Should Bill Buy Sammy?
A Case Study Introducing Basic Chemistry Concepts
Author(s)
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/collection/detail.html?case_id=424&id=424Department of Mathematics and Science
Middlesex Community College
kleinj@middlesex.mass.edu
Abstract
In this case, students are shown the relevance of chemistry in daily decision-making by taking a look at the popular dietary supplement, s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), widely used in Europe for depression, arthritis, and liver disease and now available in the United States. The case was developed for use in the first semester of a general biology course taken primarily by non-science majors. Designed to introduce these students to chemistry, it is also good for developing critical thinking skills with regard to the use of dietary supplements, which tend to be popular with many students.
Objectives
- Describe the structure of an atom.
- Explain how covalent bonds are formed.
- Distinguish the characteristics of organic molecules.
- Discuss issues concerning the use of dietary supplements.
- See the significance of chemistry to daily life.
- Develop critical thinking skills.
Keywords
SAMe; s-adenosyl methionine; atomic structure; covalent bonds; dietary supplementsEducational Level
High school, Undergraduate lower divisionFormat
PDFType Methods
DirectedLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Chemistry (General) Biology (General) Science (General) Biochemistry
Date Posted
12/10/99Teaching Notes
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