Subject/Course Title: Biology OL/LS 2015-16
Unit Title/Skill Set: 2. The Chemical Basis of Life
Overview: This unit includes the emergent properties of water and organic compounds and
how they are essential for life on earth.
Unit Essential Question(s): How is life a product of the organization and interaction of
matter?
Unit Key Questions as Do Now’s:
3a Describe the types of chemical bonds and their importance to living things.
3b Describe the unique properties of water.
3c Explain how the unique properties of water make life on earth possible.
7a Describe the structure of a carbon atom.
7b Explain how carbon atoms bond to form biological macromolecules.
7c Describe how biological macromolecules form from monomers.
7d Compare the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
in organisms.
9a Explain how enzymes act as catalysts to regulate biochemical reactions.
9b Explain how environmental factors affect the function and reaction rate of the enzyme.
9c Interpret graphs to analyze enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS OL/LS 2015-16
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Every reading assignment is expected to be completed BEFORE you come to class. Confused
about the reading? AS YOU READ, Prepare questions to ask in class.
Be a Scout and Be Prepared…Vocab games may be given at ANY time.
Homework is due ON THE DUE DATE (Sectionals—Turn in on the due date…Field trips and
illnesses—turn in on your first day back.).
Do Now’s are to be completed in class and turned in THAT BLOCK. (Absent??—Turn in first
day back. Questions on the reading that goes with the Do Now??—Turn in written question
specifying what you don’t understand. Be specific. Don’t say, “I don’t get it”.)
Labs are due two days after class.
6. **In order for you to participate in structured activities and labs, you must have your
Reading up-to-date as well as your vocabulary.
7. Labs are to be read beforehand.
DAY
LESSON
1-2 Guided Reading Ch 2-3
Self-scored and corrected
3
4
5-7
8-9
Bonding
Water Properties
Lab: pH, Computer Cart
Macromolecules
Lab: Enzymes-Puzzle pieces
Vocab game: Chutes and Ladders
TEST-USAtestprep--TBD
HOMEWORK/DUE
See the next page, Chemistry Youtube
Resources, for specific topic related
videos. View these at home before the
topic is discussed in class.
Watch water properties videos
**DUE: GR with corrections
Watch pH videos
Watch Macromolecule videos
Practice vocab word/definitions
*DUE Day 5: Bgram Answers
*DUE Day 10: CHOICE of ONE:
Macro Lab OR pH Lab OR Enzymes
CHEMISTRY YOUTUBE RESOURCES
Water Properties
Quizlet: http://quizlet.com/146501/properties-of-water-flash-cards/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVT3Y3_gHGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOOvX0jmhJ4
Acid/Base
Powers of 10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKBhvDjuy0
Bozeman youtube video at:
http://www.bozemanscience.com/acids-bases-ph/
http://chemistry.about.com/od/acidsbases/a/phtable.htm
https://www.teachengineering.org/collection/cub_/activities/cub_air/cub_air_lesson06_activit
y1_phvalues.pdf
Biological Marcromolecules
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WJ2KENlK0
Enzymes-Claymation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpcnkBE6FS0&feature=related
Amoeba Sisters: Macromolecules
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ7xOSCEmZw
Amoeba Sisters: Enzymes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUn64HY5bug&list=PLwL0Myd7Dk1F0iQPGrjehze3e
Dpco1eVz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUn64HY5bug
Chemistry Vocabulary
1. Adhesion-The intermolecular attraction between unlike molecules. Capillary action results
from the adhesion properties of water and the molecules that make up plant cells.
2. Atom-The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical and physical properties of
that element.
3. Macromolecules-A group of large molecules that interact with biological systems and
their environment.
4. Carbohydrate-A macromolecule that contains atoms of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
in a 1:2:1 ration and serve as a major source of energy for living organisms. Ex: sugar, starch,
cellulose.
5. Catalyst-A substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a faster rate, or lower
temperature than otherwise. A catalyst is not changed by the reaction and may be reused.
6. Cohesion-The intermolecular attraction between like molecules. Surface tension results
from the cohesive properties of water.
7. Concentration-The measure of the amount or proportion of a given substance when
combined with another substance.
8. Enzyme-A protein that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being changed by
the reaction; an organic catalyst.
9. Freezing point-The temperature at which a liquid changes state to a solid.
10. Lipids-A group of organic macromolecules compost of Carbon and Hydrogen including
a smaller amount of Oxygen. Insoluble (will not dissolve) in water. Source of stored energy.
Component of cell membranes.
11. Molecule-The smallest particle that retains the chemical and physical properties of a
substance. Composed of two or more atoms held together by bonds.
12. Monomer-A molecule of any compound that can react with other molecules of the same
or different compounds to form a polymer (group of three or more molecules bonded
together).
13. Nucleic Acid-Macromolecule (DNA or RNA) composed of CHNOP (Carbon, Hydrogen,
Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorous) that carries genetic information either in making new cells
for growth and repair, or in creating offspring.
14. Organic molecule-Molecule containing Carbon that is part of or produced by living
things.
15. Passive transport-The transportation of materials across a cell (plasma) membrane
without using energy.
