Download Amino Acid Instruction Sheet

Paper Proteins ................................................................................. 1
Overview ................................................................................... 1
Brief Background Information .................................................. 3
Setup ......................................................................................... 3
Procedure .................................................................................. 4
Vocabulary ................................................................................ 5
Amino Acid Instruction Sheet ................................................... 7
Protein Instruction Sheet .......................................................... 8
4th – 6th grade
In this activity, students have fun using a “magic circle” origami
template to assemble individual amino acids and connect them
together to make a protein. They have the opportunity to discover
the relationship between amino acids and proteins as well as
better understand the complexity of protein folding.
Proteins are macromolecules made of amino acids
Proteins can fold into 3-D shapes. Their functions depend on their
configuration or shape.
The term “protein” may connote red meat.
They may confuse atoms and cells; molecules and atoms.
Students use an origami template to design eight amino acids and
then attach them together to form a protein.
S1C2PO1
S1C3PO2
S1C3PO5
S1C4PO1
S1C4PO3
S1C1PO1
S1C2PO1
S1C3PO4
S1C3PO5
S1C4PO1
S1C4PO3
S5C1PO1
S1C2PO1
S1C3PO3
S1C3PO6
S1C4PO3
S1C4PO5
Arizona Science Center, azscience.org
1
SL.4.1
SL.4.3
L.4.4
SL.5.1
SL.5.3
L.5.4
SL.6.1
SL.6.4
L.6.4
Basic Functions (3-5)
Deriving Energy from Food
 From food, people obtain fuel and materials for body repair
and growth.
Basic Functions (6-8)
Deriving Energy from Food
 For the body to use food for energy and building materials,
the food must first be digested into molecules that are
absorbed and transported to cells.
Modeling across topics such as matter and energy (Modeling is
fore grounded)
Across Grades 4 – 8
 Important aspects of understanding and engaging in using
models, (constructing, critiquing, and revising models) as well
as important aspects of the nature of models (understanding
that models are tools for making predictions and
explanations).
Laboratory experiences in life sciences
Grades 1 – 13
Modeling is concerned with capturing key relations among ideas
rather than surface appearance
Grades K – 8
 We can learn about the world through modeling
Arguments use reasoning to connect ideas and data
Grades K – 8
 We can learn about the world through argument
Back to Table of Contents
Arizona Science Center, azscience.org
2
Proteins are made of small building blocks called amino acids.
Humans can make all but 8 amino acids in our bodies.
Humans acquire the 8 amino acids we do not make in our bodies
by eating food.
When we eat animal or vegetable protein, our body breaks down
the protein back into amino acids.
Once digested, the amino acids are then put back together to
create new and different proteins the body needs to function.
Proteins are 3-dimensional. The particular 3-dimensional shape of
the protein depends on the amino acid sequence, and it is the 3dimensional shape of the protein that gives it its specific function.
When a protein bends and twists to form its 3-D shape, this is
called protein folding.
Back to Table of Contents
15 minutes for preparation, 50 minutes to conduct activity
Each student will need:
 Amino Acid Instruction Sheet
 Protein Instruction Sheet
 Colored Paper (8.5” x 11”) – 8 Pieces
(Note: different colors of paper represent different amino acids.
Since there are 20 different amino acids, the more colors, the
better)
(15 minutes)
Make copies of:
 Amino Acid Instruction Sheet (5 minutes)
 Protein Instruction Sheet (5 minutes)
Organize colored paper into stacks (5 minutes)
Back to Table of Contents
Arizona Science Center, azscience.org
3
1. Ask students what they think of when they hear the words,
building block? Ask them to give examples of what they think
building blocks are. Using those examples, ask them what
those building blocks create (for example, bricks could make a
building, rocks could make a mountain, and pages could make
a book).
2. Ask students what they know of or remember about protein
(Note: students who participated in the Venom! lab activity
may have more information than those who have not). Accept
all answers.
3. Inform/Remind students that proteins are important to our
bodies for many reasons. Proteins are involved in almost
everything cells do. For example, enzymes are proteins
responsible for speeding up chemical reactions in our bodies,
hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that
carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns
carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs, collagen is a
protein responsible for providing structure and support to our
bodies, and the immune system has a whole host of proteins
that help protect our bodies from imbalance. Proteins can
signal, link, and transport cell materials.
4. Inform/Remind students that proteins are made of building
blocks called amino acids. Many amino acids linked together
create a protein. There are 20 different kinds of amino acids.
5. Inform students that they will use origami art to create eight
amino acids and then link them together to create a protein.
Note: Have a model already created so students can see what
they are working to create.
6. Hand out copies of Amino Acid Instruction Sheet and Protein
Instruction Sheet to each student. Allow students to choose
the colors they want for their protein. Remind students that
they will be creating eight (8) amino acids. Students may help
each other troubleshoot directions.
7. After proteins have been created, have students share their
protein design with the class.
Arizona Science Center, azscience.org
4
What was your experience folding the paper into amino acids?
Was it easy or challenging to make the protein?
What do you think it would be like to create a protein that was
100 amino acids long?
Back to Table of Contents
Atom (/ˈatəm/): the basic unit of matter, sometimes described as
building blocks.
Amino Acid (əˈmēnō/ /ˈasid/): building blocks of larger molecules
called proteins. The amino acids are arranged like beads on a
string. There are 21 common amino acids in proteins.
Building Block (): a basic element or part of something. Something
small of which something bigger is made.
Cell (sel/): the smallest structural and functional unit of an
organism
Collagen (/ˈkäləjən/): a protein responsible for providing structure
and support to our bodies.
Enzyme (/ˈenzīm/): proteins responsible for speeding up chemical
reactions in our bodies.
Hemoglobin (ˈhēməˌglōbin/): a protein molecule in red blood cells
that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and
returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs
Macromolecule (/ˈmakrō ˈmäləˌkyool/): A very large molecule,
such as a protein, consisting of many smaller structural units
linked together.
Molecule (/ˈmäləˌkyool/) a group of two or more atoms that stick
together.
Protein (/ˈprōˌtē(ə)n/): molecules made from tiny building blocks
called amino acids, and are a vital part of all living things. They are
Arizona Science Center, azscience.org
5
part of everything that happens within cells. Their main function is
to heal wounds, fight infection and build muscle.
Protein Folding: when a protein bends and twists to form its 3-D
shape.
Back to Table of Contents
Arizona Science Center, azscience.org
6
Arizona Science Center, azscience.org
Video instructions can also be found in the Venom! unit at http://askabiologist.asu.edu/body-depot .
Arizona Science Center, azscience.org