Description
Students investigate enzyme kinetics and the evolutionary relationship of catalase in 4 different species as they work toward understanding how natural diversity affects interactions with the environment. In the Guided Investigation, students conduct an experiment on catalase concentration and reaction rate, then they investigate the evolutionary relationship of catalase among 4 species. In the Inquiry Investigation, students design an experiment to further investigate enzymes. Kit includes enough materials for 1 group of students. Note: Kit is shipped with perishable material.
Unit Connection
Unit 3: Cellular Energetics, topics 3.3: Environmental Impacts on Enzyme Function and 3.7: Fitness
Standards Connection
ENE-1 The highly complex organization of living systems requires constant input of energy and the exchange of macromolecules.
SYI-3 Naturally occurring diversity among and between components within biological systems affects interactions with the environment.
Time Requirements
The Pre-Lab takes approximately 45 minutes of preparation, the Guided Investigation takes approximately 65 minutes of preparation, and the Inquiry Investigation takes approximately 30 minutes of preparation.
The Pre-Lab takes approximately 30 minutes. The Guided Investigations takes approximately 75 minutes. The time required for the Inquiry Investigation will vary based on students’ plans.
Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support instruction. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.
Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should be familiar with how temperature affects reaction rates; protein folding and denaturation; the central dogma of molecular biology: transcription, translation, and protein synthesis; evolution by natural selection; and nodes and branches of phylogenetic trees.
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