16. pH-the measure of degree of acid/base of a water-containing solution. The pH scale
ranges from 1 (acid), 7 (neutral), 14 (base).
17. Protein-Macromolecule containing CHNOPS (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen,
Phosphorous, Sulfur). Provides the structure of the organism. Regulates cell function.
Vocab Games
Chutes and Ladders
1. You and your partner will use pennies for markers.
2. One partner has heads, the other tails.
3. One penny will be the ‘toss’ penny.
4. If the toss penny lands on heads, you may move one space.
5. If the toss penny lands on tails, you may move two spaces.
6. You move ONLY if you answer the question correctly.
7. For example: if I start the game, I toss my penny.
a. It lands on heads, one space.
b. My partner now asks me a question.
c. I must provide the correct answer or I cannot move at all.
d. If I answer correctly, I move one space.
e. If I answer incorrectly, I must wait for my next turn to try again.
f. It is now my partner’s turn.
8. If you land on a ladder, and answer the question correctly, you may advance multiple
spaces to the top of the ladder.
9. If you land on a sliding board (chute), you must ‘slide’ down to the bottom of the
chute. You slide down no matter what. You must now wait for your next turn to try to
get out of the hole you’ve ‘chuted’ into!
10. This is a timed event, so when I call ‘time’, stop playing.
11. I will ask for the person who is at the most advanced number on the board, and that
will be the winner.
MACROMOLECULE Chutes
and Ladders Questions/Topics:
1. Its monomer is a monosaccharide.
2. These form peptide bonds.
3. Enzymes are examples of these.
4. Triglycerides are an example of these.
5. Monomers, amino acids are these.
6. Glucose is an example.
7. C:H:O in a 1:2:1 ratio.
8. These are formed by polypeptides.
9. These are made up of mostly fatty acids.
10. A wax is an example of these.
11. These are known as a macromolecule.
12. Plants make these during photosynthesis.
13. These are often bent and folded as a result of interactions such as H bonding.
Word Whiz
Be on the lookout for a particular vocab word during this block. I will have the word in large
letters on the board near the white board. When you hear the word, and are able to define it,
be the first to stand. Say the word. Then say the definition. Loudly. Win a prize!!!
A CATALYSITIC EXPERIENCE PARCHESI GAME
MATERIALS:
3 pennies for groups of 2
3 pennies and 1 nickel or dime for groups of 3
Prizes!
Game Board
Pre-read the Bgram
Game Questions
RULES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Outside partners are odd numbered questions, heads on marker penny.
Inside partners are even numbered questions, tails on marker penny.
Spare penny is for tossing to determine number of spaces moved.
Outside partner starts by tossing spare penny.
Heads=1 space, tails=2 spaces.
Inside partner asks question to outside partner.
IF…outside partner’s answer is correct, THEN…he/she moves spaces equal to the
head/tail on the penny toss.
8. IF…outside partner’s answer is incorrect, THEN…he/she skips moving this turn.
9. Inside partner now tosses penny.
10. Follow directions #5-8 for inside partner.
11. When ‘time’ is called, the person with the marker closest to the end wins a prize from
the jar.
12. Congratulations.
CATALYST QUESTIONS:
1. What did Myron hope to build by eating the pepperoni?
(muscles)
2. Myron tells Mervin what important process that means to
break down food to produce ATP?
(metabolism)
3. What energy containing substance is released when bonds
are broken during this process?
(ATP)
4. What’s Mervin’s source of inspiration?
(muse)
5. What black feline’s fur is made of protein?
(cat)
6. This protein acts as a catalyst.
(enzyme)
7. A catalyst controls the _____ of a reaction.
(rate, speed)
8. Enzymes either ____ or ____ bonds.
(make OR
break)
9. The enzyme model that Myron shows Mervin is called
the __ and __ model.
(lock/key)
10. The __ is the thing that is getting changed, either broken apart
or bonded together.
(substrate)
11. Activation energy is the amount of energy needed to start
breaking apart the substrate into the ___.
(product)
12. Lizards, who are __ can’t produce a lot of body heat.
(ectothermic)
13. Zelda tells Mervin that proteins are made up of hundreds
or thousands of __.
(amino acids)
14. Each protein has a very __ shape, which decides what it does.
(shape)
15. Two things that can break apart protein shapes are __ and __.
(pH/heat)
16. The process of breaking a protein’s shape is called __.
(denature)
17. Zelda plans on eating a lot of CHNOPS, which are __.
(protein)
What’s so great about
PART I.



Read about water properties in your text.
View these references after you have completed your text reading. Use the
interactive study helps on Quizlet. The choices are in the command bar at the
top.
View the YouTube videos using earphones. When you have finished these
resources, work with your partners to complete the water chart. You may refer
back to any of your resources to do this.
1. Quizlet: http://quizlet.com/146501/properties-of-water-flash-cards/
2. Water Properties:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVT3Y3_gHGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOOvX0jmhJ4
Part II: The properties of water
Introduction: Water is one the most (if not the most) important compounds to living things.
