This puzzle embeds 30 names, terms, and acronyms about glycolysis and fermentation in a 13- x 15-letter matrix. A descriptive narrative beside it describes important features of the pathway. All the terms a student needs to find are given there with the first letter followed by underlined spaces to be completed. Thus, the students usually must find the terms in their text to know how to spell them, correctly fill in the blanks in the narrative with the terms, and find and highlight the terms in the letter matrix. When all are found, the 20 unused letters complete a sentence that describes a major function of this central pathway. The puzzle may be used as homework, an extra credit project, or a group project in the classroom in any course where basic metabolism is learned. It disguises as fun the hard work needed to learn the names of the intermediates, enzymes, and cofactors required.
More Information
Citation
Helser, Terry L. J. Chem. Educ.2001 78 503.
Keywords
Biochemistry; Humor / Puzzles; Metabolism; Nomenclature / Units / Symbols; Teaching / Learning Aids
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