Biochemistry

Integrated Biology and Chemistry, with connections to biophysics

Balogun Arinwaka (aka Gary C. Booker), Instructor

Contact Phone: 678-754-0498

Contact email: [email protected]

LAB EXPEREMENTS:

Read the summaries, follow the procedures and answer the questions. You are Expected to submit a powerpoint presentation on all of your labs, with the exception of the first.

LAB ONE - USING MALCOLM X’S STUDY METHOD FOR CHEMISTRY EDUCATION

Summary: Malcolm X strengthened his mind while in prison by reading as much as he could. He also strengthened both his vocabulary and understanding of the terminology behind the fundamentals of various subjects by copying words out of the dictionary to commit them to memory. You will modify Malcolm’s method to learn Chemistry by finding a Glossary and copying words from it into your personal lab book.

MATERIALS:

• Chemistry book with glossary

PROCEDURE:

1. Copy the words from the dictionary in the chemistry book into your notebook that you will be using to record your experiment results.

2. Join groups and forums relating to chemistry. When time permits, you should talk to people and ask questions.

LAB TWO – WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING IN YOUR HAIR AND ON YOUR SKIN?

Summary: Many people buy hair and skin products without even taking a second look at the materials contained in them. This lab will undo this Bad Habit

MATERIALS:

• Lab Notebook & Writing utensil

• Your hands, your eyes and the household Cosmetics in your house.

PROCEDURE:

1. First, learn how to read a Materials Safety Data Sheet.

2. Gather several items to observe.

3. Copy down the chemicals included in your cosmetics products.

4. Look up the Materials Safety Data Sheet online by doing a search, writing the name of the chemical and the letters “MSDS” in the search engine.

5. Write down your own brief, general synopsis of what you found out.

LAB THREE – WHAT AM I EATING?

Summary: This is the same lab as the previous one, except you are using your food items.

MATERIALS:

• Lab notebook and writing utensil

• Food Materials from the house

PROCEDURE:

Same as last lab.

LAB FOUR - BAKING SODA REACTIONS, PART ONE

Summary: Baking Soda, or Sodium Bicarbonate, is one of the most reactive substances in your kitchen cabinet. Baking Soda is a Base. In this lab, you will see how it reacts with other substances.

MATERIALS:

• Standard Kitchen Cleaning Equipment

• 1 Box of Baking Soda

• 9 plastic (NOT PAPER) cups

• 1 table spoon

• Markers

• 1 bottle of

  • Vinegar

  • Lemon Juice

  • Orange Juice

  • Apple Juice

  • Honey

  • Molasses

  • Corn Syrup

  • Corn Oil

  • Tomato Paste

Procedure:

1. Before you do anything, read about Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda).

2. Mark your cups to indicate where you will put each of the 9 liquid substances.

3. Fill all 1 teaspoon of each liquid substance into its labeled cup.

LAB FIVE - BAKING SODA REACTIONS, PART TWO

Materials:

• Standard Kitchen Cleaning Equipment

• 1 Box of Baking Soda

• 9 plastic (NOT PAPER) cups

• 1 table spoon

• 1 bottle of three substances from your previous experiment picked at your prerogative.

Summary: Baking Soda, or Sodium Bicarbonate, is one of the most reactive substances in your kitchen cabinet. Baking Soda is a Base. In this lab, you will see how it reacts with other substances.

LAB SIX - FRAGRANCE CREATION

MATERIALS:

• 1 bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol

• 1 bottle of canola oil

• 2 Plastic Spray Bottles (Can be easily obtained from a dollar store)

• Plants of your choice

Summary: This is an engineering project. This is an example of qualitative research in the natural sciences, because the verification of the results is solely based on your own opinion… whether or not you like the product. You will use local plants in your neighborhood to create fragrances. You are to make at least two different types of fragrances using plants of your choice

PROCEDURE:

1. Pick pedals from the flowers that you like and crush them as finely as possible.

2. Mix the Isopropyl Alcohol with the flowers. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours. Smell the scent. Make a note of the smell and leave it alone.

3. Allow the mixture to sit for 3 days. Make a note of the smell. How is it different from the last time? Allow mixture to continue to sit.

4. Allow the smell to sit for 6days. Smell and record any difference.

5. Allow the smell to sit for 12 days. Smell and record any difference. Conclude your results by stating what you think about the Fragrance’s smell.

LAB SEVEN – CHANGE OF DIET

MATERIALS:

• Notebook & Writing Utensil

• Usual grocery shopping funds

Summary: This is a nutrition project. Take some time to research some changes you could make in your diet

PROCEDURE:

1. Plan a grocery list based upon the nutrients you could use, which may be based on:

   1. The need for more energy

   2. The curing of ailments

2. Acquire the foods and eat them during your normal eating times.

3. Record your difference of feelings over time.

LAB EIGHT – SOFTWARE AIDED LEARNING & VIRTUAL EXPERIMENTS:

MATERIALS:

• Lab Notebook

• Atoms, Bonding & Structure 1.5 Software (http://www.download.com/Atoms-Bonding-and-Structure/3000-2054_4-7761601.html?tag=lst-0-9)

• ChemLab 2.4 (http://www.download.com/Atoms-Bonding-and-Structure/3000-2054_4-7761601.html?tag=lst-0-9)

Note: All of the links above are shareware. If you decide to get the full version of the items, you may do so, but it is not required.

PROCEDURE:

1. Download the software.

2. Go through the learning activities for Atoms, Bonding & Structure 1.5.

3. Go through the labs for ChemLab 2.4.

4. Document your general experience (likes, dislikes, questions, etc.)