Living organisms are made up of a high percentage of water, and rely on water to maintain
homeostasis. Water is an extremely versatile molecule, and has unique properties that allow
it to be so useful.
Water occurs naturally as a solid, liquid, and gas. It is also the only substance that expands
when it freezes. All other substances contract when frozen. This freezing anomaly
(something unusual) is why ice floats instead of sinks. It becomes less dense when frozen.
That means, in winter, fish can still swim and breathe dissolved oxygen underneath the ice. If
the ice were to freeze from the bottom to the top, fish would eventually die as the water froze
the whole way to the top! Poor little guys, they would be flopping around on the top of their
frozen ponds, with nowhere to go!
Method:
1. Give a clear definition of the water property
2. Make a visual example. Use titles and labels on all models.
3. State why it is important.
Water Properties
___Ask your teacher to review and sign.
Name_________________
Polarity & Solubility:
Hydrogen Bonding:
Cohesion:
Adhesion:
Capillary Action
Temperature Moderation:
Solid vs. Liquid Density:

Page 3
PART III: Use the following resource for clarifying your understanding of pH:
The ‘Powers of 10’ on YouTube, and Understanding pH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKBhvDjuy0
*Do ONE of the following:
1. With a group of four from your lab table, work together to calculate the number of
steps (take itty bitty baby steps) that would separate a person at a pH of 1 from a
person at a pH of 2, and the next person at a pH of 3.
a. _____Ask your teacher to check your work and sign here.
b. Go to the hallway and one person videotapes your group as one person stands
at pH1, the next steps to pH 2, the last steps to pH 3.
c. Share the video with your teacher.
OR…
2. You and your partner calculate the number of mm needed to go from pH of 1 to pH 2
and then to pH 3.
a. _____Ask your teacher to check your work and sign here.
b. Get yarn, tape, a sharpie, and a meter stick.
c. Measure the yarn and mark it with a piece of tape using the sharpie to write:
‘pH 1’, ‘pH 2’, ‘pH 3’. (See my example.)
d. Ask someone from another group to take you and your partners’ picture.
e. Send it to me with both of your names.
_____Ask your teacher to review your work and sign here.
PART IV: pH—Acid-Base Reactions
Watch these videos:
http://www.bozemanscience.com/acids-bases-ph/
http://chemistry.about.com/od/acidsbases/a/phtable.htm
https://www.teachengineering.org/collection/cub_/activities/cub_air/cub_air_lesson06_activit
y1_phvalues.pdf
Do this lab:
Materials: pipette, spot plate, pH papers, various acid/base substances
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Do a google search for: pH buffer.
Read about what a buffer does and how it works.
Next google search for pH buffer: shopping OR images.
What kinds of buffer product categories did you find?
Get your supplies from the supply table.
Use a pipette to obtain about 3 drops of either an acid OR a base (refer to the chart on
the next page to determine what substances are acids or bases).
7. Drop the substance into a well.
8. Use a strip of pH paper to test and record its pH value.
9. At the supply table, choose a substance that will be its buffer.
10. Use a pipette to obtain about 3 drops of your buffer.
11. Add one drop of your buffer to the original substance and record its pH.
12. Continue with the two remaining drops of your buffer and record the resulting pH.
Discussion Questions:
*Choose ONE question to answer. Use complete sentences that restate the question. Use
punctuation. Use examples from your lab.
1. How do you think a product like ‘Rolaids’ may help someone with an upset stomach?
Give evidence from your lab.
2. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, the primary solid substance from which
you are made. What would happen if…all of the amino acids were exposed to strong buffers?
Give evidence from your lab.
____Ask your teacher to review your work and sign here.
AMOEBA SISTERS: VIDEO
RECAP
BIOMOLECULES
Amoeba Sisters Video Recap: “The Biomolecule Band” If
Biomolecules Could Talk
For each statement, write a “C” if it applies to the carbohydrates, “L”
if it applies to lipids, “P” if it applies to proteins, or “N” if it applies
to nucleic acids. On #7, you need to write in your own fact that
matches one of the biomolecules.
1. _____I am useful for a fast source of energy.
4. _____I have a large role in muscle development.
6. _____Enzymes, which can speed up reactions, belong in my category.
3. _____I am helpful for long term energy storage.
5. _____A mutation in DNA would initially start with me.
7. _____ (Fill in your own from the video):
2. _____I have a large role in the immune system (example: antibodies).
Carbohydrates Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids
DEHYDRATION/HYDROLYSIS
Macromolecules
Background:
Watch the Crash Course Biological Molecules at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WJ2KENlK0
Carbohydrates:
Lipids and Fats:
Lipid: A liquid at room temperature. Found in plants. Ex: olive oil. Lipids have long
‘bent tails’ with areas of double bonds between Carbons, which leaves spaces of
missing Hydrogens. These are the ‘good’ types of lipids that may actually help to
lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of stroke or heart attack. A lipid is chemically
defined as a substance that is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol, ether, and
chloroform.
Lipids are an important component of living cells. Together with carbohydrates and
proteins, lipids are the main constituents of plant and animal cells.
Cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids. Lipids are easily stored in the body. They
serve as a source of fuel and are an important constituent of the structure of cells.
