
 What is the function/action of this molecule on metabolism? Be specific.
 ENZYMES ONLY- How is the molecule used and the importance of enzymes to that application.
 TOXIN ONLY- What metabolic pathway does it affect? Physical properties? Antidotes/treatments, if
applicable.
 “WEIGHT-LOSS” DRUG ONLY- Why is it important when changing your diet to know how the cells
in your body will react to the introduction of new substances? How can this drug damage your
system?
 Other interesting information.
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You will need to create a ONE-PAGE fact sheet including all of the required information.
You also MUST include complete references (bibliography) for all information, including
pictures/diagrams, on a separate page (appendix). Please make sure to refer to any appendices in
your one page fact sheet, otherwise I will not look at it!
 THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A PROPER REFERENCE
SHEET ATTACHED!

THE DUE DATE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT IS: __________________________________
Examples of enzymes in the
pharmaceutical and food industries:
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Enzymes to weaken or strengthen wheat gluten
Enzymes to derive sweeteners from starch
Enzymes to produce cheese flavourings
Enzymes to assist in food allergies and
intolerances
Enzymes to increase yields and improve health
benefits of fruit and vegetable juices
Enzymes to reduce bitterness in proteincontaining foods
Enzymes to improve colour in teas and coffees
Enzymes to produce penicillin
Enzymes to treat muscle and joint inflammation
Enzymes to treat pancreatitis
Enzyme formulations for use in conjunction with
other medicines to reduce required dosage
and/or side effects
Examples of metabolic toxins to research:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Antimycin
Cyanide
Hydrogen sulfide
Malonate
Rotenone
Arsenic
Criteria
K/U
Knowledge of Content
(Includes required
information in detail)
Plans and conducts an
inquiry
T/I
(Research and
Bibliography)
Organization and Report
Formatting
Level 1
demonstrates some
knowledge of content
C
MC
(connections made
between metabolism
and topic)
demonstrates some
knowledge of content
Level 3
demonstrates considerable
knowledge of content
Level 4
demonstrates thorough
knowledge of content
demonstrates skills required
to plan and conduct a
scientific inquiry with limited
competence
demonstrates skills
required to plan and
conduct a scientific inquiry
with some competence
demonstrates skills required to
plan and conduct a scientific
inquiry with considerable
competence
demonstrates skills
required to plan and
conduct a scientific inquiry
with a high degree of
competence
references are rarely
formatted according to MLA
or APA standards
most references are
properly formatted
according to MLA or APA
standards
almost all references are
properly formatted according to
MLA or APA standards
all references are properly
formatted according to
MLA or APA standards
little to no evidence of
organization and report does
not follow required format
some evidence of
organization and report
somewhat follows required
format
evidence of organization and
report generally follows required
format
report is highly organized
and report is flawless in
format
uses scientific terminology,
symbols, SI units with limited
accuracy and effectiveness
uses scientific terminology,
symbols, SI units with
some accuracy and
effectiveness
uses scientific terminology,
symbols, SI units with
considerable accuracy and
effectiveness
uses scientific terminology,
symbols, SI units with a
high degree of accuracy
and effectiveness
spells and applies rules of
grammar with limited
accuracy and effectiveness
spells and applies rules of
grammar with some
accuracy and effectiveness
spells and applies rules of
grammar with considerable
accuracy and effectiveness
spells and applies rules of
grammar with a high
degree of accuracy and
effectiveness
transfers knowledge and
skills to unfamiliar contexts
with limited effectiveness
transfers knowledge and
skills to unfamiliar contexts
with some effectiveness
transfers knowledge and skills
to unfamiliar contexts with
considerable effectiveness
transfers knowledge and
skills to unfamiliar contexts
with a high degree of
effectiveness
Vocabulary
Transfer of Knowledge
and Skills
Level 2