Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
Biochemistry
Enduring Understandings:
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Matter is made up of minute particles called atoms, which are composed of even smaller
components (protons, neutrons, & electrons) that have measurable properties, such as
mass and electrical charge
Elements are arranged and grouped in the periodic table based on their properties. The
periodic table is used to predict common properties of elements
Atoms interact with each other by transferring or sharing valence electrons forming ionic
or covalent bonds. Outer electrons govern the chemical properties
Carbon forms the backbone of bio-compounds because of its ability to form bonds with
a wide variety of element
Chemical energy is potential energy stored in chemical bonds. Chemical reactions can
absorb energy or release energy. Chemical reactions can absorb energy or release
energy.
Enzymes are special biological catalysts (proteins) that lower a reaction’s activation
energy to speed up the chemical reaction in living systems. They are affected by
temperature, and pH.
Water has unique properties that makes life possible on earth. For example, may appear
in a solution and works as a solvent to make mixtures and compounds.
Acids and bases play a role in keeping an organism’s internal pH at an acceptable range
Life elements consist of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and trace
elements to help form key nutrients
There are four important organic compounds known as macromolecules that are
responsible for life, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.
Cells link monomers together to form polymers to build macromolecules and store
energy and break off monomers to release energy or break down macromolecules into
subunits depending on cell needs.
Carbohydrates are an important energy source for cell processes such as saccharides,
starches, and glucose
Lipids provide energy, protective coverings, membrane components, and protective
padding such as triglycerides and phospholipids
Proteins are important to life processes in building and repair, controlling biochemical
reactions, and genetic instructions.
The process of science helps biologists investigate how nature works at all levels, from
the molecules in cells to the biosphere.
Nucleic acids carry genetic information for reproduction and protein synthesis such as
Amino Acids, DNA and RNA.
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Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
Essential Questions:
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How does life depend on atoms and their interactions?
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What does the position of an element on the Periodic table tell us?
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What is the matter in organisms made of?
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How do chemicals combine and break apart inside of living things?
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How do organisms use different types of carbon compounds?
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How are lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids important to
living things?
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How do the processes of ‘dehydration synthesis’ (condensation) and
‘hydrolysis’ contribute to the building and breaking of macromolecules?
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How are enzymes important to metabolic processes and homeostasis?
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Why is the cycling of matter important to life on Earth?
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What is the difference between and acid and a base?
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Why is the analogy of the “lock-and-key” and “induced fit” models of used
to model enzyme activity?
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What are some factors that affect enzyme activity?
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The process of science helps biologists investigate how nature works at all
levels, from the molecules in cells to the biosphere.
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Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
Biochemistry
Critical Skills:
Critical Content:
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Carbohydrate
Lipid
Protein
Nucleic Acid
Macromolecules
Biogeochemical (Matter) Cycle
Nucleotide
Nucleus
Chemical Bonds
Enzyme
Water
Phospholipids
Triglycerides
pH/acid/base
Buffer
Nitrogen
Nutrient
Denitrification
Nitrogen Fixation
Carbon
Oxygen
Hydrogen
Dehydration Synthesis
Hydrolysis
Saturated
Unsaturated
Ionic Bond
Element
Atom
Covalent Bond
Nitrogen fixation
Organic compound
Inorganic compound
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Identify the components of
macromolecules
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Combine element symbols to form
chemical formulas to explain
biochemical reactions
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Assemble the periodic table to
demonstrate the location of each
nutrient element and its characteristic
based upon its properties and
characteristics. For example, N, Cl-,
K, Na, H, O, C, S, Fe, I, Ca+, etc.
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Explain the biogeochemical cycles
and their contributions to maintain a
delicate balance between life and
the environment.
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Model of dehydration-synthesis and
hydrolysis reactions in biochemical
processes.
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Compare and contrast the
importance of ‘dehydration
synthesis’ (condensation) and
‘hydrolysis’ in macromolecule bonds.
Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
Critical Content:
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Critical Skills:
Inorganic compound
Molecule
Amino acid
Polypeptide Bond
Phosphorous
Sulfur
Periodic table
Particle
Matter
Electron
Energy
Adenosine Triphosphate
Adenosine Diphosphate
Saccharide
Monosaccaride
Polysaccharide
Hydrogen Bond
Starch
Chemical Reaction
Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid
(DNA)
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
Adhesion
Cohesion
van der Waals forces
Ion
Activation energy
Isotope
Solution
Solute
Mixture
Suspension
Solvent
Monomer
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Examine the “lock-and-key” and
“induced fit” models of enzyme
activity
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Outline the significance of the
four macromolecules and their
functions essential to all living
organisms.
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Explain of important types of
biochemical reactions.
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Identify the components of the
ADP and ATP cycle.
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Explain the energy storage and
release in the ADP  ATP
reaction in cells.
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Evaluate the properties of
enzymes and the optimal
conditions needed for enzyme
reactions.
