In this activity, students learn the sources, functions, discovery history, deficiency, and excess effects of vitamins. The Molecular Expressions Vitamins Collection contains all of the known vitamins and many biochemicals that were once thought and claimed to be vitamins.
Preparation
Make sure that the sites are not blocked at your school
Review each vitamin link. Some of the vitamins in the past, are not considered vitamins today.
How-To
Explain the importance of vitamins
Display the Web site shown above.
Ask students to select the links for each vitamin (you may choose to select only the most common ones)
Let students complete the following list for each vitamin:
Chemical explanation
Discovery history
Deficiency disease and symptoms
Excess effects
Food source
Function
Molecular Expressions Vitamins (microscopic art work)
Ensure that the websites are accessible on student computers, or plan to use a projector if working in a traditional classroom.
Remind students that the molecular expressions images are artistic representations and should not be interpreted as scientific models.
Engagement:
Encourage students to be creative with their presentations, using visuals or diagrams to explain the vitamins' effects.
Use the molecular art collection as a way to explore the microscopic world, perhaps linking it to other topics like cell biology in future lessons.
Additional Resources:
Provide links to both the Molecular Expressions Vitamins Collection and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements to ensure students have reliable sources for their research.
More Ways
You may want to use the Molecular Expressions art collection to start a discussion about the microscopic world.
Program Areas
ASE: High School Diploma
View Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Engagement
Activity: (5-7 minutes)
Begin by asking students: "What are vitamins, and why are they important?"
Have students share their responses with a partner for 2 minutes and then share their ideas with the class.
Show a quick visual quiz or matching activity with common vitamins and their food sources to activate prior knowledge.
Introduction
Purpose: (10 minutes)
Explain that today's lesson will cover key vitamins, their roles in the body, the effects of vitamin deficiencies and excesses, and the history of their discovery.
Introduce the idea that some substances once considered vitamins have been reclassified.
Demonstration:
Use the projector to show the "Molecular Expressions Vitamins Collection" website.
Briefly explain what students will find on the site and how it visualizes vitamins in a unique, artistic way under the microscope.
Presentation
Teacher Explanation: (15 minutes)
Discuss the importance of vitamins, breaking it down into categories such as:
Functions: How vitamins support the body’s processes.
Sources: Common foods where vitamins are found.
Deficiency & Excess: Health problems from not getting enough or getting too much.
History of Discovery: Share brief stories about how key vitamins were discovered (e.g., vitamin C and scurvy).
Guided Exploration:
Project a couple of examples from the website, such as vitamin C or D, and go through the discovery, chemical explanation, deficiency symptoms, excess effects, and food sources together as a class.
Encourage students to ask questions or share what they know about these vitamins.
Practice
Engagement Enhancement
Activity: Research & Analysis (20 minutes)
Divide the students into small groups or pairs.
Assign each group 2-3 common vitamins to research using the Molecular Expressions Vitamins Collection and the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements websites.
Each group will complete a table that includes the following information for their assigned vitamins:
Vitamin Name
Chemical Explanation
Discovery History
Deficiency Disease and Symptoms
Excess Effects
Food Sources
Function
Group Collaboration:
After gathering information, students will create a short presentation (2-3 minutes) summarizing the key points for their assigned vitamins.
Evaluation
Group Presentations: (10 minutes)
Have each group present their findings to the class, either through a verbal presentation or using digital tools (e.g., Google Slides).
After each presentation, ask the other groups to provide feedback or ask questions, encouraging active listening.
Class Discussion:
Conduct a brief class discussion on any interesting or surprising facts students learned, focusing on the impact of vitamin deficiencies and the importance of a balanced diet.
Application
Individual Reflection: (5-10 minutes)
Ask students to write a brief reflection on which vitamin they find most important in their own diet and why. They should consider any personal health goals or nutritional needs when making their decision.
Extension Activity:
Have students plan a one-day meal that ensures they receive sufficient amounts of at least 5 different vitamins. Encourage them to research which foods are best for meeting these vitamin needs and share their meal plan with a classmate.
RF.4 - Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. (Fluency)
Reading
CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCR Anchor 4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
CCR Anchor 7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
CC BY: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as
attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.
View Conditions
The use of materials from the Molecular Expressions website is governed by their Legal Notice, which outlines the following key points:
Personal, Non-Commercial Use: You may download a single copy of any material (text, images, etc.) for personal, non-commercial use on a single computer.
Micrographs
Educational Use: Educators and students may use the materials for instructional purposes, provided they adhere to the non-commercial stipulation and do not modify the content.
View AI Reference
ChatGPT was used to rewrite this lesson in the WIPPEA format
