This interrupted case study examines basic concepts of chemical bonding by telling the story of “Madison,” who is learning about the texture of her hair and how it can transition between its natural curly state to a smooth, straight texture. The case can be used to teach or review the major categories of bonds (ionic, covalent and hydrogen), major macromolecules of life, and hydrolytic and dehydration reactions. It also explores how chemical relaxers and heat through blow drying and flat-ironing can change the nature of straight, wavy and curly hair through the disruption of protein shape. Students learn what it means when a protein has become denatured and how various variables such as pH, heat and salts can lead to the unraveling of the three-dimensional shape of proteins. This case is suitable for an AP high school course, or for an introductory biology or chemistry course for majors or non-majors; it can also be used as a review of basic biology and chemistry for students in an upper-level biochemistry course.
"Hii kesi ya utafiti wa kesi ya kukatizwa inachunguza dhana za msingi za vifungo vya kemikali kwa kuelezea hadithi ya ""Madison,"" ambaye anajifunza juu ya muundo wa nywele zake na jinsi inavyoweza kubadilika kutoka kwa hali yake ya asili ya curly hadi muundo laini, wa moja kwa moja." Katika kesi hii, unaweza kujifunza au kukagua makundi makuu ya vifungo (ionic, covalent na hidrojeni), macromolecules kuu ya maisha, na hydrolytic na dehydration athari. Pia inachunguza jinsi relaxers kemikali na joto kupitia blow-kuoka na flat-ironing inaweza kubadilisha asili ya nywele moja kwa moja, wavy na curly kwa kuvuruga protini umbo. Wanafunzi hujifunza maana ya protini kuwa denatured na jinsi tofauti kama vile pH, joto na chumvi inaweza kusababisha kufunuliwa kwa muundo wa tatu wa protini. Mfano huu ni sahihi kwa ajili ya AP shule ya sekondari kozi, au kwa ajili ya utangulizi biolojia au kemia kozi kwa majors au non-majors; inaweza pia kutumika kama mapitio ya msingi biolojia na kemia kwa wanafunzi katika kozi ya juu ya kiwango cha biokemia.