Packing Slip

item	Enzyme Activity and Computer Modeling (2001-2002 SyRIS Module)
contact	Jennifer Chang (Glendale Community College) jennifer.chang@gcmail.maricopa.edu 1 of 2 packages by Jennifer Chang
credits	Ui Luu (Technology Systems) Angela Mick (Biology) Steve Williams (Biology)
college(s)	Glendale Community College
discipline(s)	Biology, Chemistry, Programming Technology
summary	While enzyme activity is a biology topic, understanding the reaction dynamics is a chemistry topic. This module is intended to replace current "lecture" and laboratory activities on enzyme structure and function in introductory biology courses and reaction kinetics and catalysts in introductory chemistry courses. The module has identified a set of core concepts common to biology and chemistry. Programming students use a predetermined set of parameters to create a computer model of the enzyme activity that the biology and chemistry students use in their study of this topic. The experiences leave students with a better understanding of these relatively abstract concepts and can extend these ideas to other related science topics.
details	Students in introductory biology and chemistry classes often have difficulty understanding many aspects of enzymes and their activities. Since the physiology of organisms is based on the existence and speed of chemical reactions, it is essential to understand enzyme activity in order to understand how life can exist. As students discover the importance of enzymes (biology) and catalysts (chemistry), they are better prepared to apply their knowledge to real world applications. Reaction kinetics is a difficult topic for most non-majors chemistry students in part because it is an intangible topic. Also typical introductory chemistry classes briefly review reaction rates without many "real life" examples or relation to other areas besides chemistry. To engage students in programming for technology, our approach is to present to them an application that they need to program to achieve prescribed requirements. The active learning aspect is that in the process of constructing the solutions, they acquire different programming techniques. This module is intended to replace current "lecture" and laboratory activities on enzyme structure and function in introductory biology courses and reaction kinetics and catalysts in introductory chemistry courses. The core information in regards to enzymes is still be presented, but students are expected to manipulate that information via various models (hands-on, minds-on, and computer) to intensify understanding. Use of the knowledge gleaned from the classroom enables students to design and conduct their own laboratory experiments to demonstrate the importance of enzyme structure and function. Programming students receive inputs from biology and chemistry class as program requirements. The program requirements establish a problem based learning process where students must acquire the learning objectives to meet the requirements. The result is a computer model of enzyme activity, which is used as a tool to complement the biology and chemistry classroom activities. Our developed and relevant activities give biology and chemistry students more concrete experiences with the concepts of reaction rates and enzyme activity. These experiences leave students with a better understanding of these relatively abstract concepts and extend these ideas to other related science topics. Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback via the comments form below.
web links	http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/syris/ This was a 2001-2002 SyRIS project. http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/syris/modules/index.php?yr=0102&id=5 Module Description
comments [1 comment(s)]	Most recent comment about this package: On Mon Feb 20, 2006 at 1:43AM PjD6fHuSVe <isxas@rgwnsjc.com> said: JNp5qEdfHRX 1KxR7iCLut2y ceKppLBa35Cw
shareback [0 shareback(s)]	A "Shareback" cites the places on the web that mention, reference, or use this MLX package, and "shares" that information back here (more about shareback...) Sharebacks can be generated automatically by weblog tools.
extra	Last modified: Nov-06-2002 Date created: Nov-06-2002 Visitor count: 5902 Dublin Core Metadata record This package is included in the Systemic Reform In Science (SyRIS) Modules special collection.