Lipids include fatty acids, neutral fats, waxes and steroids (like cortisone).
Compound lipids (lipids complexed with another type of chemical compound)
comprise the lipoproteins, glycolipids and phospholipids. Phospholipids are part of
what makes cellular membranes.
Fats: Are solid at room temperature. Found in animals. Ex: That icky white stuff on
bacon or steak. They do the same function as lipids. They have long straight ‘tails’
with single bonds between Carbons and ‘saturated’ with the most Hydrogens
possible. These are the ‘bad’ components that block your blood vessels and cause
strokes and heart attacks.
Proteins:
You probably know you need to eat protein, but what is it? Many foods
contain protein (say: pro-teen), but the best sources are beef, poultry,
fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and legumes like black beans and
lentils.
Protein builds, maintains, and replaces the tissues in your body. (Not the
tissues you blow your nose in! We mean the stuff your body's made up
of.) Your muscles, your organs, and your immune system are made up
mostly of protein.
Your body uses the protein you eat to make lots of specialized protein
molecules that have specific jobs. For instance, your body uses protein to
make hemoglobin (say:hee-muh-glow-bin), the part of red blood
cells that carries oxygen to every part of your body.
Other proteins are used to build cardiac muscle. What's that? Your heart!
In fact, whether you're running or just hanging out, protein is doing
important work like moving your legs, moving your lungs, and protecting
you from disease.
Amino acids: When you eat foods that contain protein, the digestive
juices in your stomach and intestine go to work. They break down the
protein in food into basic units, called amino acids (say uh-mee-noasids). The amino acids then can be reused to make the proteins your
body needs to maintain muscles, bones, blood, and body organs.
Proteins are sometimes described as long necklaces with differently
shaped beads. Each bead is a small amino acid. These amino acids can
join together to make thousands of different proteins. Scientists have
found many different amino acids in protein, but 22 of them are very
important to human health.
Of those 22 amino acids, your body can make 13 of them without you
ever thinking about it. Your body can't make the other nine amino acids,
but you can get them by eating protein-rich foods. They are called
essential amino acids because it's essential that you get them from the
foods you eat.
Different kinds of proteins: Protein from animal sources, such as meat
and milk, is called complete, because it contains all nine of the essential
amino acids. Most vegetable protein is considered incomplete because it
lacks one or more of the essential amino acids. This can be a concern for
someone who doesn't eat meat or milk products. But people who eat a
vegetarian diet can still get all their essential amino acids by eating a
wide variety of protein-rich vegetable foods.
For instance, you can't get all the amino acids you need from peanuts
alone, but if you have peanut butter on whole-grain bread you're set.
Likewise, red beans won't give you everything you need, but red beans
and rice will do the trick.
The good news is that you don't have to eat all the essential amino acids
in every meal. As long as you have a variety of protein sources
throughout the day, your body will grab what it needs from each meal.
Nucleic Acids:
The nucleic acids are the building blocks of living organisms.
You may have heard of DNA described the same way. Guess what?
DNA is just one type of nucleic acid. Some other types are RNA,
mRNA, and tRNA. All of these "NAs" work together to help cells
replicate and build proteins. NA? Hold on. Might that stand for nucleic
acid? It might.
While you probably don't have to remember the full words right now,
we should tell you that DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. RNA stands
for ribonucleic acid. The mRNA and tRNA are messenger RNA and transfer
RNA, respectively. You may even hear about rRNA which stands for
ribosomal RNA. They are called nucleic acids because scientists first found
them in the nucleus of cells. Now that we have better equipment, nucleic
acids have been found in mitochondria, chloroplasts, and cells that have
no nucleus, such as bacteria and viruses.
The Basics
We already told you about the biggie nucleic acids (DNA, mRNA, tRNA).
They are actually made up of chains of base pairs of nucleic acids stretching
from as few as three to millions. When those pairs combine in super long
chains (DNA), they make a shape called a double helix. The double
helix shape is like a twisty ladder. The base pairs are the rungs. We're very
close to talking about the biology of cells here. While it doesn't change
your knowledge of the chemistry involved, know that DNA holds your
genetic information. Everything you are in your body is encoded in the
DNA found in your cells. Scientists still debate how much of your
personality is even controlled by DNA. Back to the chemistry...
Five Easy Pieces
There are five easy parts of nucleic acids. All nucleic acids are made up
of the same building blocks (monomers). Chemists call the monomers
"nucleotides." The five pieces are uracil, cytosine, thymine, adenine,
and guanine. No matter what science class you are in, you will always
hear about ATCG when looking at DNA. Uracil is only found in RNA. Just
as there are twenty (20) amino acids needed by humans to survive, we
also require five (5) nucleotides.
These nucleotides are made of three parts:
1. A five-carbon sugar
2. A base that has nitrogen (N) atoms
3. An ion of phosphoric acid known as phosphate (PO43-)
DNA Details
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is special, because it holds
the code for every cell in your body. That's right. Every cell in your
body uses DNA as an instruction manual. If you want to take away
the importance of that statement, you can say that DNA is just a
long spiral chain of nucleotides. But it's more. So much more.
