Chemistry of Life

Chemistry of Life

What biochemical process allows you and I to breathe? And what biochemical processes are responsible for the milk we drink or the cheese we eat?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, watch the four videos in this video series. Follow Josh and Caroline as they trek from a jungle to a laboratory that seeks to uncover the mysteries of milk. Ask your teacher to download the lesson activity below that allows you to build your knowledge about the chemistry of life. Don’t forget to check out the website of the educational partner that supported this video content. You’ll learn tons of new stuff about the ins and outs of the dairy industry there as you moo-ve through their website.

Overview

On this Four-Part episode of Into the Outdoors:
Few people understand the mystery of what creates life. That’s why our ITO adventure team treks from wild jungles to sophisticated dairy labs in their quest to decode foundational chemistry behind some of the secrets of life. And be sure to check out the great “TED-Ed” educational video from Amanda Ooten, The simple story of photosynthesis and food. Use the drop-down arrows beneath the video thumbnails. And to take learning into classrooms, download the free middle and high school Lesson Activities at the bottom of this page.

At Olbrich Botanical Gardens they begin with unraveling how plants use photosynthesis to convert inorganic chemicals into organic compounds that form the basic building blocks of life. Next, they take these building blocks up through the food chain using an example of a dairy cow to track down how the chemistry of dairy science directly relates to the chemistry of life. After they uncover some history of early dairy science, they dive headlong into the real world of biochemical conversions working along real scientists at Wisconsin’s Center For Dairy Research. Finally, armed with all that they’ve learned, they begin some experiments of their own at home using milk products to further create and test biochemical reactions that they can eat – using real scientific methods that other kids can try at home.

Plus, the educational partner noted below supported the video content here for all of us to learn from. They also offer other learning opportunities on their website. Educators are encouraged to evaluate and consider their science sources. So click on their logo to discover more!

Advanced Overview

Part 1 – From air and water into ice cream? In this segment, Josh and Caroline use jungle plants to reveal the first secret to life on earth – photosynthesis. Using the science connections at Mission Control, Emma helps them decode the chemistry conversion from plants, to nutrients, to cows to milk. Once they find out how water and air can be converted into milk, they set the stage for more complex conversions.

Part 2 – Milking the Science – In this part, Josh puts on his investigative lab coat and explores the chemistry and properties of milk with scientists at Wisconsin’s Center for Dairy Research. Josh discovers that milk isn’t just a liquid but a complex emulsion that contains a number of parts that scientists use to make a variety of common foods. Through his investigation, Josh reveals the differences between whole, skim, evaporated, and powdered milk, plus how moisture and butterfat content relates to each one.

Part 3 – Dairy Histories and Mysteries – Back in their ITO laboratory, Josh and Caroline step back in time to reveal historic events in the biochemical evolution of dairy science. Then Josh wades back into the real world of biochemical reactions of cheese making while separating his curds and whey alongside real scientists. And of course with Josh, some silly fun finds its way into the process.

Part 4 – Kid Chemists At Home – Taking all that they’ve learned in the labs back into their kitchen at home, Josh and Caroline design some experiments using the scientific method. First, they figure out the formula of how to convert milk and active culture into homemade yogurt. They not only make their yogurt, they explain the reactions and conversions from lactose into lactic acid that helps make their yogurt. Finally, they perform a parting experiment using the milk-fat in heavy cream to create a surprise result that kids can try at home.

Links

Center For Dairy Research

Serious Dairy Science at this place!

How to make Yogurt

Try this "biochemical" reaction

K-12 Kids Ed

Photosynthesis decoded

How cheese is made

Chemical conversions we can eat!

Milk-cheese mysteries

Fun facts, stories and more!

Bolz Conservatory