Students classify sugars and explain their biological role.
This digital biology lesson introduces students to carbohydrates by connecting molecular structure to biological function. Students use visual models, short informational text, and classification tasks to build a clear understanding of how carbohydrates are formed and how they are used in living systems.
Rather than memorizing vocabulary, students develop meaning by working directly with representations of carbohydrate molecules and real-world examples.
Students begin by examining visual models of carbohydrates to identify simple sugars as the building blocks of larger carbohydrate molecules. They analyze how repeating sugar units form chains and how structure relates to function.
Students then read a short article that explains:
• monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
• where carbohydrates are found in nature
• biological functions of carbohydrates
• the roles of hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis in carbohydrate formation and breakdown
Finally, students complete a classification task in which they sort images of:
• carbohydrates
• other organic molecules
• inorganic substances
This reinforces both molecular identification and conceptual reasoning.
• Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
• Carbohydrate structure
• Biological functions of carbohydrates
• Hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis
• Structure–function relationships
• Organic vs. inorganic molecules
• Builds conceptual understanding of biomolecules
• Connects molecular structure to biological role
• Supports visual and analytical learners
• Includes multiple representations of carbohydrates
• Works for guided instruction or independent practice
• Minimal prep required
This resource is a digital interactive lesson (Google Slides compatible) with built-in student tasks.
A teacher key is included.
• Middle school life science
• High school biology
• Biomolecules or macromolecules units
• Lessons on sugars and starches
• Courses emphasizing molecular reasoning
Grade & Course Recommendation:
Middle School:Grade 8 Advanced Life Science, cell processes and macromolecule basics.
High School:Grade 9–11 Biology or Physical Science, biochemistry or biomolecule unit.
To preview this lesson, click here.
Cross-Curricular Connections:
Chemistry Integration: Structural formulas and energy storage functions.
Health Science Integration: Nutrition and metabolism connections.
ELA Integration: Summarizing and explaining scientific concepts in writing.
Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase
HS-LS1-6: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and other large carbon-based molecules.
Connection: Students explore how carbohydrates are composed of CHO elements and how they form polymers through dehydration synthesis and break apart through hydrolysis.
HS-LS1-7: Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen are broken, and new compounds are formed that result in a net transfer of energy.
Connection: Students discuss carbohydrates as an energy source that fuels cellular processes.
Science & Engineering Practices:
Developing and using models
Constructing explanations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Engaging in argument from evidence
Crosscutting Concepts:
Structure and function
Energy and matter: flows, cycles, and conservation
Systems and system models
MS-LS1-7: Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy.
Connection: Students model how monosaccharides bond to form polysaccharides and release energy when broken down.
MS-PS1-2: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after they interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
Connection: Students observe that dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis change molecular composition.
Grades 9–10 / 7–8:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.2 / RST.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a scientific text; summarize complex concepts (structure and function of carbohydrates).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 / RST.6-8.4: Determine the meaning of domain-specific words (monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide, hydrolysis).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 / RST.6-8.7: Integrate information expressed visually (molecular diagrams, classification charts) with text explanations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 / WHST.6-8.2: Write informative texts explaining how molecular structure relates to biological function.
Students classify sugars and explain their biological role.
This digital biology lesson introduces students to carbohydrates by connecting molecular structure to biological function. Students use visual models, short informational text, and classification tasks to build a clear understanding of how carbohydrates are formed and how they are used in living systems.
Rather than memorizing vocabulary, students develop meaning by working directly with representations of carbohydrate molecules and real-world examples.
Students begin by examining visual models of carbohydrates to identify simple sugars as the building blocks of larger carbohydrate molecules. They analyze how repeating sugar units form chains and how structure relates to function.
Students then read a short article that explains:
• monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
• where carbohydrates are found in nature
• biological functions of carbohydrates
• the roles of hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis in carbohydrate formation and breakdown
Finally, students complete a classification task in which they sort images of:
• carbohydrates
• other organic molecules
• inorganic substances
This reinforces both molecular identification and conceptual reasoning.
• Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
• Carbohydrate structure
• Biological functions of carbohydrates
• Hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis
• Structure–function relationships
• Organic vs. inorganic molecules
• Builds conceptual understanding of biomolecules
• Connects molecular structure to biological role
• Supports visual and analytical learners
• Includes multiple representations of carbohydrates
• Works for guided instruction or independent practice
• Minimal prep required
This resource is a digital interactive lesson (Google Slides compatible) with built-in student tasks.
A teacher key is included.
• Middle school life science
• High school biology
• Biomolecules or macromolecules units
• Lessons on sugars and starches
• Courses emphasizing molecular reasoning
Grade & Course Recommendation:
Middle School:Grade 8 Advanced Life Science, cell processes and macromolecule basics.
High School:Grade 9–11 Biology or Physical Science, biochemistry or biomolecule unit.
To preview this lesson, click here.
Cross-Curricular Connections:
Chemistry Integration: Structural formulas and energy storage functions.
Health Science Integration: Nutrition and metabolism connections.
ELA Integration: Summarizing and explaining scientific concepts in writing.
Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase
HS-LS1-6: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and other large carbon-based molecules.
Connection: Students explore how carbohydrates are composed of CHO elements and how they form polymers through dehydration synthesis and break apart through hydrolysis.
HS-LS1-7: Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen are broken, and new compounds are formed that result in a net transfer of energy.
Connection: Students discuss carbohydrates as an energy source that fuels cellular processes.
Science & Engineering Practices:
Developing and using models
Constructing explanations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Engaging in argument from evidence
Crosscutting Concepts:
Structure and function
Energy and matter: flows, cycles, and conservation
Systems and system models
MS-LS1-7: Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy.
Connection: Students model how monosaccharides bond to form polysaccharides and release energy when broken down.
MS-PS1-2: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after they interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
Connection: Students observe that dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis change molecular composition.
Grades 9–10 / 7–8:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.2 / RST.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a scientific text; summarize complex concepts (structure and function of carbohydrates).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 / RST.6-8.4: Determine the meaning of domain-specific words (monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide, hydrolysis).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 / RST.6-8.7: Integrate information expressed visually (molecular diagrams, classification charts) with text explanations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 / WHST.6-8.2: Write informative texts explaining how molecular structure relates to biological function.
