1. The Krebs Cycle Card Game and Other Diversions
H2O
Copies of the card game suitable for printing can be downloaded at
coenzyme A
acetyl CoA
The reverse sides of the compound cards give the structure of the compounds.
citrate
oxaloacetate
isocitrate
Another way to play the game: with the program Inspiration (Inspiration Software, USA)
malate
carbon dioxide
2-oxoglutarate
=α-ketoglutarate
carbon dioxide
H2O
fumarate
coenzyme A
BEFORE: The student starts with instructor-given set of compounds, and forms them into the cycle. Files that contain these images are found at the download site at
succinyl CoA
succinate
coenzyme A
The printed cards—cut along the lines.
The whole game in a plastic bag—complete with instructions.
AFTER: The student has arranged the cycle. The level of detail is up to the instructor. The cycle could be in place at the start, for instance, with the enzymes to be put in place by the student. Items can be supplied by the instructor or by the student, depending on the level of knowledge expected.
There are many ways to display items, including names with notes that become visible when requested. The graphic images and labels can be copied and pasted among formats.
Virginia S Berg1 and Ira Simet2
1Department of Biology
2Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls IA USA
Chemical reactions are one possible area for students to explore, but they can also build concept maps (starting with instructor-provided labels), where students connect ideas and processes, and explain how they are related.