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About Carbohydrates: The sugars that feed us Virtual Lab Simulation
Most people are familiar with carbohydrates, especially when it comes to what we eat. For example, to lose weight, some individuals adhere to “low-carb” diets. Athletes, in contrast, often “carbohydrate-load” before important competitions to ensure that they have enough energy to compete at a high level.
Different types of carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an essential part of a diet because they provide energy to the body. Grains, fruits, and vegetables are all natural sources of carbohydrates for energy. These foods consist of both soluble and insoluble carbohydrates. The insoluble part is known as fiber, which is mostly cellulose.
Learn how carbohydrates are digested
Your goal in the Carbohydrates lab is to learn how carbohydrates are digested and utilized by the body as an energy source. Use the in-lab molecule visualizer to study the chemical structure of sugars and learn the basics of molecule structures and chemical formulas. You will also perform a real experiment and get a sense of how the amylase breaks down starch. A 3D animation will visualize the molecular process of carbohydrate digestion.
Test the effect on blood glucose levels
You will find that the effect on the blood glucose level is very different, depending on the composition of food. For that reason, you can choose different food items and measure the increase of the blood glucose level of a virtual test subject.
Will you be able to use your carbohydrates knowledge to figure out which foods will cause a spike in the blood glucose levels?
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Techniques in Lab
- Reading scientific papers
- Analyzing blood sugar measurements
Learning Objectives
At the end of this simulation, you will be able to…
- Understand the molecular structure of sugars and polysaccharides
- Understand digestion and appreciate the complexity of the human body
- Experiment with different foods and measure their impact on the blood sugar level
Simulation Features
Examples of Related Standards
Life Science related 1st year onwards
HS-LS1-3, HS-LS1-6
2.3 Carbohydrates and lipids
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
Screenshots of Carbohydrates: The sugars that feed us Virtual Lab Simulation
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