Macromolecule Groups Poster

Introduction: The prefix “macro-“means large. The chemistry of living things (biochemistry) is dominated by 4 large groups of macromolecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Each of these four groups of macromolecules has many different molecules in its group, but the members of each group have some properties in common. You will be assigned one of the macromolecule groups. Your job is to find what those similar properties are. You will create a poster and then teach others what you learned. You will be graded on IB criterion B: Communication in Science.

My macromolecule group is ____________

Task: You will create a poster to use as a teaching tool to teach others about your group of important biological macromolecules. Here are the topics you must teach about your molecule group and include on your poster:

·  A definition of your group of molecules, including why they are important in living things.

·  What elements of the periodic table are included in your group of molecules? Is there any mathematical proportion to how those elements are arranged?

·  Name some common monomers and polymers that are found in your group. Be sure to explain what the difference between a monomer and a polymer is.

·  Include a “generic” drawing of a macromolecule in your group. Be sure to explain that drawing to your audience.

·  Find one example of how your macromolecule “is in the news”. It will probably involve a research project or a new medical product being created. Do some searching of Google News. Find an article that you can make sense of and describe it in layman’s terms on your poster. You will be evaluated on your ability to understand the article and communicate it in simple terms, so pick a good one!

·  Include at least 2 MLA references. You can use your textbook as one of them.

Standard Included: Recognize the basic molecular structures and the primary functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

Level / B: Communication In Science / Task Descriptors / District score
Unacceptable
Inaccurate
Insufficient evidence / The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors below. / 0
Developing Limited Partial / The student uses a limited range of scientific language correctly.
The student communicates scientific information with limited effectiveness.
When appropriate to the task, the student makes little attempt to document sources of information. / ·  Student includes a few appropriate terms and ideas.
·  Poster and presentation is weak and/or hard to understand.
·  The drawing is not appropriate or unclear.
·  The news item is very unclear and it is obvious the student does not understand the material and neither will the reader. The article selected contains no scholarly information.
·  Student makes an attempt at citing his/her source. / 1
Basic
Simple
Inconsistent / The student uses some scientific language correctly.
The student communicates scientific information with some effectiveness.
When appropriate to the task, the student partially documents sources of information. / ·  Student includes about half of the appropriate terms and ideas. /Student includes almost all of the appropriate terms and ideas.
·  About half of the poster and presentation is understandable. /Most of the information on the poster and presentation is understandable.
·  The drawing is appropriate, somewhat neat and understandable./ The drawing is appropriate, neat and mostly understandable.
·  The news item is explained. Based on the writing, the student may have a grasp on the information contained in the article. The article selected contains some scholarly information./ The news item is clearly explained. The student probably has a grasp of the information contained in the article. The article selected contains scholarly information.
·  Student has 1 source in MLA format. / 2
2.5
Proficient
Consistent
Accurate / The student uses sufficient scientific language correctly.
The student communicates scientific information effectively.
When appropriate to the task, the student fully documents sources of information correctly. / ·  Student includes all of the appropriate terms and ideas.
·  The information is of the poster and presentation is clear and understandable.
·  The drawing is appropriate, neat and understandable.
·  The news item is clearly explained. The article selected contains scholarly information.
·  Student has 2 or more properly cited MLA references. / 3
Excellent
Exceptional
Extended / 4