So, you get all of those nucleotides in two long chains that twist around each
other. That twisting shape is called a double helix. The spiral ladder has
the ability to wind and unwind so that the nucleic acid chain can duplicate
itself. That duplication process, called replication, happens every time a
cell divides.
DNA Down Time
When a cell is in its normal state, the DNA is not duplicating and it just
looks like a blob of white strands. Scientists use the word chromatin to
describe that DNA. Chromatin can be found in several levels of organization.
It changes its overall structure (physically, not chemically) during different
times of the cell's life. The nucleic acid chains usually sit around uncoiled
as loose strands. When it is time for the cell to reproduce, they condense
and wrap up very tightly. The tightly wound DNA is called a chromosome.
Chromosomes look kind of like long, limp hot dogs. They are also found
in pairs.
In most organisms, you will find DNA in the nucleus. Chromosomes work
with other nucleic acids in the cell to build proteins and help in cell
replication. You will most likely find mRNA (messenger-ribonucleic acid)
in the nucleus with the DNA. tRNA (transfer ribonucleic acid) is found
outside of the nucleus, floating in the cell. In a few organisms called
prokaryotes, there is no defined nucleus and the DNA is found
throughout the cell.
Your DNA Instruction Manual
Just remember that DNA is the instruction manual for an organism.
Even though all organisms use the same five nucleic acid to build
and replicate DNA, it is the order that makes us who we are. You've
got the three pyrimidine bases — cytosine, thymine, and uracil —
and the two purine bases — adenine and guanine. Every organism
on Earth has a different number and order of base pairs. A base pair
is created when one purine base bonds to a pyrimidine base. The order
of base pairs determines your physiology. When you get a group of
three base pairs of DNA, they can code for one amino acid. Once the
string of mRNA leaves the nucleus with the information, long chains
of amino acids can be constructed. That's when you have made
proteins that can do work for the cell. It all goes back to the number
and order of base pairs in the original DNA strand.
PROTEINS
MODELS
EXAMPLES
TRAIT/FUNCTION
ELEMENTS
CARBOHYDRATE
_____Ask your teacher to review and sign here.
FATS/LIPIDS
NUCLEIC
ACIDS
Lab: Enzymes, A REALLY Important Protein
Background:
Enzymes are proteins that act on a complex molecule to break their bonds into smaller
substances, and release energy. OR enzymes bond small molecules together into more
complex substances, which requires energy. Enzymes act as a catalyst, changing the speed
of a reaction. Catalysts are not changed in the reaction and can be use over and over again.
The enzyme is like a key that fits into a lock. The key has to physically fit in order to open
the lock. So if you look at a ring of keys, notice how some are big, small, have more ‘teeth’
or less ‘teeth’. Biological enzymes are just like this. Lots of variety, but each one only works
on a specific ‘lock’ or biological molecule. The thing that is being changed by the enzyme is
called the substrate. The place where the enzyme actually fits into the substrate is called the
active site. Because enzymes are proteins held together with a type of covalent bond, they are
sensitive to heat changes and pH changes. These changes will break the bonds and make
them unable to ‘unlock’ the substrate. The enzymes then unravel from their complex shape.
This unraveling is called ‘denature’.
You will watch the video showing a reaction of potato with Hydrogen peroxide. Bubbles
form indicating that an enzyme is breaking the bonds in the peroxide to release the Oxygen
gas and leave water behind.
Watch the youtube video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ZrRiykNQ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUn64HY5bug
Watch the Claymation youtube video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpcnkBE6FS0&feature=related
Methods:
1. You will be assigned puzzle pieces to complete a sequence of scenes from the
claymation video.
2. Tape the pieces together.
3. Label the following:
a. Competitive inhibitor
d. Substrate
b. Non-competitive inhibitor
e. Product(s)
c. Active site
f. Enzyme
Discussion Questions:
1. Explain how changes in the enzyme can affect its ability to work on the substrate.
Give one specific example.
2. Explain how the activation energy is lowered by using an enzyme. Give one specific
example.
Band Camp—A CATalystic Experience!
So Myron and his buddy Mervin are on their way to the Band Camp’s Pizza Extravaganza.
They both hope to chow down on the best pizza in town from the…Three Cat’s Pizza Parlor.
Meow! Let’s listen in on their conversation as they walk to the park where the extravaganza
will be held.
Myron: “…and so the fat from the pepperoni will keep me warm all winter
and the protein will build my muscles, I hope! Right now I look more like Olive Oil than
Popeye.”
Mervin: “But is the protein from peppers? I mean, it’s called pepperoni, isn’t it?”
My: “Uh, I don’t know that one. But hey, I do know that protein, the stuff that makes up
most of the structural component and solid portion of our bodies, is made from the food that
we eat.”
Mer: “Naw, no way.”
