The Chemistry of Nutrition
The curriculum aspect of Project CRYSTAL is based around three modules written specifically for middle school students to help them relate chemistry to nutrition.
The Chemistry of Sugars
Focuses on the concepts of matter, electrons, neutrons, protons, atoms, molecules, and chemical bonding are introduced. The module centers on the main ideas associated with sugar chemistry and how sugars are the major building blocks for starch, glycogen, and polysaccharides of medical relevance. This module is especially relevant given that sugars represent 50% of the biomass of the Earth. At the end of this module, students will know the differences between mono-, di-, and polysaccharides and how they relate to everyday life.
The Chemistry of Fats
Focuses on the main ideas associated with fats. At the end of the module, students will understand the differences between such commonly used terms as trans fats, saturated fats, unsaturated fats, anabolic steroids, and cholesterol.
The Chemistry of Proteins
Focuses on amino acids, peptide bonds, and the three-dimensional structures of proteins. Students will learn to download protein coordinates from the Protein Data Bank and to use specialized graphics programs to display individual proteins. The concepts of enzymes are taught in context of molecular diseases such as galactosemia and phenylketonuria (PKU). By the end of this module, students will understand the importance of essential amino acids, dietary needs, and the differences between a protein and an enzyme. By studying the chemistries of sugars, fats, and proteins, students ultimately will be able to make informed choices on which foods they eat by applying scientific reasoning.