The unit "Dietary Supplements and the Chemistry of Life" is designed for an eleventh grade chemistry curriculum. The goal of the unit is to provide students with background information of the molecules and compounds that make up both the human body and the foods and nutrients they provide to it. Students will use this background knowledge to gain a deeper understanding of bodily processes and functions, and ultimately study the effect of dietary supplements on these functions. The students will be able to apply this unit to their daily lives by gaining fundamental knowledge of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins; the processes of anabolism and catabolism; the function and effect of ATP; and the definition and role of dietary supplements on their bodies. They will perform activities that will help them further grasp these concepts and that will allow them to relate this information directly to their own function as a human being.
I have seen the issues of eating disorders and steroids in my own high school classroom. Students at this stage in their lives are often self-conscious, anxious to conform to what they feel is acceptable or the norm, and very easily influenced. It is important to educate these students on these topics at an early age to prevent serious health issues from plaguing them in the future. The dietary supplements I will be focusing on in this unit are those that have been advertised for weight loss purposes. While there are many that exist in this capacity, my intention is to focus on a small group of these supplements that have been made popular and caused much controversy in recent years. It is my goal to make students aware of the effects of these types of dietary supplements and to research and suggest healthier alternatives to weight loss and body toning.
After completing this unit students will:
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1. Describe carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins and their functions in the body
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2. Differentiate between anabolism and catabolism
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3. Describe the role of ATP in the cells of living organisms
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4. Define dietary supplements and the effects of weight loss supplements on body functions
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5. Identify healthy approaches to weight loss and muscle toning