My: “Nuh, huh, way. When you eat food, you metabolize it by breaking it down into smaller
molecules called amino acids all the while releasing stored energy. That energy is ATP, and
heat. ATP is the energy unit of the cell for every living thing. Heat that is released is
exergonic (exit, out). This heat can be felt in our constant body temperature. Oh, yeah, the
food gets broken down at a steady rate because we are endothermic meaning to produce our
own heat. Endo means inside, as in we produce our heat inside our bodies. Cool, huh? Eh, eh,
eh.”
STOP!! Do # 1, 8, 10, 45, 46.
Mer: “Uh, sorry M, but I’m a visual learner. My muse or source of inspiration comes from
seeing. You know, seeing is believing? Could you maybe show me what you mean about the
protein thing?”
(Myron whips out his cell phone and googles ‘protein structure’, ‘image’.)
My: “So yeah, look at this:
Cat fur is made of protein.
Band Camp-Catalystic Experience
Page 2
This is a cool GO (graphic organizer) because if you look at the left side where it says:
‘Proteins are—Workhorses of the cell; such as structure, and enzymes.’ Structure just means
that proteins make up your muscles, which help you do work, and skin, which covers you
and protects you and keeps your innards in. ‘Enzymes functions as a catalyst.’ Ah, I’m
getting chills just thinking about you and all of those black cats you had to herd from that
nutty ‘bad luck’ experiment. So an enzyme is a protein that acts as a catalyst. A catalyst is
something that changes how fast a chemical reaction takes place. It either breaks bonds apart,
releasing energy, or puts bonds together, requiring energy to do it. An enzyme actually has to
physically fit the 3-D shape (that just means the way a substance fills the volume of
something) of the molecule that it is changing. The thing that is being changed is called the
substrate, and the place where the enzyme fits is called the active site. You can visualize the
way the enzyme and substrate fit together, as a lock and key model. Wait a minute, I think I
can show you just what I mean.”
Myron taps on his phone and shows Mervin this:
The Key is
the enzyme
The lock is the
substrate
The enzyme disengages and
is unchanged, can be used again
Where they fit together is
is called the active site
Together they
lock and key
The substrate has broken down to form two
smaller molecules, the products
STOP!! Do # 3, 9, 13, 16, 21, 26, 27, 28, 36, 38, 44.
The best part about enzymes acting as a catalyst, is that they lower the activation energy.”
Mer: “Oh no, I probably shouldn’t ask, but what ARE you talking about?”
My: “Where have you been during biology, Merv, my boy?”
Myron stoops over his phone, concentrating on tapping away, and stumbles over a hole in the
sidewalk. Mervin grabs Myron’s elbow just as he’s about to bowl
over Zelda, the fellow band geek with the cat thing. Zelda’s on her
way to the pizza fest too. Talk about bad luck! Zelda’s been trying to
rope the boys into doing something funky with mirrors, which they
want no part of after the catastrophe and fur ball choking
experiment.
Band Camp-Catalystic Experience
Page 3
“Here. Looky at this…
Activation energy is the amount of energy needed to start breaking apart the substrate into
the product (smaller molecules). OR putting smaller molecules together into a larger product.
Don’t forget, enzymes can break apart or put together molecules. Look at the left graph at the
Y axis (the vertical one) where it says ‘Energy level’. Notice that the title says ‘Without
Enzyme’? That means it could be in a lizard, which is cold-blooded. Cold-blooded means
that they can’t produce their own body heat like we can. They have to do things like bask, or
lay in the sun. They are known as ectothermic because ecto means ‘outside’, ‘thermic’ means
heat. So they get heat from outside their bodies. They bask in the sun to raise their body
temperature in order to break the bonds holding the complex proteins together to form
smaller product molecules. Look at the vertical arrow labeled ‘Ea’ activation energy. It’s
pretty high compared to the Ea line on the right graph. This just shows that the big Ea
accounts for the extra energy the lizard needs to get from the sun in order to digest his/her/its
food. Digestion is just another way of saying metabolism. Metabolism remember is breaking
complex food molecules into simple smaller molecules by using enzymes (we do this) or by
added heat from the sun (lizards to this). So on the right, titled ‘With Enzymes’, the vertical
Ea line is a lot shorter than the one on the left (the lizard side). This just shows the lower
activation energy needed to start the substrate breaking apart or being put together when a lot
of enzymes are present, like in humans. When enzymes break the bonds in the food, they
release a lot of heat energy, and a release of heat is exothermic, but at a constant rate. It’s this
constant rate of heat release that gives us our body temperature of 98. whatever degrees F.
This really made sense to me when I realized that when I get up in the morning, after about
ten hours of NO FOOD, my body temperature is slightly lower than it will be the rest of the
day. That’s because I’m running out of complex food molecules to break apart and the heat
release is slowing down. Wow, no wonder breakfast is so important! I wonder if I’d freeze to
death if I didn’t eat for 48 hours?”
STOP!! Do #4, 5, 6, 7, 30, 43.
Band Camp-Catalystic Experience
Page 4
Zelda: “What in the world are you mumbling about, Mervin? I mean, if you really want to
see if you’ll freeze to death, I could construct the data table, take your temperature, and graph
your results…if it’s only for 48 hours. I mean, sacrifices have to be made for the good of
science.”
Mer: “I think I’ll pass on that, Zelda.”
