Exploring Biochemical Reactions of Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Lipids through a Milk-Based Demonstration and an Inquiry-Based Worksheet: A COVID-19 Laboratory Experience

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed pressure on institutions, and especially instructors, to deliver course content in innovative ways, often with limited resources. In face-to-face learning, many chemistry instructors value inquiry-based learning with real-world applications. These types of learning activities cultivate student interest and, thus, motivate students to achieve their best. However, inquirybased learning can be more challenging in an online environment, especially given limited resources and preparation time. This paper describes an inquiry-based laboratory demonstration that is inexpensive and easy to conduct outside of the traditional laboratory setting and yet provides a valuable learning experience for second-semester organic chemistry students. In this activity, students apply their knowledge of chemistry to the proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in bovine milk, studying the casein protein, lactose, fatty acids, and more. Students complete a pre-lab assignment individually, watch prerecorded demonstrations via the Zoom video-conferencing platform, and complete a guided inquiry worksheet in groups, via breakout rooms. These activities help students review concepts such as solubility, hydrogen bonding, and acidity and invite them to apply new material on carbonyl chemistry, hydrolysis, and the relationship between protein structure and function. Because this learning activity challenges students to explore real-world implications, it deepens their understanding of the intricate interplay between organic chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology and thus prepares them for further scientific inquiry in these areas.

Analysis of Amylase in the Kitchen: An At-Home Biochemistry Experiment for the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Our desire for students to perform at least one actual “wet lab” as opposed to several virtual activities was the impetus for developing this experiment. The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a large number of activities to replace typical lab experiments − and a variety of at-home experiments suitable for general chemistry. , Potential biochemistry experiments include column chromatography and invertase activity experiments. We feel that this report adds another experiment to this quiver that can be performed in any kitchen with data analysis accomplished by a student who has taken a typical biochemistry lecture that included enzyme kinetics.…”

Perception of Pre-Service Chemistry Teachers about Detergency: From Macroscopic Observations to Symbolic Theoretical Mental models applied to inactivation of SARS-CoV-2

“…There is a consensus in chemistry and biochemistry that practical activities should be a source of opportunities for students to engage in their own learning [1,[10][11][12][13][14][15]. However, in the context of teaching experimental biochemistry, the "follow the recipe" methodology predominates [16][17][18][19]. Consequently, the active participation of the learner is not encouraged and the methodology cannot be considered effective for teaching Science [20][21][22][23].…”

Conversion of a Sugar Identification Laboratory from a Hands-On Experiment to a Virtual Inquiry-Based Experiment

“…In fact, an entire issue of this Journal (“Insights Gained While Teaching Chemistry in the Time of COVID-19” September 2020) has been devoted to alternative pedagogical endeavors and student learning experiences in the time of COVID. For example, authors like Cabalsa and Abraham have used an inquiry-based approach with a demonstration to convey content and laboratory ideas outside of the traditional laboratory setting . Here, an interactive in-person or virtual exercise originally developed to replace chemicals in a wet lab has been adapted to an online format is described.…”