Chemistry and link to health

Lab Final Report

This is a research paper discussing the importance of understanding chemistry links to health. There is a 2-page minimum not including the title page or references page. It must be in APA style format! Points will be taken off if your paper is not in APA format. You must submit your research paper through canvas under “Lab Final” by the due date.

It is suggested that you read the following resources prior to starting your research paper.

• How do Hormones Work
• What is Homeostasis?
• Fooling with Nature
• How to write an APA style paper

Utilizing  Google, PubMed, ewg.org, scientific journals, or the LIRN library on canvas, conduct research on your own for three of the following topics and explain the importance of understanding chemistry links to health:
• Heavy metals
• Human toxins
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Preservatives and toxins in the food, water supply, and the environment
• Consumer products with genetically modified organisms
• Glyphosate
• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Antibiotics and vaccines
• Radiation and chemotherapy
• Antioxidants and superfoods

Grading Rubric:

Example of what’s considered as a good explanation of connection between a topic and human health:

Topic:  Pesticides.

Defining:  Pesticides are basically any chemicals used for killing pests (not humans no matter how annoying they may be!), which includes any weeds, insects, or small animals that badly affect gardens and farm crops.  There are many classes of pesticides, such as organochloriens, organophosphates, and carbamates, to name a few.  One specific pesticide, DDT, is known to be carcinogenic, and also acts as a neurotoxin.  [For you students, it’s even better if you can find and include a picture of the compound; this is a chemistry class after all!]

Connection:   What’s considered as a good explanation:

– structure of compound (if mentioned in previous section, no need to repeat; does compound resemble certain naturally occuring compounds already in body?  DDT resembles steroids)

– mention any isomers of the compound (there’s two forms of DDT, one is less harmful than the other)

– mention how this compound gets into the human body and where it accumulates

(ex: DDT gets inhaled….accumulates in fat tissue)

– what effects compound cause to body at low levels / high levels

– is compound linked to risk of certain diseases or directy causes certain diseases/conditions

(no need to mention the specific mechanisms unless you can find one for the topic you’re writing about.  Think of how you would have to explain it in clear terms for your grandmother to understand)