Vanilla medicine
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=238
A lesson plan for grade 8 Science
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In this Science Update, students explore how a modified form of vanilla might one day help treat sickle-cell disease. According to Toshio Asakura, a research hematologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia contends that if researchers can figure out how to prevent stomach acid from destroying vanillin once injected, the flavoring might actually help cure sickle-cell anemia. Science NetLinks provides a link to the audio file, a written transcript, and questions to engage students in discussion about sickle-cell anemia and the usefulness of looking for new treatments for diseases. The activity also includes links to the Harvard Medical School’s site on the disease and ProQuest Pharmaceuticals explanation of how prodrugs work.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 8
- Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.05: Analyze evidence to:
- explain observations.
- make inferences and predictions.
- develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
- Describe strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, and/or data.
- Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
- Research.
- Gather and analyze data.
- Visualize data.
- Disseminate findings to others.
- Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
- Scientific text.
- Articles.
- Events in the popular press.
- Goal 6: The learner will conduct investigations, use models, simulations, and appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of cell theory.
- Objective 6.01: Describe cell theory:
- All living things are composed of cells.
- Cells provide structure and carry on major functions to sustain life.
- Some organisms are single cell; other organisms, including humans, are multi-cellular.
- Cell function is similar in all living things.
- Objective 6.04: Conclude that animal cells carry on complex chemical processes to balance the needs of the organism.
- Cells grow and divide to produce more cells.
- Cells take in nutrients to make the energy for the work cells do.
- Cells take in materials that a cell or an organism needs.
- Objective 6.01: Describe cell theory:
