Prev. Article Next Article Table of Contents

Article

No Apple Fool: Biochemistry and Taste

Your current credentials do not allow retrieval of the full text.

Purchase the full-text

PDF/HTML,
figures/images,
references and tables,
(where available)

Lynn Diener

Natural Science Department, Edgewood College, Madison, WI 53711

J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (3), p 345

DOI: 10.1021/ed085p345

Publication Date (Web): March 1, 2008

Abstract

Getting introductory level college and high school students excited about biochemistry can be a challenge. Biochemistry is such a relevant, real-world field of study; without the chemistry constantly taking place in our bodies, no one would be alive! But how can an instructor help students realize how integral chemistry is to the functioning of their bodies when chemistry still seems like a foreign language to them, one that they don't yet know how to speak? The JCE Classroom Activity, "Apple Fool! An Introduction to Artificial Flavors", has been the perfect hook to get my students interested in learning more about how biochemistry allows their bodies to function and specifically how it allows us to taste. In the Activity, students make mock applesauce using crackers. It's a surprising approximation of real applesauce (especially with a dash of cinnamon). Students wonder how their taste buds are so easily fooled and this leaves them excited to learn more about the chemistry and biochemistry of taste during the rest of the lesson.

Keywords (Audience):

General Public

Keywords (Domain):

Biochemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Communication / Writing

View: Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links

Citing Articles

Citation data is made available by participants in CrossRef's Cited-by Linking service. For a more comprehensive list of citations to this article, users are encouraged to perform a search in SciFinder.

This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Water Filtration: Small Changes Make a Difference
Erica K. Jacobsen
Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (7), 892
- Water Filtration: Small Changes Make a Difference
  Erica K. Jacobsen
  Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (7), 892
  Great ideas for modifications to JCE Classroom Activities often come to light during brief conversations with teachers at conferences and workshops. They may use an Activity in their classroom, but have a couple of suggestions to make it even more ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links