Unit: Biochemistry

Biology Name: ______Unit: Biochemistry Macromolecule Research Assignment Date: ______Hour: ______

Macromolecule Research Assignment Background

Many of the organic compounds in living cells are so large they are known as macromolecules, which means “giant molecules’. They are made from thousands or even hundreds of thousands of smaller molecules. Macromolecules are important because they are essential to the life processes in all living things. There are four types of Macromolecules you will learn about through this project:

1) Carbohydrates 2) Lipids (fats) 3) Proteins 4) Nucleic Acids

Objectives

 The student will research and report on a specific type of macromolecule  The student will create a visual aid which displays the information they have learned through their research  The student will cooperatively learn about different types of macromolecules necessary for life by working with three of their peers to jigsaw the information they have learned. Each student will present their poster projects in small groups and complete the peer presentations jigsaw sheet.

Assessment

This project will count as a 60 point Performance Event Grade

 40 points: Poster displaying your research & requirements (all 6 points). Please make sure that it is clearly organized, easy to read and neat!  20 points: Peer Presentations and Jigsaw Activity

Group # ___ Macromolecule I was assigned______

Part I Research

1. (Building Blocks) What is your Macromolecule made of? Include the elements that make it up, as well as the monomer that make up the macromolecule. 2. (SUPPLY) How do we get it in our bodies?

Questions to get you started: Is it ingested? What foods provide us with it? Is it made in our body? If so, where is it made? Is there more than one way it gets into our bodies?

3. (EXAMPLES & FUNCTION) Identify two specific examples of your macromolecule & describe the function of each in the human body or at cellular level.

4. (IMPACT ON HEALTH) Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins- Choose option 1 or 2

Option 1:  Identify and describe one specific example of a disease that may be brought on by a dietary deficiency (too little) / or excess amounts (too much) of a particular type of your macromolecule

Option 2:  Identify and describe one specific example of a health benefit that may be gained by consuming a specific type of your macromolecule.

** Note: Nucleic Acid students- name & briefly describe the characteristics, signs and symptoms of a human genetic disorder caused by a chromosomal aberration. Chromosomal aberrations are abnormalities in the structure or number of chromosomes and are often responsible for genetic disorders. Examples include- Down Syndrome, Klinefelter’s Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, and Angelman Syndrome

5. (NEWS) This is your chance to demonstrate how your macromolecule affects ‘real life’. Look to the news to find an article involving your macromolecule in some way. Write the title of the article & a brief summary (bulleted list is OK) of the news article. Be sure to identify your source. Your source must be no older than August 2009. Cut your article out and attach it to your poster next to your summary.

6. Include a picture or a drawing that fits into one of the categories you researched.

To begin your research, use your biology book (Chapter 2 pgs. 45-59). You should be able to find the answers to a good portion of this assignment there (#’s 1-3 at least). After you have found all the answers you can in your text, move on to online sources.

Below are some helpful websites to get you started:

 (Encyclopedia) http://www.britannica.com/ ** Enter what you’re looking for in the search box

 (Med Encyclopedia) http://www.webmd.com/default.htm

 (Nutrition) http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/

 (Dietary Basics) http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/

 (Carbohydrates) http://ehealthmd.com/content/what-fiber

 (Protein Deficiency) http://www.livestrong.com/article/269901-a-list-of-protein-deficiency- diseases/  (Dietary Deficiencies) http://www.humanillnesses.com/original/Conj-Dys/Dietary-Deficiencies.html

 (Lipids) http://www.livestrong.com/article/237323-role-of-lipids-in-human-diet/

 (Science News) ** Enter your macromolecule or examples of your macromolecule in the search box at these news sites

http://www.sciencenews.org/ http://news.yahoo.com/science/ http://www.sciencedaily.com/ http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/index.html http://www.stltoday.com/ (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Step 2. Create your Poster

After you have conducted your research, organize it into a poster designed just like this

NAME OF YOUR ASSIGNED MACROMOLECULE

Building Blocks Supply

Examples& Functions Human Health

(Title, source & summary) * attach article **

Step 3. Jigsaw

You will present your poster and what you have learned to your group. Each person will take notes on their group member’s presentations & complete the Peer Presentation Jigsaw sheet. Please fill in your own information before you present to your group. Name: ______Topic: ______Period: _____

Grading Rubric Macromolecule Research Assignment 60 points

PART I: Poster Required CONTENT

Five-point criteria will be subjectively graded according to the following rubric

5 A Excellent detail provided in response, all parts of question thoroughly addressed 4 B Good amount of detail provided in each response, almost all parts of questions addressed thoroughly

3 C Some detail provided in response, general approach to the answering the question 2 D Lacks detail, incomplete response, many aspects of the question not addressed 1 F not addressed

 Macromolecule Identified ____ /5 pts.  Building Blocks ____/5 pts.  Supply ____/ 5 pts.  Examples with Functions ____/ 5 pts.  Impact on Health ____/ 5pts.  News ____/ 5 pts.

Appearance

Includes neatness, organization of information (followed format), spelling & legibility ____/ 5 pts

Includes at least one picture ____ / 5 pts

SUB TOTAL: ____/ 40 points

PART II: Peer Presentations & Jigsaw of Information

 Presentation: ____/ 10 pts.  Completed Jigsaw sheet ____ / 10 pts

SUB TOTAL: ____/ 20 points

GRAND TOTAL: ____/ 60 pts. Comments:______Biology Name: ______Unit: Biochemistry Peer Presentation Jigsaw sheet Date: ______Hour: ______

1. Carbohydrates

a) Building Blocks (monomers that make it up) ______

b) Example #1 ______Function:______

______

Example #2 ______Function: ______

______

c) Health Impact ______

d) Describe one other thing you learned (not mentioned above)______

2. Lipids (Fats)

______

3. Proteins a) Building Blocks (monomers that make it up) ______

______

4. Nucleic Acids

______