Lesson: Water
While we may be organisms, how are inorganic compounds critical for life function?
This lesson focuses on the properties of water and its impact on biological properties. Students will explore the properties of solutions and the impact of pH on body function. They will also investigate the role of water in both the building and the breaking down of larger molecules.
What are the general properties of water that make it one of the most important substances for life?
Describe the role of water in the chemical reactions of dissociation and recombination, especially in regards to electrolytes and the formation and breaking down of polymers.
Define and be able to identify “acid,” “base,” “buffer,” and know the pH range of acids, bases and neutral substances.
Warm Ups, etc:
Inorganic and Organic - given chemical formulas, students will identify the molecule as organic or inorganic
The Main Ingredient - review questions about the atomic structure and properties of water
Acids & Bases - review water chemistry and pH
Instruction, Presentations, Assignments, Activities, etc:
Water Diagrams - describe the importance of water because of its properties, its role in reactions, and its relationship to acids/bases on the pH scale.
Lab- pH Analysis- students perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of unknown substances to determine whether they are acids or bases. Further tests should predict pH. Next, pH meters should be used to provide accurate readings. Finally, substances are revealed and class discusses the role pH plays in each substance.
Closure- Discussion of homeostasis, importance of water/pH in maintaining healthy body. Discuss how certain drugs work, how failures in chemistry cause disease --> Look at ch 20/21 of text book on fluid balance, electrolytes and acid/base balance.
Presentation - Blood Chemistry
Medical Journalism – a selection of medicine related stories to be chosen by students for reading, analysis and discussion.
Informal assessment - Students identify solutions within the body, determine their pH, explain importance of maintaining these pH levels.