Metabolism: Anabolism and Catabolism - The Building Blocks of Life

Biology Grades High School 10:06 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the fundamental processes of metabolism, including anabolism (building up) and catabolism (breaking down), and their connection to energy sources like the sun and stars.

Video Resource

Introduction to metabolism: anabolism and catabolism | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 10:06
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.
  • Catabolism: The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.
  • Anabolism: The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.
  • Photosynthesis: The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
  • ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy currency of cells.

Learning Objectives

  • Define metabolism, anabolism, and catabolism.
  • Explain the role of the sun and stars as the primary sources of energy for life on Earth.
  • Describe the process of photosynthesis and its importance in the carbon cycle.
  • Identify the major types of molecules involved in metabolic processes (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins).
  • Explain the function of ATP as the energy currency of the cell.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they ate for breakfast and where they think that food's energy came from. Introduce the concept of metabolism as the process by which organisms obtain and use energy.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video "Introduction to metabolism: anabolism and catabolism". Instruct students to take notes on key terms and concepts.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    Lead a class discussion based on the discussion questions below. Encourage students to share their understanding of metabolism, anabolism, catabolism, and photosynthesis.
  • Interactive Exercise: Molecular Building Blocks (15 mins)
    Students will participate in an activity where they categorize different molecules (glucose, amino acids, fatty acids) as either building blocks for anabolism or products of catabolism. This can be done as a physical sorting activity or a digital drag-and-drop exercise.
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (10 mins)
    Administer the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank quizzes to assess student understanding. Review the key concepts and answer any remaining questions.

Interactive Exercises

  • Molecular Building Blocks
    Provide students with a list of molecules (e.g., glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, proteins, polysaccharides). Have them categorize each molecule as either a building block used in anabolism or a product of catabolism. This could be a physical sorting activity or a digital drag-and-drop exercise.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some examples of catabolic processes in your body?
  • What are some examples of anabolic processes in your body?
  • Why is the sun essential for almost all life on Earth?
  • How does photosynthesis connect the sun's energy to the food we eat?
  • Why is ATP called the energy currency of the cell?

Skills Developed

  • Critical thinking
  • Conceptual understanding of biological processes
  • Information synthesis

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is the term for the sum of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism?

Correct Answer: Metabolism

Question 2:

Which process involves the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy?

Correct Answer: Catabolism

Question 3:

Which process involves the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy?

Correct Answer: Anabolism

Question 4:

What is the primary source of energy for most life on Earth?

Correct Answer: The sun

Question 5:

Which process converts light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose?

Correct Answer: Photosynthesis

Question 6:

What molecule is considered the energy currency of the cell?

Correct Answer: ATP

Question 7:

Which of the following is an example of a carbohydrate?

Correct Answer: Glucose

Question 8:

Which of the following is a building block of proteins?

Correct Answer: Amino acid

Question 9:

What is the name of the process where plants use carbon dioxide, light and water to produce sugars?

Correct Answer: Photosynthesis

Question 10:

What element, other than hydrogen, makes up most of our bodies?

Correct Answer: Carbon

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

__________ is the sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.

Correct Answer: Metabolism

Question 2:

__________ is the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones.

Correct Answer: Catabolism

Question 3:

__________ is the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones.

Correct Answer: Anabolism

Question 4:

The sun's energy is captured by plants through the process of __________.

Correct Answer: Photosynthesis

Question 5:

__________ is the energy currency of the cell.

Correct Answer: ATP

Question 6:

__________ are fat molecules that are essential structures for various metabolic pathways.

Correct Answer: Lipids

Question 7:

Proteins are made up of __________.

Correct Answer: Amino acids

Question 8:

Plants use __________ from the air to produce sugars.

Correct Answer: Carbon dioxide

Question 9:

The process of breaking down molecules is known as __________.

Correct Answer: Catabolizing

Question 10:

__________ in stars is the process that forms heavier elements from lighter elements.

Correct Answer: Fusion

Educational Standards

B.LS1.5:Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy. B.LS1.6:Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules. B.LS1.7:Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen molecules are broken and the bonds in new compounds are formed, resulting in a net transfer of energy. B.LS2.3:Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for the cycling of matter and the flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Teaching Materials

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