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Demonstrate the unique
properties of water and its
relevance to life processes.
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Analyze the Atomic theory and
structure of the atom.
Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
Big Idea:
All living organisms are made of atoms and arise from the building blocks
(macromolecules) of water (the universal solvent) and carbon CHO. Water and the
macromolecules for life: protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids are essential to life.
Equally important are the physical bonds and particles of matter that determine the behavior of
a molecule.
Learning Targets
3.4
The Interdependence of Organisms
3.4.1 The atoms and molecules on the earth cycle among the
living and nonliving components of the biosphere.
3.5
Matter, Energy, and Organization in Living Systems
3.5.1 All matter tends toward more disorganized states.
3.5.2 The energy for life primarily derives from the sun.
3.5.3 The chemical bonds of food molecules contain energy.
3.5.4 The complexity and organization of organisms
accommodates the need for obtaining, transforming,
transporting, releasing, and eliminating the matter and
energy used to sustain the organism.
3.5.5 The distribution and abundance of organisms and
populations in ecosystems are limited by the availability of matter
and energy and the ability of the ecosystem to recycle materials.
3.5.6 As matter and energy flows through the different levels of
organization of living systems--cells, organs, organisms,
communities--and between living systems and the physical
environment, chemical elements are recombined in different
ways.
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Focused
Assessed
Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
Performance Tasks and Suggested Learning Experiences with Ideas for Differentiation
R)=Remediation E)=Extension
Construct/demonstrate a molecular model in 3D demonstrating the
bonding properties between two different monomers to form a polymer.
Sell a compound in a brochure format highlighting the compounds
characteristics and behaviors.
Students will take an oral or written exam of differentiated assessment
practices: true and false, multiple choice, essay, matching, short answer,
and completion.
Students will generate a media video project to present to the class on
the 4 macromolecules. Why is the process of building and breaking
molecules important to life?” See “My Cool Video” Appendix 1
Student
build
a
model
of
a
macromolecule
A paper-scissors-tape activity used to help students envision the process of
synthesis -- using water to build macromolecules out of smaller subunits
see:
http://www.explorebiology.com/apbiology/labs/
Students will fill in a template of the Periodic Table using templates and
tiles demonstrating the system and order of the families/groups and
periods, etc.
Identification of critical life elements and the process of the
biogeochemical cycles in the form of a cartoon or storybook:
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Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
Carbon/Oxygen cycle = Carbohydrate and lipids
Nitrogen Cycle = DNA/RNA/Nucleic Acids/Amino Acids/Proteins
Phosphorous Cycle = Adenosine Triphosphate (cell energy)
Water Cycle = Building and Breaking of Molecules
Students build diagrams that explain the ATP and ADP cycle to identify
the forming and breaking of bonds. Explanation of the energy storage
and release in the ADP  ATP reaction in cells utilizing enzymes.
Explanation of how enzymes work on a lock and key model. Have
students explain and sketch the process to a partner or small group and
then have them repeat it again to another student.
Essay: The unique properties (characteristics) of water make life possible
on Earth. Select three properties of water and:
a. for each property, identify and define the property and
explain it in terms of the physical/chemical nature of water
b. for each property, describe one example of how the
property affects the functioning of living organisms.
Identification of important types of biochemical reactions. Identification
of the properties of Enzymes and the optimal conditions needed for
enzyme reactions.
Students will create a poster that depicts the important details of one
cycle and present in 2 min. its contribution to the cycle of life. Make sure
that multiple students will be presenting on the same cycle and all cycles
are assigned.
Have small groups of students create concept maps relating the concepts:
atom, proton, neutron, electron, element, isotope, compound, ionic
bond, ion, covalent bond, and molecule. Afterwards have each group
share with the class and allow groups to make adjustments as needed.
Labs: Bonding Lab (Ionic vs covalent) using bags of popcorn kernels and
papers marked Na or Cl
Are foods acidic or basic
Hydrolysis Demonstration
Give students one minute to write a short paragraph explaining why one
(carbon, water, phosphorous, nitrogen) cycle is important for sustaining
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Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
life on Earth.
Bromothymol blue indicator lab (CO2 + H2O H2CO3 demonstrates
that carbonic acid is a weak acid
Household items or a foods acidic or basic lab
Properties of water: Water Cohesion and Adhesion Lab
Hydrolysis Demonstration
Crime Lab Macromolecules
Macromolecules Lab
Enzyme Toothpick Activity:
http://www.explorebiology.com/documents/Lab10Toothpickase2005.pdf
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Unit Title: Biochemistry
Grade: 10th grade Biology
Resources
Biology, by Miller and Levine (Pearson)
The Science Teacher’s Book of Lists, by Barhydt and Morgan
http://www.explorebiology.com/apbiology/labs/
“My Cool Science Video Project” © COPYRIGHT 2001-2010 Joan Vandervelde
http://www.microbeworld.org/
www.middleschoolscience.com
www.sciencespot.com
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