Name: Project DUE DATE:

Project: Biomolecules – Why are they important to us?

Objectives:

 Model how food is broken down to be used by the body.

 Explain the importance and use of certain biomolecules in the body.

For this project, you will be completing a set of questions (30 points), diagramming a model of the
digestive system (32 points), and turning in a written essay (38 points). BE SURE TO READ ALL
DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.

Part 1: Element and Biomolecule Research Activity

-you will be assigned an element and research that element to complete questions 1-4
-you will choose a type of biomolecule and research that biomolecule to complete questions 5-8
Part 2: Digestive System Illustration
-you will attach the blank diagram provided to a large paper or poster
-you will use “zoom in” areas to label the mouth, salivary gland, esophagus, stomach, gall
bladder, liver, pancreas, and small intestine on the blank diagram provided
-you will trace the path of the biomolecule you chose in part 1 through the digestive system from
mouth to small intestine, using the “zoom in” areas to provide detailed information about the
biological processes happening to your biomolecule in each part of the digestive system
Part 3: Essay
-you will title your essay “The Importance of [element] from [type of biomolecule]”
Example: “The Importance of Carbon from Carbohydrates”
-you will compose an original essay of at least three paragraphs (see Essay Rubric for specifics)
-your essay will incorporate your answers from questions 1-8 in part 1 to explain the importance
of learning about elements and biomolecules in a fluid, cohesive manner

Project Checklist

_______ Sheet 1: Element research questions

_______ Sheet 2: Biomolecule research questions

_______ Sheet 3: Biomolecule chart

_______ Sheet 4: Digestive system chart

_______Poster: Digestive system illustration

_______ Essay: “The Importance of [element] from [type of biomolecule]”

Name:_________________________________________ Date:___________
Part 1: Element and Biomolecule Research Activity
Sheet 1: Element research questions (1-4)
Directions: Answer the question(s) for the element assigned to you. You may use the pre-selected
websites below to help with the research.
http://www.livescience.com/3505-chemistry-life-human-body.html
http://chemistry.about.com/od/biochemistry/tp/Chemical-Composition-Of-The-Human-Body.htm
http://www.classzone.com/vpg_ebooks/ml_sci_gr8/accessibility/ml_sci_gr8/page_340.pdf
http://www.britannica.com/
http://www.seafriends.org.nz/books/periodi.htm
http://www.webelements.com/hydrogen/biology.html

The element that is being researched is ___________________________.

1. Function – What role does this element play in our bodies?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. What might happen if your body does not get enough of this element?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. What might happen if your body gets too much of this element?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

4. Name a type of biomolecule which contains this element. What kind of foods do you eat that contain
this biomolecule?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Name:_________________________________________ Date:___________
Part 1: Element and Biomolecule Research Activity
Sheet 2: Biomolecule research questions (5-8)

The type of biomolecule that is being researched is ___________________________.

5. List three specific examples of the type of biomolecule are you researching.

6. About how much of this type of biomolecule should an average adult have in their diet?

7. How does your body handle an excess amount of this type of biomolecule?

8. For each of the following parts of the digestive system, describe what happens to this type of
biomolecule. This may include physical and chemical changes. Name the enzymes which act on this type
of biomolecule and tell where the biomolecule gets absorbed into the circulatory system.

Digestive system part Changes to biomolecule? Enzymes present?

Mouth a) b)

Salivary gland c) d)

Esophagus e) f)

Stomach g) h)

Gall bladder i) j)

Liver k) l)

Pancreas m) n)

Small intestine o) p)
Name:____________________________________________Date:__________________________

Sheet 3: Biomolecule Chart

Biomolecule type

Elements (and
Ratio if given)

Monomers

Functions

Examples
 Sheet 3 - Biomolecule Chart

Biomolecule type Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids

Carbon Carbon Carbon Carbon

Hydrogen Hydrogen Hydrogen Hydrogen
Oxygen Oxygen Oxygen Oxygen
Elements (and
Nitrogen Nitrogen
Ratio if given) 1C:2H:1O Very little oxygen Sulfur Phosphorous

Adenine
Guanine
Monosaccharides Glycerol 20 amino acids Cytosine
Monomers
Fatty acids Thymine
Uracil

Energy storage Energy storage Catalysts Information

storage
Tissue structure Membrane Tissue structure
Functions structure
Hormones
Insulation

Hormones

Glucose Triglycerides Insulin DNA

Sucrose Saturated fat Collagen
Cellulose Earwax Hemoglobin RNA
Glycogen Olive oil Myosin
Examples Lactase
Amylase
 Sheet 4: Digestive System Chart
Digestive system Function What, if any, enzyme is used here? What does the
part enzyme do?

Mouth

Salivary gland

Esophagus

Stomach

Gall Bladder

Liver

Pancreas

Small intestine
 Element and Biomolecule Research Rubric
(30/100 points)
Complete Missing
Complete Partial Missing (1 point) (0 points)
Question 8a)
(2 points) (1 point) (0 points) 8b)
8c)
Question 1
Question 2 8d)
Question 3 8e)
Question 4 8f)
Question 5 8g)
Question 6 8h)
Question 7 8i)
Subtotal 8j)
8k)
8l)
8m)
8n)
8o)
8p)
Subtotal
Total

Essay Rubric (38/100 points)

Complete Partial Missing

Introduction paragraph: 10 points 9 -1 0

- 5-7 sentences that describe what will be explained in the rest of point points
the essay

Body: 10 points 9 -1 0
-5-7 sentences that explain why it is important to learn about point points
elements and biomolecules
-include SPECIFIC examples to back up your reasons

Conclusion: 10 points 9 -1 0
- 5-7 sentences that summarize the points addressed in your essay. point points
Format: 8 points 7-1 0
The essay should flows nicely (no fragmented or run-on sentences) points points
Total
 Diagram Poster Rubric (32/100 points)

Digestive System part Complete Partial Missing

(4 points) (3-1 (0 points)
points)
Zoom-in of
Mouth
Labeled and explained
Zoom-in of
Salivary gland
Labeled and explained
Zoom-in of
Esophagus
Labeled and explained
Zoom-in of
Stomach
Labeled and explained
Zoom-in of
Gall Bladder
Labeled and explained
Zoom-in of
Liver
Labeled and explained
Zoom-in of
Pancreas
Labeled and explained
Zoom-in of
Small intestine
Labeled and explained
Total

Rubric Score
Element/Biomolecule Rubric /30
Diagram poster Rubric /32
Essay Rubric /38

Total /100

”Zoom in” example

If desired, these circles may be used to
help create the zoom-in, or close-up,
areas of the diagram.