“As I was saying, look at the right side where it says,
‘Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of
smaller molecules known as amino acids, of which
there are 20.’ I consider myself a cereal box reader
aficionado. A sort of expert at what cereal boxes say. I
have read on some cereal ingredients that they boast of
having ’20 essential amino acids’. And since proteins
are made of amino acids, I’m thinking that amino acids
come from the food that I eat and are important
molecules that become proteins. I see the really
complex shape of the amino acid in the middle picture.
My science teacher, Miss Fizzy, says that the amino
acids have four different parts to their shape. The first is
called primary or first part and looks like beads on a
string and is a chain structure. Each amino acid is held together with special bonds called
peptide bonds. Three amino acids held together with two peptide bonds would be a dipeptide
(di means two), and many amino acids held together with peptide bonds would be
polypeptide because poly means many.
She put this picture on her Assignments
Page in Sapphire and I downloaded it to
be my background on my phone. See:
The shape after the primary chain is folded,
sort of back and forth, and is the secondary
(meaning second) structure. Then the third
or tertiary, structure is twisted (not like
Twisted Sister!) more like a coil or spring,
and then the fourth is the quaternary (like
quarter, 25, or ¼ of 100) and is really
twisted around itself. That’s my favorite
shape! It has to be this really complex shape
to do its job. This protein could be my heart
protein. I’d really like to think that it’s the
right shape to do its job. Keep on keeping
on, heart protein!”
STOP!! Do #17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 31, 33, 34, 39, 40,
42.
Band Camp-Catalystic Experience
Page 5
Z: “Yeah, well you know you’re starting to look a little red in the face Merv. Maybe it’s the
heat. I remember what Miss F said about enzymes, proteins and heat. SHE said that they are
really, really sensitive to two things: temperature and pH. Temperature such as the 99
degrees we have today are uncomfortable, but your proteins and enzymes should be ok.
Think of what happens though if the temperature were to soar up to 150 degrees on the
sidewalk. What if…I broke an egg on the sidewalk? Merv, do you have an egg on you?”
Mer: “Ah, that would be a ‘no’, Z.”
Z: “Well, I suppose it would be just like breaking it in a frying pan. The liquid clear part
starts to turn white and becomes more solid. Miss F says that is what happens when the
bonds between the amino acids break, the proteins start to unravel. The shape changes, and
so does the rest of the physical appearance of the protein. She calls the unraveling of the
amino acids, ‘denature’. She says that shape determines function. She really emphasized
that. This means that whatever 3-dimensional shape a molecule has will determine what it
does, AND what it looks like. Even its color. Remember the egg that I broke in the skillet?
The clear stuff had a complex protein shape to start with. But when it was heated, the bonds
denatured, and the amino acids unraveled, changing the shape. So color changed, and it’s
function changed. “
My: “My favorite part about all that was when she was talking about what happens to my
brain when I have a fever. Remember? She said that my brain is almost pure protein, and
because it’s protein, it’s really sensitive to temperature changes. So when I get a fever, or
even if I’ve been in the sun too long, my brain begins to overheat and the peptide bonds
between the amino acids in my proteins begin to denature and break apart. Cool, huh? My
brain starts to unravel!!! I wish we could take a class trip like the Magic Schoolbus ©, and go
through someone’s brain that was unraveling. I’ll bet it would be like a lot of springs just
flipping out.”
Mer: ”Yeah, well Miss F also said that something ELSE has a similar effect on proteins.
It’s—“
Z:” pH!”
Mer: ”Z!!!! So what is pH and what does that do?”
Z: “pH is a measure of Hydrogen ions in a substance. Most proteins work best in a very
small range of pH. And just like temperature, if the pH changes too much, the protein
denatures and doesn’t work anymore. This could happen if a protein was exposed to a strong
acid like hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) or a strong base like chlorine (kills bacteria).”
Mer: “So that’s how my stomach starts to digest my food? By the hydrochloric acid
denaturing the protein bonds? And that’s why pool water has chlorine in it, to kill bacteria?”
Z: “You got it. Look, we’re here already. Time flies when you’re having science fun. I plan
on having a lot of CHNOPS to eat today.”
My: “CHNOPS? What’s that?”
Band Camp-Catalystic Experience
Page 6
Z: “Protein! The elements in a protein are: C=Carbon, H=Hydrogen, N=Nitrogen,
O=Oxygen, P=Phosphorous, S=Sulfur.”
Mervin and Myron decide to work on a lab named, “CHNOPS for Miss F for extra credit in
which students denature proteins, collect both qualitative and quantitative data, and post their
results on their school website. Along with their pictures of course. Myron still wants to do a
little strength and conditioning training though, so he’s going to ask Zelda to work on a
healthy eating program for him. Then he’s going to ask Myron to do a little spotting for him
as he works with weights. The band charity fundraiser this year is a track and field event
known as the ‘Highland Heavy Games’. They have to wear kilts, but…Who knows? Mervin,
Myron, and Zelda just may sweep all of the blue ribbons with their knowledge of proteins!
STOP!! Do #2, 11, 12, 14, 15, 24, 25, 29, 32, 35, 41.
