Biochemistry

This module is part of a collection of nine green chemistry teaching modules developed in the early 2000s by a team of faculty (Donna Narsavage-Heald, Trudy Dickneider, David Marx, Timothy Foley, Joan Wasilewski) led by Michael Cann at the University of Scranton and has been migrated to the GCTLC. The subjects of the modules are based on winners of the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. The modules were used to infuse green chemistry across the curriculum (courses: general chemistry, organic, advanced organic, biochemistry, environmental, industrial, polymer, inorganic, toxicology). Infusion of green chemistry across the curriculum provides students the understanding that green chemistry is not a field unto itself but impacts all areas of chemistry. Having been exposed to many green chemistry examples students are likely to think green in their ensuing careers. The resources are provided as is in their original form, for reference and archival purposes. Therefore, some of the material may no longer be current, and some links may no longer be active. An interesting project would be to update the material in this module.

This biochemistry module discusses the use of insecticides, including organophosphates and carbamates, which are widely used chemicals whose primary effect is the inhibition of an enzyme involved in the regulation of nerve transmission. Although these classes of chemicals are effective against insects, they may exhibit toxic effects on non-target insects as well as animals and humans, they are not selective. These are explored in this module along with a new family of insecticides developed by Rohm and Haas that offers a higher level of selectivity with reduced risk. In the module, the mode of action for each of these classes of insecticides is discussed.

Major funding for this project came from The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences. The ACS/EPA Green Chemistry Educational Materials Development Project and the University of Scranton provided additional funding.

This module is also available in Spanish and Portuguese.