Students analyze amino acids and explain protein function.
This digital biology lesson introduces students to proteins by connecting molecular structure to biological function. Students work with visual models, short informational text, and classification tasks to build a conceptual understanding of how proteins are formed and what they do in living systems.
Rather than memorizing isolated facts, students develop meaning through structured analysis of representations and real examples.
Students begin by examining visual representations of proteins to identify amino acids as building blocks and to distinguish among the four levels of protein structure. They analyze how coils, folds, and chains relate to protein shape and function.
Students then read a short article that explains:
• proteins as enzymes and structural components
• where proteins are found in cells
• how protein structure supports function
• the roles of hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis in protein formation
Finally, students complete a classification task in which they sort images of:
• proteins
• other organic molecules
• inorganic substances
This reinforces both molecular identification and conceptual reasoning.
• Amino acids as protein subunits
• Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure
• Enzymes and structural proteins
• Protein formation and breakdown
• Hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis
• Structure–function relationships
• Builds conceptual understanding of biomolecules
• Connects molecular shape to biological role
• Supports visual and analytical learners
• Includes multiple representations of proteins
• 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 enzymes and protein structure
• Courses emphasizing molecular reasoning
Grade & Course Recommendation:
Middle School:Grade 8 Advanced Life Science, cell structure and enzyme introduction.
High School:Grades 9–11 Biology, enzyme function and biochemistry unit.
To see a preview of this lesson, click here.
Cross-Curricular Connections:
Chemistry Integration: Amino acid structure and peptide bonding.
ELA Integration: Written reasoning connecting structure to cellular function.
Health Science Integration: Nutritional role of proteins and enzymatic processes.
Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase
HS-LS1-1: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins, which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.
Connection: Students connect DNA instructions to protein synthesis and analyze how structure determines function.
HS-LS1-6: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen from smaller molecules combine to form larger biomolecules.
Connection: Students explore how amino acids bond through dehydration synthesis to form polypeptides.
HS-LS1-7: Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration involves chemical bond rearrangements that release energy.
Connection: Students examine how enzymes (proteins) regulate chemical reactions, including those in energy transfer.
Science & Engineering Practices:
Developing and using models
Constructing explanations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Engaging in argument from evidence
Crosscutting Concepts:
Structure and function
Systems and system models
Energy and matter
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 protein synthesis and breakdown via dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis.
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 explore how amino acids chemically combine and break apart in reactions.
Grades 9–10 / 7–8:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.2 / RST.6-8.2: Determine central ideas or conclusions of a scientific text; summarize key processes (protein formation and enzyme function).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 / RST.6-8.4: Determine the meaning of scientific terms (amino acid, peptide bond, denaturation, enzyme).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 / RST.6-8.7: Integrate technical information from diagrams (protein folding, synthesis reactions) with written explanations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 / WHST.6-8.2: Write explanatory texts to describe scientific processes (how proteins are built, folded, and function).
Students analyze amino acids and explain protein function.
This digital biology lesson introduces students to proteins by connecting molecular structure to biological function. Students work with visual models, short informational text, and classification tasks to build a conceptual understanding of how proteins are formed and what they do in living systems.
Rather than memorizing isolated facts, students develop meaning through structured analysis of representations and real examples.
Students begin by examining visual representations of proteins to identify amino acids as building blocks and to distinguish among the four levels of protein structure. They analyze how coils, folds, and chains relate to protein shape and function.
Students then read a short article that explains:
• proteins as enzymes and structural components
• where proteins are found in cells
• how protein structure supports function
• the roles of hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis in protein formation
Finally, students complete a classification task in which they sort images of:
• proteins
• other organic molecules
• inorganic substances
This reinforces both molecular identification and conceptual reasoning.
• Amino acids as protein subunits
• Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure
• Enzymes and structural proteins
• Protein formation and breakdown
• Hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis
• Structure–function relationships
• Builds conceptual understanding of biomolecules
• Connects molecular shape to biological role
• Supports visual and analytical learners
• Includes multiple representations of proteins
• 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 enzymes and protein structure
• Courses emphasizing molecular reasoning
Grade & Course Recommendation:
Middle School:Grade 8 Advanced Life Science, cell structure and enzyme introduction.
High School:Grades 9–11 Biology, enzyme function and biochemistry unit.
To see a preview of this lesson, click here.
Cross-Curricular Connections:
Chemistry Integration: Amino acid structure and peptide bonding.
ELA Integration: Written reasoning connecting structure to cellular function.
Health Science Integration: Nutritional role of proteins and enzymatic processes.
Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase
HS-LS1-1: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins, which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.
Connection: Students connect DNA instructions to protein synthesis and analyze how structure determines function.
HS-LS1-6: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen from smaller molecules combine to form larger biomolecules.
Connection: Students explore how amino acids bond through dehydration synthesis to form polypeptides.
HS-LS1-7: Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration involves chemical bond rearrangements that release energy.
Connection: Students examine how enzymes (proteins) regulate chemical reactions, including those in energy transfer.
Science & Engineering Practices:
Developing and using models
Constructing explanations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Engaging in argument from evidence
Crosscutting Concepts:
Structure and function
Systems and system models
Energy and matter
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 protein synthesis and breakdown via dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis.
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 explore how amino acids chemically combine and break apart in reactions.
Grades 9–10 / 7–8:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.2 / RST.6-8.2: Determine central ideas or conclusions of a scientific text; summarize key processes (protein formation and enzyme function).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 / RST.6-8.4: Determine the meaning of scientific terms (amino acid, peptide bond, denaturation, enzyme).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 / RST.6-8.7: Integrate technical information from diagrams (protein folding, synthesis reactions) with written explanations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 / WHST.6-8.2: Write explanatory texts to describe scientific processes (how proteins are built, folded, and function).
