Getting Loose: Do Dilutions Matter?
Students will model blood sugar homeostasis and investigate the sugar concentrations in various drinks by conducting serial dilutions.
Overview
Students model blood sugar homeostasis and measure sugar concentrations in drinks through serial dilutions, in a lesson for chemistry and biology. They start with the Homer-o-stasis lab and a video on blood sugar. Students then work through a scenario in which orange juice for a diabetic patient must be diluted to the right concentration. They learn dilution vocabulary and molarity calculations, using the PhET molarity simulation. Groups plan and run a serial dilution of a sweet drink, and may quantify it with a Vernier Spec. 20. The final task has students determine a safe dilution of apple, grape, and pineapple juice and present their procedures.
Lesson Objectives
- Model blood sugar homeostasis and investigate the sugar concentrations in various drinks by conducting serial dilutions. CAREER STATEMENT. Obi Chukwu worked with Kathryn Guy at the ERDC CERL Army Research Lab in Champaign, Illinois. Dr. Guy's research focuses on a novel aerobic wastewater treatment system for energy generation at Forward Operating Bases. Their work led to the creation of this lesson plan.
Standards
NGSS · 2
- HS-PS1-7Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.
- HS-LS1-3Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.