Introducing the Concept of Life Sciences
Part1 - Part
2 - Part3 - Part4
Part 3
Can we impact the quality of people's lives globally
by addressing unmet medical needs and illnesses that
have no cures?
Which Antacid Is Most Effective - Lesson 3
Settling the Debate (and Your Stomach Too!)
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Compare and contrast various samples of antacids
in a lab environment
- Evaluate antacids on their effectiveness and cost
- Compile and graph data
- Consider the extent to which marketing can affect
a product
Background Notes
Biomedical science is expected to advance more in the
next 20 years than it has in all of the last 100. Such
tremendous progress will be possible largely because
of a new technology - genetic engineering combined with
other key technologies.
Medical experts speculate that by the year 2010, at the current rate of increase
in scientific knowledge, we will make significant progress in the development
of new drugs to treat coronary artery disease, certain cancers, immune system
disorders and viral diseases such as AIDS. We also will make progress in the
treatment of degenerative conditions of late adulthood, including Alzheimer's
disease, arthritis and osteoporosis.
Considering the scope of products available to aid ailments such as a stomach
ache or indigestion can help students realize the pharmaceutical industry's
efforts to improve people's quality of life by developing products that ease
the symptoms of medical problems that have no cures.
Materials
Prepared by teacher:
- Diluted HCI solution (alternative: pure lemon juice)
- Mortar and pestle
- Antacid samples
For each lab group:
- Three beakers
- Stirrers
- pH strips (recommend pH paper or dip sticks with
a range of 0-6)
- Graduated cylinder
- Clock or stopwatch
Strategy
1. Teacher preparations: Prepare a 0.1M HCl solution so
that its pH is similar to a stomach's, which can range
from 1.3 to 3.5. (Lemon juice has a pH of 2.5) Find at
least three different samples of antacids. Grind each sample
up with a mortar and pestle. Label samples A, B, C, etc.
2. Distribute the same amount of "mystery" samples to students. With partners
or in small groups, students measure the effectiveness of each sample to neutralize
the acidity of the HCl solution.
3. Students measure 30 ml of HCl solution, and pour it into a beaker. Then, measure
and record the pH level. Next, one student adds "mystery" sample A, and stirs
gently. Have students record the pH level of the solution every 20 seconds for
5 minutes, or until the pH levels off.
4. Repeat the experiment for "mystery" samples B and C.
5. Based on their data, students determine which sample is most effective.
6. The class reconvenes and compares results. Then, the teacher unveils the brand
name of each mystery sample, the cost for one package and the ingredients to
compare content.
Follow-Up Questions
- Were you surprised at the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the products?
- Do you think the products are marketed according to their effectiveness.
- Which antacid is the most cost efficient in neutralizing stomach acid?
Follow-Up Activities for Students
- Create a table or graph incorporating the performance of three different
antacid samples. The tables or graphs could chart the weight of each antacid,
or they could compare the levels of pH reached over time.
- Write the script for a TV or radio commercial for one of the antacid products
used in the experiment; data from the lab must be included.
Additional Resources
American Heart Association
www.amhrt.org
American Medical Association
www.ama-assn.org
National Sleep Foundation
www.sleepfoundation.org
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
1100 Fifteenth St. NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 835-3400
(202) 835-3414 fax
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
www.phrma.org
Searle
www.searlehealthnet.com
Searle: Information on Arthritis
www.arthritisconnection.com
Searle: Information on Sleep
www.shuteye.com
Continue |