Band Camp-Catalystic Experience
Bubblegram Clues
Page 7
1. Meaning inside.
2. Protein bonds broken by temperature/pH, unravel.
3. Protein acts as a catalyst to make or break bonds, to speed up or
slow down a reaction.
4. The amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction.
5. Meaning to get heat from outside the body. Lizards are this.
6. Reaction in which heat is produced when bonds break.
7. To lay in the sun. Lizards do this to get additional heat to digest food.
8. The energy medium of every cell in every living thing.
9. A substrate breaks down to form these smaller molecules. The thing made in a reaction.
10. Organisms that produce their own body temperature or heat.
11. On the pH scale, sour lemon juice is this.
12. On the pH scale, slippery chlorine bleach is this.
13. The thing the enzyme changes in breaking or making bonds.
14. What Miss Fizzy says about the 3-D shape of a molecule, including color and what it
does.
15. An element in protein. Begins with ‘S’.
16. A substance that slows down or speeds up a reaction but is not changed itself. Can be
reused.
17. Between the first and third shape of amino acids becoming proteins. Folded.
18. The final shape of amino acids. Fully functioning protein shape. ¼ of 100.
19. Free space! 
20. Between the second and fourth shape of amino acids becoming proteins. Twisted.
21. The way a substance fills the volume of something.
22. Small molecules originating in your food that is used as building blocks of proteins and
enzymes.
23. The type of bonds between many amino acids.
24. An element in protein. Begins with ‘O’.
25. An element in protein. Begins with ‘C’.
26. The way the enzyme and substrate fit together.
27. How proteins that make up your muscles and skin fit together.
28. Source of inspiration.
29. An element in protein.
30. Can’t produce their own body heat.
31. Primary structure of amino acids that will become proteins.
32. An element in protein. Begins with ‘H’.
33. Three amino acids are bonded with this (meaning the number of bonds).
Band Camp-Catalystic Experience
Page 8
34. The type of bond between two amino acids.
35. A measure of the amount of Hydrogen ions in a solution. Measured on a scale from 0-14.
36. The place where the enzyme fits the substrate.
37. A freebie 
38. The thing that covers and protects your body. Keeps your innards in and your outtards
out.
39. Tertiary shape of a protein. Coiled, spring-like.
40. Secondary shape of a protein. Back-and-forth.
41. An element in protein. Begins with ‘N’.
42. The first, chain-like structure of amino acids that will become a protein.
43. The presence of lots of enzymes reduce the amount of energy needed to start the
chemical process of breaking down or bonding together substances is called…
44. Part of the structural component of your body that is made up of lots of proteins. Used
for making your bones move.
45. The stuff that makes up the structural, solid component of your body.
46. The breakdown of your food into smaller molecules called amino acids.
Band Camp-Catalystic Experience Answers
_________Score
Page 9
Name____________________________________________
Message: ________________________
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18. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
19. F R E E
S P A C E
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Band Camp-Catalystic Experience Answers
20. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
21. __ - __
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37. A
FREEBIE
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Band Camp-Catalystic Experience
Page 11
Name____________________________________
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Do Now—Chemistry
_______Score
Name__________________________________Date_______ Blk__
*Remember to rephrase the question in your answer. Write using complete sentences
and punctuation.
3a
3b
3c
67a
7b
7c
6d
9a
9b
9c
Unit II Chemistry General Guided Reading
______Score
Name_______________________ Blk____
1. Bonding
The three types of bonds and their relationship with electrons are:
Bonding
Bond Type
What Happens to the
Example Substances
Electron
1.
2.
3.
2. Water Properties
Five properties of water and a brief description, and an example of each are:
Water Properties
Property
Description
Examples
3. Bio Macromolecules (Carbon compounds)
The four bio macromolecules, descriptions, and examples are:
Macromolecules
Name
Description
Example(s)
4. Energy
Energy is released when ______________are broken and complex molecules/compounds
form smaller, simpler substances.
Energy is stored when bonds are _________________ when molecules/compounds are
made.
Copy Fig. 13, energy and chemical reactions in the boxes below. Fill in the blank above each
with the correct term: releasing OR absorbing. Fill in the blank below the models.
Enzyme Action
Energy________________ Reaction
Energy _________________Reaction
_____________________is the term used to describe all of the chemical reactions that
occur within an organism. This action is directed by ENZYME proteins.
Unit II Chemistry General Guided Reading
Page 3
__________________________is the energy that is needed to begin an enzyme reaction.
The _______________________is the substance that is changed or acted on during a
chemical reaction.
The location of the change is called the _______________________
______________.
The enzyme (is or is not) ______________ changed during this reaction, and can be used
again, over and over.
Two factors, _____________ and ______________________ can either slow down, or
speed up an enzyme reaction. These two factors in extremes also destroy proteins.
Catalyze is the action taken by an enzyme to make or break bonds. Each enzyme works on
only one specific active site of a substance.
Denature, the process of completely breaking down proteins, happens when you have a very
high fever. The weak covalent bonds break apart, changing the shape of brain protein and
destroying its ability to function. Lights out.